Course Syllabus

Engineering  Sustainable  Environments

in Scandinavia

click here for the fall syllabus

DIS Logo

Sustainability Energy Tree - Free image on Pixabay

Semester & Location:

Summer 2022- DIS Stockholm

Type & Credits:

3 credits

Study Tour:

Iceland

Major Disciplines:

Engineering, Environmental Science

Prerequisite(s):

Two mathematics courses, four courses in basic science (biology, chemistry, physics), and one engineering course (or equivalent), at university level.

Faculty Members:

TBA

Program Director:

Natalia Landázuri Sáenz, PhD - Interim Program Director

Time & Place:

TBA

Course Description

This engineering course explores the development of tools and technologies to protect and restore environmental systems sustainably, using contemporary Scandinavian/Nordic case studies. We assess local environmental impacts of human activities relating to water consumption, waste production, transportation, energy, air quality, heat, and urban ecosystems, applying methods, techniques and modelling to describe, quantify, and solve environmental problems through collaborative engineering solutions. The course is problem-based and experiential, with course-integrated travel throughout the Nordic region, and hands-on projects with real-world applications.

This course covers the following modules:

Module 1: Principles for engineering sustainable environments

  • Toxic Substances, hazardous waste, ecosystems
  • Exposure, risk assessment and human health
  • Engineering and measuring sustainability

Module 2: Quality of water and air, and waste management

  • Water resources, quality, demand, distribution and use
  • Water constituents and treatment processes
  • Wastewater and stormwater characteristics and treatment processes
  • Solid-waste sources, characterization, collection and storage
  • Recycling and composting
  • Characteristics, sources and concentrations of air pollutants
  • Ground-level and stratospheric ozone
  • Types, sources, trends and control of emissions

Module 3: Sustainable development grand challenges

  • Sustainable supply of food, water, and energy
  • Curb climate change 
  • A future without pollution or waste
  • Efficient, healthy, resilient cities
  • Foster informed decisions and actions
  • Final project: application of engineering principles to help address a grand challenge

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to: 

  • Describe engineering principles used to assess and quantify hazardous substances in water, air and land
  • Describe major effects of toxic substances on ecosystems and human health
  • Explain engineering approaches to purify water and air, and to manage waste
  • Estimate and explain the impact of green house emissions on global warming
  • Reflect upon engineering and societal challenges to develop sustainable environments
  • Propose engineering tools and approaches to help address sustainability challenges 

Faculty

TBA

Readings

Field Studies

You will participate in two course-integrated field studies in Stockholm, to learn about Swedish approaches within environmental engineering. Field studies may include:

  • Visit to a research laboratory within Kungliga Tekniska Hösgkolan (KTH), Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering (SEED)
  • Visit to Biomedicum, a Stockholm-based research building that incorporates plant-covered walls and green spaces as an integral part of its architecture.
  • Stockholm Royal Seaport, with over 12,000 new homes and 35,000 new workplaces, this is one of the largest projects in Northern Europe and one of the city's prime examples of sustainable urban development, guided by environmental considerations.

Guest Lectures

City developers and experts within academia and industry are invited to present their current work related to the development of sustainable environments.

Approach to Teaching

Classes contain a mixture of lecture-based teaching, discussions, critical analysis of readings and research, group exercises, and group projects. You are expected to engage actively in classroom discussions, oral presentations, and group work. In addition, you will participate in local field studies and extended course-integrated study tours in Iceland (study tour). These visits give the opportunity to learn first-hand from academic and industry leaders, to visit labs, to speak with researchers about their cutting-edge work, and to better understand specific approaches of environmental engineering research necessary to create sustainable environments.

Study Tour

The study tour is an integral part of the core course. The classroom is “on the road” and theory presented in the classroom is applied in the field. Students will travel with classmates and DIS faculty/staff on a study tour to relevant destinations in Iceland. Students are expected to

  • participate in all activities
  • engage in discussions, ask questions, and contribute to achieving the learning objectives
  • be respectful to the destination/location, the speakers, DIS staff, and fellow classmates
  • represent self, home university and DIS in a positive light

While on a program study tour, DIS will provide hostel/hotel accommodation, transportation to/from the destination(s), approx. 2 meals per day and entrances, guides, and visits relevant to your area of study or the destination. You will receive a more detailed itinerary prior to departure.

Travel policies: You are required to travel with your group to the destination. If you have to deviate from the group travel plans, you need approval from the program director and the study tours office.  

Expectations of the Students

  • Laptops may be used for note‐taking, fact‐checking, or assignments in the classroom, but only when indicated by the instructor. At all other times, laptops and electronic devices should be put away during class meetings.
  • Readings must be done prior to the class session. A considerable part of the course depends on class discussion and you are expected to have completed careful reading in advance.
  • You need to be present and participating to receive full credit. Your final grade will be affected by unexcused absences and lack of active participation. The participation grade will be reduced by 10 points (over 100) for each unexcused absence. Remember to be in class on time!
  • You are expected to participate actively in class and during group work, and ask relevant questions in regards to the material covered.
  • Classroom etiquette includes being respectful of other opinions, listening to others and entering a dialogue in a constructive manner.

Evaluation

Participation: 

  • Class attendance
  • Level of preparation (reading/viewing material in advance) and ability to answer questions asked in class
  • Involvement in class and group discussions
  • Level of individual research and contribution to fruitful discussions

Tests:

  • In class, closed-book tests are used to evaluate your knowledge and understanding of material covered in class.

Assignments

  • Study Tour Assignment:
    • Generate questions to be asked during academic visits of the Study Tour
    • Preparation and presentation of group work based on academic visits
  • Graded surveys in preparation for class
  • Quizzes

Case Studies:

  • Written report and oral presentation of case study analysis

Final Project:

  • Written report of proposal where you utilize engineering principles to propose innovative tools, technologies or strategies to help address a grand challenge in environmental engineering (refer to reading material) and support the development of sustainable environments.
  • Presentation of proposal for an open public during the final academic showcase held at the end of the term

Grading

Participation 10%
2 tests (20% each) 40%
Assignments  10%
Case studies 20%
Final Project 20%

Academic Regulations  

 

 

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due