Course Syllabus

Engineering Sustainable Environments in Scandinavia

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Sustainability Energy Tree - Free image on Pixabay

Semester & Location:

Spring 2022- DIS Stockholm

Type & Credits:

Core Course - 3 credits

Core Course Study Tours:

Sweden, Iceland

Major Disciplines:

Engineering, Environmental Science

Prerequisites:

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

Faculty Members:

Khaldoon A. Mourad, Ph.D. khaldoon.mourad@disstockholm.se 

Program Director:

Natalia Landázuri Sáenz, Ph.D.

Academic support:

academics@disstockholm.se 

Time & Place:

Monday/Thursday 14:50-17:45 (see course description for more details);

DIS building (Room nr. 1E-508)

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 analytical 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: Sustainable Development and Sustainable Engineering

  •  Introduction to sustainability and SDGs
  •  Sustainable Engineering: Concepts, Principles, and Frameworks

Module 2: Sustainable Water Management

  • Water resources, demands, distribution and use
  • Water quality & wastewater treatment
  • The Water-Energy-Food Nexus

Module 3: Sustainable solid waste management 

  • Solid-waste sources, characterization, collection and storage
  • Design a future without waste 

Module 4: Air Pollution  

  • Characteristics, sources and concentrations of air pollutants
  • Emissions assessment and control

Module 5: Climate change and global warming

  • Greenhouse Gases and climate change
  • Climate change impacts, adaptation and mitigation measures 

Module 6: Renewable Energy and Sustainable Buildings

  • Renewable energy
  • Sustainable buildings and smart cities

 Module 7: Sustainability Assessment and Environmental Economics

  •  Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
  • Environmental economics 
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis

Module 8: Communication and Engagement

  • Communication and stakeholders’ engagement
  • 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: 

  • Understand the role of engineers in sustainability science and in sustainable development
  • Evaluate engineering decisions against the guiding principles for sustainability and measure their sustainability  level
  • Identify and assess challenges and opportunities of different water resources, utility and treatment of water to meet sustainability
  • Understand and assess specific health, economic, and environmental impacts of air pollutants on the ambient and indoor environments
  • Understand issues associated with the design and operation of sustainable solid-waste systems with a focus on recycling, composting, and circular economy
  • Estimate and explain the impact of climate change and greenhouse emissions on global warming
  • Explore the basic linkages between economy and environment, and perform a Cost-Benefit Analysis for an engineering solution
  • Explain the principles of efficient, healthy, and resilient cities taking into account issues associated with renewable energy and smart buildings

 

Faculty

Khaldoon A. Mourad.png  

Khaldoon A. Mourad, PhD

Ph.D. (Water Engineering, Lund University, Sweden 2012), M.Sc. (IWRM, Cologne University of Applied Science, 2009), M.Sc. (Water Resources and Environment, Jordan University of Science & Technology, 2004).

(2021-date): Researcher at Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute;

(2015-date) External lecturer & supervisor at the Pan African University Institute of Water and Energy Sciences (PAUWES), Algeria.

Researcher at Lund University (2015-2019).

Has developed courses in Policy Influencing & Conflict Management, Water Economics, Law & Policy of Water Quality & Sanitation, Law & Policy of Water for Agriculture. Consultant at the Centre for Sustainable Visions, Sweden.

Has worked in multiple countries, including Sweden, Germany, Jordan, Algeria, Somalia and Syria. Has published more than 35 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals covering the following thematic areas: 1) Water Resources & Climate Change; 2) Community Engagement; 3) Land Use; 4) Post-Conflict Development; 5)  The Sustainability of WASH Services; 6) Sustainable Agriculture and 7) Flood Management.

Readings

Textbook 1:

 Introduction to Sustainability for Engineers. (2020).  By Ramjeawon, T. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, Florida (2020). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429287855 

Textbook 2:

Environmental Engineering for the 21st Century: Addressing Grand Challenges, by National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine, National Academy of Engineering, Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences, Division on Earth and Life Studies, Water Science and Technology Board, Ocean Studies Board, NAE Office of Programs, Board on Life Sciences, Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology, Board on Earth Sciences and Resources

Textbook 4:

  • Chapter 8, pp: 141-164

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 (these are examples):

  • A visit to a research laboratory within Kungliga Tekniska Hösgkolan (KTH), Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering (SEED)
  • A 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, 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 Lecturer

  Asterios Papageorgiou.png     

Asterios Papageorgiou

Licentiate of Engineering (Industrial Ecology, KTH, Sweden 2021), M.Sc. (SustainableTechnology, KTH, 2018), M.Sc. (Sustainable Waste Management, Leeds University, UK, 2006). Research engineer at KTH (2018-2021). Has taught the following courses: Cleaner Production and Industrial Environmental Technology, Introduction to Industrial Ecology, Life Cycle Assessment and Waste Management. Has published 7 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and one book chapter covering the following thematic areas: 1) Waste management & climate change; 2) Urban metabolism; 3) Climate change impact of solar microgrids; 4) Biochar-based systems.

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 northern Sweden (core course week), Iceland (long 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.

Core Course Week and Study Tours

Core course week and study tours are integral parts of the core course. The classroom is “on the road” and the theory presented in the classroom is applied in the field. Students will travel with classmates and DIS faculty/staff on two study tours: a short study tour to Lund (sorthern Sweden) during the core course week (from 7 to 12 February 2022) and a long study tour to relevant destinations in Iceland (20-25 March 2022). 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 a 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 the material covered in class.

  1. Midterm Exam (Thursday, 10 March 2022)
  2. Final Exam (Thursday, 5 May 2022)

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:

  • A written report and oral presentation of case study analysis

Final Project:

  • A written report of the 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 the proposal for an open public during the final academic showcase held at the end of the term, on 11-12 May 2022.

Grading

Participation 10%
Midterm Exam 30%
Final Exam 30%
Assignments  10%
Case studies 10%
Final Presentation/poster 10%
Total 100%

 

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on: 

 

 

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

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due