Course Syllabus

Jump to Today

Engineering Sustainable Environments in Scandinavia

 DIS Logo

Sustainability Energy Tree - Free image on Pixabay

Semester & Location:

Spring 2023- DIS Stockholm
Type & Credits:

Core Course - 3 credits
Core Course Study Tours:

Umeå, Sweden
Long Study Tour:

Iceland

Major Disciplines:

Engineering, Environmental Science
Prerequisites:

Two courses in math, plus a total of five courses within engineering, basic science (biology, chemistry, physics), and/or computer science, all at university level. At least one of these courses should be an engineering course.
Faculty Members:

Asterios Papageorgiou (current students please use the Canvas Inbox)
Program Director:

Natalia Landázuri Sáenz, Ph.D.
Academic support:

academics@disstockholm.se 
Time & Place:

Monday and Thursday 14:50 - 17:45, Room: 1E-510 

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
  • Wastewater: Collection, Treatment, Resource Recovery

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
  • The built environment & sustainable buildings

 Module 7: Sustainability Assessment 

  • Sustainability Assessment
  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
  • Environmental economics and 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 sustainable water management and understand issues associated with wastewater treatment solutions.
  • 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
  • Understand and explain the causes and impacts of climate change and explore mitigation and adaptation measures
  • Understand the role of renewable energy and sustainable buildings in developing efficient, healthy, and resilient cities
  • Explain the aim, phases and central concepts of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method and explore its applications
  • Understand the basic linkages between economy and environment, and explore the Cost-Benefit Analysis method for engineering solutions

Faculty

  Asterios Papageorgiou.png

Asterios Papageorgiou

Licentiate of Engineering (Industrial Ecology, KTH, Sweden 2021),

M.Sc. (Sustainable Technology, KTH, 2018),

M.Sc. (Sustainable Waste Management, Leeds University, UK, 2006).

Research engineer and PhD candidate at KTH (2018-Today). Has taught the following courses:

  • Technology and Ecosystems,
  • Waste Management
  • Life Cycle Assessment,
  • Cleaner Production and Industrial Environmental Technology,
  • Introduction to Industrial Ecology

Has published articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and book chapters covering the following thematic areas: 1) Waste management; 2) Urban metabolism; 3) Life cycle assessment of energy systems; 4) Circular Economy.

With DIS since 2021

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

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 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.
  • A visit to a wastewater treatment plant in Stockholm
  • A visit to 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.

Guest Lecturer

Chang.png

Chang Su, PhD in Energy Technology (KTH Royal Institute of Technology 2014 - 2019). Researcher at the KTH Research Initiative on Sustainable Industry and Society (IRIS) platform.

Chang specializes in energy sector subjects, including renewable energy, heating systems and data science in energy systems analysis. Has taught courses in energy management, heat transfer and energy policy and market.

With DIS since 2021.

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. 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 Umeå (northern Sweden) during the core course week (6-8 February 2023) and a long study tour to relevant destinations in Iceland (16-21  April 2023). 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
  2. Final Exam

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 project at the class or for an open public during the final academic showcase at the end of the term (TBA).

Grading

Participation 10%
Midterm Exam 20%
Final Exam 20%
Study tours' assignments  10%
Case study 10%
Final project report
 20%
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