Course Syllabus

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Semester & Location:

Summer session, 2023- DIS Stockholm
Type & Credits:

Core Course - 3 credits

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:

Times: See the Course summary below. Room: 1D-409

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: Climate change and global warming

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

Module 5: Air Pollution  

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

Module 6:  Renewable energy and sustainable buildings

  • Renewable energy
  • The built environment & sustainable buildings

 Module 7: 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.

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.

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 (including assignments)

  • Class attendance
  • Level of preparation (reading 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
  • Graded assignments related to course modules

Exam

In class, closed-book exam is used to evaluate your knowledge and understanding of the material covered in class.

Study tour assignment

  • 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

Final Project:

  • A written report 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.

Grading

Participation (including assignments) 20%
Exam 35%
Study tour assignment  10%
Final project report
 35%
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