Syllabus 2010/2011 FMIA01

Syllabus academic year 2010/2011
(Created 2010-07-25.)

ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY

FMIA01

Credits: 4. Grading scale: TH. Cycle: G1 (First Cycle). Main field: Technology. Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish. FMIA01 overlaps following cours/es: FMI640, FMIF15 and GEMF01. Compulsory for: IBYA1, IBYI1, IBYV1. Course coordinator: Charlotte Retzner, charlotte.retzner@miljo.lth.se, Environmental and Energy Systems Studies. Assessment: Attendance at discussion seminars and study visits is mandatory. A minor group project is carried out, that must be presented orally and in writing, and the project report must fulfil basic formal criteria. A written exam must be passed, and the result of this exam decides the final grade of the course. Home page: http://miljo.lth.se.

Aim
After passing the course, the student should have gained an understanding of how societal activities affect the environment and how environmental problems can be mitigated, in particular from the perspective of the sectors of construction and infrastructure building. Also, the student should be encouraged to take part in a discussion regarding the particular responsibility of the engineer in relation to sustainable development.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

Be able to identify and describe actual or potential environmental problems within the fields of construction and infrastructure building.
Be able to relate different environmental problems to the different phases of a construction or infrastructure project in a lifecycle perspective.
Be able to describe the basic societal framework of environmental protection, e.g., legislation and policy instruments.
Be able to describe how environmental protection can be organised and pursued in industry and organisations.
Be able to describe the scientific mechanisms behind certain important environmental problems.

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

Be able to write a well-structured short report with a correct language, and a satisfactory use of relevant sources.
Be able to independently gather and process information within the framework of a minor project work

Contents
The principles of the concept of sustainable development. The principles behind the emission and dispersion of pollutants. Important environmental problems related to the energy and resource needs of the modern society.

Environmental work/activities in industry: cases and principles. Fundamentals in environmental legislation.

Construction and infrastructure projects in a lifecycle perspective: materials and resource use; environmental and health risks relevant to materials use; waste handling; etc. The relative contribution of the construction/infrastructure sector to environmental problems.

Literature
Brandt, N & Gröndahl, F: Miljöeffekter. Kompendium i miljöskydd, del 4. Industriellt Miljöskydd KTH, Stockholm, 2000 or later.
Scientific papers, statistics, case studies etc.
A list of additional literature is established each time the course is given.