Syllabus 2010/2011 FMIF15

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

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

FMIF15

Credits: 7,5. Grading scale: TH. Cycle: G2 (First Cycle). Main field: Architecture; Technology. Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish. FMIF15 overlaps following cours/es: FMI031, FMI065, FMI100, FMI640, FMIA01, FMIF01, FMIF05, FMIF10 and GEMF01. Optional for: A3, B4, BI2, C4, D4, E4, E4em, M4en, MD4, RH4. Course coordinator: Karin Ericsson, karin.ericsson@miljo.lth.se, Environmental and Energy Systems Studies. Recommended prerequisits: Minimum 60 ECTS credits from a faculty of engineering. Assessment: Attendance at discussion seminars is mandatory. A group project is carried out, that must be presented orally and in writing, and the project report must fulfil basic scientific criteria. A written exam must be passed. The final grade of the course is a weighted average of the exam grade (2/3) and the project grade (1/3). 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 active engineer or fire protection engineer. Also, the student should be encouraged to take part in a discussion regarding the particular responsibility of the engineer in relation to sustainable development. The course departs from already acquired knowledge and relates it to the issue of sustainability.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

Be able to describe the scientific mechanisms behind certain important environmental problems.
Be able to identify and describe actual or potential environmental problems within relevant fields of the active engineer or fire protection engineer.
Be able to describe and discuss the societal framework of environmental protection, e.g., legislation and policy instruments.
Be able to describe and discuss how environmental protection can be organised and pursued in industry and organisations, in particular through environmental management systems.

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

Be able to formulate a relevant study problem that is followed up in an analysis
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 critically evaluate information in the framework of a minor project work.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

Be able to identify and discuss problems within environmental ethics, that are relevant for the active engineer or fire protection engineer.

Contents

The lectures describe societys supply of energy and natural resources, and local and global environmental problems related to the processes of production, consumption/use, and waste handling.
The Swedish environmental legislation and other policy instruments in the environmental field (economic, informative).
Concrete methods and tools used in industry and agencies/organisations for analysis and action in the environmental field: life cycle analysis; environmental impact assessment; etc. Environmental management systems in a critical perspective.
Within the framework of discussion seminars, relevant issues/problems are treated, e.g., environmental ethics problems relevant for the active engineer; consumption and the environment in a critical perspective
A tutored project work (in groups of students) aiming at a deeper understanding of particular issues. The aim and problem are formulated by the students, and a critical approach should be employed.

Literature
Ammenberg, J: Miljömanagement. Studentlitteratur, Lund 2004. ISBN 91-44-02813-X.
Brandt, N & Gröndahl, F: Miljöeffekter. Kompendium i miljöskydd, del 4. Industriellt Miljöskydd KTH, Stockholm, last edition. ISBN 91-630-9297-2.
Scientific papers, case studies etc.
The literature may be changed, due to the rapid development in this field.