Course syllabus

Sustainability and Resource Use with Perspectives on Information and Communication Technology
Hållbarhet och resursanvändning med perspektiv på informations- och kommunikationsteknik

FMIF45, 4.0 credits, G2 (First Cycle)

Valid for: 2024/25
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering LTH
Decided by: PLED W
Date of Decision: 2024-04-02
Effective: 2024-05-08

General Information

Main field: Technology Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: First cycle, in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Mandatory for: C2, D3
Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish

Aim

Engineers with a Master of science in Computer science and engineering or Information and communication engineering technologies will play an important role in the development of tomorrow's technologies and products since software and information and communication technology (ICT) are deeply integrated into various technologies and industries. All enterprises, not least within technology and product development, are affected by sustainability requirements. Future engineers therefore need basic understanding on the scientific and social perspectives that underlie the sustainability requirements. ICT is dependent on an infrastructure (data centres, networks etc), which requires natural resources and energy and generates waste, but the technology can also contribute to more sustainable solutions. This course provides students with basic knowledge on the concept of sustainable development, on major environmental and resource problems, on how IT, electronics and energy use affect the possibility for sustainable development, and on the tools that can be used by society and companies in their sustainability work.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

Contents

The course consists of lectures and a project (essay). The lectures address sustainable development (environmental, social and economic) from a general perspective and a company perspective and major environmental problems such as climate change, air quality and environmental toxins. The lectures also address the energy sector, resource use and waste management in relation to society’s requirements, and sustainability issues related to ICT. The course also covers sustainability tools such as life-cycle assessment and eco-design and principles and concepts regarding societal frameworks such as legislation and other policy instruments within the area of environment. The project is carried out in groups, and the resulting essays will be discussed at seminars.

Examination details

Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment:

The examination of the course consists of a written exam with grades according to the graded LTH scale (U, 3, 4 and 5), and a project work (U, G). For approved project work, an approved essay is required according to set criteria, approved written opposition and active participation at the project seminars. The course as a whole is graded based on the written exam (U, 3, 4 and 5).

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Modules
Code: 0219. Name: Project.
Credits: 1.5. Grading scale: UG - (U, G). Assessment: Approved project
Code: 0119. Name: Examination.
Credits: 2.5. Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5). Assessment: Approved written examination.

Admission

Assumed prior knowledge: 60 credits within programme
The number of participants is limited to: No
Kursen överlappar följande kurser: FMI031 FMIA01 FMIF01 FMIF05 FMIF10 FMIF20 FMIF35

Reading list

Contact

Course coordinator: Karin Ericsson, karin.ericsson@miljo.lth.se
Course administrator: Petra Malmquist, petra.malmquist@miljo.lth.se