Environmental Systems Studies and Sustainable Development
Miljösystemanalys och hållbar utveckling

FMIF10, 6.0 credits, G2 (First Cycle)

Valid for: 2025/26
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering LTH
Decided by: PLED W
Date of Decision: 2025-04-09
Effective: 2025-05-05

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: Pi3
Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish

Aim

The aim of the course is to prepare engineering students for handling sustainability issues in their future professional life. Many students will work in large companies, with activities or production on/for international markets. These positions entail a personal responsibility for environmental and resource issues among others. In this context, knowledge is essential, not only about current environmental and sustainability issues, but also about societal frameworks and the role of engineers in this work.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• Be able to present an overview of the important environmental and resource issues related to the demands in modern society.
• Be able to analyse critically the concept of sustainable development.
• Be able to describe and apply different ethical perspectives on sustainable development.
• Be able to describe and apply principles from environmental economics and ecological economics.

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• Be able to gather information, critically evaluate and discuss the concepts of sustainable development and specific environmental problems
• Be able to formulate a problem and follow up in an analysis.
• Be able to write a well-structured short paper with a correct reference system, and be able to gather and critically evaluate information.
• Be able to present and discuss independent analyses within the field of the course, in writing as well as orally.

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

Contents

An introduction to, and discussion of, the concept sustainable development, environmental ethics, and economic perspectives on sustainable development. National and international targets and agreements are discussed, for example the Swedish environmental objectives and Agenda 2030. Resource use and resource flows, climate change, and biodiversity loss are three challenges for sustainable development that are specifically addressed.

Examination details

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

Written examination. A project performed in small groups which should analyse a relevant issue related to the contents of the course. The project is presented in the form of a short essay, which is defended orally in a seminar. Hand-in assignments performed individually and discussed in seminars. Participation in seminars is mandatory. The final grade (3, 4, or 5) is determined based on a weighting of the results on the exam 2/3 and the project 1/3.

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: 0125. Name: Examination.
Credits: 4.0. Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5). Assessment: Passed written or oral exam
Code: 0225. Name: Assignments.
Credits: 2.0. Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5). Assessment: Group project. Written assignments and seminars.

Admission

Assumed prior knowledge: Minimum 90 higher education credits within the program.
The number of participants is limited to: No
Kursen överlappar följande kurser: FMIF45 FMIF50 FMI031 FMIA01 FMIF05 FMIF35 FMIF01 FMIF15 FMIF20

Reading list

• Scientific articles and reports, updated annually. Material other than the specified textbook will be made available on the course website.
• Material other than the specified course literature is available on the course website. Please contact the course leader for more information on this.
• Fredrik Hedenus, Martin Persson, Frances Sprei: Hållbar utveckling : nyanser och tolkningar. Lund : Studentlitteratur, 2022, ISBN: 9789144161150.

Contact

Examinator: Fredric Bauer, fredric.bauer@miljo.lth.se
Course administrator: Petra Malmquist, petra.malmquist@miljo.lth.se