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: 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: C2, D3
Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish

Aim

All companies and development of new technologies and systems must consider how they affect sustainable development (environmental, social and economic dimension). The purpose of this course is to provide the student with strategic knowledge for their future professional career to enable them to meet environmental requirements and sustainability challenges that are particularly relevant for the IT sector, as well as to contribute to a systems perspective and a critical approach to reviewing sustainability strategies.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• Be able to describe the concept sustainable development from a general perspective and a company perspective
• Be able to describe some important environmental and resource problems in relation to society's requirements on sustainable development.
• Be able to describe how energy supply and IT and its infrastructure affect the environment and the possibility for sustainable development
• Be able to discuss how work towards sustainability can be conducted within companies, organisations and on a societal level .

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• Be able to collect and critically evaluate information within a group project that concerns a problem related to sustainability.
• Be able to write a well-structured essay with correct language and use of sources, orally present the essay and act as opponent to another essay.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• Be able to discuss sustainability strategies based on a systems perspective and critical review approach

Contents

The course consists of lectures and a project (essay). The lectures address sustainable development and its interpretations 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 general and from an IT perspective) in relation to both major environmental problems and to society’s requirements on sustainable development. The course also covers sustainability tools such as life-cycle assessment and eco-design and environmental legislation and other policy instruments. The project is carried out in groups, and the resulting essays are presented and 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

• Ammenberg, J., Hjelm, O. (red.): Miljöteknik - för en hållbar utveckling. Studentlitteratur, 2023, ISBN: 978914415935-5.
• Material other than the specified course literature is available on the course website. Please contact the course leader for more information on this.

Contact

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