LIFE CYCLE THINKING AND THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY - 2021/2

Module Overview

When considering how to reduce the environmental impacts of a product, a service, an organisation, a household or even a nation, it is vital to take a life cycle approach. In this module we introduce participants to life cycle thinking, the concept of the circular economy, life cycle management and related environmental systems analysis approaches. We consider how such approaches can guard against trade-offs in sustainability, thus leading to better-informed decisions. 

Module provider

Centre for Environment & Sustainability

Module Leader

LIU Lirong (Civl Env Eng)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Introduction to life cycle thinking, the circular economy, and life cycle management


• Concepts, policy and organisational drivers, and application in practice;


• Introduction to Life Cycle Assessment methodology, simplified life cycle studies; and case studies (from academia and industry);


• Overview of Input-Output Analysis: principles and application;


• Principles and practice of Design for Sustainability.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

For In-class Group Presentation: an individual report For Individual Post Module Assignment: repeat assignment using different case study example(s).

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate that they understand the concepts of life cycle thinking and the circular economy, and are able to discuss the benefits and challenges of its application in practice in industry and for policy making.

The summative assessment is in two parts:

• 
  An In-class Group Presentation in which students are asked to present how principles of life cycle thinking and the circular economy may be implemented by a business to improve sustainability.
  
  In cases where the In-class Group Presentation is failed, the Alternative Assignment will be an individual report, 800 words maximum.
  


• 
  An Individual Post Module Assignment in which students demonstrate their understanding of how the principles of life cycle thinking and the circular economy can be applied to improve sustainability outcomes. They are asked to apply their understanding to case study examples. Assignment length: 3,200 words maximum (excluding reference list). Deadline: ~ 3 weeks after the end of the module.
  
  In cases where the Individual Post Module Assignment is failed, the alternative assignment will require students to repeat the assignment using different case study examples.
  

Module aims

• To introduce participants to life cycle thinking, the concept of the circular economy, life cycle management and related environmental systems analysis approaches.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to take an active learning approach, in which the students are engaged in class exercises and discussions. The schedule includes guest expert speakers from industry with whom students are encouraged to engage.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Preparatory reading (~10 hours);


• Lectures (~20 hours)


• In-class exercises and group discussions (~10 hours)


• Post course study and assignment (~110 hours)

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENGM058

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.