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Sustainable and Life Cycle Engineering (MCEN90060)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
Humankind faces global challenges related to economy, ecology and socio-policy, e.g. population growth, climate change, and unequal development. Unsustainable consumption and production patterns have resulted in substantial economic and social costs and may endanger life on our planet. Engineers and scientists have developed methods and tools to evaluate and implement technological and societal processes to tackle the challenges of sustainability. Therefore, this subject aims to develop a holistic view of engineering the entire life cycle of a product or service from raw material extraction, production, usage to disposal.
This subject consists of four main modules 1) sustainable development and life cycle thinking; 2) life cycle analysis tools, 3) eco-design and cleaner production, and 4) closed-loop economy. This subject will engage students with the state-of-the-art research development and leading industrial practices in topics such as product life cycle management, life cycle assessment, sustainable manufacturing, circular economy etc. Guest speakers are also invited to provide broader examples from a global perspective.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- ILO1. Analyse triple bottom line of sustainability in an engineering context;
- ILO2. Evaluate the whole life cycle of a product or service by applying life cycle analysis tools;
- ILO3. Apply eco-design methods to reduce the environmental impact of a product;
- ILO4. Apply methods and technologies to promote cleaner production;
- ILO5. Analyse end-of-life strategies to promote circular economy.
Generic skills
- An understanding of social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities and the need to employ principles of sustainable development;
- The ability to utilise a systems approach to complex problems and to design for operational performance;
- The ability to comprehend complex concepts and effectively communicate this understanding;
- Capacity to manage competing demands on time, including self-directed project work;
- The ability to function effectively as an individual and in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams;
- Capacity for lifelong learning and professional development.
Last updated: 8 November 2024