ECTS credits ECTS credits: 4.5
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Hours of tutorials: 4 Expository Class: 14 Interactive Classroom: 18 Total: 36
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary subject Master’s Degree RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Chemistry Engineering
Areas: Chemical Engineering
Center Higher Technical Engineering School
Call: First Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
The subject of ECOLOGICAL DESIGN OF PROCESSES AND PRODUCTS is directly linked to those subjects related to ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT.
Subject: Ecological design of processes and products.
Type: Compulsory
Course: 1st year of the Master's Degree in Environmental Engineering.
Number of credits: 4,5 ECTS
Faculty
Gumersindo Feijoo Costa
Dept. of Chemical Engineering
Telephone: 881816776
e-mail: gumersindo.feijoo [at] usc.gal (gumersindo[dot]feijoo[at]usc[dot]gal)
María Teresa Moreira Vilar
Dept. of Chemical Engineering
Telephone: 881816792
e-mail: maite.moreira [at] usc.gal (maite[dot]moreira[at]usc[dot]gal)
The main objective is to acquire a general knowledge of the main concepts related to the sustainable design of processes and products through the study of different tools for environmental analysis and evaluation.
The contents presented are succinctly contemplated in the descriptor of the subject in the syllabus of the Master's Degree in Environmental Engineering: "Life cycle analysis. Application of specific life cycle impact assessment software. Environmental indicators and data visualisation. Economic and social analysis of the life cycle. Ecodesign. Environmental footprints: carbon, water and energy footprints".
The programme of the subject is divided into 2 blocks with 5 basic topics, which are indicated below:
Block I. Life Cycle Analysis
1. Data, Indicators and Environmental Audits. Perception and visualisation of data. Examples in Flourish. Definition of indicators.
2. Life Cycle Analysis. Methodology and development phases. Application in the analysis of processes and products. Use of specific software. Study of practical cases.
3. Economic and social analysis. Cost cycle analysis. Social aspects in the life cycle perspective of product analysis.
Block II. Analysis and evaluation tools
4. Ecodesign. Definition of ecodesign and ecoproducts. Key elements to favour ecodesign. Ecodesign tools. Study of practical cases
5. Eco-labelling. Definition and types of ecolabels. European ecolabel. Footprints: HC (ISO14067) and HH (ISO14046). Development and implementation of an ecolabel: pescaenverde.
Specific objectives (by blocks)
The detailed contents of each block are presented below, describing the objectives to be achieved in each of them.
Block I. Life cycle analysis
Life cycle analysis is a methodology used to evaluate the environmental burdens associated with a product, process or activity, taking into account its complete cycle: "from cradle to grave". Thus, for a given activity, the problem is not only limited to "my" industrial installation, but it is also necessary to define what is the pollution share of all upstream and downstream activities that "my" product determines. This is made possible by identifying and quantifying the raw materials, energy and waste discharged into the associated environment. In this way, the impact produced by the use of this energy, the associated raw materials and the discharges into the environment is determined. However, LCA is not only an instrument to protect the environment and conserve natural resources, but also a business instrument to reduce costs and improve market positions.
Other didactic objectives to be developed or strengthened are also pursued, which have to do with social skills: group work or communication skills. The aim is also to improve the student's analytical, initiative and negotiation skills. On the other hand, the aim is to strengthen the use of different sources of information useful for solving real cases (web, bibliography, direct information, etc.).
In this block, students will carry out the following activities:
- Practical cases of visualisation using Flourish software. Individual activity.
- Life cycle impact assessment when comparing two containers (MS Excel). Individual activity.
- Carrying out an LCA using specific software (SimaPro). Group activity
Block II. Analysis and Evaluation Tools
The LCA is also the key technique to apply other tools or methodologies such as eco-design, eco-labelling and environmental footprints that are analysed in the chapters of the block.
In this block the activities to be carried out by students are:
- Eco-design workshop (group activity) through Gamestorming: Publication. Group activity
- Calculation of personal carbon footprint (web platform). Individual activity.
- Calculation of eco-efficiency in food waste management (MS Excel). Individual activity.
Basic Bibliographic
Feijoo, G., Moreira, M.T. Análisis de ciclo de vida y huella de carbono. Casos prácticos. Research Gate, 2020. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.11030.50240/1. Código: Acceso abierto
Complementary Bibliographic
Baumann, H., Tillman, A.M. The Hitch Hiker´s Guide to LCA. An orientation in life cycle assessment methodology and application. Lund: Editorial Studentlitteratur, 2004. ISBN: 91-44-02364-2. Código BETSE: A244 15
Calow, P. Handbook of environmental risk assessment and management. London: Blackwell Science, 1998. ISBN: 0-86542-732-1. Código BUSC: EMA 889
Feijoo, G., Moreira, M.T. (2020). Contar una historia con datos: El arte de su visualización. Research Gate, DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.23093.63208. Código: acceso abierto.
McDonoug, W., Braungart, M. Cradle to Cradle (de la cuna a la cuna): Rediseñando la forma en que haemos las cosas. Barcelona: McGraw-Hill, 2005. ISBN: 84-481-4295-0. Código BETSE: A234 14
Muthu, S.S. Assessment of Carbon Footprint in Different Industrial Sectors. Volume 1 & 2. Berlin: Springer, 2014. ISBN: 978-981-4560-40-5 (Vol. 1) & 978-981-4585-74-3 (Vol. 2). Código BETSE: 244 10
Rosling, H., Rosling, O, Rosling, A. Factfulness: Diez razones por las que estamos equivocados sobre el mundo. Y por qué las cosas están mejor de los que piensas. Barcelona: Deusto, 2018. ISBN: 978-84-234-2996-7. Código BUSC: S3 396
Basics
- CB6. Possess and understand knowledge that provides a basis or opportunity for originality in the development and/or application of ideas, often in a research context.
- CB7. Students are able to apply their acquired knowledge and problem-solving skills in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their area of study.
- CB8. That students are able to integrate knowledge and face the complexity of making judgements on the basis of incomplete or limited information, including reflections on the social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgements.
- CB9. That students know how to communicate their conclusions and the knowledge and ultimate reasons that support them to specialised and non-specialised audiences in a clear and unambiguous way.
- CB10. That students possess the learning skills that will enable them to continue studying in a largely self-directed or autonomous manner.
General
- GC1. Identify and state environmental problems.
- GC2. Be able to predict and control the evolution of complex situations through the development of innovative work methodologies adapted to the specific scientific/research, technological or professional field, generally multidisciplinary, in which their activity is developed.
- GC5. Carry out appropriate research, undertake the design and direct the development of engineering solutions in new or unfamiliar environments, relating creativity, originality, innovation and technology transfer.
- GC8. Direct and carry out the verification and control of installations, processes and products, as well as certifications, audits, verifications, tests and reports.
Transversals
- CT1. Develop skills associated with teamwork: cooperation, leadership, listening skills.
- CT3. Adapt to change, being able to apply new and advanced technologies and other relevant developments, with initiative and entrepreneurial spirit.
- TC4. Demonstrate critical and self-critical reasoning, analytical and synthesis skills.
- CT5. - Drafting, writing and publicly defending scientific and technical reports and projects.
- TC6. Appreciate the value of quality and continuous improvement, acting with rigour, responsibility and professional ethics within the framework of commitment to sustainable development.
Specific
- CE2. Have an in-depth knowledge of the technologies, tools and techniques in the field of environmental engineering in order to be able to compare and select technical alternatives and emerging technologies.
- CC3. Develop sufficient autonomy to participate in research projects and scientific or technological collaborations within the thematic area of Environmental Engineering, in interdisciplinary contexts and, where appropriate, with a high component of knowledge transfer.
- CE4. Design products, processes, systems and services of the process industry, as well as the optimisation of others already developed, taking the different areas of Environmental Engineering as a technological basis.
- CE11. Identify actions in the field of the circular economy, defining the options within the new business models.
The theoretical contents of the subject will be presented on the basis of lectures where they will be explained and developed, with the students being asked various questions to encourage their participation and facilitate their learning and assimilation of the concepts. Mentimeter software (valid for mobile devices and tablets) will be used as a support to encourage participation. These classes will be supported by the use of audiovisual materials with the use of PowerPoint and Excel files (problem solving and case studies).
Theoretical classes will be complemented with seminars that will consist of solving case studies on the application of the different tools presented throughout the course. A maximum of 10% of the classes may be taught telematically in order to facilitate the participation of lecturers from other universities as lecturers. Some of this work will be carried out in groups through cooperative learning, where the students themselves will "teach/learn" in a pro-active way towards the resolution of a specific problem.
As a reinforcement to the tutorials, the Learning Management System of the USC and MS Teams will be used, especially for the resolution of the practical cases raised, and as an agile vehicle for the exchange of information between the teacher and the student.
Relationship between teaching methodologies and the development of competences:
- Lectures: CB6, CB7, CB8, CT4, CT6, CE4, CE11
- Seminars:CB6, CB7, CB8, CB9, CB10, CG1, CG2, CG5, CG8, CT1, CT3, CT4, CT5, CE2
- Tutorials: CB6, CB9, CT1, CT3, CT6
Evaluation by activities:
- LCA work (in a team): 50%.
- Ecodesign work (in a team): 20%.
- Exam: 30%.
Students who do not obtain a minimum of 3 points out of 10 in the exam will not pass the subject. The exam will be a test of 20 questions with only one true answer, and for every 3 wrong answers 0.5 points will be deducted.
In the case of not having passed the subject at the first opportunity, students must retake the activities they have not passed, i.e., hand in the assignments again or take the exam. The grade obtained in those activities passed at the first opportunity will be maintained at the second opportunity. The distribution of marks will be the same as in the first opportunity.
Assessment by competences:
- LCA work: CB6, CB7, CB8, CB10, CG1, CG2, CT1, CT3, CT4, CT5, CE2, CE4, CE11
- Ecodesign work:CB6, CB9, CG1, CG2, CG5, CG8, CT1, CT3, CT4, CT6
- Exam: CB7, CB8, CE11
In the case of fraudulent exercises or tests, the provisions of the Regulations on the Assessment of Students' Academic Performance and the Review of Qualifications shall apply.
The subject has a workload of 4.5 ECTS, with 1 ECTS credit corresponding to 25 hours of total work, distributed as follows:
Activity Classroom hours Personal work TOTAL
Theory 14 20.5 34.5
Seminars 18 36 54
Compulsory tutorials 4 12 16
Exam 2 6 8
TOTAL 38 74.5 112.5
In order to achieve optimum performance in the subject, it is advisable for the student to have a series of additional skills: a command of English at reading level and knowledge of computer applications at user level (Word, Excel, use of e-mail, consultation of web pages).
Laptop computers will be used in an important way in the course, as many of the practical cases require computer applications as a support element.
The language of the subject will be Spanish, in line with the strategic decision of the Master's programme to attract students from outside the autonomous community.
Gumersindo Feijoo Costa
- Department
- Chemistry Engineering
- Area
- Chemical Engineering
- Phone
- 881816776
- gumersindo.feijoo [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
Maria Teresa Moreira Vilar
Coordinador/a- Department
- Chemistry Engineering
- Area
- Chemical Engineering
- Phone
- 881816792
- maite.moreira [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
| Monday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish, Galician | Classroom A7 |
| Tuesday | |||
| 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Galician, Spanish | Classroom A7 |
| Wednesday | |||
| 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Galician, Spanish | Classroom A7 |
| 01.13.2025 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom A7 |
| 01.13.2025 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom A7 |
| 06.18.2025 16:00-18:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom A7 |
| 06.18.2025 16:00-18:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom A7 |