Admission requirements
Succesful completion of the course Analytical Methods and Tools (4413ANMT6Y); basic knowledge of environmental science; basic knowledge of matrix algebra.
Required for students of the master’s programme Industrial Ecology that intend to do their Thesis Research Project with a first examiner from CML, Leiden University, particularly if their thesis topic involves LCA or is closely related to LCA.
Description
Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a science- and evidence based method for quantifying the environmental burdens and impacts related to the whole life cycle of a product or service system. LCA is and has been used to analyse and asses a wide variety of product/service systems, ranging from packaging materials to national waste management or energy scenarios, and from building materials to food products.
Course objectives
This course aims to provide sufficient scientific basis and practical skills to perform an attributional life cycle assessment study on your own. After this course, students should be able to individually
Set up their own LCA research by writing a research proposal
Perform a methodologically consistent and proper LCA study;
Report their study and findings transparently and comprehensively so that results can be reproduced by others;
Understand the possibilities and constraints of their LCA study
Timetable
Mode of instruction
The course starts with an intensive theory week (5 days; 9 to 5) after which students will perform their own LCA study.
During the period in which students are working on their LCA case study a one day meeting will be organised in which students present their progress and preliminary results to their fellow students while receiving and providing valuable feedback for finishing their research and report
While performing their LCA research students will have access to a forum via which students can discuss possible bottlenecks and exchange tips. The instructors will closely monitor the discussions and join when appropriate.
Assessment method
The final grade is based on the research proposal, presentation and a final case study report including the LCA model developed with the CMLCA software.
Blackboard
The lecturers use Blackboard TU Delft for communications and distributing study material. See blackboard TU Delft.
Reading list
Registration
The course can only serve a limited number of students at the same time and the course is perceived as time intensive. Therefore, students are required to provide a letter of motivation including a planning for the education period in which they will follow the course. A template for this letter and planning can be obtained by email via the teachers of the course. Based on this motivation letter students are admitted (or not) to the course.
After admission students have to enroll for course and exam at the start of the course via uSis, Leiden University. For classnumbers see here.
Students who are not enrolled to the master’s programme Industrial Ecology have to ask permission from the studyadvisor of Industrial Ecology at least one month before start of the course by use of this form.
Contact information
Remarks
More information and the description of the course is published in the e-studyguide of TU Delft.