Information on individual educational components (ECTS-Course descriptions) per semester

Life Cycle Analysis

Degree programme Environment and Engineering
Subject area Engineering Technology
Type of degree Bachelor
Full-time
Winter Semester 2024
Course unit title Life Cycle Analysis
Course unit code 086011050301
Language of instruction English
Type of course unit (compulsory, optional) Compulsory
Teaching hours per week 3
Year of study 2024
Level of the course / module according to the curriculum
Number of ECTS credits allocated 4
Name of lecturer(s) Stephan KECKEIS, Anna KNORR
Requirements and Prerequisites

None

Course content

In this course, the individual phases in the preparation of a life cycle assessment are explained using various practical examples.

  •     phases: Determination of objective & scope of investigation, preparation of the life cycle inventory, impact assessment, evaluation
  •     Presentation of the relevant standards (ISO 14040 and ISO 14044)
  •     Examples of life cycle assessments for products, processes, companies, services, economies
  •     Procedure for defining the functional unit and defining the system (Cradle to Grave, Cradle to Product, ...)
  •     Dealing with by-products, recycling and waste (allocation, system expansion etc)
  •     Methodological aspects: Land use changes, attributional vs. consequential life cycle assessments
  •     Scientific background knowledge on environmental impacts and their representation as impact categories including characterisation factors (e.g. climate warming - kg CO2 equivalents)
  •     Methodological aspects of impact assessment: damage modelling, difference to tolerance level, ecological scarcity, environmental impact points
Learning outcomes

Students will learn about the life cycle assessment method as a quantitative method for estimating environmental impact: The students

  •     can identify potential environmental impacts
  •     are able to explain the methodological approaches to impact assessment
  •     have an overview of the possibilities and limits of the life cycle assessment method
  •     have the ability to carry out simple life cycle assessments of products and services
  •     can critically analyse life cycle assessments
  •     get to know a software tool for carrying out life cycle assessments
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
  •     Lecture
  •     Exercise
  •     Discussions
  •     Coaching
Assessment methods and criteria
  • Preparation of a life cycle assessment (individually or in small groups) and Presentation of the LCA as e.g. poster (55%)
  • Oral examination for the course with reference to the life cycle assessment (35%)
  • Presentation of the ISO standards (10%)

For a positive overall grade, at least 50% of the points must be achieved in the life cycle assessment including presentation and oral examination.

Comment

None

Recommended or required reading
  •     Baumann, Henrikke; Tillman, Anne-Marie (2004): The hitch hikers's guide to LCA: an orientation in life cycle assessment methodology and application. Lund: Student literature.
  •     Frischknecht, Rolf (2020): Textbook on Life Cycle Assessment. Springer spectrum. Online on the Internet: DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-54763-2 (accessed on: 03.07.2020).
  •     Klöpffer, Walter; Grahl, Birgit (2009): Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): a guide for education and career. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH.
  •     ISO/TC 207/SC 5 (2006a): Environmental management - Life cycle assessment - Principles and framework. ISO 14040:2006.
  •     ISO/TC 207/SC 5 (2006b): Environmental management - Life cycle assessment - Requirements and guidelines. ISO 14044:2006.
  •     Articles from professional journals
Mode of delivery (face-to-face, distance learning)

Present event