CEME 1003 - Resources and Energy in a Circular Economy

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2021

The dominant linear economy (make> use > dispose), wastes resources, is economically inefficient and leads to environmental damage. In a circular economy, the maximum value is extracted from resources in use, then products and materials are recovered and regenerated at the end of each service life. This course will introduce students to the systems thinking that is required to develop technological solutions and businesses models that contribute to making our economy more circular. Course outcomes 1. Recognise, explain and discuss how materials and energy flow through our economic system 2. Apply a systems approach to developing circular economy models to keep materials and energy at their highest value 3. Recognise and distinguish between strategies to achieve a more circular economy, including resource and waste management , eco-efficiency, clean production, industrial ecology, and how technology such as big data facilitates this 4. Understand how to apply life cycle approaches to quantifying environmental impacts of products or systems, including embodied energy 5. Have experienced or been exposed to energy systems concepts, including sustainable options for production, utilisation and optimisation of energy 6. Scope, investigate, critically analyse and synthesise information to design a creative & sustainable alternative to a "linear" model in a predefined context

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CEME 1003
    Course Resources and Energy in a Circular Economy
    Coordinating Unit School of Civil, Environmental & Mining Eng
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Course Description The dominant linear economy (make> use > dispose), wastes resources, is economically inefficient and leads to environmental damage. In a circular economy, the maximum value is extracted from resources in use, then products and materials are recovered and regenerated at the end of each service life. This course will introduce students to the systems thinking that is required to develop technological solutions and businesses models that contribute to making our economy more circular.
    Course outcomes
    1. Recognise, explain and discuss how materials and energy flow through our economic system
    2. Apply a systems approach to developing circular economy models to keep materials and energy at their highest value
    3. Recognise and distinguish between strategies to achieve a more circular economy, including resource and waste management , eco-efficiency, clean production, industrial ecology, and how technology such as big data facilitates this
    4. Understand how to apply life cycle approaches to quantifying environmental impacts of products or systems, including embodied energy
    5. Have experienced or been exposed to energy systems concepts, including sustainable options for production, utilisation and optimisation of energy
    6. Scope, investigate, critically analyse and synthesise information to design a creative &
    sustainable alternative to a "linear" model in a predefined context
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Michael Leonard

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:


    1. Recognise, explain and discuss how materials and energy flow through our economic system


    2. Apply a systems approach to developing circular economy models to keep materials and energy at their highest value


    3. Recognise and distinguish between strategies to achieve a more circular economy, including resource and waste management , eco efficiency, clean production, industrial ecology, and how technology such as big data facilitates this


    4. Understand how to apply life cycle approaches to quantifying environmental impacts of products or systems, including embodied energy


    5. Have experienced or been exposed to energy systems concepts, including sustainable options for production, utilisation and optimisation of energy


    6. Scope, investigate, critically analyse and synthesise information to design a creative and sustainable alternative to a "linear" model in a predefined context


    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1-6
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    6
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    6
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    1
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1-4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    All necessary course material will be made available on MyUni. Several assignments will require further research, which can be completed using publically available sources.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course will be delivered through mutiple modes and activities. All information and resources will be made available through MyUni.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The course involves 3 contact hours per week. Additional hours are required (up to 10 hours per week) to complete review of content and assessment requirements.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Each week will involve the following activities:
    • Interactive tutorials - including discussions, completion of assessment material
    • Weekly lecture - including guest lecturers from industry
    • Review of topical content - e.g. reports, videos, podcasts
    • Short quizzes
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Weighting (%) Individual/ Group Formative/ Summative
    Due (week)*
    Hurdle criteria Learning outcomes
    Weekly assessment: quizzes, written discussion 10 Individual Formative Weekly 1, 3, 4, 5
    Workshop participation (marking debates, guest lectuer questions, lifecycle assessment) 10 Individual Formative Weekly 1, 3, 4, 5
    Written submission - case study assessment 10 Individual Summative 7 1, 3
    Debate 10 Individual Summative 2,3 1, 4, 5
    Project - Resource audit (written submission and presentation) 30 Group Summative 12 2, 3, 4, 6
    Exam 30 Individual Summative Exam period Min 40% 1,2,3,4,5,6
    Total 100
    * The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.
        
    This course has a hurdle requirement. Meeting the specified hurdle criteria is a requirement for passing the course.
    Assessment Detail
    Details of all assessments will be available through MyUni.
    Submission
    All submissions will be electronic, through MyUni.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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