6 ECTS credits
152 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4021209FNR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.
Despite the increased popularity of the use of the term "sustainability", the possibility that human societies will achieve environmental sustainability remains a major challenge in light of environmental degradation, climate change, overconsumption, population growth and societies' pursuit of indefinite economic growth in a closed system. In the course Decision Support for Sustainability, students will learn tools, models and instruments that enable to measure and improve the sustainability of products, measures and processes and helps them formulate recommendations and improvements.
Within this course we learn about rather 'hard methods' moving gradually towards the more 'soft methods'. Hard methods can be understood as very applicable, quantitative and hands-on tools, such as life-cycle assessment (LCA) and external costs. Soft methods are more oriented towards participation and the human side of the transition, such as multi-criteria analysis (MCA) and foresight methods.
The course is designed as a ‘flipped classroom’. The theory is provided through knowledge clips and/or other material on Canvas and covers the context and the methods. Students are expected to watch the clips before the on-campus workshops, where the theory is put into practice through exercises, group work, debate, etc.
The student understands the basic principles of sustainability and recognizes the possibilities of deploying quantitative and qualitative research methods that enable decision support for relevant stakeholders in order to improve sustainability.
The student is able to identify the appropriateness of using a particular decision support methodology on real world problems, The student can apply the method to the problem and knows the strenghts and weaknesses of each method.
The student is able to contribute in a team with other students to solve problems during class exercises and is also able to work together in groups from two to four students during the task preparation.
The student is able to individually present the outcomes of a critical analysis
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 70% of the final mark.
Other Exam determines 30% of the final mark.
Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Not applicable.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Business Engineering: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Business Economics: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Urban Studies: Standard track
Master of Biology: Ecology and Biodiversity
Master of Sustainable Land Management: Urban Land Engineering