▶Japanese
Post to SNS
- Home
- > Liberal arts and basic science courses
- > Breadth courses
- > Circular economy and engineering
- School of Science
-
School of Engineering
- Undergraduate major in Mechanical Engineering
- Undergraduate major in Systems and Control Engineering
- Undergraduate major in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Undergraduate major in Information and Communications Engineering
- Undergraduate major in Industrial Engineering and Economics
- Common courses
- School of Materials and Chemical Technology
- School of Computing
- School of Life Science and Technology
- School of Environment and Society
- 工学院，物質理工学院，環境・社会理工学院共通科目
- Liberal arts and basic science courses
- First-Year Courses
- School of Science
- School of Engineering
- School of Materials and Chemical Technology
- School of Computing
- School of Life Science and Technology
-
School of Environment and Society
- Department of Architecture and Building Engineering
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering
- Department of Social and Human Sciences
- Department of Innovation Science
- Graduate major in Technology and Innovation Management
- Common courses
- Liberal arts and basic science courses
- Academic unit or major
- Breadth courses
- Instructor(s)
- Norton Michael George
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- Day/Period(Room No.)
- Intensive ()
- Group
- -
- Course number
- LAW.X333
- Credits
- 1
- Academic year
- 2017
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- 2017/11/21
- Lecture notes updated
- -
- Language used
- English
- Access Index
-
Course description and aims
The current ‘linear’ economy takes natural resources from the environment (air, water, minerals, biological resources). They enter the production system and are used to create goods which are sold in the market to consumers. Consumers then use the goods and at the end of their useful life, discard them as waste.Since there are clear limits on the ability of the environment to provide these resources and to absorb the wastes, the linear economy is not sustainable. There have thus long been calls for the economy to move to a circular economy whereby materials are used much more efficiently than at present, and reduce the burden on the environment.
This course provides a foundation for engineers to understand the underlying forces driving the move towards circularity, and the changes that may result in future jobs.
Student learning outcomes
By the end of this course students should be able to understand the underlying forces driving the move towards circularity, and the changes that may result in future jobs- especially for engineers.
Keywords
Circular economy, resource efficiency, recycling, design for circularity
Competencies that will be developed
| Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Class flow
This is an intensive course with 1 credit. It will be given in 3 sessions of 3-hour classes and exercises.
Course schedule/Required learning
| Course schedule | Required learning | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | First Session: Course introduction. The linear economy and its consumption of resources and impacts on the environment. Linear economy is leading to exceeding the planet’s ability to provide the resources and deal with the wastes. Planetary boundaries are being exceeded. | Understand the concept and need for a circular economy |
| Class 2 | Session 2: Introduce the concept of the Circular Economy. Understanding the linear economy and ways of improving resource utilisation. Japan’s policy for recycling, organisational structures and performance; national targets etc. | Understand ways of making the economy more circular and Japan and other country policies |
| Class 3 | Session 3: Role of engineering. Design for a circular economy. Circular economy requires that materials stay longer in their useful economic life, and can efficiently return their resources to re-use at the end of life. Major waste stream recycling technologies and progress-paper, plastics, base metals etc. Examples of products which have included concern for circularity in their design. | Understand the role of engineering and the future opportunities in companies and other organisations to apply circular principles. |
Textbook(s)
Course material supplied by powerpoint and slides available on OCW. Internet accessible sources provided in lectures.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Course material supplied by powerpoint and slides available on OCW. Internet accessible sources provided in lectures.
Assessment criteria and methods
Attendance, some group work and final project.
Related courses
- None
Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)
Course is given in English
Other
Room Minami 3 S323
Wed 6, 13,20 December 7,8,9,10
