Headings denoted with an asterisk ( * ) is retrieved from the course syllabus version Spring 2025
Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
The course covers
Applications of LCA with a focus on IT products, services, and systems
LCA methodology and standards
Use of LCA databases
Use of LCA software
Current research and development in the field
The course consists of lectures, seminars, computer exercises, a group project, and a home exam.
Intended learning outcomes
After passing the course, the student should be able to:
Explain the purpose and applications of the LCA method in general and with a focus on the environmental impact of IT products, services and systems in particular
Explain the analytical phases and central concepts of the LCA method and apply these to IT products, services, and systems
Show basic knowledge of current research and development within the scope of the course, with a focus on the environment but also other aspects of sustainability.
Identify uncertainties in the LCA method and data in general and with a focus on the environmental impact of IT products, services, and systems in particular, and evaluate how these affect the results of the analyses
Report in writing the completed LCA study according to ISO's standard for LCA.
Use LCA software.
Give an account of the results orally of the completed LCA the study.
Work in a collaborative project setting
Report in writing and give an account of a critical review orally of an LCA report.
Learning activities
Scheduled learning activities include:
Lectures (9 x 2 hrs)
Seminar* (1 x 2 hrs)
Computer labs* (2 x 2 hrs and 4 x 1 hr)
Project supervision* (3 x 30-45 min/group)
Project seminars* (4 x 2-3 hrs)
Home exam (open one working day, expected max work time ~6 hrs)
* Compulsory attendance, but with possibility to compensate missed attendance by extra assignment.
Individual studies include:
Reading course literature, main work load in advance of Home exam
Project work, continous throught the course (~100 hrs/2.5 weeks)
Critical review of another project, before Final seminar (~1 day)
Final revision of report, after Final seminar (~2 days)
Preparations before course start
Specific preparations
Before the course starts
A large part of this course consists of a group project. Project groups are formed based on the interest of students, and projects are shaped based on your own ideas and research questions. Therefore, you should prepare by thinking of topics that you would like to work with in your projects. Project groups will be formed during the second course week. You can read more about this in the introduction page to the course in Canvas.
Late applications to join the course
Late applications to the course are not accepted after project groups have been formed during the second course week.
Schedule, deadlines, and signing up for appointments
Schedule: The schedule for lectures, computer labs, seminars and the home exam is available in TimeEdit. In addition to this, three group supervision meetings will be scheduled with your supervisor after the course starts (not visible in TimeEdit).
Deadlines: Assignment deadlines are listed in Canvas/Assignments and in Canvas Calendar.
Appointments: Sign up for supervision meetings in discussion with your designated supervisor. Sign up for seminar groups as described in Canvas under “Modules” and “Lectures”.
Final seminar i May: The schedule includes the final seminar in May. In this seminar, you will present your work to other project groups.
Literature
Book
Curran, M. A. (ed) (2015) Life Cycle Assessment Student Handbook. Wiley.
PR01 - Project, 5.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
TEN1 - Home exam, 2.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
The section below is not retrieved from the course syllabus:
Project work ( PRO1 )
The group project examines intended learning outcomes 3-9.
The project report is graded A-F.
The grading template is available in Canvas
The grade of the project report is based on the following factors:
Content of the report (understanding of LCA methodology, ability to design and perform an LCA study)
Formal qualities of the report (outline, clarity, language, referencing).
Individual performance in relation to the rest of the group (may be considered if deemed necessary by the supervisor to give individual grades)
In order to pass the project, you also need to fulfill other compulsory elements (meeting deadlines, attendance and active participation in supervision and seminars, or submitted compensation assignments in case of absence) which are graded as Pass/Fail.
Home exam ( TEN1 )
The exam covers intended learning outcomes 1-2.
The home exam consists of three parts
Part A: Multiple choice questions, to test terminology and basic understanding of the LCA method.
Part B: Multiple answer questions, to test for ability to apply LCA methodology to more complex problems.
Part C: Calculation assignment, to test for more advanced understanding of LCA methodology.
Maximum points is 45 distributed over parts A-C with 15 points each.
In order to pass the exam, you need to have 20 points or more in total on parts A and B. Part C is not graded unless you fulfill this requirement.
If you fulfill this requirement, the grading limits are as follows:
A: ≥ 40 p
B: ≥ 35 p
C: ≥ 30 p
D: ≥ 25 p
E: ≥ 20 p
Fx: < 20 p)
If you do not pass the home exam, but receive Fx, you will need to do a complementary oral examination. After oral examination, the you can only receive the grade E.
Final course grade
The final grade (A-F) is a weighted average of the home exam and the project. The project is weighted slightly less than its corresponding credits. Exam weight = 2.5 and Project weight = 4, where A = 5, B = 4 etc. When calculating the weighted average, only discrete grade values are used. Grades are rounded using common rounding rules. In order to receive a final course grade, the requirements for an “E” for the home exam and all compulsory elements of the project work must be fulfilled. Fx represents a failing grade but which can be complemented to reach the grade E.
Grading criteria/assessment criteria
Grading criteria for the group project are available in Canvas.
Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination
"Upping" of grades is not possible in this course. It is therefore of key importance that you are active and contribute responsibly to your group project from the start, but also that you inform your project supervisor at an early stage if you experience problems in group project collaboration.
Alternatives to missed activities or tasks
Compensation assignments are available for all compulsory elements in this course. Details are presented in Canvas.
Ethical approach
All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.
The section below is not retrieved from the course syllabus:
Avoiding plagiarism & Use of generative AI
Refer to the KTH student web for general information about referencing and avoiding plagiarism. Detailed requirements are available to admitted students on Canvas.
Use of generative AI is only allowed for specific purposes in this course. More information is available to admitted students on Canvas.
Further information
Changes of the course before this course offering
No major changes have been introduced in the course this year compared to last year.
