The course is based on 6 different themes:

1. Sustainable business and conditions for a circular economy
2. Materials and available resources (metals, ceramics, minerals, polymers and organic materials)
3. Natural raw materials
    a. Exploration and environmental impact (metals and minerals)
    b. Mining and environmental impact (metals and minerals)
4. Processing and recycling of materials (all materials)
5. Design, manufacture and use in a circular economy (all materials)
6. Recycling and reuse (polymers, ceramics, organic materials and metals)

After passing the course, the student should be able to …

• Explain the different principles of circular economy and apply them to different materials.
• Explain how properties of different processes and different materials contribute to a circular economy. For higher grades it is necessary to demonstrate the ability to question and analyze the constraints and challenges in the connection between different processes, materials and circular economics.
• Holistically analyze how changes in processes and / or materials composition affect sustainability goals and the conditions for a circular economy. A holistic perspective includes technical, organizational as well as society's perspective. For higher grades, the student is required to adapt the holistic analysis to the context of the problem.
• Demonstrate the ability to independently solve problems, as well as the ability to present the solution orally and in writing.

The course is based on two parallell parts. Firstly, lectures, providing a general overview of materials in a circular economy. Secondly, a group project where students identify a topic of interest, develop a business concept, and finally make a poster presentation. Supervision for the group projects will be planned during the scheduled time for project work. All supervision is voluntary, but the projects will be graded assuming the students have had access to individual supervision. 

None.

Some literature will be suggested during the course. No single source is recommended for the course, as everyone is different and so no single source will help everyone.

Students at KTH with a permanent disability can get support during studies from Funka:

Funka - compensatory support for students with disabilities

• PRO3 - Seminar assignment, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
• PRO4 - Project assignment, 6.0 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 examiner, in consultation with the KTH Disability Coordinator (Funka), decides on any adapted examination for students with documented permanent impairment.

The examiner may grant another examination form for reexamination of single students.

The course is assessed based on two parts:

PRO 3 - Personal reflection, 1.5 credits

This assignment is connected with the group exercise during Lecture 1. Attendance at Lecture 1 is mandatory.

PRO 4 - Project assignment, 6.0 credits

Conduct literature review and develop a business concept for circular economy of any materials in a group or as an individual. The project should include a background survey, problem definition, a proposed solution(s), a basic economic assessment, and discussions about the potential impact of the business concept on the environment and the society. The project would eventually lead to a poster presentation during the final seminar. Attendance at the two workshops is mandatory, where you will get feedback from teachers and peers for improvement of your work. Some suggested project topics will be announced on Canvas. You may also propose your own topic of interests. 

To pass this assignment, you must:

• Make reasonable contribution to your group’s project
• Complete assignments connected with the workshop and attend both workshops
• Attend and make poster presentation at the final seminar
• Submit a personal logbook documeting project progress and personal reflection

The overall grade for this course is based on your performance in PRO4:

• The final poster presentation 
• Your contribution to the group project
• Your personal project logbook 

The final grade of individual student is based on the group's performance during poster presentation, and adjusted based on their individual contribution to the group project and quality of the written personal logbook. 

Workshop assignments

• Before workshop 1, you must complete a short report summarizing background survey, problem definition, and proposed solutions, and upload it to Canvas to get feedback during the session.
• Before workshop 2, you must complete a draft of the poster and upload it to Canvas, and be ready to make a mock presentation to the teachers and peers during the session to get feedback. 

Final poster presentation

The assessment will focus on:

• Whether the project includes all necessary elements (e.g. background, problem definition, proposed solutions, assessment of economic, environmental, and social impacts)
• The visual design of the poster
• The effectiveness of poster presentation
• Whether the presenters showcase a good understanding of principles of circular economy and can apply it to different materials systems 
• Whether the presenter is able to acknowledge the complexity of the issue (i.e. analyze how changes in processes and / or materials composition affect circular economy) and can provide own's critical reflection on the subject
• Time-keeping
• The capacity to answer questions from the audience

Personal project logbook

The personal project logbook must follow the template given by the teacher, including the following elements:

• A table summarizing hours dedicated to the project by date
• A reflection on the final seminar
• A reflection on how one has made use of the feedback to improve the project work
• A reflection on the achievement of course learning outcomes

Complementary assignment for missed lectures, assignments, or workshop

If you will miss mandatory lectures/workshop/seminar of the course, you must contact the course coordinator beforehand to explain your reasons and to discuss about separate arrangements. Late submissions of mandatory assignments without prior notifications will lead to mark deductions. 

• 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.

No AI is allowed for PRO3. How AI is used must be explained in personal logbook for PRO4.

1. The content of PRO3 has been changed.

2. The content and assessment of PRO4 has been changed.

3. 2 additional mandatory workshop connected to PRO4 has been added.