MJ2655 Technology and Ecosystems 6.0 credits

• Concepts of ecological carrying capacity, ecosystems and ecological services in relation to technology development, human population growth, affluence and sustainable development.
• Todays most important global environmental threats (substances, sources, driving forces, ecosystem impacts) as e.g. climate change, acidification, eutrophication, ozone depletion, organic pollutants, biodiversity, water supply and deforestation.
• Changes and conflicts concerning global natural resources such as decreasing rainforests and lacking water resources.
• Environmental impacts from our daily life behavior.
• Environmental impacts from different forms of energy production
• Analyzing environmental impacts from products, processes or services based on life cycle thinking.
• Ecological footprint – evaluation of carrying capacity.

The whole society is built up by different technical systems and processes used in different sectors of the society. This course will provide deep knowledge about natural resources and environmental consequences from technical systems, technical processes and human behavior in society.

 After passed course the student should be able to:

• Describe and explain concepts of ecological carrying capacity, ecosystems and ecological services in relation to technology development, human population growth, affluence and sustainable development.
• Describe and explain todays most important global environmental threats (substances, sources, driving forces, ecosystem impacts) as e.g. climate change, acidification, eutrophication, ozone depletion, organic pollutants, biodiversity, water supply and deforestation.
• Describe and explain environmental impact from daily life behavior connected to consumption and transports.
• Describe and explain changes and conflicts concerning global natural resources such as decreasing rainforests and lacking water resources.
• Describe and analyze environmental impacts from different forms of energy production
• Analyze environmental impact from products, processes or services with a life cycle approach and present the analysis in an oral and written report.

At least 100 academic credits (ECTS) in a program of engineering or natural science or course MJ 2613 or corresponding knowledge including documented proficiency in English B or equivalent.

At least 100 academic credits (ECTS) in a program of engineering or natural science or course MJ 2613 or corresponding knowledge including documented proficiency in English B or equivalent.

Meddelas vid kursstart

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• LIT1 - Literature Assignment, 1.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
• PRO1 - Project, 2.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
• TEN1 - Examination, 3.0 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.

Fredrik Gröndahl

• 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.