Academic Year/course:
2022/23
627 - Master's Degree in Circular Economy
69750 - Introduction to Circular Economy
Syllabus Information
Academic Year:
2022/23
Subject:
69750 - Introduction to Circular Economy
Faculty / School:
100 - Facultad de Ciencias
Degree:
627 - Master's Degree in Circular Economy
ECTS:
6.0
Year:
01
Semester:
First semester
Subject Type:
Compulsory
Module:
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1.1. Aims of the course
The Introduction to the Circular Economy course offers a general overview on Circular Economy. In it, we introduce the fundamental concepts of the subject, which are developed in the remaining compulsory and optional courses. These approaches and aims are aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/es/), in such a way that the acquisition of the learning results of the subject provides training and competence to contribute to a certain extent to its achievement.
1.2. Context and importance of this course in the degree
The Introduction to Circular Economy course is taught in the first semester to all students of the Master's Degree in Circular Economy. In this course, students learn to correctly use the essential vocabulary about Circular Economy and to relate the fundamental concepts of this subject. The course is taught from the University of Zaragoza.
1.3. Recommendations to take this course
Introduction to Circular Economy is taught after the training complements of the Master's Degree in Circular Economy in which the initial training of students is completed up to a homogeneous level of basic knowledge. In this way, once the learning complements have been completed, all students can adequately follow this subject. Regular use of the teaching platform and daily study of the concepts presented are recommended, with special emphasis on solving practical activities. Likewise, it is vital to consult the doubts and questions that pose difficulties in the teaching and learning process, for which personalised tutorials should be used.
2.1. Competences
BASIC COMPETENCES
CB6 - Have demonstrated knowledge and understanding that is founded upon and extends and/or enhances that typically associated with the first cycle, and that provides a basis or opportunity for originality in developing and/or applying ideas, often within a research context.
CB7 - Can apply their knowledge and understanding, and problem solving abilities in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their field of study.
CB8 - Have the ability to integrate knowledge and handle complexity, and formulate judgements with incomplete or limited information, but that include reflecting on social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgements.
CB9 - Can communicate their conclusions, and the knowledge and rationale underpinning these, to specialist and nonspecialist audiences clearly and unambiguously.
CB10 - Have the learning skills to allow them to continue to study in a manner that may be largely self-directed or autonomous.
GENERAL COMPETENCES
CG1 - Obtain information in Spanish and English using information technologies efficiently
CG2 - Manage, critically analyse and synthesise information
CG3 - Critically reflect in a systemic way and using causal relationships
CG4 - Formulate, analyse, evaluate and compare in a multidisciplinary way new or alternative solutions for different problems
CG5 - Work in interdisciplinary groups
CG6 - Transmit information efficiently through information and communication technologies
CG7 - Develop management skills (decision making, goal setting, problem definition, design, and evaluation)
CG8 - Properly manage available resources on time
SPECIFIC COMPETENCES
CE2 - Use the specific vocabulary and terminology of Circular Economy
CE6 - Apply the principles of Circular Economy management
2.2. Learning goals
The student, passing this course, achieves the following results:
1. Know the main characteristics of Circular Economy.
2. Be able to relate to each other the different aspects (scientific, technical, social, and economic) of Circular Economy.
3. Know tools for the implementation of the Circular Economy taking into account the legal and technical aspects.
2.3. Importance of learning goals
The knowledge acquired in the subject must provide the student a global overview of the importance of the Circular Economy.
3. Assessment (1st and 2nd call)
3.1. Assessment tasks (description of tasks, marking system and assessment criteria)
The course will be evaluated using two assessment methods (continuous and global), in such a way that the student will be assigned the grade that is most beneficial to him/her. For this, the grades obtained in the following tests will be used:
● Two reports (rated I1 and I2). Each report will consist of a memory on a topic related to the subject or the critical analysis of a research or popular article. The structure and format of the required reports will be communicated to students through moodle. The reports will be sent to the teacher electronically.
● Final test including answer and problem-solving questions (scored as F). The test will be held simultaneously at each university under conditions that guarantee the proper identification of students and the impossibility of fraud.
The grades obtained by each student in the aforementioned evaluation activities will be weighted according to the following formulas:
Formula 1:
Final mark of the course: 0.15 × I1 + 0.15 × I2 + 0.7 × F
Formula 2:
Final grade for the course: F
It is not necessary to achieve minimum marks in the evaluation tests for the application of the above formulas. The final grade for the course will be the best grade obtained in each case after applying formula 1 and formula 2.
The number of official exam sessions to which enrollment entitles (2 per enrollment) as well as the consumption of these calls will be adjusted to the Rules of Permanence in Master's Studies and the Rules of Learning Assessment of the University of Zaragoza (https://ciencias.unizar.es/normativas-asuntos-academicos). To this last regulation, the general criteria for the design of the tests and the grading system will also be adjusted, and according to the same, the time, place and date on which the review will be held when publishing the qualifications will be made public.
4. Methodology, learning tasks, syllabus and resources
4.1. Methodological overview
The methodology followed in this course is oriented towards the achievement of the learning objectives. It is based on active methodologies that favour the development of critical thinking. A wide range of teaching and learning tasks are implemented, such as lectures, practice sessions, and assessment tasks.
Students are expect to participate actively in the class throughout the semester.
Classroom materials will be available via Moodle. These include a repository of the lecture notes and slides used in the class.
Learning on this course is based on the combination of expository method and flipped classroom.
According to the expository method, the professor develops the presentation of the topics before the students present in the same classroom or other universities through videoconference. In addition, other teaching materials will be included in the Moodle platform that will allow dedicating some of the classes to interact with students, raising questions that allow relating concepts.
The workshop consists of a supervised session where students work individually or in groups and receive assistance and guidance when necessary from the teaching staff.
The approach, methodology and evaluation of this guide are prepared to be the same in any teaching scenario. They will be adjusted to the socio-sanitary conditions of each moment, as well as to the indications given by the competent authorities.
4.2. Learning tasks
This is a 6 ECTS credits course organised as follows:
- Lectures (1.6 ECTS credits: 16 hours). Whole group sessions of 50 minutes each one will be taken. Lecturers explain the theoretical contents and solve representative applied problems. Learning materials will be available on the virtual platform Moodle (https://moodle.unizar.es/add/course/view.php?id=41781&lang=en). Regular attendance is highly recommended.
- Practice sessions (4.4 ECTS credits: 44 hours, including 8 face-to-face hours). The preparation of two reports on selected papers as well as solving a practical exercise will be required.
- Autonomous work and study (8.4 ECTS credits: 84 hours). Students are expected to study theory, read complementary papers, and solve problems.
- Assessment tasks (0.6 ECTS credits: 6 hours). A final written examination including short answer and problem-solving questions will be carried out.
4.3. Syllabus
The course will address the following topics:
1. Earth Limits.
Depletion of natural resources. Pollution. Climate change. Biosphere integrity. Threat causes.
2. Circular Economy Concepts.
Linear economy. Circular flows. Circular Economy diagrams. Schools of thought. Rs rules in Circular Economy.
3. Bioeconomy.
Biomass. Biorefineries. Biorefinery products.
4. Green Chemistry.
5. Recycling Technologies.
6. Digital Technologies.
7. Circular Economy Design.
8. Industrial Ecology.
Biosphere metaphor. Industrial metabolism. Industrial symbiosis. Eco-industrial parks. Material flow analysis. Waste minimisation. Waste recycling. Waste treatment. Waste dumping. Structural waste.
9. Industrial Logistics.
Supply chains. Acquisition. Freight transport. Storage. Reverse logistics. Open and closed loops.
10. Circular Cities.
Circular urbanism. Sustainable construction. Collaborative housing. Urban mobility. Urban logistics. Urban metabolism. Sustainable urban drainage systems. Ecocities. Smart cities.
11. Law on Circular Economy.
European strategy. European Green Deal. Circular Economy Action Plan. 8th Environmental Action Program. European law. España Circular 2030. Law on Climate Change and Energy Transition. Regional and municipal law.
12. Circular Economy Policy.
Global scenario. Economic valuation of the Environment. Use value. Environmental externalities. Environmental risks. Vulnerability. Economy and company sustainability ratios. Sustainability indicators. Sustainable production and consumption.
13. Circular Economy and Society.
Indicator and impact methodology. Socio-economic indicators. Economic impact on companies. Impact on the territory. Sectoral and multisectoral models. Economic and environmental repercussions.
14. Circular Economy implementation.
Circular Economy Benefits. Boosters. Accelerators. Barriers. Technological change and circularity in economic models. Economy impact.
15. Circular Economy management.
Extended producer and consumer responsibility systems. Resilience in a context of global change.