Academic Year/course:
2022/23
627 - Master's Degree in Circular Economy
69754 - Eco‐innovation and sectoral management
Syllabus Information
Academic Year:
2022/23
Subject:
69754 - Eco‐innovation and sectoral management
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 Eco-innovation and sector management course allows us to know the current situation of the different economic sectors concerning the Circular Economy and the characteristics necessary for innovation in the Circular Economy. These approaches and objectives 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 course 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 Eco-innovation and sectoral management course is taught in the first semester to all students of the Master's Degree in Circular Economy. The subject is taught from the University of Lleida.
1.3. Recommendations to take this course
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
CE5 - Understand the life cycle and the fundamentals of eco-design
CE6 - Apply the principles of Circular Economy management
2.2. Learning goals
The student, passing this subject, achieves the following results:
1. Know the current situation of the main economic sectors concerning Circular Economy.
2. Learn about eco-innovation methods in cases of different economic sectors.
3. To be able to analyse the current process of designing new products and services and identify those key points that translate into a potentially negative environmental impact.
4. Know the main characteristics of materials from the point of view of sustainability, durability, recycling, and minimising the impact on the environment and human health.
5. Be able to apply the basic tools of ecological and sustainable product design.
6. Being able to design products, processes, and services with "cradle to cradle" criteria.
2.3. Importance of learning goals
Obtaining these learning results should allow knowing the current situation of the different economic sectors concerning the Circular Economy and the characteristics necessary for innovation in 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), so 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:
In the continuous assessment, the student will prepare a course work whose objective will be the development of a product within the framework of one or more sectors. The work will be carried out in a multidisciplinary team, taking into account the complementary profile of each student in the team. During the course, three documents about the work will be delivered:
* Report (rated I). The report will consist of a report on the state of the art in eco-innovation in the sector or sectors in which the product to be developed is included. The structure and format of the required report will be communicated to students through moodle.
* Cases study (C). The exercise will consist of the analysis of case studies related to the product to be developed. Each team must submit a report following the guidelines and the presentation format that will be marked.
* Eco-design of the product and final report (M). Product eco-design will consist of the conceptual design of a product or service within the framework of one or more sectors. To this end, the basic tools of ecological and sustainable product design will be applied. The structure and format of the final report will be communicated through moodle. In addition, the final report on the development of the product will be delivered, which will include the report and the cases study.
* Public presentation of the report (P). The student team will present the results of the course work publicly through a 10-minute video.
* Peer review (R). Each student will review the videos of all the works presented and, as a team, a list of questions and comments about them will be drawn up, which will form part of the final evaluation.
The global evaluation will consist of:
* Final short, long and/or development answer test (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 in them.
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: 0.2 × I + 0.3 × C + 0.35 × M + 0.1 × P + 0.05 × R
Formula 2:
Final grade for the course: F
It is not necessary to achieve minimum marks in the evaluation tests for the application of formula 1. 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
Learning in this subject is based on the combination of the expository method and project-oriented learning.
According to the expository method, the professor develops the presentation of the topics before the students present in the same classroom or in other universities through videoconference. In addition, other teaching materials will be included in the Moodle platform that will allow some of the classes to be dedicated to interaction with students, raising questions that allow concepts to be related.
Project-Oriented Learning is based on situations in which the student must explore and work on a practical problem applying interdisciplinary knowledge. Project-based learning is an example of autonomous learning, in which students in small groups must develop a project or document as a result of applying the knowledge acquired to a specific case.
All these training activities will be supported by tutorials from teachers via videoconference.
The approach, methodology and evaluation of this guide is 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 course organized as follows:
- Master classes (1.6 ECTS credits: 16 hours). Sessions of 50 minutes each will be given to the entire group. Teachers explain the theoretical contents and solve representative applied problems. The teaching materials will be available on the Moodle teaching platform (https://moodle.unizar.es/add/course/view.php?id=42054). Regular attendance is recommended.
- Resolution of problems and cases (4.4 ECTS credits: 44 hours of student work, including 8 contact hours). The preparation of two reports on the recommended bibliography and the analysis of various case studies will be required.
- Study (8.4 ECTS credits: 84 hours). Students will study theory, read supplemental reading, and solve problems.
- Evaluation tests (0.6 ECTS credits: 6 hours). There will be a final written exam that will include short answer questions and problem solving.
4.3. Syllabus
1. Eco-innovation: products, processes, and services (examples and design).
2. Product Life Cycle Analysis tools.
3. Analysis of Material Flow between sectors.
4. Material loop closure.
5. Problems and examples of good practices by sectors: Mining, metals, and minerals. Farming. Cattle raising. Fishing. Food industry. Forestry. Fashion and textile sector. Paper and graphic arts. Construction. Furniture. Chemical industry. Pharmaceutical industry. Electronics. Automotive. Transportation and distribution. Tourism. Others.
4.4. Course planning and calendar
Information on schedules, calendar, and exams is published on the Master's page on the website of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Zaragoza (https://ciencias.unizar.es/master-en-economia-circular). The presentation of reports will be carried out according to the calendar that will be announced in due course through the Moodle page of the subject.
Indicative calendar:
- Report: November 15th.
- Case study: December 15th.
- Final Report: January 17th.
- Public presentation: January 17th.
- Peer review: January 27th.
Evaluation test: July 4th.