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BSEN40820

Academic Year 2024/2025

Carbon Footprinting (BSEN40820)

Subject:
Biosystems Engineering
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Biosystems & Food Engineering
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Fionnuala Murphy
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Online
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module introduces the principles, methods and application of carbon footprinting methods for the assessment of products in line with International Standards (ISO 14067). The module will be based on the standard requirements and guidelines for quantification of the carbon footprint of products, including; Goal and Scope setting, Life Cycle Inventory Analysis, Reporting and Review. Students will develop an excel-based spreadsheet model to calculate the Carbon Footprint of a product of their choice. Student learning will be achieved through the completion of an industry standard, Carbon Footprint project which will be completed over the course of the module.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

(1) Define an appropriate goal and scope for the assessment of a carbon footprint of a product
(2) Review data sources and assemble a representative data inventory or a specific product
(3) Develop an excel-based model for the quantification of a carbon footprint of a product
(4) Report the carbon footprint of a product in line with international standards

Indicative Module Content:

The module will introduce the concept and importance of carbon footprinting. The ISO standards for the assessment of the carbon footprint of products will be discussed throughout the module with case studies used to illustrate the application of the standards to a project. Critical review, reporting and certification will be covered as important topics in assessing the quality of a carbon footprint.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

48

Autonomous Student Learning

41

Lectures

24

Online Learning

12

Total

125


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
1. Lectures to deliver theory: Students will have access to this content asynchronously to allow for fully flexible engagement and learning.
2. Synchronous Tutorial Sessions: students will engage in tutorial sessions delivered in webinar style to facilitate real time interaction. Students will be challenges and supported to explore and engage on course content and directed learning presented asynchronously.
3. Asynchronous discussion forums to connect students: a task will be set which students will be required to engage with to explore, challenge, critically evaluate and exchange ideas.
4. Assignments: to develop critical awareness, analysis, synthesis and communication skills.
5. Directed Study: Learners will be directed to access and work through a program of content which will be delivered asynchronously. This approach will enable the students to access and work through a program of content at a time of their choosing within the weekly time frame and within the context of the supported learning environment. The directed learning will draw from a wider variety on learning resources and materials, such as reading (academic and journalistic), podcasts and videos.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Individual Project: Critical Review of Carbon Footprint of Product(s) Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

20

Yes
Individual Project: Excel-based Carbon Footprint model Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

40

No
Individual Project: Final Carbon Footprint Report Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

40

No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

The assessment in this module is focussed on completion of a project. Students will complete elements of the project throughout the Trimester and will receive feedback on each element (post-assessment). Group feedback will be given during tutorials (online)