This graduate diploma will train a cohort of experts in sustainability impact methods (life cycle assessment, carbon footprint and greenhouse gas accounting). The graduate cohort will significantly enhance the workforce in Ireland to drive the sustainability agenda for industry. Graduates will understand the importance of international standards, ethical application of the standards and the technical demands of impact assessment methods.
- School
- School of Biosystems and Food Engineering
- Attendance
- Part-Time
- Level
- Graduate Taught
- NFQ Level
- 9
- Award
- Graduate Diploma
- Mode of Delivery
- Blended
- Programme Director
- Dr Tamíris Da Costa
- Overall Programme Credits:
- 60
- Programme Credits:
- Stage 1
Core/Option: 60 Electives: 0 - Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
- Stage 1: 60
Curricular information is subject to change.
For more information on this programme, see: Graduate Diploma Carbon Accounting & Life Cycle Assessment.
Course Content and Structure:
Modules: The Graduate Diploma in Carbon Accounting and LCA comprises 60 credits over a calendar year. In the Autumn students take BSEN30360 Life Cycle Assessment, BSEN40820 Carbon Footprinting and BSEN40720 Carbon and Sustainability (15 ECTS in total), in the Spring, BSEN40400 LCA Applications and BSEN40810 Greenhouse Gas Accounting (15 ECTS in total) and in the summer BSEN40800 Industry Project (30 ECTS).
Delivery: All lectures and tutorials can be completed online, with the option of attending some on campus if desired. The lectures are recorded to accommodate students' needs, so you can review them at your convenience if you're unable to attend live sessions
Course Hours: The programme is delivered over three trimesters, starting in September, January and May. Each trimester is 12 weeks of teaching plus 3 weeks for final assessments. The workload is around 6-9 contact hours plus time to work on assignments per week between September and April. In May a similar amount of time is dedicated to project work.
Application Assessment: Applications may include a short 10-minute interview.
Module Information:
Under the "What modules can I take?" section below you will see general module information, for a more detailed description including module selection rules click here.
1 - Explain and apply the theory of carbon footprinting, GHG accounting and life cycle assessment
2 - Compile a data inventory, with calculations appropriate to ISO14044, ISO14064 and ISO14067
3 - Interpret the inventory and impact data to identify hotspots and significant issues, and draw conclusions
4 - Present a written report summarizing findings, and recommendations in accordance with the relevant ISO standard
5 - Complete one of the following: (i) a carbon footprint, using ISO14067, of an extant product currently in the market, or a new product that is market-ready; (ii) an institutional GHG inventory, using ISO 14064, and identify mitigation options; or (iii) a life cycle assessment, using ISO 14044.
2 - Compile a data inventory, with calculations appropriate to ISO14044, ISO14064 and ISO14067
3 - Interpret the inventory and impact data to identify hotspots and significant issues, and draw conclusions
4 - Present a written report summarizing findings, and recommendations in accordance with the relevant ISO standard
5 - Complete one of the following: (i) a carbon footprint, using ISO14067, of an extant product currently in the market, or a new product that is market-ready; (ii) an institutional GHG inventory, using ISO 14064, and identify mitigation options; or (iii) a life cycle assessment, using ISO 14044.
UCD is Ireland’s Global University and its largest university with a track record in empowering students to enter a diverse range of careers that reflects the most diverse curriculum on the Island of Ireland. Consistently, over 90% of graduates are employed or in further study or training 9 months following course completion. The QS World Ranking on Graduate Employability has placed UCD at number 1 in Ireland for Graduate Employability since 2018. On the global stage UCD leads the Irish higher education sector and is the only Irish university to be ranked inside the world’s top 80 for Graduate Employability.
At University College Dublin we are aware that for many students, programme outcomes in terms of graduate jobs and career options is important. The purpose of this statement is to help you understand and appreciate the range of skills you may develop during your time at UCD and how you may develop your employability. Visit the UCD Careers Networks website and MyCareer, the UCD Career management Platform, to access career information, internships and graduate roles as well as information about the range of initiatives, supports and events available to you.
This programme provides opportunities for students to develop in areas such as:
- Numeracy
- Writing
- Researching
- Oral Communication
- Written Communication
- Presentations
- Teamwork
- Critical thinking
This programme supports students’ career development and employability through:
- Development of critical thinking, problem solving skills and decision-making e.g. through individual and group projects and assignments
- Development of self-reflection skills
There is an ever increasing demand for employees the with skills that this Graduate Diploma provides. While theoretical knowledge of GHG and other emissions is important, there is a clear demand in Ireland for people with the skills necessary to complete Carbon Footprint, GHG Inventory and Life Cycle Assessment of product and organisations. This skill is transferable across sectors and can be aligned with the different parts of a business, be that process and production, management, health and safety, sustainability or even marketing. This graduate diploma will be ideal for professional development or for reskilling by those looking for a new career opportunity.
Graduates progress into:
- Sustainability team member or leader
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Energy management
- Consulting
- Sourcing and Procurement
Employers include, Veolia, Arup, Codema and RPS.
Stage 1
T384 Grad Dip Carbon Accounting & Life Cycle Assessment PT is a one-year, 60-credit part-time Masters Programme. All students must take 15 credits of taught modules in the Autumn and Spring Trimesters, and the 30-credit module, BSEN40800 Industry Project in the Summer Term. The Autumn Modules are: BSEN30640, BSEN40820 and BSEN40720.
Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.
Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BSEN30640 | Life Cycle Assessment O/L | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BSEN40720 | Carbon & Sustainability | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BSEN40820 | Carbon Footprinting | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BSEN40400 | LCA Applications | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BSEN40810 | GHG Accounting | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BSEN40800 | Industry Project | Summer | 30 |
See the UCD Assessment website for further details, including worked examples of how degree award GPAs are calculated
Module Weighting Info
Module Weighting Info
| Award | GPA | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Programme | Module Weightings | Rule Description | Description | ||
| GDENA001 | Stage 1 - 100.00% |
Standard Honours Award | First Class Honours | 3.68 |
4.20 |
| Second Class Honours, Grade 1 | 3.08 |
3.67 |
|||
| Second Class Honours, Grade 2 | 2.48 |
3.07 |
|||
| Pass | 2.00 |
2.47 |
|||