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BSEN30360

Academic Year 2024/2025

Life Cycle Assessment (BSEN30360)

Subject:
Biosystems Engineering
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Biosystems & Food Engineering
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Tamíris Da Costa
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module introduces the principles and methods of life cycle thinking and life-cycle assessment (LCA) with specific reference to agriculture, food and energy systems using attributional LCA. The module will be based around the ISO 14040 methodology andILCD handbook. The module will focus on the four common stages of LCA: (i) definition of the Goal and Scope; (ii) Life Cycle Inventory Analysis; (iii) Life Cycle Impact Assessment and (iv) Interpretation. Case studies will consider LCA studies of agriculture, food and energy systems. Learning will be faciitated through completion of an example project that will be completed throughout the module.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

(1) Prepare a goal and scope statement for an LCA of a product or process;
(2) Organise and manipulate data sources to build an LCI in order to undertake an LCA of a product or process;
(3) Calculate a simple LCIA (for climate change impact) of a product or process; and
(4) Communicate LCA findings using ISO standard reporting and oral presentation.

Indicative Module Content:

- Introduction to life cycle thinking,
- Structure of an ISO standard life cycle assessment.
- The goal and scope of the LCA, Life cycle inventory.
- Life cycle impact assessment.
- Interpretation and uncertainty. Example applications.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

47
Autonomous Student Learning

30
Lectures

24
Online Learning

24
Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
- Problem based assignments that build to a completed LCA project
- Directed reading
- Online lectures
- Online tutorials to progress through the LCA project

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Experience using Excel or similar speadsheet software
Some knowledge of system modelling
Search strategies
Some knowledge of agriculture, food and energy systems


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
BSEN30420 - Environmental Footprint Method


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Goal and Scope definition for LCA of chosen system Week 4 Graded Yes
30
 Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) of chosen system Week 7 Graded No
20
 Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) of chosen system Week 9 Graded No
20
 Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): Final LCA report including Interpretation for chosen system Week 12 Graded Yes
30
 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be provided using the VLE on each assessment as it is graded during the module.

Reading and support material will be provided on a regular basis within the module in Brightspace.

Name Role
Dr Tamíris Da Costa Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Fri 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 14:00 - 15:50
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