Explore UCD

UCD Home >

BSEN30560

Academic Year 2024/2025

Measures to Mitigate Climate C (BSEN30560)

Subject:
Biosystems Engineering
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Biosystems & Food Engineering
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Sharon O'Rourke
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Effective climate action requires rapid reductions in emissions of CO2 across all sectors. However, reductions in gross emissions alone do not meet the EU 2030 climate action plan targets. Negative emissions technologies (NETs) are the sustained gross removals of CO2 from the atmosphere and subsequent secure, long-term storage of carbon in ‘carbon sinks’. A range of NETs measures are currently being explored across EU countries for integration in national inventory.
Negative emissions technologies are either natural climate solutions or engineered solutions. This module will cover the carbon capture and storage potential of a range of measures such as afforestation, soil carbon sequestration, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, direct air carbon capture and storage, and enhanced weathering. The suitability of NETs for deployment for Ireland will be reviewed.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students will be able to;
• Identify key sources and sinks of carbon in the global carbon cycle.
• Understand the principles in natural carbon sequestration and engineered negative emission technologies.
• Understand where negative emission technologies contribute to Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) and the energy sector.
• Critically assess the potential of negative emission technologies for carbon capture and storage.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Specified Learning Activities

40

Autonomous Student Learning

50

Total

114


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
- This module will be delivered in face-to-face lectures, with an opportunity for class-based discussions at stages throughout the module.
- Students will participate in critical assessment of each negative emission technology given in class, based on a template of criteria.
- Active student learning through a self-selected case study assignment applies the theoretical learnings to real world application (40% of module grade).

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
Student Negotiated or Choice of Assessment: Complete a report on a carbon capture measure to mitigate climate change. Students self-select both the measure to be studied and the mode of assignment (written report/digital padlet/other). Week 6 Graded No
40
No
Exam (In-person): End-of-trimester exam. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
60
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
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

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Written feedback will be provided individually via Brightspace. There will be one week provided to incorporate feedback for resubmission.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 33 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 25, 26, 31, 32 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50