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BSEN40210

Academic Year 2023/2024

Green Technologies Project (BSEN40210)

Subject:
Biosystems Engineering
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Biosystems & Food Engineering
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Nick Holden
Trimester:
Autumn and Spring (separate)
Mode of Delivery:
Online
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module will introduce and critically assess the concept of “green technology”. During the module you will define this concept for yourself but in general terms it can be taken to include any biologically derived technology intended to support a sustainable society, such as biofuels, wetland treatment of contaminated water, microbiological and enzyme processing of foods, novel agriculture, forestry and marine resource utilisation. During the module you will consider what makes a technology “green”, the importance of the bioeconomy and issues of sustainability and social justice. In addition to technical knowledge, the module will address critical assessment of literature, the definition of design criteria and the formation of opinions. During the module you will use the knowledge you acquire, combined with critical thinking to prepare a review of a “green technology” that will address why it is “green”, the evidence to support such claims, its contribution to sustainability and the opinion you will form of the technology over the 12 weeks of the module.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

(1) Define and appraise a green technology in terms of its design, contribution to sustainability and role in the bioeconomy
(2) Synthesize evidence from academic and non-academic sources to evaluate a green technology
(3) Formulate, explain and defend an opinion on the bioeconomy and sustainability in the context of a specific green technology

Indicative Module Content:

(1) A working definition of 'green technology'
(2) Choosing a technology to review
(3) The idea of biological services
(4) Searching for and evaluating sources of infomration
(5) The bioecoomy context
(6) Evidence, testing and verification
(7) Critical analysis
(8) The social context
(9) The sustainability context
(10) Design and ecodesign
(11) Formulating an opinion
(12) The final report

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

36

Autonomous Student Learning

48

Online Learning

36

Total

120


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
- Directed reading
- Online lectures
- Focus on critical assessment
- Reflection

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

You should have a degree (2:2 or equivalent) in science, applied science, technology or engineering. Some level of technical knowledge related to environmental science, environmental management, environmental technology or environmental engineering is desirable.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Attendance: Controbution to online discussions Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No
10
No
Journal: Weekly reflective diary Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No
25
Yes
Project: Project report Week 12 n/a Graded No
65
Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
Repeat Within Two Trimesters
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be delivered through direct email with students

Name Role
Ivy Rose Marajas Tutor
Ms Nishtha Talwar Tutor