Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After the course, the students are expected to:

  • Understand the most important concepts of sustainability
  • Understand the connections between sustainability and circular economy
  • Know better about links between the different research groups and their research
  • Know how to consider sustainability and circular economy in practical projects
  • Create a professional identity as an expert and developer of the field
  • Improve skills in project and group working in a design group and communication
  • Learn to evaluate other’s work

Credits: 5

Schedule: 09.01.2023 - 22.02.2023

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Weiwei Lin, Leena Korkiala-Tanttu

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    It provides the basic knowledge of sustainability, circular economy in civil engineering. This course can be connected to the other courses about sustainability at either Aalto University or other universities.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The course grade consists of flipped classroom presentations and group projects and presentations. More details will be announced in the course syllabus and the first lecture. 

Workload
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching sessions, flipped classroom presentations, and group project work, etc.

  • applies in this implementation

    The course grade consists of flipped classroom presentations 40 % (30% for the FC presentation and 10% for peer-assessment, details will be announced in the 1st lecture) and group project and final presentations 60%. Scaling is 0 - 5.


    Each student evaluates both final presentations and flipped classroom presentations of others. The grade of group work is calculated from these and lecturers’ evaluations. Based on the self- and peer-assessment inside the group, the grade can be different within one group. The final presentation session can be compared to the exam of the course, and it is held in evaluation week.

DETAILS

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

    11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

    12 Responsible Production and Consumption

    13 Climate Action

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language : English

    Teaching Period : 2022-2023 Spring III
    2023-2024 Spring III

    Enrollment :

    40 participants. Priorities will be given to CIV and GEO students in the Department of Civil Engineering. 

  • applies in this implementation

    We will limit the maximum number of students to 40 (8 groups are available, and students are evenly distributed to each group. ), including both Finnish and international students. The background of the students is versatile. The lectures will be given in English. 

                                                              

    The course is an intensive project-based course, where interactive work plays a significant role. Attendance in the contact sessions is highly recommended.


Details on the schedule
  • applies in this implementation

     

     

    Week

    Date

    Teacher / advisor

    Topic

    1

    9/1/2023

    Prof. Weiwei Lin

    Introduction, grouping, assignment of FCs

    13/1/2023

    Dr. Saara Vauramo

    Lecture 1 Biodiversity-Ramboll Finland

    2

    16/1/2023

    Prof. Matti Kuittinen

    Lecture 2 Resource flows and planetary boundaries

    20/1/2023

    Prof. Leena Korkiala-Tanttu

    Lecture 3 Circular economy

    3

    23/1/2023

    Prof. Jouni Punkki

    FC1 Environmental Product Declarations (EPD)

    27/1/2023

    Prof. Weiwei Lin & Prof. Mohamed Noureldin

    FC2 Reuse and Recycling in deconstruction

    4

    30/1/2023

    Prof. Xiaoshu Lu

    FC3 Energy efficiency

    3/2/2023

    Prof. Fink Gerhard

    FC4 Design for Disassembly and/or Reuse – Timber Connection Systems

    5

    6/2/2023

    Prof. Augusto Cannone Falchetto & Prof. Nina Raitanen

    FC5 Recycling in Asphalt pavement

    10/2/2023

    Prof. Antti Peltokorpi and Prof. Olli Seppänen

    FC6 Reducing CO2 emissions in construction phase

    6

    13/2/2023

    Prof. Heidi Salonen & Prof. Jarek Kurnitski

    FC7 Indoor environmental quality in energy context

    (Visit Halton sustainable office located in Pasila, tour and lecture there)

    17/2/2023

    Prof. Simo Hostikka

    FC8 Fire safety of sustainable buildings

     

    7

    20/2/2023

    All

    Final presentation session. Feedback discussion of the course. Self-assessment of group work.