Bioeconomy and production of bioresources/natural materials

• Ecological basics
  • Plant growth
  • Ecological systems and production
• Agriculture
  • Products from agriculture
  • Conventional agriculture and organic farming
  • Types of agriculture (intensive, mountain pastures, plant and animal production)
  • Agriculture and environmental change
• Forestry
  • Products from forestry
  • Sustainable management of forests (forests in Austria)
• Bioeconomy and biorenewables

Biotechnology and resources

• Basics of microbial metabolism using relevant examples:
  • Autotrophic vs. heterotrophic organisms
  • Prokaryotes vs. eukaryotes
  • Nutrient requirements and prerequisites for microbial growth
• Fundamentals of biotechnological processes
  • Measurement, control/regulation of process parameters (oxygen, temperature, pH value)
  • Sterile process technology and hygiene
  • Upstream and downstream processing
• Application examples from green, gray and white biotechnology:
  • Alcoholic fermentation / Saccharomyces cerevisae
  • Production of enzymes in E.coli
  • Production of biogas

• Students can explain the influence of biomass production on land use and can derive and evaluate potential ecological problem areas.

• Students comprehend complex natural processes and apply this knowledge to derive and justify ecologically sound conclusions using evaluation tools.

• Students understand the basics of biotechnological processes and can use these as a basis for calculating their ecological evaluation.

• Students can describe relevant application examples from green, gray and white biotechnology and can assess the potential for their applications in practice

Lecture by lecturer

Home teaching

Joint calculations

Discussions in the plenum

Endprüfung: Intermediate test

Homework

Simple calculations

Final exam

Ecological processes

- Scientific basics

- chemical processes (acid-base reaction, redox reaction, solubility)

- physical processes

- biological processes

Energy cycle in nature

Nutrient cycles

- water

- carbon

- nitrogen

- Sulphur

- phosphorus

• Students can explain the most important nutrition and energy cycles in nature and understand the connection to sustainable resource management

• Using ecological cycles, students develop an understanding of fundamental physical, chemical and biological processes in nature and the associated chemical reaction mechanisms

• Students can recognize the human impact on ecological cycles and suggest how to minimize or prevent harmful effects

Lectures - Teachers

Development of tasks in plenary and at home

Discussions

Working on case studies

Distance learning

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: Intermediate test

Homework

Calculation examples

Final exam

- Definition and basics of material flow analysis

- Norms and standards for material flow analysis and material flow cost accounting

- Definition of relevant parameters

- Theoretical and practical principles of material and energy balancing

- Methodology for carrying out standardized material flow analysis

- Practical application of the STAN software from TU Vienna

• Students can apply methodological standards of substance and material flow analysis.

• Students are able to define temporal and spatial system boundaries for resource-intensive processes and systems.

• Students are able to generate and analyse material and energy flows within and across companies and identify optimisation potentials.

• Lectures by teachers
• Discussions
• Practical Example using STAN-Software from TU Vienna as homework with discussions at plenum

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: Intermediate tests

Homework

Calculation project

Prerequisite for the course:

• theory bridge course

IC content:

• in-depth studies of life cycle assessment (LCA) and related methodologies like Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF), Product Carbon Footprint (PCF), Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
• allocation (e.g. system expansion, economic and mass based allocation)
• impact assessment (normalization, weighting, interactions and correlations of impact categories)
• different methods and characterization models including e.g. Environmental Footprint, IPCC, CML and AWARE
• modelling of end of life (e.g. waste management processes with the Circular Footprint Formula)
• sensitivity analyses to assess the influence of a changed parameter on the LCA results arising from e.g. data quality, cut-off criteria, allocation method)

• Students are able to use systemic approaches and life cycle-based perspectives to assess environmental impacts based on the principles of LCA in accordance with ISO 14040/14044 and related standards.

• Students are able to select, justify and apply the appropriate assessment method / methodology based on goal and scope.

• Students are able to distinguish between different allocation procedures and carry out methodically correct allocations.

• Students are able to include normalization and weighting procedures in LCA.

• Students are able to conduct sensitivity analyses in order to interpret the fluctuation ranges and uncertainty of LCA results, and can critically assess the possibilities and limitations of AI in analysis and interpretation.

Presentational methods:

- Teaching and learning methods

Participatory methods:

- Blended learning

- Exercises

- Individual tasks

- Group work

- Presentations by the students

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: The integrated course is assessed through formative assessment. By awarding points during the integrated course (ongoing performance evaluation + 80% mandatory attendance) and not just at the end through a final examination, several advantages arise:

- The workload is distributed evenly throughout the semester.

- The assessment does not represent a snapshot.

- Teaching methods can be modified and adjusted as needed.

- Students take active responsibility for the learning process and receive individual courses for action.

This course introduces the legal frameworks relevant to resource management, focusing on European and Austrian law. Students will learn key legal concepts, including the staging of legal systems, public vs. private law, and environmental legislation. Practical sessions include navigating legal texts via the Austrian Legal Information System (RIS) and analyzing case studies.

Introduction to Law and Legal Systems: What is law? Objectives and purposes of legal systems. Overview of the stages of legal systems: Constitution, statutes, regulations. Sources of law: International, EU, and Austrian law.

Key Legal Distinctions: Public law vs. private law. Administrative law, constitutional law, and environmental law. Civil law and its implications for resource management.

European Union Law in Resource Management: EU directives and regulations relevant to environmental and resource management. Principle of subsidiarity and its impact on national laws. Examples: EU Water Framework Directive, Circular Economy Action Plan.

Austrian Legal System and Resource Management: Structure and functions of Austria’s legal system. Key legislations such as Waste Management Act (AWG), Water Rights Act (WRG), Forest Act. Introduction to the Austrian Legal Information System (RIS).

Working with Legal Texts: How to navigate and interpret legal texts using RIS. Hands-on workshop.

Case Studies in Resource Management

• Case Study 1: Compliance with environmental laws (e.g., waste management), using legal texts to identify obligations and propose solutions that align with legal and sustainability requirements.
• Case Study 2: Dispute resolution in resource allocation applying relevant legislation to evaluate legal responsibilities, resolve conflicts, and promote sustainable practices.
• Group discussion.

Legal Trends and Challenges: Current challenges in resource management law (e.g., climate change litigation, biodiversity). The role of law in shaping sustainable resource use. Discussion: Ethical and legal considerations in resource management.

• Students can explain the structure of legal systems and key distinctions between public and private law.

• Students can explain the relevance of EU and Austrian law in resource management.

• Students use the Austrian Legal Information System (RIS) to find and interpret legal texts and analyze case studies and provide legally sound solutions to resource management challenges.

• Students can anaylse and discuss current legal trends and ethical considerations in sustainable resource use.

Blended learning

• Lectures: Interactive overviews of legal frameworks.
• Workshops: Hands-on practice with RIS and legal text analysis.
• Case Studies: Case study Assignment

Assessment: Participation, assignments, and a final case study project.

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: Case study (homework)

Final exam

Participation in class (discussions)

- Literature survey databases

- AI as a tool for scientific working

- How to prepare a scientific text

- Citation of scienitific literature

- Avoiding plagiarism

- Presentation techniques

• Students are able to conduct a scientific literature survey, furthermore they can use AI for literature research within the framework of the AI guideline of the FH

• Students are able to plan a scientific experiment.

• Students are able to write a scientific publication.

• Students know the internal standards and guidelines that are applied at FH Campus Wien for seminar papers and Master theses

Blended learning (including learning methods such as frontal teaching, distance learning, exercises, work tasks, students´ presentations, etc.)

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: Continuous assessment (including assessment methods such as preliminary test, intermediate test, homework, students´ collaboration, and final exam)

Students are able to understand

• the principles and systems of personal leadership profiles,
• methods of self-perception and perception of others (feedback),
• leadership styles and their application,
• communication styles,
• team work
• systems of handling diversity

• Students are able to present their tasks and knowledge in a convincing way using different presentation styles.

• Students are able to identify conflicts in their work environment and to react in a reliable and solution-oriented way.

• Students are able to explain the system of leadership.

Didactic setting - in class (face-to-face) and online teaching:

1 SWS / 2 ECTS (= 50 TU workload students) =

7 TU in class teaching (face-to-face)

1 TU exam (examination supervision by the lecturer)

42 TU distance learning (=workload students)

Presentational methods:

Work assignments: Students develop sets of questions, the contents of which are examined in interim exams and subsequently discussed in case of uncertainties. Individual work: Students work on a topic of their choice. This serves both for deepening knowledge in a specific area and for learning how to write a scholarly paper. Creating a power point presentation: Students present the results of their work with the help of a power point presentation.

Participatory methods:

Group work: In addition to elaborating on a specific topic and applying learned concepts, students acquire interdisciplinary skills such as social skills, media didactics competence and language proficiency when working in groups.

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: Formative assessment. 1. group assignment (30 points), 2. active participation during discussions (20 points) 3. homework (10 points) 4. written final examination (40 points)

• Social sustainability: holistic perspectives on sustainability
• Social sustainability from a global perspective
• Social aspects of the SDGs
• Environmental and climate justice
• Alternative economic and social concepts from a social perspective: degrowth, circular economy, economy for the common good, solidarity economy
• Overview of the topics of social sustainability
• Social sustainability in the corporate context
• Social sustainability and sustainability reporting
• Inner Development Goals: personal skills for transformation

• Students can reflect on the relevance of social sustainability as an essential contribution to transformation

• Students can explain the connections between ecological and social sustainability issues and the associated national and international social challenges and formulate calls for action for politicians, companies and NPOs

• Based on the SDGs and within the framework of the various topics of social sustainability, students can derive operational contexts at a strategic level and review their achievement of objectives

• Students can identify key social sustainability topics in the context of sustainability reporting and develop targets, indicators and key figures in accordance with various sustainability standards.

Lecture, group work, individual work, case studies on environmental and climate justice, case studies on social sustainability in a business context

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: Final exam

intermediate test

ongoing tasks

home work

• Introduction to the basic concepts of sustainable project management, including the definition and differentiation of sustainable projects.

• Examination of the environmental impact of projects, analysis of the social impact, assessment of economic sustainability.

• Introduction to various methods for assessing sustainability within an project, presentation of tools and software to support sustainability assessment.

• Integration of sustainability criteria into the project objectives and requirements, development of plans that take sustainability aspects into account, monitoring and controlling of sustainability performance (impact of the project on people and the environment), evaluation of sustainability performance and derivation of lessons learned. Focus on resource-saving time. Cost and resource planning.

• Consideration of ecological and social aspects in role allocation and team development
• Promotion of sustainable communication structures (e.g. paperless meetings, digital communication). Reduction of travel activities.
• Determining the relevant stakeholders and their interests in relation to sustainability, developing communication strategies, promoting the active participation of stakeholders who contribute environmentally or socially relevant expertise through to end users
• Documentation of sustainable lessons learned that can be used as standards for future projects
• Introduction of a CIP for sustainability in project management
• Presentation of best practices and strategies for sustainable project management, analysis of real projects that have successfully achieved sustainability goals.

• Students should be able to explain and apply the principles of green project management.

• Students should be able to integrate sustainability aspects into the various phases of project management.

• Students should be able to apply methods and tools to evaluate and improve the sustainability of projects.

• Students should be able to develop and implement sustainable project management strategies in the context of entrepreneurship.

• Students should be able to analyze and evaluate the impact of projects on the environment, society and the economy.

• Lectures: In-depth study of the theoretical foundations and concepts of sustainable project management, including recent developments and best practices.
• Case studies: Detailed analysis and discussion of real projects with a focus on sustainability to understand the application of the concepts in more complex and challenging projects.
• Group work: Development and presentation of sustainable project plans, where students apply and extend their knowledge from the Bachelor program.
• Guest lectures: Experts from the field share their experiences and best practices in sustainable project management to provide students with insights into current developments and challenges.
• Discussions: Interactive discussions on current topics and challenges in sustainable project management to promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: - Examinations: Written examinations to test theoretical knowledge.

- Project work: Creation and presentation of a sustainable project plan in group work.

- Case study analysis: Analysis and evaluation of a case study with a focus on sustainability.

- Collaboration: Active participation in discussions and group work.

Planning of industrial plants

• Managing the project environment and potential conflicts with local authorities
• classifying the necessary legal steps in technical projects
• Preparation and discussion of documents for project approval
• Types of documents required for approval (Austrian example)
• Approval routes - emission and immission-neutral industrial plants

Case studies

• Industrial plants with simple technical equipment
• Recycling plants
• Water and wastewater treatment plants
• Water energy plants - especially fish ladders

Examination of industrial construction projects on the basis of the commercial regulations (Österreich - GewO)

• Students can explain the most important legal regulations for the authorization of industrial plants and apply them to Austrian case studies.

• Students can use the knowledge they have acquired to participate in industrial projects in the planning and approval phase and critically accompany the process.

• Students can identify necessary tools in technical project planning and argue process decisions to the authorities.

•    Lectures by teachers
•    Development of tasks in plenary and at home
•    Discussions
•    Working on case studies
•    Distance learning

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: Intermediate test

Homework

Calculation examples

Final exam

Introduction to Biodiversity and Nature Conservation

• The importance of biodiversity for ecological balance and human society
• Threats to biodiversity: Climate change, habitat loss, invasive species, overuse of natural resources, and habitat fragmentation

Ecological Fundamentals, Biodiversity, and Resource Management

• Ecosystems and their functioning: Interactions between species and their habitats
• Ecosystem services: Their significance for resource management (e.g. pollination, water filtration, carbon sequestration, soil formation)
• Ecosystem carrying capacity and the concept of planetary boundaries (e.g. climate change, biodiversity loss, nutrient cycles)
• Human impact on natural ecosystems and sustainable resource use
• Resource management in different sectors, e.g. agriculture, forestry, industry

Nature Conservation Instruments

• Legal frameworks and international agreements: Overview of key national and international instruments (e.g. UN Convention on Biological Diversity, CITES, Natura 2000)
• Basics of conservation: Goals and approaches to conservation (e.g. protected areas, restoration)
• Monitoring and assessment of biodiversity

Interactions between Climate Change and Biodiversity

• Overview of the impacts of climate change on biodiversity: Habitat changes, species distribution shifts, extreme weather events
• Climate protection and climate change adaptation: Strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on biodiversity
• Nature-based solutions (NbS) for climate change: e.g. afforestation, peatland restoration, multi-benefit hedgerows as integrated measures for climate adaptation
• Site visit to an example of nature-based solutions

Nature Conservation and Sustainability in the Business Context

• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and biodiversity: Corporate strategies to promote biodiversity and sustainable business models
• Sustainability certifications (e.g. FSC, MSC) and their role in conservation: The importance of certifications for sustainable resource use
• Businesses and biodiversity management: Best-practice examples for managing biodiversity and evaluating corporate strategies regarding their impact on biodiversity

Biodiversity Management and Policy Instruments

• Market-based instruments such as Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) and emissions trading systems
• Conflicts between nature and biodiversity conservation and economic development and resource consumption
• Planning instruments and decision-making aids in the context of conservation and resource use: Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
• Future perspectives and strategies for sustainable resource use

• Students recognise the importance of biodiversity and its fundamental role in ecological balance and human society. They understand the significance of ecosystem services for resource management.

• Students are familiar with key conservation instruments, including legal frameworks and international agreements. They can explain central goals and approaches in conservation.

• Students can explain the interactions between climate change and biodiversity and are able to independently assess nature-based solutions (NbS) for climate adaptation.

• Students recognize the impacts of human activities on natural ecosystems. They are capable of evaluating and comparing resource management strategies across different sectors.

• Students recognize the role of businesses in biodiversity management. They should be able to explain the use of planning instruments in the context of conservation and resource utilization.

• Lectures by teachers
• Discussions
• Site visit to nature-based solutions (NbS)
• Working on best practice examples
• Presentations by students
• Distance learning

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: Intermediate exam

Homework and presentation

Final exam

• Investigation of existing LCA studies
• Dealing with Ecoinvent, OpenLCA, as well as with streamlined tools
• Realization of a full LCA study including definition of goal and scope, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment and interpretation

• Students are able to independently conduct a full LCA study

• Students are able to apply in-depth knowledge about basic datasets and background data relevant for an LCA study

• Students are able to identify the environmental hotspots of a product’s life cycle (cradle to grave, cradle to gate)

• Students are able to use different databases as well as software and streamlined tools to conduct an LCA study (e.g. Ecoinvent, open LCA, MS Excel)

• Students are able to discuss, evaluate and interpret results of LCA studies

Presentational methods:

- Teaching and learning methods

Participatory methods:

- Blended learning

- Exercises

- Individual tasks

- Group work

- Presentations by the students

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: Formative assessment:

1. Installation OpenLCA (5 Points)

2. Group work – Presentation (20 Points)

3. Group work – Calculation (40 Points)

3. Group work – Report (30 Points)

5. Active participation in class (5 Points)

Introduction to energy technology

• Basic concepts
• Forms of energy
• Basics: SI units, basic units for energy and power (joule, kWh), power units (watt, MW, GW), electrical units (volt, ampere, ohm)
• Current figures and trends

Basics of energy generation and energy conversion

• Fundamentals of thermal power plants:
  • CHP plants (fossil power plants (coal, gas and oil-fired power plants), hydrogen power plants, biomass power plants, waste incineration plants)
  • Nuclear power plants
  • Solar thermal power plants
  • Heating plants in general
• Basics of renewable power plants
  • Wind power plants
  • Photovoltaic plants (PV)
  • Hydroelectric power plants
  • Tidal power plants
  • Wave power plants
  • Classification of heat pumps

Basics of energy distribution

• Basics of grids (definition and function of grids)
• Electricity grid (design and structure in Austria, grid level, frequency, APG, etc.)
• District heating network (district cooling network)
• Gas grid (natural gas and future H2 grid)

Basics of energy storage

• Introduction to energy storage (why, challenges, ...)
• Classification of energy storage systems (short-term/long-term storage, stationary/mobile)
• Types of storage technology

In-depth study: Electricity (wind power, PV, hydropower)

• Electricity
• Functionality and types of wind turbines
• How PV works and types of PV systems
• How hydropower plants work, core components, types of hydropower utilization

Specialization: Thermodynamics, process engineering (heat pumps)

• Fundamentals of thermodynamics and process engineering (law of conservation of energy, main laws of thermodynamics, ideal model Carnot process or refrigeration cycle)
• Basic principle of the heat pump process

• Students develop an understanding of the important terms, forms of energy, units and energy demand and consumption in Austria and can apply these to technical questions.

• Students develop an understanding of the different energy conversion systems and can compare thermal and renewable systems.

• Students know the importance of energy distribution and have an understanding of the various energy storage technologies, how they work, their applications and their importance for a flexible, sustainable energy system.

• Students understand the theoretical concepts of energy technology in the real world and can correctly argue their role in shaping a sustainable energy future.

Lectures - Teachers

Development of tasks in plenary and at home

Discussions

Working on case studies

Distance learning

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: Intermediate test

Homework

Calculation examples

Final exam

• Introduction to Professional English in Sustainability
• Communication and Presentations for Sustainability Professionals
• Intercultural and Interdisciplinary Communication in Global Sustainability Contexts

• Students are able to communicate technical concepts and findings in sustainability effectively to diverse audiences.

• Students are able to deliver presentations and pitches confidently and persuasively to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Students are able to collaborate in intercultural and interdisciplinary teams, employing skills to handle language nuances, active listening, and cultural sensitivity.

• Lectures
• Tasks in class and at home (both individual and in groups)
• Discussions & Presentations
• Peer Review, Feedback & Self-Reflection
• Distance learning

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: • Individual and Group Tasks

• Discussions

• Presentations

• Basic principles of quantitative and qualitative research
• Research design and quality assurance
• Quantitative methods:
  • Methods of quantification (Design and conduction of advanced questionnaires, …)
  • Assessment and presentation of results
• Qualitative methods:
  • Overview of qualitative data collection methods
  • Overview of procedures for the analysis of qualitative data
  • Conduction of qualitative methods (expert interviews, …)
  • Helpful tools for qualitative methods (transcription)
• Evaluation methods
• Interpretation of data and critical reflection of results

• Students can explain the main differences and areas of application of quantitative and qualitative research methods.

• Students are able to create an empirical research design and create and analyse interview guidelines.

• Students can design questionnaires in a meaningful way and analyze them quantitatively and qualitatively as well as critically analyze AI-generated questionnaires.

• Students can interpret results from qualitative and quantitative research.

Blended learning:

• Lectures by teachers
• Assignments, tasks and presentations
• Discussions
• Distance learning

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: Immanent performance review (work assignments)

• Globalization and its Impact on Sustainable Development
• Key International Frameworks for Sustainability and the Role of International Organizations
• Cross-Cultural Perspectives and Communication in International Sustainability
• Innovation and Solutions for Global Social and Sustainability Challenges

• Students can explain the role of international collaboration in sustainable development.

• Students are able to identify and analyze key global sustainability frameworks, policies, and initiatives to understand best practices and challenges.

• Students are able to engage in discussions to develop solutions for international sustainability issues with consideration of cross-cultural and international dimensions.

• Lectures
• Tasks in class and at home (both individual and in groups)
• Discussions & Presentations
• Peer Review, Feedback & Self-Reflection
• Distance learning

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: • Individual and Group Tasks

• Discussions

• Presentations

• Core concepts of sLCA (social footprint, social handprint, social hotspots, social risks, social impact, social performance, materiality and materiality assessment)
• Social impact categories of sLCA
• Stakeholder categories
• Definition of Goal and Scope
• Social Life Cycle Inventory
• Social Life Cycle Impact Assessment
• Interpretation
• Linkages with other corporate social responsibility tools
• Linkages with environmental LCA and life cycle costing

• Students can explain different methods, models and data relevant to conduct a social Life Cycle Assessment (sLCA).

• Students can conduct an sLCA and assess the combined quantitative and qualitative data in order to derive potential social impacts.

• Students can evaluate the results of a sLCA and derive recommendations in order to improve the social performance of an organization and the wellbeing of its stakeholders.

• Students can explain the intersections between social, environmental life cycle assessment and life cycle costing.

• Lectures by teachers
• Blended learning
• Exercises
• Individual tasks
• Group work
• Presentations by the students

Endprüfung: Intermediate test

Group Work

Individual tasks

Introduction to classical environmental economics

• Economy and environment interaction
• Growth and sustainable development
• Management of scarce resources
• Public and private goods
• External effects

Indicators

• Classical Economic indicatiors (Gross domestic product,...)
• Alternative indicators for prosperity and wellbeing (Gender equality index, Human development index, Genuine Progress index…)

Alternative economies

• environmental and ecological economics
• Economy for the common good
• Degrowth
• Circular Economy
• Shared Economy
• Crowd funding
• Solidarity economy
• Citizen power plants
• Further projects and alliances

• Students know the main features of the prevailing economic system and can critically analyze it.

• Students are familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of various alternative economic models and can assess the possibilities and limitations of a macroeconomic transformation through new concepts.

• Students can analyse the impact of alternative economic concepts on on entrepreneurship.

Lecture by lecturer

Home teaching

Joint calculations

Discussions in the plenum

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: Intermediate test

Homework

Simple calculations

Final exam

• System Model and Analysis: environment-social-economy
  • Role of enterprises and organizations in the systemic context
  • Challenges and status quo
• Sucessfactors for the implementation of sustainable innovations
  • Know-how and consciousness
  • Strategy
  • Culture
  • Processes and structure
• New models for sustainable innovations

• Students can discuss the systematic dimension of sustainability and discuss the relationship between sustainability and innovation

• Students can apply innovation strategies that lead to radical and sustainable innovations

• Students can analyse why conventional innovation approaches rarely lead to radical innovations

• Students can communicate which organizational and cultural requirements are necessary to develop sustainable innovations

• Lectures by teacher
• Discussions
• Case studies
• Exercises and concept developments
• Online Co-creation sessions

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: Contribution to the lessons

Exercises (homework)

Intermediate test

Development and presentation of concepts

Final exam

• Fermentation process
  • A simple fermentation process, such as the production of alcohol with yeast, is carried out in the laboratory.
  • The process is continuously monitored and the most important parameters (pH value, sugar content, bacterial count) are measured.
  • The yield of the process and the course of the process are measured and a balance/yield is calculated for the entire process. This can be used as a basis for assessing the ecological footprint of the process.

• Environmental analysis
  • Preparation of a water sample for chemical and microbiological analyses
  • Carrying out a phosphate measurement of the water
  • Water hardness measurement
  • Determination of bacterial count in water
  • Microscopy of water samples (zooplankton, phytoplankton)
  • Evaluation of water quality

• Students are familiar with different chemical and biological analysis methods and can apply these for environmental engineering issues

• Students are able to carry out selected chemical and biological analyses and correctly evaluate and assess the results. Environmental laboratory methods are used e.g. to analyse the quality of a water sample.

• Students can carry out a simple fermentation under sterile conditions in the laboratory under supervision and can measure the most important process parameters using simple methods in order to visualize the course of the process

Theory preparation in plenary and self-study

Carrying out the laboratory work under supervision

Preparation of a laboratory protocol

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: Laboratory protocol

Entry-level test environmental analysis

Entry-level test biotechnology/fermentation

This course offers an in-depth insight into environmental technologies. In an applied part, students will work on current technological topics from environmental and resource management themselves. This is accompanied by lectures from the field.

Selected environmental technologies:

• Combustion
• Air pollution control
• Wastewater technology
• Waste management technologies
  • Sorting technology
  • Recycling technology
  • Composting

Current topics in environmental technology and sustainability

• Current developments in environmental technology and resource management
• Legal developments, entrepreneurship and technology
• Occurring topics such as AI and susatinabiity
• Guest lectures from the field

• Students understand selected environmental technologies and can communicate their areas of application between technical experts and business management

• Students understand the influence of new developments (social or legal) on the use of technologies and the associated economic development.

• Students can research and analyze current developments in resource management and discuss their findings and utilize AI to deepen their analysis and communicate insights effectively.

Frontal lecture

Independent development of a current topic on resource management or environmental technology

Group work to understand process chains

External lectures from relevant branches of industry

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: Final exam (40)

Seminar paper (40)

Homework (10)

Presentation (10)

Energy economics

• Analysis of energy demand
• Energy efficiency measures
• Finite fossil resources
• - Historical developments
• - Strong and weak sustainability
• - The oil price
• External effects and political control instruments
• Electricity markets and renewable energies
• - Price formation on electricity markets
• - Merit order effects
• - Subsidy instruments

Energy management in companies

• Energy data managemant in companies
• Energy management systems (standards)
• Regulatories for energy management
• Energy efficiency in operation

• Students can explain how the special features of energy demand and energy supply influence the energy markets

• Students discuss which political instruments are used to control the energy markets.

• Students can identify energy management issues in companies and contribute suggestions for increasing energy efficiency

Vorträge - Lehrende

Erarbeitung von Aufgaben im Plenum und zuhause

Diksussionen

Bearbeitung Fallbeispiele

Fernlehre

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: Intermediate test

Homework

Calculation examples

Final exam

In this course, the basics of materials science and waste management are briefly repeated in plenary sessions and deepened in self-study. The focus is on a consolidated understanding of the complex relationships between material properties and the use of materials in the context of circular economy and ecological product development.

Materials

• Types of materials and their most important properties
• Properties and areas of application
• Pure materials and composites

Circular and waste management

• Recap: Difference between waste management and circular economy
• Waste management
• Circular economy strategy

Eco -Design

• Definition of eco-design
• ECO - Design PRocess
  • Principles
  • Approaches
  • Stages

• Students know the most important material groups and combinations and can assess and evaluate their relevance for resource management based on their properties

• Students know the rules and guidelines of eco-design and can apply these in the context of the circular economy

• Students understand the principles of recycling and waste management and can derive various end-of-life scenarios based on product and material properties

Overview and recap of the most important basics in plenary and home study

Analysis and critical reflection of a product or product group (depending on complexity)

Based on the analysis, the entire life cycle of the products should be presented, problem areas identified and solutions proposed

Presentation of the most important results and comparison with other groups, thus creating an understanding of different material applications

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: 2 Intermediate test on the theoretical basics

Elaboration of a project study (analysis of a product/product group with regard to material use, ECO design and waste management)

Presentation of the project results and comparison with other groups

• Green marketing of services and products
• Stakeholders, their expectations and responsibilities
• Implicit and explicit environmental claims
• Greenwashing and greenhushing
• Size and nature of the problem of misleading environmental claims in the European Union
• (New) legislation in the European Union
  • Circular Economy Action Plan
  • Substantiation and communication of explicit environmental claims
  • Empowering consumers for the green transition
  • Eco-design requirements for sustainable products
• (Legal) consequences of misleading claims
• Existing labels and schemes (e.g., EU Ecolabel, EMAS))
• Substantiation of environmental claims using robust, science based and verifiable methods (e.g., environmental footprint methods, ecodesign)

• Students know the basics of green marketing for products and services and are able to recognize implicit and explicit sustainability claims

• Students are able to discuss the background and the necessity for substantiating green claims

• Students discuss the specific legal framework in the European Union

• Students are able to recognize, analyse and avoid greenwashing and greenhushing and can apply their knowledge both in the analysis of an existing product or service or the (re)design of the same

• Students can propose methods and labels to substantiate green claims

• Lecture
• Discussion
• Store check
• Individual and group work
• Expert interviews
• Distance learning

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: Intermediate test

Final exam

Introduction to ESG management

• Definition and meaning of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance).
• Overview of the historical development of ESG and sustainability in companies.
• Relevance of ESG for stakeholders and company value.
• Discussion of global standards and frameworks (e.g. UN Global Compact, GRI, SASB).
• Case studies on the integration of ESG into corporate strategy and impact on entrepreneurship

Environmental management and reporting

• Deepening the 'environmental' aspect of ESG: environmental management systems, CO2 footprint, resource efficiency.
• Methods for environmental assessment and reporting.
• Introduction to relevant standards and guidelines (ISO 14001, EMAS).
• Impact of environmental factors on the financial performance of companies.

Social responsibility and governance

• Deepening the 'social' and 'governance' aspects of ESG.
• Topics such as working conditions, human rights, supply chain management, diversity & inclusion.
• Corporate governance: structure, role and responsibility of corporate boards.
• Analysis of social and governance components in corporate reports.

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)

• Introduction to the CSRD: background, objectives and scope.
• Comparison between CSRD and previous reporting guidelines (e.g. Non-Financial Reporting Directive).
• CSRD requirements for companies: Reporting obligations, content and format.
• Linking CSRD with ESG management.

ESG reporting practice and implementation of the CSRD

• Preparation of a sustainability report taking into account ESG criteria and CSRD requirements.
• Practical exercises on data collection, analysis and preparation for the report.
• Analysis and discussion of real company reports in the context of CSRD.

• Students have an understanding of the basics and importance of ESG criteria and can apply ESG concepts in business practice.

• Students know the legal requirements for sustainability reporting in the EU, in particular the CSRD and can create and analyse sustainability reports.

• Students critically scrutinize ESG and CSRD guidelines and are able to incorporate them into corporate development in the long term.

Lecture
Group work on case studies
Plenary discussion
Analysis of company reports
Analysis of legal texts and guidelines
Group work to prepare a fictitious sustainability report in accordance with CSRD

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: Group project (50%): Creation of a fictitious sustainability report that fulfills CSRD requirements and takes ESG criteria into account.

Written exam (50%): Query theoretical understanding and practical application of ESG management and CSRD.

Data life cycle: collection, storage, processing and analysis
Statistical methods for sustainability analyses (descriptive and inferential statistical evaluation methods)

Introduction to statistical analysis software (e.g. R), data analysis in sustainability management - identification of relevant data sources and methods for data collection

Multivariate analyses to investigate complex relationships, time series analyses, predicting sustainability trends using regression analyses, creating dashboards

AI as source for data and tool for data management

• Students can apply basic concepts of data management and statistics in the context of sustainability management.

• Students can collect, analyze, process and interpret qualitative and quantitative data.

• Students can collect, analyze and interpret data in order to make evidence-based and empirically sound decisions in the field of sustainability.

• Students can apply descriptive and inferential statistical evaluation methods to real sustainability problems

Lectures, practical exercises, group projects

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: Final exam

Homework

Intermediate test

Group project grade

Definition of an objective for a project study based on the content of the Master's program

• Input from companies
• Input from research projects

Applied methods

• ECO design
• LCA
• Material analyses
• Product analyses
• Energy management of processes

Creation of project documentation

• Evaluation of results
• Presentation of the results
• Crisis and independent reflection of the results
• Evaluation of the results based on the various pillars of sustainability

• Students are able to independently collect relevant data for the implementation of an applied sustainability assessment and question its plausibility.

• Students decide independently which sustainability tools are useful for the evaluation of a project study and apply them.

• Students create comprehensible reports on the work carried out, present results in a meaningful way and can formulate suggestions for improvement in relation to sustainability on the basis of these results.

Theoretical input from researchers and companies

Conducting an applied project study

Analysis of a product and the production process steps under the guidance of lecturers

Independent implementation of a sustainability assessment

Sustainable decision making in terms of sustainable innovation strategies and entrepreneurship

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: Preparation of reports on the results of the project study

At least 3 different reports during the semester

Participation in the attendance blocks

Recording of the project implementation

• Identify traps in communication and situations prone to conflict
• Conflict Escalation and De-Escalation
• How to criticise: constructive vs. destructive criticism. Non-violent criticism. Rules for feedback
• The potential within the conflict: learning constructive cooperation through solving the conflict
• Conflict resolution methods

This programme is designed to develop your capabilities in interpersonal communication: avoiding unnecessary conflicts as well as conflict management and helping to settle conflicts.

• Students are able to recognize conflicts and classify them.

• Students are able to apply methods of conflict resolution.

• Students describe the principles, phases and techniques of mediation.

• Students can apply techniques for managing conflict situations with peers and within a team.

Concise presentation of the theoretical background. “As much theory as necessary as little as possible”.

Topic-centred group work. Peer consultation, peer coaching.

Feedback from lecturer and peers. Simulations of challenging situations.

Immanente Leistungsüberprüfung: Continuous assessment, Standard (Continuous assessment (including assessment methods such as preliminary test, intermediate test, homework, students´ collaboration, and final exam))

Students have to conduct a Master thesis in English, present the topic and results within the Master seminar and pass a final Master’s exam.

The Master thesis serves the evidence that the student is able to work on a scientific topic independently. The selected topic has to be related to  sustainability and resource management.

• Students are able to present and defend the results of their research to a relevant audience.

• Students can present self-collected data in a meaningful way

• Students can present the complex interrelationships of the Master's thesis in an understandable way

Research-guided leraning

Endprüfung: Master Exam - Presentation

Students have to conduct a Master thesis (16 ECTS) in English, present the topic and results within the Master seminar (3 ECTS) and pass a final Master’s exam (2 ECTS).

The Master thesis serves the evidence that the student is able to work on a scientific topic independently. The selected topic has to be related to sustainability and respurce management. 

topics:

Sustainable design and optimization of processes and products

Innovative technologies for a sustainable transformation

Implementation of law and standards in sustainable entrepreneurship

Economic activity and assessment of the impact on the environment

• Students are able to conduct research on a selected scientific topic in the field of sustainability assessment and resource management in a reliable and autonomous way.

• Students are able to plan, carry out and complete a research project in the field of sustaiability assessment and resource management

Preparation of an exposé

Consultation with supervisor

Independent development of a scientific topic using scientific methods

Endprüfung: Grade Expose

Grade Master thesis