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Introduction to circular economyLaajuus (5 cr)

Code: EE00EC09

Credits

5 op

Teaching language

  • English

Responsible person

  • Liisa Routaharju

Objective

You understand the sustainable use of diminishing natural resources and the need to allocate them efficiently. You understand circular economy as a tool for achieving sustainability and the new business opportunities the transition to circularity may create. You are familiar with the obstacles to the transformation from linear to circular economy and with the ways these may be overcome.

Content

What are linear and circular economy models and what do they mean in terms of natural resources? What are the advantages of shifting from linear to circular economy?

Materials

Waste management

Enrollment

08.04.2024 - 21.04.2024

Timing

01.09.2024 - 09.12.2024

Number of ECTS credits allocated

5 op

Virtual portion

5 op

Mode of delivery

Distance learning

Campus

Ecampus

Teaching languages
  • English
Seats

20 - 36

Degree programmes
  • Degree Programme in Environmental Engineering
Teachers
  • Anne Vaarasuo
Teacher in charge

Liisa Routaharju

Groups
  • EEMI24SP
    Environmental Engineering, full-time studies

Objective

You understand the sustainable use of diminishing natural resources and the need to allocate them efficiently. You understand circular economy as a tool for achieving sustainability and the new business opportunities the transition to circularity may create. You are familiar with the obstacles to the transformation from linear to circular economy and with the ways these may be overcome.

Content

What are linear and circular economy models and what do they mean in terms of natural resources? What are the advantages of shifting from linear to circular economy?

Materials

All sections consist of a theory part and assignments.
Main topics are covered in weekly online lectures, but students are expected to search for information independently.
No specific textbook is required, but good information sources include the websites of Ellen MacArthur foundation, Sitra, UN and the EU website for circular economy. More detailed information is given on lectures.

Teaching methods

You understand the sustainable use of diminishing natural resources and the need to allocate them efficiently. You understand circular economy as a tool for achieving sustainability and the new business opportunities the transition to circularity may create. You are familiar with the obstacles to the transformation from linear to circular economy and with the ways these may be overcome.
We’ll be looking for answers to these questions:
• What are linear and circular economy models and what do they mean in terms of natural resources?
• What are the advantages of shifting from linear to circular economy?

Employer connections

None

Exam schedules

Assignment due dates announced in the beginning of the course.

International connections

None

Student workload

135 h (5CU), more detailed description given in the beginning of the course.

Content scheduling

Announced later

Further information

Detailed description given in the beginning of the course.

Evaluation scale

1-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Completing the course requires studying the theory material and completing the given assignments. All assignments are evaluated and influence the course grade. The maximum amount of points for each assignment is indicated in the instructions. The course grade is determined by the sum of points collected as follows:
• Grade 1: 50-59 points
• Grade 2: 60-69 points
• Grade 3: 70-79 points
• Grade 4: 80-89 points
• Grade 5: 90- points

Enrollment

21.08.2023 - 01.09.2023

Timing

04.09.2023 - 31.10.2023

Number of ECTS credits allocated

5 op

Virtual portion

5 op

Mode of delivery

Distance learning

Campus

Mikkeli Campus

Teaching languages
  • English
Seats

20 - 50

Degree programmes
  • Degree Programme in Environmental Engineering
Teachers
  • Liisa Routaharju
Teacher in charge

Liisa Routaharju

Groups
  • EEMI23SP
    Environmental Engineering, full-time studies

Objective

You understand the sustainable use of diminishing natural resources and the need to allocate them efficiently. You understand circular economy as a tool for achieving sustainability and the new business opportunities the transition to circularity may create. You are familiar with the obstacles to the transformation from linear to circular economy and with the ways these may be overcome.

Content

What are linear and circular economy models and what do they mean in terms of natural resources? What are the advantages of shifting from linear to circular economy?

Materials

All sections consist of a theory part and assignments.
Main topics are covered in weekly online lectures, but students are expected to search for information independently.
No specific textbook is required, but good information sources include the websites of Ellen MacArthur foundation, Sitra, UN and the EU website for circular economy. More detailed information is given on lectures.

Teaching methods

You understand the sustainable use of diminishing natural resources and the need to allo-cate them efficiently. You understand circular economy as a tool for achieving sustainability and the new business opportunities the transition to circularity may create. You are familiar with the obstacles to the transformation from linear to circular economy and with the ways these may be overcome.
We’ll be looking for answers to these questions:
• What are linear and circular economy models and what do they mean in terms of nat-ural resources?
• What are the advantages of shifting from linear to circular economy?

Employer connections

None

Exam schedules

No exam.
Assignment due dates announced in the beginning of the course.
Please note late submission reduces points.

International connections

None

Student workload

135 h (5CU), divided as follows:
• Online lectures 14 h. Self study material about 21h.
• Section 1 assignments about 15h
• Section 2 assignments about 35h
• Section 2 assignments about 35h
• Section 4 assignments about 15h

Content scheduling

Part 1: introduction to CE
Part 2: Natural resources: our only planet
Part 3: Maintaining value; the shift from linear to circular economy
Part 4: Conclusions

Further information

Main topics are covered in weekly online lectures. Attendance to these is optional, but highly recommended as they are likely to help you complete the course assignments. Lectures are recorded, when possible, and the recordings added on Learn. Please note that a lecture is cancelled if there are fewer than 5 participants, in which case no recording is made either.

Schedule added on learn.

Evaluation scale

1-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Completing the course requires studying the theory material and completing the given assignments. All assignments are evaluated and influence the course grade. The maximum amount of points for each assignment is indicated in the instructions. The course grade is determined by the sum of points collected as follows:
• Grade 1: 50-59 points
• Grade 2: 60-69 points
• Grade 3: 70-79 points
• Grade 4: 80-89 points
• Grade 5: 90- points

Enrollment

22.08.2022 - 28.08.2022

Timing

05.09.2022 - 28.10.2022

Number of ECTS credits allocated

5 op

Virtual portion

5 op

Mode of delivery

Distance learning

Campus

Ecampus

Teaching languages
  • English
Seats

20 - 60

Degree programmes
  • Degree Programme in Environmental Engineering
Teachers
  • Liisa Routaharju
Teacher in charge

Liisa Routaharju

Groups
  • EEMI22SVP
    Environmental Engineering, online/full-time studies

Objective

You understand the sustainable use of diminishing natural resources and the need to allocate them efficiently. You understand circular economy as a tool for achieving sustainability and the new business opportunities the transition to circularity may create. You are familiar with the obstacles to the transformation from linear to circular economy and with the ways these may be overcome.

Content

What are linear and circular economy models and what do they mean in terms of natural resources? What are the advantages of shifting from linear to circular economy?

Materials

Material in Learn

Teaching methods

You understand the sustainable use of diminishing natural resources and the need to allo-cate them efficiently. You understand circular economy as a tool for achieving sustainability and the new business opportunities the transition to circularity may create. You are familiar with the obstacles to the transformation from linear to circular economy and with the ways these may be overcome.
We’ll be looking for answers to these questions:
• What are linear and circular economy models and what do they mean in terms of natural resources?
• What are the advantages of shifting from linear to circular economy?

Employer connections

None

Exam schedules

Announced in the beginning of the course

International connections

International CE policy discussed

Student workload

Online lectures 14 h. Self study material about 21h.
• Section 1 assignments about 15h
• Section 2 assignments about 35h
• Section 2 assignments about 35h
• Section 4 assignments about 15h
Overall about 135 h.

Content scheduling

• Section 1: Introduction: what is circular economy?
• Section 2: Natural resources: only one planet
• Section 3: Maintaining value: the shift from linear to circular economy
• Section 4: Conclusions

Further information

Attendance on online lectures is optional, but recommended. Lectures will be recorded (when possible) and recordings added on Learn.

Evaluation scale

1-5

Assessment methods and criteria

The course grade is based on the collected points as follows:
• Grade 1: 50-59 points
• Grade 2: 60-69 points
• Grade 3: 70-79 points
• Grade 4: 80-89 points
• Grade 5: 90- points
Please note that late submission reduces points (-1p/day).