Product Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Code

Course teacher

Associate teachers

Status of the course

Course objectives

Provide a comprehensive understanding of the life cycle assessment (LCA) as a standardized ecological tool to compare different products and processes with regard to their impact on the environment.

Course enrolment requirements and entry competences required for the course

None

Learning outcomes expected at the level of the course (4 to 10 learning outcomes)

After passing the exam,the student is expected to be able to:
- understand and use the concepts of sustainable development and environmental policy
- become familiar with the laws and regulations related to the environmental protection
- use standardized approach to product life cycle assessment
- prepare and present a simple project concerning the environment protection
- apply computer applications in the field of LCA method
- develop critical thinking skills in the evaluation of the results of LCA methods.

Course content broken down in detail by weekly class schedule (syllabus)

1st week: The environment: environmental systems, sources of pollution, anthropogenic pollution, the consequences of environmental pollution (ecological boomerang).
2nd week: Sustainable development and environmental policy.
3rd week: The legal system of environmental protection in the world and Croatia.
4th week: Environmental Management: concept and mission. Environmental Management Systems, ISO 14001.
5th week: The life cycle approach: Life Cycle Thinking (LCT), Life Cycle Initiative (LCI), Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Life Cycle Management ( LCM).
6th week: Discussion on the previous subjects. Conclusions.
7th week: Standardization of the life cycle assessment: ISO 14040 and ISO 14044.
8th week: The structure of LCA method (Part 1).
9th week: The structure of LCA method (Part 2).
10th week: Computer programs (softwares) for the LCA analysis - LCA analysis on selected examples (Part 1)
11th week: Computer programs (softwares) for the LCA analysis - LCA analysis on selected examples (Part 2).
12th week: The advantages and disadvantages of the LCA approach. Selected examples.
13th week: Application areas of the LCA: design for the environment, improvement of products (technology), strategic planning, marketing, lowering costs.
14th week: Knowledge management in the environmental protection - the mission of the educational system in the environmental protection.
15th week: The final lecture. Discussion on previous subjects. Conclusions.
SEMINAR:
The seminar will be used for further analysis and discussion following lectures. Students will also receive individual and group tasks (projects) that will solve and present at the seminar.

Format of instruction:

Student responsibilities

Attending lectures and seminars in the amount of 80% of the total hourly rate. Individual and group assignments (projects) and their presentation. Active participation during lessons.