MSc, 120 cr, 2 years
(In October this programme will change name to Industial Ecology. This change will not effect the contents of the programme).
Society faces immense challenges arising from pressure on the environment and the natural resources such as climate change, chemical risks and resource constraintson land, materials and energy. The comlexities of these issues including technology development, social change, economic growth and environmental policy have created an increasing demand for knowledge and skills in the field of Industrial Ecology. Engineers from the industrial ecology programme analyze and contribute to sustainable technical solutions in industry, consultancy, governmental agencies and research.
Programme aim
The programme aims to equip students with the competencies, knowledge and tools needed to analyse environmental impacts and resource constraints, to suggest and develop mesures and to plan, lead, evaluate and follow up the effects of measures related to for example roduct development, land and resource use, energy systems, and large-scale urban planning processes.
Industrial Ecology provides a solution-oriented engineering approach to environmental and sustainability problems. Hence, while it is important for graduates of the programme to have gained a broad understanding of environmental problems in nature, they should become experts in analytical tools that facilitate the suggestion of relevant measures or policies.
Who should apply
Students who wish to develop analytical skills and learn tools that enable a professional career in a field where they can make a difference for sustainable development, including environmental strategy, research and assessment at more than one level in society - from more traditional engineering problems to changing industrial practice or international negotiations and policy making.
The programmes welcomes students from all fields of engineering as well as other relevant backgrounds including architecture, environmental science, physics and chemistry.
Connections
The programme was developed by leading professionals at the Department of Energy and Environment who have a close contacts with industry and authorities to ensure an educational profile that meets the needs of the target groups. The core courses of the programme are closely connected to ongoing research at the Divisions of Environmental Systems Analysis and Physical Resource Theory. Both of these divisions have expanded over serveral years with research groups that cover a wide range of toics and have connections to international research networks, several different industrial sectors and policy processes. In addition, the Environment Economics Unit at University of Gothenburg gives one of the courses at the programme.
Chalmers' research and education in the field of environment and sustainability is very strong in general. In a recent ranking Chalmers ended up as the number one Swedish university in the environmental field, based on the connection between research and education and the popularity among students and employers. Chalmers' strength in this area is currently further developed by increased funding to strategically important research including for example Chalmers Energy Initiative, the Sustainable Transport Initiative and the Sustainable Production Initiative.
Career opportunities
Engineers from the Industrial Ecology programme have interesting and broad career opportunities. Previous students from the rogramme have continued to jobs in industry, environmental consultancy firms, governmental agencies and research.
- Industry: graduates from the programme work for example as environmental strategy analyst, project leaders at environmental divisions and in technology development. Examples of industrial sectors include energy, automobile, furiture, green buildings and process industry.
- Environmental consultancy firms: e.g. life cycle analysis, systems analyses of energy resources and waste.
- Governmental agencies: e.g. Swedish Energy Agency, Swedish Environmental Technology Council.
- Research: Several students have also continued within academia both at Chalmer (Physical Resource Theory, Environmental Systems Analysis, Energy Technology, Logistics and Transportation, Shipping and Marine Technology) and other internationally known institutions.
Programme overview
The first semester consists of 30 cr. of compulsory courses including Sustainable Development, Science of Environmental Change, Environmental Systems Analysis and Technical Change and the Environment. In the second and third semesters students choose at least 4 out of 10 semi-compulsory courses. These courses are broadly divided into two different tracks depending on interest:
- Company level courses (e.g. Environmental Management and Life Cycle Analysis).
- Society level courses (e.g. Environmental Policy Instruments and Sustainable Energy Futures).
It is also possible to combine courses from both tracks. The programme also gives room for up to 30 cr. of elective courses. These courses can be used to create an individual package of courses that combines Industrial Ecology with a strenght in each student's original engineering track.
The programme ends with a master thesis of 30 cr. or 60 cr. either in industry or in a research department. Several students from the programme have also conducted master thesis in the form of Minor Field Studies (MFS) in developing countries.
Detailed programme content in the Student portal, for current studentsSpecific eligibility
Undergraduate profile
Major in Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Architecture and Engineering, Environmental or Agricultural Science
Prerequisites
Mathematics and Mathematical statistics 30 cr, Engineering/Physics/Chemistry/Environmental or Agricultural science 60 cr. and Environmental and Sustainability science 7,5 cr.
English Language Proficiency
There are several ways of proving that you possess the required level of English language proficiency. Most commonly this is done by submitting one of the approved English language tests.
To read more about required minimum test results and other means of certifying fulfillment of the English language proficiency requirement, please visit:
English Language Profiency
Basic eligibility
All applicants to education on advanced level must meet standard requirements regarding earlier education, called basic eligibility.
Notes
Degree: Master of Science (MSc)
Credits: 120
Duration: 2 years
Application Code: CTH-28009
Contacts
Specific questions about the programme's content:
Per-Anders Träff
per-anders.traff@chalmers.se
Jonas Nässén, programme director
jonas.nassen@chalmers.se
Other questions