The graduate school is organised within the departments of Space, Earth and Environment and Technology Management and Economics.
Specializations:
- Energy and Material Systems
- Energy Conversion
- Environmental Systems Analysis
- Industrial Energy Systems
- Physical Resource Theory
- Complex System
Directors of Graduate Studies: Martin Persson (Physical resource theory), Magnus Rydén (Energy conversion, Energy and material systems, Industrial Energy Systems), Maria Ljunggren Söderman (Environmental Systems Analysis), Kristian Lindgren (Complex Systems)
Administration: Robin Garnham
Syllabus
Established by the Vice President on 2019-07-01, reference number SEE 2019-0162.
This syllabus applies to doctoral students admitted as of 2019-08-01.
For the most recent version of all regulatory documents referenced in this syllabus, see Chalmers’s internal website.
1. Subject description
Description of subject
The graduate school in Energy, Environment and Systems covers a
broad key field within sustainable development which includes the
development, evaluation and use of techniques or analytical methods
regarding environment, energy, nature and society. Subject areas in the
graduate school range from (socio-) technical and/or complex systems at
global level down to technology at process and reactor levels.
Description of specializations
Energy Conversion
Energy Conversion focuses on technologies for the conversion of
primary energy sources into power, heat and other utilities such as
fuels. The focus is on thermochemical conversion processes such as
combustion and gasification. In addition, issues related to power,
heating and industrial plants with a coupling to heat technology,
combustion and the environment are studied.
Industrial Energy Systems
Industrial Energy Systems focuses on analysis methods for
industrial energy systems and their impact on energy and resource
efficiency as well as the greenhouse effect. Furthermore, potential for
process integration of various energy-intensive technologies in these
systems is studied as well as how optimal solutions are influenced by
future design of policy instruments.
Energy and Material Systems
Energy and Material Systems focuses on the establishment of
technical systems taking into account all relevant factors such as
economic costs, supply of energy feedstock, development of energy
demand, environmental consequences and reliability. In particular, with
the aid of computer-based system models for technical-economic analysis
or optimization, whole energy systems at global, national and municipal
level and material flow systems are treated.
Physical Resource Theory
Physical Resource Theory focuses on theories, models and methods
for studying social, technical and natural systems, with a focus on how
energy and resource use in these systems can be changed towards a more
sustainable direction.
Environmental Systems Analysis
Environmental Systems Analysis covers two main areas, one focusing
on the development of analytical methods for environmental assessment of
various technical systems, the use and evaluation of such methods, as
well as studies of how they are used in, for example, decision-making,
management work and communication of different actors in society.
Environmental system analysis methods are general in the sense that they
can be applied to a large number of different technical areas. Examples
of such methods include life cycle analysis, material flow analysis and
risk analysis.
The second main area focuses on system-oriented studies of innovation
and conversion processes in different technology areas and sectors, with
qualitative and quantitative methods. This also includes the
development of methods and theoretical frameworks for such studies, e.g.
the technological innovation system.
Complex Systems
Complex Systems focuses on the development of theory, methods and
models for complex systems in nature and society. Theories and methods,
which are developed within physics, biology, mathematics and computer
science, provide tools for understanding complex phenomena in nature and
society, such as biological, technical and social systems. At the same
time, complex systems in nature have inspired a number of methods for
information processing such as artificial neural networks, genetic
algorithms and genetic programming.
2. Objectives of the doctoral program
Objectives
The national objectives for third cycle degrees (licentiate and doctoral degree) and local requirements are stated in the Local Qualifications Framework for Chalmers University of Technology – third cycle qualifications.
Objectives specific for the graduate school
For a licentiate or doctoral degree, the candidate shall be able to:
• demonstrate knowledge and ability to critically report on how his/her own research contributes to sustainable development
3. Entry requirements
General entry requirements
To be qualified for admission in Energy, Environment and Systems
the student shall have obtained a degree at an advanced level of at
least 240 higher education credits (according to the Swedish
university-level credits system). The orientation of the student’s
degree shall also have a sufficiently close connection to the subject of
the doctoral programme. Equivalent requirements apply to individuals
who have taken their first degree in a country other than Sweden. The
examiner, in consultation with the principal supervisor, shall assess
whether the applicant has the requisite capacity to successfully
complete the doctoral programme. Other requirements for general entry
are regulated in Rules of Procedure – Doctoral Programmes.
Admission
Regulations regarding admission are stated in Rules of Procedure – Doctoral Programmes.
4. Curriculum
The study programme towards a doctoral degree encompasses 240
higher education credits. The study programme towards a licentiate
degree encompasses 120 higher education credits. One year of full-time
studies equals 60 credits.
For the licentiate degree programme the credits are distributed
between courses and thesis work as follows: courses 30 credits and
thesis 90 credits.
For the doctoral degree programme the credits are distributed
between course work and thesis work as follows: courses 60 credits and
thesis 180 credits.
Courses
Courses within the graduate school include general courses that
cover all doctoral programmes at Chalmers as well as courses specific
for the graduate school.
General courses in Chalmers’s doctoral programmes
The general course requirements for doctoral programmes at Chalmers are regulated in Local Qualifications Framework for Chalmers University of Technology – third cycle qualifications.
Courses specific for the graduate school Energy, Environment and Systems
In addition to the general courses at Chalmers the graduate school has the following requirement for a doctoral degree:
• course/seminar/activity within Philosophy of Science (at least 3 credits)
Credits for this course/seminar/activity are to be included in the Chalmers’ GTS package.
Licentiate thesis
A licentiate thesis shall be written in English. In exceptional
cases it can be written in Swedish; in such cases it shall contain a
summary in English.
A licentiate thesis can either be written as a compilation thesis or as a
monograph. A compilation thesis for a licentiate degree shall include
scientific articles that are published or deemed publishable as well as a
summarising chapter that states the overall scientific contribution
constituted by the articles.
Other regulations concerning the licentiate thesis are stated in Rules of Procedure – Doctoral Programmes.
Dissertation
A dissertation shall be written in English. In exceptional cases it
can be written in Swedish; in such cases it shall contain a summary in
English.
A dissertation can either be written as a compilation thesis or as a
monograph. A compilation thesis for a doctoral degree shall include
scientific articles that are published or deemed publishable as well as a
summarising chapter that states the overall scientific contribution
constituted by the articles.
Other regulations concerning the dissertation are stated in Rules of Procedure – Doctoral Programmes.
Supervision
The Rules of Procedure – doctoral programmes states that
for each doctoral student at least two supervisors shall be appointed.
One of them shall be appointed principal supervisor. The doctoral
student has the right to supervision during the studies unless the Head
of Department decides otherwise.
The group consisting of examiner, main supervisor and assistant
supervisor/s shall include at least two persons with the qualification
required for appointment as docent in the Swedish academic system.
Other regulations concerning supervision are stated in Rules of Procedure – Doctoral Programmes.
5. Examination
After completion of a doctoral programme a doctoral degree is
awarded. A licentiate degree can be an intermediate stage in a doctoral
degree. If a licentiate degree is not a part of the individual study
plan, an interim seminar shall be held to denote that licentiate level
has been reached.
Examination, licentiate degree
For a licentiate degree to be awarded, the doctoral student must
have received a grade of pass for the licentiate thesis and its
presentation and must also have received a grade of pass for the other
elements that are included in the programme.
Examination, doctoral degree
For a doctoral degree to be awarded, the doctoral student must have
had a dissertation and its defence approved and must also have passed
the other elements that are included in the programme.
Other regulations regarding examination are stated in:
• Rules of Procedure – Doctoral Programmes
• Local Qualifications Framework for Chalmers University of Technology – third cycle qualifications
6. Title of degree
The title of qualification is Teknologie doktorsexamen i Energi, miljö och system or Filosofie doktorsexamen i Energi, miljö och system. The English translation of the title of qualification is Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Energy, Environment and Systems.
For a licentiate degree the title of the qualification is Teknologie licentiatexamen i Energi, miljö och system or Filosofie licentiatexamen i Energi, miljö och system. The English translation of the title of qualification is Degree of Licentiate of Engineering in Energy, Environment and Systems or Degree of Licentiate of Philosophy in Energy, Environment and Systems.
If the foundation qualification was earned in a faculty other than
the Faculty of Engineering or Philosophy, the degree is given a
designation corresponding to the faculty in which the foundation
qualification was earned. The designation is determined by the
department upon admission and is used in the degree. Deviations from the
predetermined designation must be approved by the department in an
individual waiver. In certain individual cases another designation than
the designation that corresponds to the faculty where the foundation
qualification was earned can be used.