Energy, Environment and Systems

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. 

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. 

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 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 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 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 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. 

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. 

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

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. 

Regulations regarding admission are stated in Rules of Procedure – Doctoral Programmes. 

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 within the graduate school include general courses that cover all doctoral programmes at Chalmers as well as courses specific for the graduate school. 

The general course requirements for doctoral programmes at Chalmers are regulated in Local Qualifications Framework for Chalmers University of Technology – third cycle qualifications. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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: 

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.