Course syllabus for Design for sustainable development

Course syllabus adopted 2026-02-20 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameDesign för hållbar utveckling
  • CodeMEE115
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerTKTDE
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyIndustrial Design Engineering
  • ThemeEnvironment 7.5 c
  • DepartmentMECHANICAL ENGINEERING
  • GradingUG - Pass, Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 70124
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0126 Written and oral assignments 7.5 c
Grading: UG		 7.5 c

In programmes

Examiner

Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements

Specific entry requirements

The same as for the programme that owns the course
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements

Course specific prerequisites

Introduction to Industrial design engineering, Ergonomics TD, Mechanics and strength of materials, Strength of materials and materials science and engineering, Manufacturing and materials science and engineering

Aim

The course aims for giving an understanding for the complex relations that influence environmental adaption, of products and services, seen from a cycle-of-life perspective, which includes product development, manufacturing, consumption, transport and destruction. The course aims to introduce different methods and tools for sustainable product development.

A central point of departure is that the various components of the course should provide knowledge and practice in breaking down complex sustainability issues into manageable sub-problems that fall within the engineers sphere of influence.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • Explain the concept of sustainable development based on the dimensions; social, ecological and economic sustainability with perspectives such as critical sustainability problems in the world, linked to eg population increase, poverty, climate impact, ecosystem services etc. As well as show understanding of the complexity that affects whether human needs can be met within the limits of the environment.
  • Manage and structure major overall issues in sustainable development by identifying and delimiting manageable sub-problems based on the engineer's intended influence area.
  • From a system perspective, perform qualitative sustainability analyzes at the product level and propose measures for a product.
  • Explain some different driving forces and barriers on the company / organizational level to improve the products and services' sustainability impact.
  • Describe the content and use of current methods and tools for strategic sustainability work at different levels.
  • Explain how assessment of the environmental impact takes place in relation to sustainable development.
  • Describe how attitudes, norms and habits can constitute obstacles or driving forces for sustainable development at the individual, organizational and social levels.
  • Apply problem solving as well as critical and creative thinking in a group with the purpose of combining industrial design with social aspects, ecology and economics in the design / product development process.
  • Reflect on their professional role and their professional responsibility, as well as their role as citizen in relation to sustainable development and its different dimensions..
  • Separate facts from values, identify ethical dilemmas and be able to apply and discuss ethical balancing principles, and argue for different aspects and positions in connection with sustainable production.
  • Have shown understanding in handling complex sustainability problems when prioritizing measures at both system level and level of detail to demonstrate a holistic approach.

Content

The course addresses sustainable development from different perspectives and at various levels: system/society, business, and individual levels.

Perspectives and levels:
1. Complexity and connections. Here, general sustainability issues are discussed (wicked problems such as population growth, climate impact, etc.). Key problems regarding human impact on ecosystems are defined.
2. What we can do. Strategies for sustainable development at different levels and priorities. Drivers and obstacles for various strategies, among different actors and levels.
3. How we can do it. Practical methods/tools to improve sustainability performance of products (and services) are presented, discussed, and applied in workshops, seminars, and assignments.
4. How it turned out. Completed assignments are presented and discussed.

Organisation

The teaching is conducted in theoretical sections with lectures and literature studies, as well as practical elements in the form of laboratory sessions/workshops, work on solving assignments, seminars, and tutorials.

Literature

Course literature will be announced no later than 12 weeks before the start of the course. Additional materials such as supplementary articles, etc., will be made available on the course homepage.

Examination including compulsory elements

Examination in the form of approved assignments, laboratories/workshops, seminars, and presentations. Mandatory attendance and active participation are required for presentations, seminars, and laboratories/workshops, as well as tutorials. Likewise, attendance is required at mandatory lectures.

Grading scale: Fail (U), Pass (G).

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers about disability study support.