Course syllabus for Hydrogen technologies and systems

Course syllabus adopted 2026-03-26 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameVätgasteknologi och system
  • CodeTRA545
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerTRACKS
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • DepartmentTRACKS
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language

    English

  • Application code

    97197

  • Maximum participants

    40 (at least 10% of the seats are reserved for exchange students)

  • Minimum participants

    8

  • Open for exchange students

    Yes

Credit distribution

Module
Sp1
Sp2
Sp3
Sp4
Summer
Not Sp
Examination dates
0126 Project 7.5 c
Grading: TH		3.8 c3.7 c

In programmes

Examiner

Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)

Course specific prerequisites

General for all Tracks courses: In addition to the general requirements to study at the second-cycle level at Chalmers, necessary subject or project specific prerequisite competences (if any) must be fulfilled. Alternatively, the student must obtain the necessary competences during the course. The examiner will formulate and check these prerequisite competences.

Additional specific prerequisites for the course: English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)

Aim

The course provides a platform to work and solve challenging cross-disciplinary authentic problems from different stakeholders in society such as the academy, industry or public institutions. Additionally, the aim is that students from different educational programs practice working efficiently in multidisciplinary development teams

The course aims to give a broad understanding of possibilities and challenges with different applications of hydrogen. Including its role in the natural systems, industry processes as well as in future energy systems.

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

  • Work and collaborate in interdisciplinary and/or diverse teams and show insights about cultural differences and be able to work sensitively with them.
  • Show insights about, and deal with, the impact of architecture and/or engineering solutions in an economic, environmental and societal context.
  • identify ethical aspects and discuss and judge their consequences in relation to a specific problem.
  • Communicate and convey information, problems, methods, and development processes, both orally and in writing
  • Describe the main properties of hydrogen and its role in natural systems as well as in technical and energy systems.
  • Give examples of different industrial applications of hydrogen, analyze and discuss pros and cons of hydrogen in industrial and energy systems.
  • Differentiate between hydrogen production methods and compare them from environmental and economical aspects.
  • Discuss and compare current and potential future uses of hydrogen in industry and evaluate where hydrogen is best used.
  • Identify and describe the most important safety challenges working with hydrogen.
  • Recognize the legal aspects regulating use of hydrogen.

Content

  • Introduction of hydrogen as an element, its physical and chemical properties and its role in natural systems including an overview of the historical use of hydrogen.
  • Production of hydrogen, the concept of grey and blue hydrogen. The role of Hydrogen in future energy systems.
  • Present and future uses of hydrogen in industrial application.
  • Energy conversion technologies that are suitable for hydrogen use.
  • Storage and transport of hydrogen.
  • Safety and legal aspects of hydrogen use.

Organisation

The course is run by a teaching team.
The main part of the course is a challenge driven project. The challenge may range from being broad societal to profound research driven. The project task is solved in a group. The course is supplemented by teaching and learning of the skills necessary for the project. The project team will have one university examiner, one or a pole of university supervisors and one or a pole of external co-supervisors if applicable.

The course runs over two study periods, 1 and 2 as 6 theoretical full day modules. At the first module a problem-based project assignment is introduced. The project is performed in groups of 4-5 students and runs over all of the course. The result from the project is presented as a written report and an oral presentation during a seminar at the end of the course.

Literature

Zohuri, B., 2018. Hydrogen energy: Challenges and solutions for a cleaner future, Hydrogen Energy: Challenges and Solutions for a Cleaner Future. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93461-7 (available as e-book at Chalmers library).

With input from the teaching team, students will develop the ability to identify and acquire relevant literature throughout their projects.

Examination including compulsory elements

The course will be examined with part time exams/quizzes given after each module. These generates a maximum of 6 * 10 points = 60 points.

The project is examined by mandatory milestones during the course, a final report and an oral presentation. The project is graded given a maximum of 40 points. The course is grade according to the total points given by part time exams/quizzes and the project. The number of points will give the following grades: U: 0 - 49 p, 3: 50 - 59 p, 4: 60 - 79 p, 5: 80 p or more.

To pass the course you pass both the part time exams/quizzes and the project with 50% of the points.

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.