Syllabus

TE0014 Waste Management, 5.0 Credits

Subjects

Education cycle

Modules

Advanced study in the main field

Grading scale

Language

Prior knowledge

Objectives

The course aims at providing good knowledge on systems and technologies used for municipal waste management, with emphasis on the organic fraction and how resources in waste can be most efficiently utilized while at the same minimising time the environmental impacts.

On completion of the course the student should be able to

• give definitions, goals, laws and regulations and other regulatory tools for waste management, to describe different treatment processes (incineration, anaerobic digestion, composting and landfilling) and compare these treatments' impact on environment, health and resources.
• calculate the yield and flows over incineration, anaerobic digestion and composting processes for the organic waste fraction.

Content

Subject content

The course provides an overview of the field of waste management, history, legislation and policy instruments in Sweden and the EU. Waste characterization, collection and treatment systems. Technology, process and dimensioning for the sorting of non-organic waste as well as the treatment of organic waste through composting, biogas digestion and incineration. Aspects of environmental challenges with landfilling processes are covered to some extent and system analysis for waste systems is presented.

Learning activities

The course uses different teaching methods to promote students' learning and discussions through lectures, computer labs, study visits, calculation exercises and examinations.

Individual studies, not scheduled: exercises, literature studies.

The course exercises the following generic competences:

• oral communication
• written communication
• critical thinking 
• problem solving

The following activities are compulsory: computer exercise and study visit.

Cooperation with the surrounding society takes place through study visits and lecturers from the waste management sector.

Grading form

Formats and requirements for examination

The forms of examination are a written exam and written assignments.

Requirements for approved course are an approved written exam, approved assignment and approved participation in compulsory activities.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Additional information

Responsible department

Department of Energy and Technology