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CHNG5705: Foundations of Industrial Systems and Sustainability (2014 - Semester 2)

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Unit: CHNG5705: Foundations of Industrial Systems and Sustainability (6 CP)
Mode: Normal-Day
On Offer: Yes
Level: Postgraduate
Faculty/School: School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Unit Coordinator/s: Professor Vassallo, Tony
Session options: Semester 2
Versions for this Unit:
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Pre-Requisites: None.
Prohibitions: CHNG2805.
Brief Handbook Description: To develop an awareness of the various concepts which underpin Sustainable Development, including technical and economic efficiency, stewardship of the bio-physical environment, and social acceptability.

To examine the material economy from the perspective of open and closed thermodynamic systems, and the implications of this for resource consumption and waste generation

To explore governing frameworks for Sustainability, and engagement of chemical engineers with these.

To explore tools and approaches for quantifying industry`s environmental performance and how this can be examined within a Sustainability framework.

To consider process design and operation, and product design, from a Sustainability perspective, how these can be informed by Green Engineering principles, and to suggest how this combination of perspectives could lead to a re-defined industry sector.

To investigate advanced topics related to the areas of industrial systems and sustainability and recent associated technological developments.
Assumed Knowledge: CHEM1101 AND CHEM1102 AND CHNG1103 AND MATH1001 AND MATH1002 AND MATH1003 AND MATH1005. Ability to conduct mass and energy balances, and the integration of these concepts to solve real chemical engineering problems Ability to understand basic principles of physical chemistry, physics and mechanics Ability to use mathematics of calculus (including vector calculus) and linear algebra, and carry out computations with MATLAB and MS EXCEL. Ability to read widely outside of the technical literature, and to synthesise arguments based on such literature. Ability to write coherent reports and essays based on qualitative information.
Lecturer/s: Professor Vassallo, Tony
Dr. Chae, Soryong
Tutor/s: TBA
Timetable: CHNG5705 Timetable
Time Commitment:
# Activity Name Hours per Week Sessions per Week Weeks per Semester
1 Lecture 2.00 13
2 Tutorial 2.00 13
3 Project Work - own time 6.00 13
T&L Activities: Project Work - own time: Projects and self assisted learning.

Attributes listed here represent the key course goals (see Course Map tab) designated for this unit. The list below describes how these attributes are developed through practice in the unit. See Learning Outcomes and Assessment tabs for details of how these attributes are assessed.

Attribute Development Method Attribute Developed
Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution.
Ability to utilise a systems approach to design and operational performance.
Ability to demonstrate critical and generic thinking skills.
Being able to handle and interpret data and information from disparate sources.
Design (Level 3)
Ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals in the context of chemical, biological and industrial systems.
Ability to apply theory to practice in both “closed” and “open ended” problem situations through critical judgement.
Maths/Science Methods and Tools (Level 3)
Ability to identify, access, organise and communicate knowledge in both written and oral English.
Ability to use appropriate technology in furthering all skills.
Information Seeking (Level 3)
Ability to comprehend the broad picture and thus work with an appropriate level of detail.
Appreciation of wider engineering context, including social, economic, ethical and commercial implications of industry practice in the context of sustainability.
Professional Conduct (Level 3)

For explanation of attributes and levels see Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table.

Learning outcomes are the key abilities and knowledge that will be assessed in this unit. They are listed according to the course goal supported by each. See Assessment Tab for details how each outcome is assessed.

Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 3)
1. Quantifying the environmental performance of Australian and Global industry (with specific reference to the resource and processing sectors) using appropriate tools.
2. Understanding the trade-offs in decisions which impact on sustainability.
Maths/Science Methods and Tools (Level 3)
3. Understanding the thermodynamic basis of the material economy in terms of resource consumption and waste generation.
Communication (Level 3)
4. Being effective communicators of sustainability arguments to all stakeholders, and interpreters of social and environmental concerns in ways which can help shape industry practice.
Professional Conduct (Level 3)
5. Understanding the philosophical, social and political bases for sustainability, in addition to the technical, economic and environmental ones.
6. Understanding the role of technology in promoting sustainability.
7. Understanding corporate responsibilities with respect to sustainability.
8. Interrogating governing frameworks for sustainability do support actions within industry.
9. Appreciating advanced topics in the areas of industrial systems and sustainability and recent associated technological developments.
Assessment Methods:
# Name Group Weight Due Week Outcomes
1 Assignment Yes 15.00 Multiple Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
2 Project Yes 25.00 Multiple Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
3 Quiz No 10.00 Multiple Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
4 Final exam No 50.00 Exam Period 1, 2, 3, 6, 9,
Assessment Description: Assignment: Tutorials Scheduled Throughout Semester, linked to lecture topics

Project: 3 discrete projects which link to lecture topics

Quiz: T/F quiz as start of each lecture based on previous lecture(s), tutorials and/or readings

Additional assignment on topic of current relevance in energy or water, due in week 15

Additional group activity such as class presentation or site visit
Grading:
Grade Type Description
Standards Based Assessment Final grades in this unit are awarded at levels of HD for High Distinction, DI (previously D) for Distinction, CR for Credit, PS (previously P) for Pass and FA (previously F) for Fail as defined by University of Sydney Assessment Policy. Details of the Assessment Policy are available on the Policies website at http://sydney.edu.au/policies . Standards for grades in individual assessment tasks and the summative method for obtaining a final mark in the unit will be set out in a marking guide supplied by the unit coordinator.
Policies & Procedures: See the policies page of the faculty website at http://sydney.edu.au/engineering/student-policies/ for information regarding university policies and local provisions and procedures within the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies.
Recommended Reference/s: Note: References are provided for guidance purposes only. Students are advised to consult these books in the university library. Purchase is not required.

Note that the "Weeks" referred to in this Schedule are those of the official university semester calendar https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp

Week Description
Week 1 The thermodynamic view of the material economy, based on an analysis of closed and open systems, and implications of such for resource consumption and waste generation.
Stakeholder engagement
Sustainability concepts
Week 2 Sustainability frameworks, including industrial metabolism and ecology, dematerialisation, precautionary principle, and Natural Step.
Week 3 Analytical tools for sustainability assessment
Sustainability metrics and indicators
Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Management
Week 4 Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Management
Week 5 Other Assessment Tools - Environmental Impact Assessment, Ecological risk Assessment
Week 6 Design for the Environment: Process Synthesis and Analysis Tools
Week 7 Design for the Environment: An Heirachical Approach
Week 8 Waste Minimisation and Cleaner Production
Week 9 Waste Management
Week 10 Environemental Assessment of Chemicals
Week 11 Green Chemistry
Week 12 Advanced topics related to the analysis of industrial systems and sustainability and associated recent technological developments.Sustainability analysis of resource, processing and service sectors of economy
Week 13 Course Review
Presentation on topic of current relevance in energy or water
Exam Period Assessment Due: Final exam

Course Relations

The following is a list of courses which have added this Unit to their structure.

Course Year(s) Offered

Course Goals

This unit contributes to the achievement of the following course goals:

Attribute Practiced Assessed
Design (Level 3) Yes 0%
Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 3) No 31.11%
Maths/Science Methods and Tools (Level 3) Yes 15.56%
Information Seeking (Level 3) Yes 0%
Communication (Level 3) No 5.56%
Professional Conduct (Level 3) Yes 47.78%
Project and Team Skills (Level 1) No 0%

These goals are selected from Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table which defines overall goals for courses where this unit is primarily offered. See Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table for details of the attributes and levels to be developed in the course as a whole. Percentage figures alongside each course goal provide a rough indication of their relative weighting in assessment for this unit. Note that not all goals are necessarily part of assessment. Some may be more about practice activity. See Learning outcomes for details of what is assessed in relation to each goal and Assessment for details of how the outcome is assessed. See Attributes for details of practice provided for each goal.