Industrial Ecology – (M.Sc.)

Contents

The Industrial Ecology programme has a strong international focus and the common language is English. The study programme consists of a two-year curriculum. The first year focuses on the core concept of Industrial Ecology. It contains compulsory modules covering the three disciplines of Industrial Ecology, in addition to elective modules. Each discipline is equally represented in the core programme. Courses and modules are practice-focussed and are taught and examined in classes by means of project teamwork, presentations and written examinations.

The programme provides possibilities for exchange with foreign universities and companies. The second year of the programme consists of compulsory group projects and an individual research trajectory culminating in an MSc thesis. During the group projects multidisciplinary teams of students will have the task of analyzing and developing solutions for specific industry - related sustainability problems. In these project groups students will learn to analyze a problem from different points of view and will discover the added value of working in multidisciplinary teams.

The studyload is given in European Credits (EC). A full year of study is 60 EC study time, according to the European Credits Transfer System (ECTS). 1 EC is 28 hours of study.

SPECIALISATIONS

At the beginning of the 2nd year, students will have to select a specialisation path. For each of the specialisations, a course programme is defined. A specialisation is composed of a cluster of Specialisation Modules (12 EC), a Thesis Preparation Module (6 EC), and a Thesis Research Project (30 EC). The work on the MSc thesis may include an internship in a company or an institute outside the university. The programme as a whole - optional courses, and thesis subject - must be subject to approval of the Board of Examiners.

Students can select, depending on their interest and background, one of the following specialisations. Below, the specialisationsare described in more detail:

• Industrial ecology - Integrated Systems Analysis
• Industrial ecology - Organization and Transition Management
• Industrial ecology - Technological Systems Innovation

IE - integrated systems analysis (primarily in Leiden)

In the triad "analysis, design, implementation", the Leiden specialisation is directed at analysis. Important keywords for this track are: systems analysis, analytical tools, metabolism of society, system earth, analogy biosphere-technosphere. Specialisation will be possible in the development of analytic tools such as Life Cycle Assessment, Material Flow Accounting or Substance Flow Analysis, or in the application of such tools to interesting and relevant sustainability issues. Compulsory course for this track is Life Cycle Assessment (6 ECTS). Work on the Thesis Research Project can be done within CML, at other groups of Leiden University, or at other institutions for research or policy such as RIVM, TNO or the Ministry of the Environment.

IE - technological systems innovation (primarily in Delft)

The specialisation'Technological systems innovation' conveys knowledge of the requirements derived from the concept of industrial ecology for technological systems at various system levels. After completion, the students have expert knowledge of structured methodologies and processes for technical design or technical innovation. In this specialisation, the students obtain technological expertise in a relevant topic of their choice, like sustainable design of chemical processes, ecodesign of consumer products, use and introduction of renewable energy concepts, sustainable building etc.

An integral part of the research subjects is the communication with actors to determine and evaluate the consistency of designs with sustainable development. The final research result is the presentation of a feasible design result or innovation strategy with a clear contribution in the industrial ecology field.

IE - organisation and transition management (primarily in Delft)

The structure of modern societies is based on a social system wherein organisations and individuals (actors) are interactively institutionalised. The positions of actors and organisations are part of a dynamic process of change, based on different power positions. In a historical perspective, the current industrial situation is the result of more than two centuries of industrial development, and the current environmental policy situation is the result of more than three decades of public environmental policy and its elaboration within industrial activities.

Against this background, industrial ecology is introduced as a concept within an organisational and management theory perspective. The Industrial Ecology Core module on Social Sciences focuses on the organisation and management dimensions that are related to the reduction of industrial emissions, waste flows, energy use and usage of materials within in-company procedures and beyond the level of single organisations

Accreditation

NVAO independently assesses the quality of higher education in Flanders and the Netherlands. All of TU Delft’s educational programmes are accredited by NVAO and therefore meet the European quality standards. Alongside the national accreditation system, many of TU Delft’s education programmes are recognized as substantially equivalent to the best programmes in the USA by the American Board of Engineering & Technology (ABET).

Funding details

TU Delft offers an array of scholarships, ranging from (partial) tuition waivers to full scholarships covering tuition and living expenses. Some MSc programme-specific scholarships may only be announced on their respective websites.

TU Delft Excellences Scholarships are awarded to admitted students with exceptional promise and outstanding academic achievement. There is typically no separate application procedure. Selected scholarship recipients will be notified directly by the university.