CEM319-Life Cycle Assessment

Module Provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Eugene Mohareb
Email: e.mohareb@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module introduces the concept of life cycle assessment (LCA), methodological approaches for completing an LCA study, reviews prominent studies and provides students with the opportunity to critically review an LCA study of their choosing.

Aims:

To provide an understanding of the concept of LCA and its value in assessing the environmental impacts of products or services. Students will explore key LCA concepts, structures, methodological approaches, and the implications of these approaches. At the end of the course, students will have the ability to understand and critically review an LCA study.

To develop LCA knowledge and skill from a suitable level of analytical enquiry-based challenges.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Describe the LCA framework and the different stages of a product or project lifecycle;

• Explore the different methodologies used, such as process-based, input-output, and hybrid approaches;


• Understand the difference between consequential and attributional LCA;


• Assess the importance of system boundaries and allocation in LCA studies;


• Explain the trade-offs when applying different methodologies;


• Examine case studies using different methodologies;


• Apply a variety LCA tools;


• Critically assess an LCA study and provide recommendations on how to address shortcomings.

Additional outcomes:

Critique LCA studies and recognize inherent biases in their assumptions/approaches.

• Develop new software skills


• Build on critical thinking skills

Outline content:

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	18
Tutorials	6
Guided independent study:	76
Total hours by term	100
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	60
Report	20
Oral assessment and presentation	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The module summative assessments include a presentation, a report that uses the OpenLCA software tool, and a critique of an LCA study. The presentation (5 minutes; 20%) is delivered on the final day of the in-class portion where students provide information on their selected LCA for critical review, some preliminary critiques, and demonstrate their understanding of LCA terminology. This is followed by a 20% written report on bottled water solutions, applying the OpenLCA software tool. Finally, students complete a critical review (2500 words; 60%) of their selected LCA study. Ideally this study should be aligned with the student's dissertation topic, so that it enables relevant background reading in preparation for the literature review within this dissertation project.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 50% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

A 3500-word essay worth 100%

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:

2) Specialist equipment or materials:

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:

4) Printing and binding:

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 22 September 2022