Course Description
An in-depth look at life cycle analysis (LCA), the existing models and analytical methodologies, and their applications. Conducting Life Cycle Analyses for small scale items such as individual manufactured products up through larger scaled engineered system items such as an engineered structure, transportation system, etc.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students must complete all requirements of
undergraduate students (reference topical outline), plus the
following: 1) Significantly more readings and engagement in
class, (e.g., perform literature review of the state-of-the-art
life cycle research in a chosen field and present to the class
as required, e.g., biweekly); 2) Mathematic theory of the life
cycle methodologies, such as linear algebra solutions of
process sum methods, perturbation theory of uncertainty
analysis, etc., and 3) A more detailed uncertainty and
sensitivity analysis in the final project, which is not
required for undergraduate students due to the advanced
mathematics knowledge. It is anticipated that graduate
students will be able to relate the material covered in class
to their own research.
Athena Title
Environ Life Cycle Analysis
Prerequisite
ENVE 3320 or CVLE 3310
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will have an understanding of how to perform a complete life cycle assessment of a product, process or facility. This includes the evaluation of materials and energy use for manufacturing or construction, packaging and handling, energy requirements, solid and liquid wastes, and the associated environmental impacts including water discharges, air emissions and the associated potential for climate change impacts. Students will learn to use current analytical techniques as well as develop methods for identifying and deriving the necessary input data.
Topical Outline
1) A study of the parameters involved with conducting a thorough environmental life cycle assessment and how to think in the broader perspective for considering the overall impact. 2) A review of the main analytical tools available for summarizing a life cycle assessment, the inputs needed, assumptions that the tools make and how to interpret the output results. 3) Case studies that will complete life cycle assessments for the following examples: a) representative manufactured product, b) building construction and operation, c) urban infrastructure systems. 4) Summarizing the results and conducting analyses for reducing the environmental impact for each case study example or compare their results to alternative products or systems.
Syllabus