INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY

MASTER’S PROGRAMME

Society faces immense challenges arising from pressure on the environment and the natural resources such as climate change, chemical risks and resource constraints on land, materials and energy. The complexities of these issues including technology development, social change, economic growth and environmental policy have created an increasing demand for knowledge and skills in the field of Industrial Ecology. Engineers from the industrial ecology programme analyze and contribute to sustainable technical solutions in industry, consultancy, governmental agencies and research.

INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY

AIM OF THE PROGRAMMEThe programme aims to equip students with the competencies, knowledge and tools needed to analyse environmental impacts and resource constraints, to suggest and develop measures and to plan, lead, evalu-ate and follow up the effects of measures related to for example product development, land and resource use, energy systems, and large-scale urban planning processes. Industrial Ecology provides a solution-oriented engineering approach to envi-ronmental and sustainability problems. Hence, while it is important for graduates of the programme to have gained a broad understanding of environmental problems in nature, they should become experts in analytical tools that facilitate the sugges-tion of relevant measures or policies.. WHO SHOULD APPLYStudents who wish to develop analytical skills and learn tools that enable a profes-sional career in a field where they can make a difference for sustainable development, including environmental strategy, research and assessment at more than one level in society – from more traditional engineering problems to changing industrial practice or international negotiations and policy making. The programme welcomes students from all fields of engineering as well as other rele-vant backgrounds including architecture, en-vironmental science, physics and chemistry.

WHY APPLYThe programme equips students with the competencies, knowledge and tools needed to analyse environmental impact and resource constraints, to suggest and develop measures and to plan, lead, evalu-ate and follow up the effects of measures related to e.g. product development, land and resource use, and large-scale urban planning processes.

RESEARCH CONNECTIONSThe programme was developed by leading professionals at the Department of Energy and Environment who have close contacts with industry and authorities to ensure an educational profile that meets the needs of the target groups. The core courses of the programme are closely connected to ongoing research at the Divisions of Envi-ronmental Systems Analysis and Physical Resource Theory. Both of these divisions have expanded over several years with research groups that cover a wide range of topics and have connections to interna-tional research networks, several different industrial sectors and policy processes. In addition, the Environmental Economics Unit at Gothenburg University gives one of the courses at the programme. Chalmers’ research and education in the field of environment and sustainability is very strong in general. In a recent rank-ing Chalmers ended up as the number one

Swedish university in the environmental field, based on the connection between research and education and the popularity among students and employers. Chalm-ers’ strength in this area is currently fur-ther developed by increased funding to strategically important research including for example Chalmers Energy Initiative, the Sustainable Transport Initiative and the Sustainable Production Initiative.

UNDERGRADUATE PROFILEMajor in Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Architecture and Engineering, Environmen-tal or Agricultural Science.

PREREQUISITESMathematics and Mathematical statistics 30 cr, Engineering/Physics/Chemistry/En-vironmental or Agricultural science 60 cr. and Environmental and Sustainability sci-ence 7,5 cr.

CAREEREngineers from the Industrial Ecology pro-gramme have interesting and broad career opportunities. Previous students from the programme have continued to jobs in in-dustry, environmental consultancy firms, governmental agencies and research: • Industry: graduates from the programme work for example as environmental strategy analysts, project leaders at environmental divisions and in technology development.

INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY

Examples of industrial sectors include en-ergy, automobile, furniture, green buildings and process industry.• Environmental consultancy firms: e.g. life cycle analysis, systems analyses of energy, resources and waste.• Governmental agencies: e.g. Swedish Energy Agency, Swedish Environmental Technology Council.• Research: Several students have also continued within academia both at Chalm-ers (Physical Resource Theory, Environ-mental Systems Analysis, Energy Technol-ogy, Logistics and Transportation, Shipping and Marine Technology) and other interna-tionally known institutions.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCYThere are three main ways to fulfil English proficiency requirements at Chalmers:• Approved English language tests: IELTS (academic training), 6.5 (with no part of the test below 5.5), TOEFL (paper based): 575 (with a minimum of 4.5 on the written part), TOEFL (Internet based): 90 (with a minimum of 20 on the written part) • English from upper secondary/high school that meet requirements• English from previous university studies that meet requirements.

Information and application at www.chalmers.se/en

PROGRAMME OVERVIEWThe first semester consists of 30 cr. of compulsory courses including Sustainable Development, Science of Environmental Change, Environmental Systems Analysis and Technical Change and the Environ-ment. In the second and third semesters students choose at least 4 out of 10 semi-compulsory courses. These courses are broadly divided into two different tracks depending on interest:• Company level courses (e.g. Environmen-tal Management and Life Cycle Analysis).• Society level courses (e.g. Environmen-tal Policy Instruments and Sustainable Energy Futures).

It is also possible to combine courses from both tracks. The programme also gives room for up to 30 cr. of elective courses. These courses can be used to create an in-dividual package of courses that combines Industrial Ecology with a strength in each student’s original engineering track. The programme ends with a master thesis of 30 or 60 cr. either in industry or in a re-search department. Several students from the programme have also conducted mas-ter theses in the form of Minor Field Stud-ies (MFS) in developing countries.

CHALMERS UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Chalmers conducts research and edu ca tion in engineering and natural scien ces, architec ture, technology-relat ed mathe mati cal scienc es and nautical sciences – in close collaboration with indus-try and society. Chalmers is one of Sweden’s largest universities of technology with about 12 000 students and 2 200 em ployees. Approximately 40 percent of Sweden’s graduate engineers and architects are educated here. Chalmers has formed partner-ships with major industries mostly in the Gothenburg region such as Ericsson, Volvo and SKF. The Master’s Programmes at Chalmers are strongly linked to advan c ed research in areas of particular strength. Upon comple-tion of studies, candidates will be granted a Master’s degree. The programmes are taught in English and open to applicants from the whole world. Chalmers has eight areas of advance where the aim is to bring together research, education and innovation across departmen-tal boundaries and to co-operate with bodies and organisations out side Chalmers: Materials Science, Produ c tion, Information & Communica tion Technology, Transport, Built Environment, Nano-science & Nano technology, Life Science and Energy. The eight key areas also have a firm foundation in the basic sciences. The pursuit of new knowledge and improved technology has characterized Chalmers ever since its foundation in 1829.www.chalmers.se/en

THE SMALL METROPOLIS – GOTHENBURGMore than 60 000 are currently studying in Gothenburg. In many ways, their decision to choose Gothenburg when the time came to take the next step into the future isn’t surprising. Gothenburg is an attractive major city with a maritime atmosphere and within easy reach of outdoor activities in the rest of West Sweden. Gothenburg is an uncommonly inviting city for students, with a great deal to offer: You’ll find an exciting cultural and entertainment scene worthy of any major city, as well as a friendly atmosphere that will help you to quickly feel at home.

Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden, Phone +46 31 772 1000

Founded in 1621, Gothenburg is a young city by European stand-ards. Since formative years it has been an important port of in-ternational trade and today it is the largest in Scandinavia. With a population of about half a million, it is both friendly and cosmo-politan. www.goteborg.com

SWEDEN – A CULTURE OF INNOVATIONOne of the world’s most modern countries, Sweden is the birth-place of many successful international corporations. Innovative research at Swedish universities and companies has resulted in a number of successful inventions. Some examples are: the computer mouse, Bluetooth for internet mobility, the pacemaker, the ball bearing, the Tetra Pak beverage packaging system, the dialysis machine and internet applications such as the online music streaming service Spotify and the free internet calling ser-vice Skype.These fairly recent inventions build on a long history of excellence in academia and research. Sweden is the home of the prestigious Nobel Prize, awarded in Stockholm every year. Sweden has a number of large multinational corporations, such as telecom supplier Ericsson, automotive companies Volvo and Scania, household appliances corporation Electrolux, bear-ing manufacturer SKF, and high-tech engineering groups Sand-vik and Atlas Copco. The deep-rooted creative environment has made Sweden a strong nation in the areas of design, fashion and music, with well-known international brands such as furni-ture giant IKEA and clothes retailer H&M. Sweden is also one of the largest music-exporting countries in the world.www.studyinsweden.se

Karin Markides, president

“Chalmers – for a sustainable future is a vision which exudes the long-term approach, the acceptance of responsibility and the trust I feel is worthy of Chalm-ers. At the same time, it is obvious that this vision has to be shared by many and that Chalmers has to co-operate across disciplines in order to promote the whole of society’s commitment to our future.”