Study Guide

Objective

The student should, after completing the course, be able to evaluate technological solutions based on a "Triple bottom line" approach, thus being able to assess the economic, environmental and social effects of an analyzed technological solution. Furthermore, the student should be familiar with the principles of circular economy and its importance for a sustainable future.
The student should also have a basic understanding of the ethical dimensions of the engineering profession and the challenges associated with identifying ethical issues in everyday work.

Content

Circular economy, description and basic concepts.
Triple Bottom Line, background, description and application.
methods for technology evaluation and their application.
The basic perspectives of engineering and general ethics such as duty, consequence and virtue theory as well as the applicability of these perspectives in the everyday life of the engineer.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student
Understands the role of technology in the crossroads between science, economy, ecology and politics.
Understands that ethics and ecology are the sustainable foundations of successful businesses.
Understands the challenges in the transition to a circular economy and understands the role of engineering in providing sustainable solutions.
Can participate in a discussion about circular economy and technology assessment.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student
Can identify the consequences of the development of a specific technology from the perspective of circular economy.
Can identify business opportunities within the circular economy and plan how to utilize these. Understands how sustainability issues involve both products and production-systems. Understands that technical solutions suited for Finnish environment might not be suited for other cultures and environments.
Can give a presentation on the topic.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student
Can make a critical assessment of technology from an ethical and a circular economy-perspective.
Can participate in evaluating an developing a business concept based on circular economy. Can participate in the continuous development of production and products toward ethical and ecological sustainability.
Can reason for and against the use of different technologies in specific environments and cultures.
Can describe the central ethical theories. Can discuss the implications of a specific technology for humans and the environment.

Qualifications

None