Module Details

Module Code: INTR6011
Title: Sustainable Development
Long Title: Principles of Sustainable Development
NFQ Level: Intermediate
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2024/25 ( September 2024 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 5213 - Interdisciplinary Engineering
Module Delivered in: 2 programme(s)
Module Description: This module introduces sustainable development (sustainability) as an integrated consideration of environmental, economic and social issues.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Discuss the interdependencies of elements of an ecosystem.
LO2 Analyse and evaluate sustainable pathways and strategies for products, ecosystems, and the Sustainable Development Goals
LO3 Review international examples of sustainable development programmes in different countries or regions.
LO4 Undertake active roles to resolve local and global issues of a social, political, economic, or environmental nature
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
15417 INTR6011 Sustainable Development
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Fundamentals of sustainable development
Pillars of sustainability. Examples of threatened areas, resources, biosystems. Examples of failed societies. Climate change as an example of systemic change: causes, impacts, responses. Significance for energy systems.
Ecosystems / ecology
Interaction between elements of an ecosystem. Interaction between ecosystems. The role of energy. Major elemental cycles. Threats, changes and damage to global and regional systems. Ecosystem services.
Indicators of sustainability
Tragedy of the Commons. Planetary Boundaries. Global Commons Stewardship. UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Sustainable Communities
Communities as systems: energy, food, waste management, economic structure, social balance, interactions with other systems. Industrial eco-parks.
Education for Sustainable Development
Global and sustainable citizenship. UNESCO Key Competencies for Sustainability. GreenComp: the European sustainability competence framework
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Presentation % of Total Mark 25
Timing Every Second Week Learning Outcomes 1,2
Assessment Description
Student generated course content
Assessment Type Critique % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 6 Learning Outcomes 1,2,4
Assessment Description
Assessment of biodiversity policies, including peer review
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 9 Learning Outcomes 3
Assessment Description
Critical assessment of a region's or a nation's sustainability programme.
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 35
Timing Week 13 Learning Outcomes 2,3,4
Assessment Description
Peer reviewed sustainable development activity/challenge
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Topics will be presented and discussed in an interactive manner to engage the student. Every Week 3.00 3
Tutorial Contact Students will present and discuss their findings from reading assigned material Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Students are required to examine specified information sources and prepare summaries for their own use and sharing with others. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Students will reflect on their learning by free reading Every Week 1.00 1
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
This module has no Part Time workload.
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Cavagnaro, Elena & Curiel, George. (2023), The Three Levels of Sustainability, 2nd Ed.. Routledge, London, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/munster/detail.action?docID=7021530, [ISBN: 97810000626353].
  • Gregery William Misiaszek. (2020), Ecopedagogy : Critical Environmental Teaching for Planetary Justice and Global Sustainable Development, Bloomsbury Academic, London, https://www-bloomsburycollections-com.mtu.idm.oclc.org/monograph?docid=b-9781350083820, [ISBN: 9781350083820].
  • Donella H. Meadows. (2008), Thinking in Systems, 3rd Ed.. Chelsea Green Publishing, p.242, [ISBN: 9781603580557].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_EBENS_8 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Building Energy Systems 3 Mandatory
CR_ESENT_8 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Sustainable Energy Engineering 3 Mandatory