ES3S202 - Resources for the Future 01 Jul 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: ES3S202
Module Title: Resources for the Future
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science
Faculty Sub Group: Earth and Environment
Module Leader: Angela Morris
Module Team: James Cruwys, Anthony Harris, Ian Skilling, Marios Miliorizos
First Intended Intake: SEP 2027 Final Year of Intake: 2027
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 101072 - pollution control 101078 - applied environmental sciences
HECOS Code Weighting: 10 90

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Jul 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

Resources for the future aims to explore challenges associated with the natural resources needed for future society, in the context of a sustainable and low carbon future.

The aims of this module are:

(1) Understand the sources for raw materials needed for the transition to a low carbon future

(2) Consider the challenges and environmental issues in waste management and the circular economy 

In engaging with the module appropriately, students will fully achieve level-appropriate Behaviour Domains of the following USW Graduate Attributes:

Commercial Awareness - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Communication - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Leadership - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Innovation and Enterprise - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Project Management - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Digital Literacy - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

The Capabilities associated with these behaviours are found in the Graduate Attributes table at the end of the descriptor.

Content Summary

Carbon economics and modelling, carbon footprint reduction. 

Life cycle assessments and emissions reduction. Carbon footprint calculation and calculators. Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. Development of case study for carbon footprinting. 

 Waste management and the circular economy. Recycling streams, treatment of wastes and production of products utilising thermal, chemical, and mechanical processes. Plastics and polymers in recycling. Government policies and practice in recycling and waste management. Selected topics in sustainable waste management, energy production and recycling.  

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 20
Practical classes and workshops 20
External visits 8
Independent Study 140
Groupwork 12
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically explain the issues in developing a low carbon future.
LO2 Critically review policies and practices in developing a circular economy and managing waste.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Report 2 Selected topic on waste management and recycling 0 2000 50 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Report 1 Industry-format report for carbon footprinting calculations with recommendations for footprint reduction. 0 2000 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Report 2
Report 1

Reading List

Scrosati, B., Garche, J. & Tillmetz, W. 2015. Advances in battery technology for Electric Vehicles. Woodhead Publishing.

Prasad, M.N.V., Vithanage, M. & Borthakur, A. 2019. Handbook of electronic waste management. Elsevier

Randive, K.R., Pingle, S. & Agnihotri, A. 2021. Innovations in Sustainable Mining. Springer Nature.

Parra, C., Lewis, B. & Ali, S.H. 2021. Mining, materials and the sustainable development goals, 2030 and beyond. CRC Press.