Program Overview

Course Overview

The course TIŘ4306, Strategies for Industrial Sustainability, is a second-degree level course that focuses on the challenges faced by the industrial cluster in the 21st century. These challenges include rising global population, resource scarcity, environmental and socio-economic impacts, and uncertainty due to pandemics and global warming.

Course Content

The course presents and discusses concepts related to sustainable production, industrial activities, and organizational management in light of the 2030 agenda of Sustainable Development. Particular emphasis is placed on how global initiatives, scientific concepts, and innovation can contribute to keeping industrial systems within the planet's limits. The course also highlights how industries can improve their competence through circular economy, producer responsibility, digitalization, eco-industrial partnership, design for sustainability, and more.

Learning Outcome

The course aims to contribute to the learning outcome by enabling students to understand the main principles of:

• Risks, challenges, and uncertainties associated with the industrial sector
• Global initiatives, standards, indicators, and frameworks for sustainable innovation and development relevant to industries
• Developing a holistic sustainability strategy for industries
• Ethical dilemmas and perspectives based on different principles
• Good practice for corporate governance and the development of business strategies for industrial sustainability

The course provides skills in:

• Applying knowledge of industrial sustainability in dialogue with businesses and other social actors
• Comprehending how businesses can convert risks and challenges into opportunities by developing sustainable strategies
• Comprehending the dilemma associated with various elements of sustainability for industries and ways to prioritize sustainability criteria
• Developing business strategies based on sustainability and holistic thinking
• Prioritizing and ranking sustainability criteria for various industrial sectors

Learning Methods and Activities

The course includes lectures from teachers and industrial experts, group-based student activities, lecturer presentations, and project work connected to an industrial sector. Audio-visual means such as documentaries and simulation games are used to build an overall understanding of course concepts.

Evaluation

The final grade is based on a Project Assignment (40% of the total grade) and a final school exam (60% of the total grade). Both the project assignment and the school exam are mandatory for passing the course. If there is a re-sit examination, the examination form may change from written to oral.

Recommended Previous Knowledge

Basic knowledge of environment and sustainability management is recommended.

Course Materials

Course materials are provided to all registered students on Blackboard at the start of the semester.

Subject Areas

The course covers subject areas including:

• Industrial Ecology
• Industrial Economics and Technology Management
• Environmental Management
• Health, Environment and Safety
• Globalisation
• Technological subjects

Course Details

• Credits: 7.5
• Level: Second degree level
• Course start: Autumn 2025
• Duration: 1 semester
• Language of instruction: English
• Location: Trondheim
• Examination arrangement: Aggregate score
• Grade: Letter grades