Society’s metabolism refers to the interactions between society and nature. These interactions are characterised by material and energy flows: the input of raw materials, the processing into manufactured products and services, and the release of waste and emissions, encompassing energy conversion and usage. This metabolism is shaped by society's modes of production (economy), technology, and lifestyle (culture). During this course you will learn how the metabolism impacts the functioning of Earth systems and how societal and economic demands act as driving forces.  

In this course you will study Earth’s 4 spheres: the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere, including the environmental and other pressures that affect the Earth system. In addition, you will learn to use Python programming code to model and interpret aspects of the Earth system. The course is characterised by an interdisciplinary approach that blends biological, chemical, and physical perspectives. 

This course introduces the key analytical tools used in the field of Industrial Ecology. Not only will you gain an understanding of their underlying philosophy, but you will also develop insight into how and when to use them. In addition, you will be trained in the applicability of these tools by working on case studies. 

Following this course will enable you to understand and apply the core concepts of system design in the field of Industrial Ecology. You will gain insights into important concepts such as interconnectedness, synthesis, feedback loops and causality, and you will have the opportunity to apply these concepts in case studies. 

The starting point of this course is that sustainable innovation, transitions and their governance are essential if we want to bring about sustainable development and transitions to sustainability. Technical and non-technical innovation can improve business practices or can lead to major changes in user practices. During the course, you will see that sustainable innovation can take place at various scales from product and technology to system level and that in this last case, innovation will lead to the societal transitions needed to move towards sustainability. 

This course explains the process of conducting scientific research in the social sciences and introduces the main methods used in the field. In this course you will learn to theorise and think like a researcher, which will be of use when you engage in empirical and modelling research. The course covers the whole process of research from building hypotheses and collecting data, to modelling and simulation. Topics include case study research, surveys (questionnaires and interviews), mixed-methods, modelling and simulation. 

In this course you will apply the knowledge and skills you have gained in the first part of the Industrial Ecology programme. There are two tracks to choose from: 1) urban systems and 2) industrial systems. You will work in a team with fellow students, analysing a provided urban plan or a provided industrial network. The outcomes of this analysis are combined into an integral sustainability assessment. Your team will use this assessment to balance the various stakeholders’ interests and to address sustainability improvements to the urban plan or industrial network that was provided at the start of the course. Extra attention will be paid to crucial skills such as communication, collaboration and negotiating. 

For more information, see below. 

In this course, you will work with four fellow students on a complex industrial ecology problem. The project is based on a real-life situation put forward by a commissioner. Commissioners are part of the public sector, service sector, industry, and not-for-profit sector. Some examples from past Sustainability Challenges: BAM Infra Nederland, Boskalis, Renewi, RIVM, Dutch police, LUMC, NS, Airbus Operations, CE Delft, the Dutch ministries of Finance and Economic Affairs, and the municipal governments of Leiden, Delft, The Hague and Rotterdam. In this course you will learn to work in an interdisciplinary team and to design real-life, viable sustainable solutions, supported and guided by an assigned supervisor. In addition to working on the project, the various teams will attend additional lectures and trainings, including a consulting skills training. In this training professional cons ultants will guide you in transforming problems into consulting proposals, tackling sustainability issues, implementing solutions, managing stakeholders effectively, and working in a team.

In this course you will learn to write a scientific research proposal for your final thesis. Moreover, we will help you formulate your topic and help you find your supervisors, while also offering advice regarding obstacles that may come up during your thesis trajectory. 

For more information, see below. 

In your thesis you will demonstrate that you are able to independently conduct research that contributes to the field of Industrial Ecology by addressing a specific research question or problem within the context of sustainability challenges.