BSEN30360

Source: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=MODULE&MODULE=BSEN30360&TERMCODE=202500&ACYR=2026 Parent: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=ETS2&AUDIENCE=

Academic Year 2025/2026

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Life Cycle Assessment (BSEN30360)

Subject: : Biosystems Engineering

College: : Engineering & Architecture

School: : Biosystems & Food Engineering

Level: : 3 (Degree)

Credits: : 5

Module Coordinator: : Dr Tamíris Da Costa

Trimester: : Autumn

Mode of Delivery: : On Campus

Internship Module: : No

How will I be graded? : Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module introduces the principles and methods of life cycle thinking and life-cycle assessment (LCA) with specific reference to agriculture, food and energy systems using attributional LCA. The module will be based around the ISO 14040 methodology andILCD handbook. The module will focus on the four common stages of LCA: (i) definition of the Goal and Scope; (ii) Life Cycle Inventory Analysis; (iii) Life Cycle Impact Assessment and (iv) Interpretation. Case studies will consider LCA studies of agriculture, food and energy systems. Learning will be faciitated through completion of an example project that will be completed throughout the module.

About this Module

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What will I learn?

Learning Outcomes:

(1) Prepare a goal and scope statement for an LCA of a product or process;\ (2) Organise and manipulate data sources to build an LCI in order to undertake an LCA of a product or process;\ (3) Calculate a simple LCIA (for climate change impact) of a product or process; and \ (4) Communicate LCA findings using ISO standard reporting and oral presentation.

Indicative Module Content:

• Introduction to life cycle thinking, \
• Structure of an ISO standard life cycle assessment. \
• The goal and scope of the LCA, Life cycle inventory. \
• Life cycle impact assessment. \
• Interpretation and uncertainty. Example applications.

How will I learn?

Student Effort Hours:

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Approaches to Teaching and Learning:

• Problem based assignments that build to a completed LCA project\
• Directed reading\
• Online lectures \
• Online tutorials to progress through the LCA project

Am I eligible to take this module?

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Learning Recommendations:\

Experience using Excel or similar speadsheet software\ Some knowledge of system modelling\ Search strategies\ Some knowledge of agriculture, food and energy systems

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Module Requisites and Incompatibles

Incompatibles:\ BSEN30420 - Environmental Footprint Method\ \ \  \

How will I be assessed?

Assessment Strategy

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Carry forward of passed components

Yes

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What happens if I fail?

Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. \

Assessment feedback

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment\ • Group/class feedback, post-assessment\

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be provided using the VLE on each assessment as it is graded during the module.

Reading List

Reading and support material will be provided on a regular basis within the module in Brightspace.

Associated Staff

When is this module offered?

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.

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