Chalmers University of Technology
MSc in Industrial Ecology
Gothenburg, Sweden
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
SEK 160,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students
Key Summary
Climate change and environmental impacts from land use, materials, chemicals, and energy are immensely complex issues, placing enormous pressures on the planet and our ways of living. When coupled with rapid social changes and developments in technology, economics, and environmental policy, the demand for expert knowledge and skills in these areas is vast.
By studying industrial ecology at the Chalmers University of Technology, you will contribute to how humanity can face these issues, by analyzing and developing sustainable technical solutions to be implemented by industry, governmental agencies, and researchers. You will contribute to leading humanity to a greener and more sustainable way of living.
This master's program in industrial ecology will equip you with the competencies, knowledge, and tools needed to analyze environmental impacts and resource constraints. You will learn to propose mitigation measures, plan and lead their development and evaluate and follow up on their effects. This could entail issues relating to product development, land and resource use, energy systems, and large-scale urban planning processes. Industrial ecology offers a solution-oriented engineering approach to environmental and sustainability problems. Graduates of the program will gain a broad understanding of environmental issues, while also becoming experts in the tools of analysis that can lead to the suggestion of relevant measures or policies and informed decision-making.
If you aim for a professional career in a field where you can truly make a difference in promoting sustainable development, then this is the program for you. Encompassing environmental strategy, research, assessment, and more, the scope of this program ranges from traditional, fundamental engineering skills and problems, to changing industrial practices, as well as international negotiations and policymaking. The program welcomes students from all fields of engineering, as well as graduates with other relevant backgrounds such as architecture, environmental science, physics, and chemistry.
You will study the fundamental areas of sustainable development and industrial ecology, as well as elective courses in areas such as the environment, life cycle assessment, and circular economy.
Scholarships are a great source of funding for Master's students who are liable to pay tuition fees. Some of these are administrated by Chalmers and others by external institutions. Additional scholarships may be appended to the list and applicants are therefore encouraged to check this webpage regularly.
Please visit the university website for more information.
Compulsory courses year 1
During the first year, the programme starts with four compulsory courses that form a common foundation in Industrial ecology. Each course is usually 7.5 credits. In the second and third semesters, students choose at least 4 out of 10 semi-compulsory courses. These courses are broadly divided into two different tracks.
- Sustainable development
- Technical change and the environment
- Science of environmental change
- Environmental systems analysis
Compulsory courses year 2
The programme ends with a master thesis of 30 cr. or 60 cr. either in industry or in a research department. Several students from the programme have also conducted master's theses in the form of Minor Field Studies (MFS) in developing countries
- Master's thesis
Engineers from the Industrial ecology programme have interesting and broad career opportunities. Previous students from the programme have continued to work in the industry, environmental consultancy firms, governmental agencies and research.
- Industry: graduates from the programme work for example as environmental strategy analysts, project leaders at environmental divisions and in technology development. Examples of industrial sectors include energy, automobile, furniture, green buildings and the process industry.
- Environmental consultancy firms: e.g. life cycle analysis, systems analyses of energy resources and waste.
- Governmental agencies: e.g. Swedish Energy Agency, Swedish Environmental Technology Council.
- Research: Several students have also continued within academia both at Chalmers (Physical Resource Theory, Environmental Systems Analysis, Energy Technology, Logistics and Transportation, Shipping and Marine Technology) and other internationally known institutions.