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SASI07

SASI07: Circular Economy – Managing Materials Sustainably

The SASI07 Circular Economy – Managing Materials Sustainably an online course focusing on Circular Economy (CE); what CE is and how its emergence can be facilitated as the result of choices and strategies by suppliers, designers, businesses, policymakers, and all of us as consumers.

How can we create a circular economy through sustainable materials management?

The course delivers knowledge of where important materials in products we use every day are sourced from, and how these materials can be used more efficiently, for longer periods of time, and in closed loops – these being key areas of work encompassed by the concept of the CE. However, adoption of the CE does not happen on its own and requires the support of social, business, and policy interventions. The course provides numerous cases of management of materials for sustainability, skill building exercises, and tools for analyzing circular business models. Coursework also promotes the development of students ideas on how to facilitate the transition to a Circular Economy.

Course Period 2025

The next planned course opportunity is for autumn semester 2025, from 1st September 2025 to 18th January 2026.

The application window is mid-March to mid-April 2025. The course is taught online.

Course Modules

  1. Materials 
  2. Circular Business Models
  3. Circular Design
  4. Innovation and Assessment
  5. Policies and Networks
  6. Circular Societies

What do students say about the course?

"The digital setup has been very structured and easy to follow. The modules with short films and the written compendium has meant that I have been able to easily keep up with the course and, above all, it has been fun to keep up with! I also think that the workload has been very reasonable and it has been smooth to plan my time because we have been able to work on our own project throughout the course. I'm very satisfied!"

"Great pedagogical structure. Rewarding subject on a topic that keeps developing. It was useful to take a course in English, at a distance and part-time. Good that the course included professionals from across Europe, which lead to fruitful discussions."

"The best parts of the course were:

  • The topic itself, which is really interesting. I would like to have a "part 2" of it, in order to deepen in most of the covered topics. 
  • The format of the course (100% online) made it possible for me, as I live in another EU country and due to my work and family, I wouldn't be able to assist in person to the course.
  • The teachers. Always in good mood, very receptive and enthusiastic. You could really feel they love what they were lecturing. It was very contagious (in a positive way, of course)."

Learning objectives

On completion of the course the students shall:

  • Be able to describe the basic challenges involved in implementation of a Circular Economy and the contrast basic concepts, strategies and assessment methods that can enable a Circular Economy
  • Be able to analyze, evaluate and make critical judgements on various strategies and approaches in transitioning to a Circular Economy
  • Demonstrate the ability to plan and execute course assignments within given time limits, applying relevant and suitable methods for completing the assignment
  • Demonstrate the ability to present, in written or oral form, a coherent and sustained argument related to given questions, or problems, of relevance to the course content
  • Be able to reflect upon how individuals, businesses, and policies can promote or impede a transition to a Circular Economy.

Teaching and assessment

The course is based on a ”flipped classroom” pedagogy and involves recorded lectures, seminars and case discussions, a course project and smaller assignments. Seminars and case discussions are compulsory, and active participation is required to pass the course. Students are awarded one of the following grades: U,3,4,5 - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)