Module Details

Module Code: ENGR E8021
Full Title: Entrepreneurship and Innovation for Sustainability
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( June 2019 )
Language of Instruction:English
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Module Owner:: Pat McCormick
Departments: Unknown
Module Description: Sustainable development implies that humanity has to reorient industrial, business and social practices such that our lifestyle can be made sustainable without endangering the lifestyle of future generations.This requires innovation and entreprenurial activity in product development, manufacturing processes, business operations and human behaviour. Engineers and entrepreneurs enable such innovation.
The aim of this module is to facilitate Engineering Entrepreneurship graduates to contribute innovation through professional activity which enhances the quality of the environment and balances economic, environmental and social benefits.
 
Module Learning Outcome
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Module Learning Outcome Description
MLO1 Relate the evolution and interpretation of 'sustainability' and it's associated application and relevance in today's society.
MLO2 Appraise global, European, Irish and local government policies and initiatives with regards to sustainability and the philosophies underpinning each.
MLO3 Apply modelling/ forecasting and measuring tools to sustainability and related issues in a bid to benchmark sustainability, inform of possible future trends and highlight critical uncertainties.
MLO4 Explore opportunities for entreprenurship and innovation arising from sustainability issues and the Green economy.
MLO5 Assess the viability of proposed engineering enterprise, taking into consideration financial, environmental, political, ethical and social constraints.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named DkIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
 
Module Indicative Content
What is 'sustainability'?
Brundtland Commissions definition of sustainability; Triple bottom line of Sustainability; Social sustainability; Environmental sustainability; Economic sustainability;The business case for sustainability;Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); Corporate Governance;Earth's resource debate; One Planet living
Appraise global, European, Irish and local government policies
Examples of global sustainability issues (Energy, food, water, health, changing demographics, societal challenges)and related policy; Europe 2020 and associated sustainability flagships; Horizon 2020; Ireland and UK sustainability policy; Local council sustainability policy.
Modelling/ forecasting and appraising sustainability projects
Scenario planning as a forecasting tool; STEEPLE analysis;Sustainability indices and indicators; FTSE 4 Good; Dow Jones Sustainability Index; PriceWaterhouseCoopers Corporate responsibility reporting; ISO 26000; ISO 14000; SIGMA Guide to guidelines and standards/sustainability
Opportunities for entreprenurship and innovation
The growth of The Green Economy; Opportunities within The Green Economy for innovation and entrepreneurship; Enablers and barriers to innovation and entrepreneurship in The Green Economy; Appraisal of business and management techniques/ methodologies designed to facilitate innovation and entrepreneurship.
Module Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Course Work50.00%
Final Examination50.00%
Module Special Regulation
 

Assessments

Full Time

Course Work
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 25
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Scenario planning/ forecasting/sustainability modelling
Assessment Type Group Project % of Total Mark 10
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Poster presentation - Sustainable communities
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 5
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Casestudy - Social responsibility
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 5
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Debate - Ethics
Assessment Type Class Test % of Total Mark 5
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Economic appraisal techniques
No Project
No Practical
Final Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 50
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
A repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

DKIT reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact related to course content Every Week 3.00 3
Directed Reading Non Contact related to module content Every Week 2.00 2
Independent Study Non Contact related to module content Every Week 3.00 3
Total Weekly Learner Workload 8.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
This module has no Part Time workload.
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Frank Boons. (2009), Creating Ecological Value, Edward, Elgar.
  • William R Blackburn. (2008), The Sustainability Handbook, Earthscan.
  • Marc J Epstein. (2008), Making sustainability work; Best practices in, Greenleaf Publishing Company.
  • Graham Harris. (2008), Seeking Sustainability in an Age of Complexity, Earthscan Publications.
  • Charles Lockwood et al. (2007), Harvard Business Review on Green Strategy, Harvard Business School Publications.
  • Chris T Hendrickson; Lester B Lave; H Scott. (2009), Environmental Life Cycle assessment of goods and services, Resources for the Future.
  • Tim Jackson. (2009), Prosperity without growth- Economics for a finite planett, Earthscan Publications, [ISBN: 978-1-84971-8].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Michael Common; Sigrid Stagl. (2007), Ecological Economics, Cambridge.
  • Ferdinand E Banks. (2007), The Political Economy of World Energy, World Scientific Publishing Company.
  • Andrew J Hoffman. (2007), Carbon Strategies, The University of Michigan Press.
  • Herbert Girardet. (2006), Creating Sustainable Cities (Schumacher Briefing), Schumacher Briefing; 2006.
  • Stuart Walker. (2006), Sustainable Design, Earthscan Publications.
  • TC McAloone. (2000), Environmentally Concious Design, Professional Engineering Publications.
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • Sustainability Journal; Sustainability Institute.
Other Resources