Outline

Overview

The aim of this unit of study is to give students an insight and understanding of the environmental and sustainability challenges that Australia and the planet are facing and how these have given rise to the practice of Sustainable Design, Engineering and Management. The objective of this course is to provide a comprehensive overview of the nature and causes of the major environmental problems facing our planet, with a particular focus on energy and water, and how engineering is addressing these challenges.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	General knowledge in science and calculus and understanding of basic principles of chemistry, physics and mechanics
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	PJ Cullen, patrick.cullen@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Jacopo Giaretta, jacopo.giaretta@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Portfolio or journal	Fortnightly Project Reports Tutorial assessment, group presentation and final report	20%	Ongoing	Continual assessment	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Evaluation	Weekly Project Report Evaluation Weekly tutorial assessment, group presentation and final report	0%	Ongoing	-	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Mid-term assessment Scientific poster presentation	20%	Week 08	Digital poster-PDF	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Project Presentation Weekly tutorial assessment, group presentation and final report	15%	Week 11	-	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person written or creative task	Quiz Multiple choice and short answer quiz	30%	Week 13	1 hour	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Research analysis	Final Project Report Weekly tutorial assessment, group presentation and final report	15%	Week 13	-	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Poster will be assessed as individual submissions submitted to Canvas. The quiz will be held during class. The group project assignment will be assessed as weekly tutorials, final group presentation and final report.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date. After 10 calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Sustainability and systems thinking for design, engineering and management	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Sustainability and systems thinking for design, engineering and management	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Environmental Impact Assessment	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Environmental Impact Assessment	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Business perspectives on sustainability & circular economy	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Business perspectives on sustainability & circular economy	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Power-2-X	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Power-2-X	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Sustainable food supply	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Sustainable food supply	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Built environment	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Built environment	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Waste management	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Waste management	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Energy sources, conversion and consequences	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Energy sources, conversion and consequences	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Water management	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Water management	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Advanced manufacturing for sustainability	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Advanced manufacturing for sustainability	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Embodied energy and LCA	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Embodied energy and LCA	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Innovation and change for sustainability and course review	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Innovation and change for sustainability and course review	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Presentations	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Presentations	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Independent study: Students are expected to spend about five hours of study outside the specified contact period.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Hawken, P., A. B. Lovins & L.H. Lovins, Natural capitalism: creating the next industrial revolution. Little, Brown and Co. Boston., 1999.
Vallero, D and Brasier, C, Sustainable design : the science of sustainability and green engineering. Hoboken, N.J., John Wiley, 2008.
Stasinopoulos, P., Smith, M., Hargroves, K. and Desha, C., Whole System Design – An Integrated Approach to Sustainable Engineering. Earthscan, London, and The Natural Edge Project, Australia. 2008

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. form and work in teams, identifying and utilizing diverse skills to achieve optimal outcomes
LO2. appreciate and understand the need to incorporate principles of sustainability in engineering
LO3. identify, source and critically analyse information on sustainable design from diverse sources and be able to judge the level of confidence and authority in its use
LO4. effectively communicate the principles of sustainability to various stakeholders including the community and senior management
LO5. include the principles of sustainability in complex engineering problems.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No significant changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

N/A

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

ENGG5202: Sustainable Design, Eng and Mgt

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links