A Circular Economy of Metals: Towards a Sustainable Societal Metabolism from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Welcome to the course! This first module aims at introducing you to the main topic of the MOOC and to the teaching staff that you will be seeing throughout the whole course. Before you start with the first lessons we encourage you to have a look at our introductory materials and to introduce yourself in the forum in order to meet your classmates.

Metals in Society

In Week 1, you will be introduced to the world of metals. What are they, what are their properties, what are they used for and how essential are they? We will address the difference between major and minor metals. Major metals are used in large basic applications such as buildings, cars, pipes, cables, bridges, trains and airplanes. Minor metals that are used mostly in all kinds of electronics and in new technologies, for example for wind and solar energy. The amounts used are much smaller. The minor metals have more attention in the news, because of problems with the supply from international trade, and are subject to criticality assessments. The major metals, on the other hand, are even more important, although less in the centre of attention. Without them, society would fall apart. In this course, we will focus mostly on those major metals. We also introduce the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. These SDGs are agreed on by all nations that are part of the UN, and outline goals for the future of the global society. They include goals on economic development, social development, health and the environment and form a powerful framework to judge developments in resource use, including metal use.

Metals Challenge

In week 2, the metals challenge is outlined. Metals are indispensable for society, but they are also associated with environmental impacts, especially related to climate change. The challenge is defined as how can we provide society with sufficient metals, now and in the future, without compromising environmental quality? An important part of the challenge is caused by the rapidly rising demand for metals. Over the 20th century demand has risen steeply, and this is expected to continue over the next decades. In this week, we will teach the issues around metal supply, scarcity and criticality, and environmental impacts to sketch the magnitude of the metals challenge. We also will meet the apparent contradiction between some of the SDGs: we need metals to develop societies and build up the infrastructure, on the other hand, we also need to reduce environmental impacts that will only increase if we don’t do anything about it.

Dynamics of Metal Systems

Week 3 and all subsequent weeks focus on solving the metals challenge. Obviously, we need to make changes in the metals system to reach a more sustainable situation and reconcile the different Sustainable Development Goals. When considering changes, it is important first to understand the system. We will be discussing stocks and flows of metals in society and see how they interact. In society, we do not just obey the laws of justice and economics, but also the laws of nature. It is important to realise that when contemplating solutions for the metals challenge. This week will be rather theoretical but will provide important information for the coming weeks.

Solutions to the Metals Challenge

Week 4 is rather packed with lectures on the different options to solve the metals challenge. You will meet experts from all over the world, who will lecture on materials and product design-for-environment and design-for-recycling, on the possibilities and also the barriers for remanufacturing, and on recycling as the last, but maybe most important resort to keep the metals in use. All these options aim at keeping up the stock-in-use of metals in society, while at the same time reducing the need to mine new metals. They all have their own strengths and limitations and can be regarded as pieces of the large puzzle aiming at solving the metals challenge, or in other words, reconciling the different SDGs.

Circular Economy as an Overarching Solution

In week 5, we try to get some idea of what the effectiveness could be of going for a circular economy. We do not consider all changes in society that have to be made to reach that, but simply have a look at whether or not, if we would reach a circular economy, we would indeed solve the metals challenge. Can we, theoretically, maintain supply and at the same time avoid supply problems and environmental issues in that way? And therefore, is it worthwhile pursuing a circular economy to reconcile the different SDGs? We use the case of aluminium to illustrate this.

Look into the Future

In this final week of the course, we will look briefly into the future. What can we expect for the next decades or even the next century? We’ll introduce the concept of scenarios, storylines about the future that have no predictive value but have their value as imagination of what could happen, and what the consequences would be if it did. And we will apply that to our major metals. Will demand go on rising? What will happen with the environmental impacts? Does it help, from the point of view of metal production, to have a renewable energy system in the background? Will more circularity in our economy make a difference? In short, is it possible to reconcile the SDG development goals with the environmental ones?

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops an understanding of the environmental and societal impacts of metal production and use to reconcile sustainable development goals

Provides a comprehensive overview of the metals industry, from mining and production to recycling and reuse

Taught by Dr. Ester van der Voet, a leading expert in the field of sustainable metal production

Examines the challenges and opportunities associated with moving towards a circular economy for metals

Explores the role of metals in sustainable development, with a focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Requires no prior knowledge of the metals industry or sustainable development

Reviews summary

A comprehensive and engaging exploration of a circular economy of metals

Students say this course on circular economy of metals is engaging, well structured, and provides plenty of knowledge. Many appreciate the expert instructors and find the lectures well organized and informative. Students also value that the course covers a lot of topics related to circular economies, metals, and mining. However, a couple students warn that this course is difficult to pass because of the tough reading material, challenging exams, and difficult grading. One student suggests providing summaries at the end of each week to help students retain information and pass the exams.

Course is well organized and structured.

"Excellent course, it gives you insights on the challenges and way forward on the metal industry. Lectures are well organized and the lecturers are very knowledgable."

Instructors are very knowledgeable and provide great insight.

"Excellent course with great professors, well structured."

"The facilitators are also experienced and apt for the course being members of the International Resource Panel."

Course content is interesting and engaging.

"Great content, great professor. Worth the effort. Looking forward to learning more and be more engaged about the metals challenge and the circular economy"

"This course explored and elaborated my understanding of circular economy in the context of metals. supply and demand flow. The course content has a multidisciplinary approach; it can be understood both from a scientific, social and economic perspective."

Course covers a wide range of topics related to circular economies and metals.

"Comprehensive course covering a lot of topics related to circular economies and specifics related to metals and mining. "

"The course itself was absolutely great!The negative assessment is just and only related to the last asignment."

Grading is strict and can be difficult to pass.

"The negative assessment is just and only related to the last asignment. If you mark all evaluations as "good" (which means to me passed) you fail the assignement.This caused me plenty of approaches to pass which was time consuming and taking the satisfaction from the entire course."

Exams are challenging and require a lot of studying.

"This course is really hard to pass especially for the evaluation on ONLY PEER-REVIEW assignment. My challenges are there is nobody will give a grade and it is too take a long time after we submitted. I think your course can modify the methods of assessment, because waiting for a long time to be graded it is very boring.Thank you"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in A Circular Economy of Metals: Towards a Sustainable Societal Metabolism with these activities:

Review background material on metals

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Get a head start on course concepts by reviewing prior knowledge on metals and related topics.

Browse courses on Metals

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Read or skim introductory materials on metals
Review previous coursework or notes on relevant topics

Explore online tutorials on metal production

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Expand your understanding of metal production processes and techniques through online tutorials.

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Search for beginner-friendly tutorials on metal production
Watch and take notes on the tutorials

Engage in peer-led discussion groups on metal-related topics

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Collaborate with peers to exchange ideas and perspectives on metals-related topics.

Browse courses on Metals

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Connect with fellow students and form a discussion group
Choose topics for discussion and research them
Engage in active discussions, sharing insights and perspectives

Six other activities

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Solve problems related to metal properties

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Reinforce your understanding of metal properties by solving practice problems.

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Identify online resources or textbooks with practice problems
Solve problems and check your answers

Tutor or assist other students with understanding metals concepts

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Enhance your understanding by helping others learn and reinforce metal-related concepts.

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Identify opportunities to assist other students, such as joining a tutoring program or study group
Prepare materials and strategies for tutoring sessions
Provide guidance and support to students

Create a presentation on a specific metal or metal application

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Deepen your understanding and communication skills by presenting on a specific metal or its applications.

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Choose a specific metal or application to focus on
Research and gather information on the topic
Develop a presentation outline
Create visual aids and slides
Practice and deliver your presentation

Participate in a metal design or innovation challenge

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Test your skills and knowledge by participating in a challenge that requires you to design or innovate with metals.

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Research and identify relevant challenges or competitions
Form a team or work individually on a design or innovation
Submit your proposal or solution

Contribute to open-source projects related to metals

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Apply your knowledge and contribute to the broader community by engaging in open-source metal-related projects.

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Identify open-source projects that align with your interests
Research and understand the project's goals and codebase
Contribute to the project by fixing bugs, adding features, or improving documentation

Review and consolidate your notes and materials from the course

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Solidify your understanding by reviewing and consolidating your notes and course materials.

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Organize and review your notes from each module
Summarize key concepts and ideas

Career center

Learners who complete A Circular Economy of Metals: Towards a Sustainable Societal Metabolism will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Metallurgist

Metallurgists extract metals from ores and refine them into a usable form. They also develop new alloys and improve the properties of existing ones. The course focuses specifically on the circular economy for metals, which is essential for sustainable metal production and use

See salaries and explore the career path for Metallurgist

Materials Scientist

Materials Scientists develop new materials and improve existing ones for specific applications. They consider the properties of materials, such as strength, durability, and conductivity, and how these properties can be improved or modified for different uses. The course will provide a foundation in the science of materials, which is essential for developing new materials and technologies that can help meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

See salaries and explore the career path for Materials Scientist

Mining Engineer

Mining Engineers design, build, and operate mines. They may also work in research and development, developing new mining technologies. The course will provide a foundation in mining engineering, which is essential for understanding the processes involved in metal production

See salaries and explore the career path for Mining Engineer

Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers develop solutions to environmental problems and monitor environmental regulations. They develop systems to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gasses and other pollutants. The course will provide the knowledge required to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in the field of environmental sustainability by teaching about the environmental impacts of metal production and how those impacts can be minimized through sustainable materials management

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists conduct research on environmental issues and develop solutions to environmental problems. They may work in government, industry, or academia. The course will provide a foundation in environmental science, which is essential for understanding the environmental impacts of metal production and use

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers develop and implement sustainability strategies for organizations. They may work in government, industry, or academia. The course will provide a foundation in sustainability, which is essential for understanding the challenges and opportunities of sustainable metal production and use

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Chemical Engineer

Chemical Engineers design, build, and operate chemical plants and processes. They may also work in research and development, developing new products and processes. The course will provide a foundation in chemical engineering principles, which is essential for understanding the processes involved in metal production and use

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Geologist

Geologists study the Earth's physical structure and composition. They may work in exploration, mining, or environmental protection. The course will provide a foundation in geology, which is essential for understanding the sources of metals and the environmental impacts of mining

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Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Corporate Social Responsibility Managers develop and implement corporate social responsibility strategies for organizations. They may work in government, industry, or academia. The course will provide a foundation in corporate social responsibility, which is essential for understanding the role of businesses in promoting sustainable metal production and use

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research and analyze public policy issues. They may work in government, industry, or academia. The course will provide a foundation in policy analysis, which is essential for understanding the role of government in promoting sustainable metal production and use

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Environmental Lawyer

Environmental Lawyers specialize in environmental law. They may work in government, industry, or academia. The course will provide a foundation in environmental law, which is essential for understanding the legal framework for sustainable metal production and use

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Environmental Economist

Environmental Economists apply economic principles to environmental issues. They may work in government, industry, or academia. The course will provide a foundation in environmental economics, which is essential for understanding the economic costs and benefits of sustainable metal production and use

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Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations. They may work in a variety of fields, including environmental protection, social justice, and international development. The course will provide a foundation in nonprofit management, which is essential for understanding the role of nonprofits in promoting sustainable metal production and use

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Science Writer

Science Writers communicate scientific information to the public. They may work for newspapers, magazines, or websites. The course will provide a foundation in science writing, which is essential for communicating the importance of sustainable metal production and use to the public

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Teacher

Teachers educate students at all levels, from kindergarten through college. They may teach a variety of subjects, including science, math, and social studies. The course will provide a foundation in education, which is essential for teaching students about the importance of sustainable metal production and use

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