Programme in Advanced Materials: Innovative Recycling

Intended learning outcomes, knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students: It is intended that students acquire the ability to choose what is the best material for a given application. Considering the wide variety of existing materials, this process is only possible when using a selection methodology that systematically classifies materials by figures of merit (material indexes). The selection methods for material processing, shaping and joining also have a similar approach. This methodology is supported by a specific software that works with a database of material properties.

Syllabus: Material and process selection focusing on design, performance, cost and environmental constraints. Databases for materials selection. Graphic representation of properties as a basis for a selection strategy: Ashby’s selection system. Selection methodology and application to real-life situations. Selection methodology as a tool for the development of new materials, processes and applications.

Intended learning outcomes, knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students): To acquire basic knowledge, skills and competences related to the application of sustainability within the products and processes of the Chemical Industry.

Syllabus: Chemical Industry, Chemicals and their impact on modern lifestyles. The Principles of Green Chemistry and Sustainable Engineering. Toxicology. The European legislation on chemicals (REACH). Sustainable Chemistry metrics. Life Cycle Analysis. The tools of Green Chemistry. Homogeneous, heterogeneous and enzymatic catalysis. Waste reduction. Intensification of processes. Alternative solvents. Biotechnology and Biorefineries. Carbon capture and sequestration.

Intended learning outcomes, knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students): This subject provides training on the functionality and application of characterisation techniques: electron microscopy (SEM-FIB), AFM, spectroscopy in visible, UV and Infrared Spectroscopic Ellipsometry, XRD, XRF, NMR. It describes advanced monitoring tools (in-line and on-line Raman, NIR, UV, and NMR) for tracking critical process parameters and critical quality attributes to enable Quality by Design (QbD). Multivariate data acquisition and data analysis tools, design of experiments, design, analysis, and control of manufacturing processes are also explored. It provides expertise in designing solutions for contaminated sites using methodologies of evaluation.

Syllabus: Electron microscopes: transmission (TEM), scanning (SEM) and scanning transmission (STEM). Electron detectors and X ray spectrometry (EDS and WDS). Elemental analysis in SEM-EDS/WDS. Optical Spectroscopy: Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-Visible-Near Infrared, Spectroscopic Ellipsometry. XRD-XRF. NMR. Introduction to Process Analytical Technology (PAT). Biosensors. Multivariate data analysis- design of experiments. Definition and identification of CPP’s and CQA’s. Automatic Process control. Integrated methodology of evaluation of contaminated sites. Remediation techniques. In-situ and ex-situ (on-site and off-site) processes. Developing stages, use, applicability, confidence and duration. Case studies and available software use.

Intended learning outcomes, knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students): 

• LO1- Gives students a conceptual framework on dealing with a global competitive environment.
• LO2- Provides the main tools to the business environment, highlighting the role of financial management as an instrument of strategy.
• LO3- Evaluates and selects different financing instruments exploring risk, profitability and solvency.
• LO4- Interprets a company’s economic and financial situation using the most common financial management techniques (Balance Sheet, P/L account and ratios methods).
• LO5- Provides the concepts and tools to develop risk management in international markets, including those arising from interest rates and exchange rate mismatching.

Syllabus:

1. To be an entrepreneur in a global market: Context and challenges
2. Financial management as a strategic tool
3. Business plan: Methods of financial forecasting
4. Risk, profitability and leveraging
5. Financing business opportunities
6. Economic and financial analysis
7. Using hedging instruments to cover risks in international markets

Intended learning outcomes, knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students): This course intends to give students an understanding of the importance of mineral

resources in society and in the circular economy. Students will be able to understand global geopolitics and its impacts in society and the existence of policies in the supply and demand of critical and non-critical raw materials within the advent of the 4th Industrial Revolution. Students will also  be able to understand the life cycle of a mine and understand ores as a multiple source of critical raw materials, including the potentialities of recovery from waste in a philosophy of fundamental and environmentally sustainable economic activity. They will be able to understand geological processes and mineral deposits mechanisms and identify potential resources to be exploited in a given region.

Syllabus: Non-renewable resources. Mineral resources (MR) and metals. Privileged regions and global geopolitics. Provision policies. Commodities and super-cycles. 4th Industrial Revolution and MR. CRM’s. Circular economy and its direct dependence on sustainable MR exploitation. Mine life cycle and its relations with raw material production. Ore and minerals as a multiple source of CRM’s. Metal recovery from mine waste. Conciliation of PRM (primary raw materials) and SRM (secondary raw materials). Mineralising fluids and genetic processes. Alteration-mineralisation. Supergenic alteration. Metallogenetic models and zoning. Lithogeochemistry, metal deposits and its relationship with Plate Tectonics. Classes of mineral deposits. Types of ore, mineral chemistry, mineral texture and paragenesis. Fluid inclusion and isotopes. Mineral and textural identification. Geochemical characterisation. Pre-feasibility studies and international systems of reporting resources and reserves. Metallogenetic belts. Case-studies.

Intended learning outcomes, knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students): The main goal of this course is to provide students with the basic concepts of Chemical Reaction Engineering, in such a way that at the end of the course the students will be able to: determine a kinetic law corresponding to a given chemical reaction by calculating the kinetic parameters. To derive a kinetic law from a mechanistic proposal. To design ideal chemical reactors working under isothermal or non-isothermal conditions.

Syllabus:

1. Ideal chemical reactors: batch reactor, continuous stirred tank reactor, plug flow reactor.
2. Reaction rate and conversion. The general mole balance equation.
3. Graphical methods.
4. Stoichiometry and rate law.
5. Batch reactors: optimising the operation time and conversion.
6. Association of CSTRs. Pressure drop in the PFR. Reversible reactions.
7. Unsteady state operation.
8. Determination of kinetic parameters.
9. Homogeneous non-elementary reactions.
10. Non-isothermal reactors: the energy balance equation; continuous-flow reactors at steady state.
11. Non-isothermal batch reactor.
12. Multiple steady states in a CSTR: a brief looking on the steady state stability.
13. Multiple reactions: selectivity and yield.
14. Non Ideal reactors. Characterisation of flow by use of tracers. Modelling real reactors by association of ideal reactors

Intended learning outcomes, knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students): The aim of this course is to acquaint students with the technology of coatings and thin films commonly used in coating processes from the functional and structural point of view.

Syllabus: Introduction to current energy problems:

1. Materials and systems used in solar energy into electricity conversion, operation of solar cell manufacturing processes.
2. Materials and Systems used in converting solar energy into thermal energy – importance of coatings/materials absorbers of radiation and other materials.
3. Materials and systems for converting heat energy into electrical energy through the thermoelectric effect – the mode of operation, materials, manufacturing processes.
4. Materials used in energy savings – chromogenic materials – principle of operation, type of materials used in manufacturing processes.
5. Materials used in energy storage – the operation of batteries, materials and their respective advantages and disadvantages and ecological problems; fuel cells – operating principle, materials used, degree of development and implementation.
6. Biomimetics, bio and electronic systems for the conversion/conservation of energy.

Intended learning outcomes, knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students): At the end of this course, students will have acquired knowledge and skills that allow them to:

• Develop a detailed understanding of the physical principles behind momentum transport by molecular and turbulent (natural and forced convection) mechanisms in flowing fluids and its mathematical expression.
• Write the Energy Balance and the Species Continuity Equations for specific transport problems.
• Determine changes in potential and kinetic energy, pressure and friction pressure losses in fluids circulating in pipes. Choose the most suitable pump type for a particular fluid transport and determine the required pump power.
• Understand the fundamental concepts of heat transport. Calculate dimensionless numbers associated with heat transport and determine coefficients of heat transport through empirical equations.
• Select and design the most appropriate heat transfer equipment to be used in chemical and biochemical industries.

Syllabus:

1. Transport Basic Concepts: Equilibrium and driving forces; Operations in equilibrium stages and rate of transfer.
2. Mass, Heat, and Momentum Transport by Molecular Mechanism: The general molecular transport equation and diffusivities; Newtonian fluids, non-Newtonian fluids, with time dependent and time independent viscosities.
3. Turbulent Transport: The Reynolds Experiment; The general transport equation and eddy diffusivity; Mechanism ratio analysis; Dimensionless groups; Boundary layers: laminar and turbulent; Friction coefficient; Global transfer coefficients.
4. Analogies among Mass, Heat, and Momentum Transfer: The Reynolds analogy, the Colburn analogy and the Martinelli analogy.
5. Momentum Transport in Incompressible Fluids; The Bernoulli equation; Pressure drops; Fluid and pressure meters; Pumping liquids.
6. Heat Transport: Conduction; Convection; Radiation; Heat exchangers; Use of insulating materials.

Intended learning outcomes, knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students): The course intends to introduce relevant and advanced topics within modern functional materials science and engineering, providing a broad and deep understanding of the processing, nature and properties of the most relevant classes of materials that are of interest to industry. The course also aims to equip students with critical thinking on how materials can be selected and designed towards final applications, taking into consideration major challenges and sustainability issues.

Syllabus: Different classes of engineering materials, key properties and application areas. Potentialities in nanomaterials. Processing-microstructure-property relationships. Overview on advanced manufacturing techniques. Structural materials. Polymers. Composites. Biomaterials and healthcare. Materials for electronics and optoelectronics. Energy materials. Nanoscale possibilities and challenges. Sustainability. Design and simulation supporting selection of materials. Extraction and Processing. Life cycle and end of life.

Intended learning outcomes, knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students): The goal of this course is to give students a general overview on technical and scientific aspects on prevention, valorisation and recycling of wastes with a strong incidence in Materials Science and processing technologies. Aspects of the valorisation of wastes through waste treatment and recycling strategies that allow for a more efficient technical, ecological and economic action. Students will also approach prevention in the production of residues and wastes through modernisation of organisation and management strategies of the manufacturing sector, with a focus on the minimisation of industrial wastes.

Syllabus: Processing technologies of metallic, polymeric, electronic and ceramic materials; materials selection correlating properties, structure and processing; impact of materials in the environment; selection, separation and characterisation of solid residues; chemical processes on the treatment of materials for waste valorisation; application of bioprocessing of waste and its limitations; mechanical recycling of materials and wastes; ecologic materials and their properties.

Intended learning outcomes, knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students): This course aims to provide fundamental principles on the biodegradation/biotransformation of hazardous pollutants and waste, and present emerging technologies for their elimination/reduction, using isolated enzymes or microorganisms vs. ‘bioaugmentation’.

Syllabus:

1. Examples of biotransformations carried out on an industrial scale. Advantages of using nonaqueous media (NAM). Enzymatic properties in NAM. ‘Greener’ NAM: supercritical fluids and ionic liquids. Immobilisation and characterisation of biocatalysts.
2. Enzyme classes most used in bioremediation. Relevance of NAM. Discovery of new enzymes and modification of existing ones. Applications. Enzymatic conversion of waste biomass and of CO2.
3. Environmental contamination by hazardous substances; magnitude of the contamination problem. Types of pollutants (organic, inorganic). Physical/chemical transformation of pollutants in soil.
4. Principles of microbiological degradation of pollutants. Microbial ecology. Factors influencing biodegradation. Biodegradation mechanisms (metabolism and kinetics).
5. In situ and ex situ bioremediation. Aerobic vs. anaerobic bioremediation. Biostimulation vs. bioaugmentation.

Intended learning outcomes, knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students): This course gives students research and development opportunities, promoting participation in research projects by the academic staff of the faculty. The scientific committee of the programme has a list of opportunities for students to participate in research projects. The student carries out the work plan during the course of the semester, with a core focus in the period between the end of exams and the beginning of the next semester, comprising a 5 week period at the lab. The student will have contact with scientific research environments and will gain knowledge on how research projects work in the area of innovative materials recycling and sustainability. The student will develop skills in presenting and explaining research results, along with other skills such as team working, oral and written communication and independent learning. Depending on the project chosen, the student will acquire specific knowledge on the subject area and also some specific technical skills in the project area.

Syllabus: Inclusion on the research team of choice (decided by the student) from a given set of projects available. Participation on the research work of the chosen project and preparation of a report.

Intended learning outcomes, knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students): This course is intended to motivate students in entrepreneurship and the need for technological innovation. It covers a list of topics and tools that are important for new venture creation, as well as the development of creative initiatives within existing enterprises. Students are expected to develop an entrepreneurial culture, including the following skills:

1. To identify ideas and opportunities to launch new projects.
2. To get knowledge on how to deal with technical and organisational issues required to launch entrepreneurial projects.
3. To understand the project implementation challenges, namely venture capital and teamwork management and find the right tools to implement them.
4. To show and explain ideas and how to convince stakeholders.

Syllabus: Strategy for entrepreneurship. Ideation and processes for the creation of new ideas. Industrial property rights and protection: patents and technical formalities. Managing an entrepreneurial project: planning; communication and motivation; leadership and teamwork. Marketing and innovation for the development of new products and businesses. Business plan and entrepreneurial finance. System of Incentives for young entrepreneurs. Managing growth and intrapreneurship.

Intended learning outcomes, knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students): Industrial and entrepreneurial seminars will be devised to take advantage of the expertise of local industrial and economic partners that are called on to give an overview of the technological developments in their field of operations. Students will be able to have close contact with entrepreneurs and companies in the field of advanced materials and innovative recycling.

Syllabus: A specific syllabus is not applicable in this type of course. The seminars will address fundamental concepts and tools necessary for the evaluation of the sustainability of products and production processes. The discipline will embrace learning at the level of advanced materials, to develop intelligent production of goods and equipment, with the understanding of the macro scale of complex systems in engineering, which encompasses the evaluation of environmental, economic and social impacts due to decision-making.

Intended learning outcomes, knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students): The main purpose of Separation Processes I is to provide students with the ability to:

• Understand the fundamental concepts of equilibrium-controlled separation processes used in the chemical industry: gas/liquid absorption, distillation, liquid-liquid extraction, humidification, and drying.
• To design the equipment required for each of the studied processes.

Syllabus: Gas Absorption. Countercurrent vs concurrent multistage operation; Equilibrium stage; HOG and NOG; Criteria for design and operation of equipment. Distillation. Vapour- liquid equilibria; Multistage tray towers; McCabe and Thiele method; Packed towers; Batch distillation. Liquid Extraction; Liquid – liquid equilibria; Criteria for solvent selection; Stage wise contact; Continuous contact equipment. Humidification; Definitions. Wet-bulb and adiabatic-saturation temperature; Gas-liquid adiabatic operations; Equipment. Water-cooling towers. Drying; Equilibrium and definitions; Batch drying. Rate and time of drying; Continuous drying. Equipment and applications Introduction to Aspen. Resolution of exercises with multicomponent distillation column and solvent extraction column by Aspen.

Intended learning outcomes, knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students): The course aims to provide students with the technical and practical concepts of mining and processing of ores, with emphasis on metallic ores and special sands. Namely, choosing the most appropriate techniques, equipment and procedures and environmental impacts. Students will be able to integrate team-works concerning the execution of technical mining projects, as well as to integrate the teams of monitoring and optimisation of processes and preparation of environmental impact studies. Learn mining exploration techniques and methodologies. Learn the steps and activities in an exploration and mining project. Mining project development, environmental impact assessment and licensing of exploration and mining projects.

Syllabus: Mining and mineral processing objectives. Mineralogical images and image processing. Liberation size. Physical and geomechanical properties of rocks for mineral processing and separation/concentration. Unit operations of liberation and separation. Comminution. Mechanical screening. Technologies and equipment for screening. Technologies and equipment for separation. Circuits of comminution-screening. Circuits of separation. Transport of solids and sludge. Decantation. Flocculation. Mass balance. Recovery indexes. Consumption of energy and water. Tailings dams. Environmental impacts. Techniques and stages of mining. Samples, pathfinders and equipment. Project and well logging techniques in exploration. Environmental impact in concessions. Life cycle of a mine and mining infrastructure. Methods of excavation and mineral extraction. Excavation and blasting. Mine closure.

This part of the course introduces students to the geopolitical, geological and technological issues in raw materials. Critical raw materials – challenges and trends; Resource efficiency. From studying the course students will be able to:

• Understand the complexity in the supply/demand chain of raw materials in the context of a globalised and connected world.
• Understand the dynamics of resources and reserves as well as the economics of primary and secondary raw materials.
• Be aware of economic influencing factors and the importance of securing the supply chain for metals (base, precious, critical) and major mineral ores.
• Identify the right sources for a given need or to find alternative resources that meet the sustainable development criteria.
• Implement lifecycle analysis studies and understand their opportunities and limits.

This area of the course deepens the student’s knowledge of metallurgical processes used for production of the main non-ferrous, precious and platinum metals. Theoretical and practical aspects of extractive metallurgical industries are discussed together with the basics of modern hydrometallurgy. The latter is supported by case studies exemplifying operational flowsheets for leaching mineral ores and concentrates. From studying the course students will be able to:

• Understand the basic notions in mineral thermodynamics and solid-liquid phase stabilities.
• Implement operations aimed at selective dissolving, separating and concentrating metals (hydrometallurgy, hydrolysis, electrorefining, reactive extraction).
• Understand the origin of metal value and design an optimal processing route in terms of economics and environmental impact.
• Be well aware of major industrial operations and capable of identifying new advanced routes for materials recovery from end of-life products by extractive metallurgy.

This area of the course is centred around the questions of how recycling could contribute to overcoming the materials shortage and what the economic importance of technological challenges are within the reuse and recycling of “secondary” resources. From studying the course students will be able to:

• Properly implement the different unit operations for processing waste materials (shredders, sorters, eddy-current and ballistic separators).
• Select the best available technologies and develop an optimised flow sheet for processing a given waste stream.
• Become aware of valuable by-products and opportunities for residual wastes (industrial ecology).
• Become familiarised with existing industrial activities in waste processing and capable of identifying new opportunities in this field of activity.

This part of the course focuses on the economic issues in mining and recycling industries. Legislation. Environmental aspects. Social Corporate responsibility. From studying the course students will be able to:

• Become familiar with industrial players and other stakeholders in the EU mining and recycling sector.
• Get to know how innovative SMEs in the recycling sector are created and operate.
• Understand their business models, opportunities and threats for their activities.
• Be aware of the importance of non-technical factors on the recycling of metals (taw regimes, waste disposal fees, collection of end-of-life products, health and safety, logistics).
• Become creative and open-minded with respect to business opportunities, including in the social economy.

This part of the course will provide an introduction to the general principles of modelling. Application of these principles in the field of process engineering. Objectives, needs and limitations of modelling and simulation. General modelling procedure applied to solving process flowsheets. Process tearing to iterative flowsheet solving. Energy supply-demand analysis in chemical industries. From studying the course students will be able to:

• Learn how to build a conceptual model for a single unit operation.
• Identify specifications, characteristic variables and resulting degrees of freedom for a model.
• Integrate bloc models inside a flow-sheet model and choose numerical methods to solve industrial process models.
• Represent thermal energy requirements and identify potential of energy-saving technologies.
• Learn how to use purposely built simulation tools.

This part of the course will introduce the topics of pyrometallurgy and thermodynamics. Iron and steel production and recycling. Production and recycling of Cu, Al, Pb, Zn, precious metals and REE and provide a holistic view on high temperature processes – resource & energy efficiency. Base metals pyrometallurgy in practice; Re-manufacturing; Technological challenges. From studying the course students will be able to:

• Understand the basic notions in pyrometallurgy of ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
• Identify secondary resources that can/have to be processed via pyro- instead of hydro- metallurgy.
• Be aware about the BAT opportunities and reasons for recovery/loss of metals in pyrometallurgical processes.
• Design an optimal pyrometallurgical processing route for selected metals and waste streams and assess energy requirements.
• Become aware of existing major industrial operations and identify new viable routes in high temperature processing of complex wastes and end-of-life products.
• Modify material selection and product design to positively impact on the viability of pyrometallurgical operations.
• Analyse wear and/or corrosion mechanisms in extreme environments under various situations encountered in pyrometallurgical processing. Select an appropriate method(s) to improve/repair and test materials durability.

Students will undertake an internship of up to 6 months’ duration, typically in one of the Research and Technology Organisation’s laboratories or in Industry, as well as any industrial partner or start-up carrying out R&D activities close to the topics conducted by the relevant academic departments of the University. Students will be able to choose the best internship for their future career or even create their own start up during this period!

During their thesis period students will first become familiar with their subject of choice and set-up a work schedule. Students will also undertake experimental and/or theoretical work on the chosen scientific subject and document the achieved results by authoring the Master Thesis. The results will be publically presented in front of a commission composed of an academic promoter, industrial supervisor and other academic members with subsequent scientific discussion.

Expected Learning: Students will be able to demonstrate their technical expertise in the field of the Master thesis and their ability to perform research-related work and draw relevant conclusions. They will be able to critically review scientific publications and to apply the acquired knowledge to deal with specific scientific topics using newly acquired methods. They will be able to independently work on scientific problems in sufficient depth and to autonomously create documentation and presentations about their research work and results. Finally, students will be able to adequately present their results and discuss and defend them in a public scientific environment.

This subject covers several major themes on fundaments of urban mining and provide students a knowledge for safeguarding of the environment and the promotion of resource conservation through reuse, recycling, and recovery of secondary resources from waste. It will also help to understand the different secondary resources and economic value of the waste streams generated in urban spaces.

It ensures a basic understanding of the planning and designing of sustainable urban spaces, making the process consistent with the sustainable development goals.

Syllabus:

• Introduction to Urban Mining
• E-Waste
• Development of Urban Mining
• Urban Mining and Energy
• Spatial data analysis
• Introduction to Life Cycle Assessment and Case studies

The course aims to develop various contents on construction demolition waste (CDW), so that students deepen their knowledge and thus define appropriate management systems to achieve prevention, reuse, recycling and, where appropriate, minimize CDW disposal in landfill. In addition, students will be provided with sufficient knowledge to write the mandatory documents for the management of the CDW (Study and Waste Management Plans). Also, proposals of new recycled construction materials made from CDW will be developed and designed in the course.

Syllabus:

• Situation of construction and demolition waste in Spain: Generation ratios and recovery.
• Legal framework for the construction and demolition of waste in the EU – focused on Spain.
• Studies and RCD management plans. RCD quantification tools and good practices for the minimization and management of waste. Case study.
• Recycled materials for building construction.
• Design of new construction products manufactured with recycled materials​.

After a brief summary on the energy supply, the course deals with conventional installations of hot water and heating, and electricity supply, and gives tools to design and calculate a power supply installation with conventional sources: types of boilers, heating applications, and hot water supply.

It will also work with energy saving techniques and the integration of different energy sources in industries. And it will continue with Industry 4.0 and energy efficiency in industrial processes.

Finally, the energy supply measurement and monitoring facilities are studied, analyzing the automation technologies necessary for optimization, self-diagnosis and digital support for workers in industries. Energy audits and economic evaluation processes will also be studied.

Syllabus:

• Energy supply: overview.
• Design and calculation of a thermal energy supply installation with conventional sources.
• Options in the electrification of an industry.
• Energy saving techniques.
• Industry 4.0 and energy efficiency in industrial processes. Measurement and monitoring facilities.
• Industry 4.0 and energy efficiency in industrial processes. Automation options.
• Energy audits.
• Economical evaluation of an energy supply installation.

This is a specific course based on the general concepts and relations between energy and circular economy and the industrial processes for the energy recovery of solid and liquid waste, with special attention of biogas production from residues and environmental control in waste energy recovery processes.

Syllabus:

• Energy and circular economy

• Circular economy and energy valorisation. The European Union strategy.
• Energy recovery in the hierarchy of waste management. Recovery applications.
• Waste classification and factors for its energy recovery.

• Industrial processes for the energy recovery of solid and liquid waste.

• Best Available Techniques (BAT) for the energy recovery of solid and liquid waste.
• Solid waste management.
• Liquid waste management.
• Alternative fuels in the cement sector.
• Alternative fuels in the paper sector.
• Energy valorisation in waste incinerators.

• Biogas production from wastes.

• Organic matter, industrial processes.
• Anaerobic digestion.
• Direct uses of biogas.
• Biomethane production and technologies.
• Current and future situation for the deployment of biogas and biomethane.
• Environmental control in waste energy recovery processes.
• Main air pollutants and their measurement systems.
• Techniques for preventing and reducing the main air pollutants.

This curricular unit aims to show the raw materials and manufacturing processes of the most relevant construction materials, as well as their life cycle, transport and put on place, mainly in relation to the consumption of water resources.

Students will also deal with the effects of the consumption of water resources to obtain construction materials, on ecosystems and on the health of people, living beings and the environment; the depletion of water resources due to direct and indirect use in the manufacture, transport and implementation of construction materials and products; and the quantification of water pollutants, promoting actions to reduce the consumption of water resources and depollution of industrial water effluent.

Finally, the student will be able to access relevant international literature, both normative (standards, guidelines, recommendations…) and scientific, and to express orally and in writing their specific analyses regarding industries dedicated to the mining of minerals and materials for the manufacture of construction products, regarding to the reduction of the consumption of water resources, without diminishing the performance quality of construction materials. Similar abilities regarding the manufacturing industries of construction materials.

Syllabus:

• Introduction. Water resources in minerals for building materials.
• Water resources in metallic materials. Iron, Steel and Aluminium Alloys
• Water resources in Cements.
• Water resources in Limes and Plasters.
• Water resources in the extraction of natural stone. Quarries of Limestones, Marbles, Granites and Slates.
• Water resources in Concrete manufacturing and placing.
• Water resources in the manufacture of ceramic materials.
• Water resources in construction and demolition of buildings.

This is a transversal course for master programs in engineering and architecture based on the development of the cross-cutting competencies, the personal learning environment, and the digital identity, with the support of MOOC and other ICTs.

Syllabus:

• Personal, social and civic competences.
• Personal Learning Environments (PLEs).
  • Personal Learning Environments, as a tool to improve work.
  • Guidelines for building a PLE.
• Management of professional digital identity
  • What is and how to manage the digital identity.
• Oral presentations and works defence.
• Training in cross-cutting competencies.
• Training in circular economy of minerals and construction products.

Students will undertake a several months’ internship (work load equivalent to 15 ECTS), usually in a private company or one of the Research and Technology Organisations, Laboratories or Construction Industries, as well as start-ups from the Mining and Construction sectors.

Students will be able to choose the best internship for their future career or even create their own start up during this period.

Since the internship is a subject of the MUEC Program, it has a curricular nature and, therefore, requires a particular procedure for its monitoring and final evaluation. It must be channeled through the UPM’s Employment Information and Guidance Centre (COIE), and managed by the Internship Office of the Administrative Center of the program, which is the School of Forest Engineering and Natural Resources (ETSIMFMN).

The Master’s Thesis (TFM) is a compulsory subject of 15 ECTS, where each student must individually prepare a project or comprehensive work on Circular Economy, of a professional nature, that synthesizes and integrates the skills acquired in the program. It must be presented and publicly defended after passing all the credits of the degree, with the exception of the 15 ECTS of the TFM subject.

Together with the Master’s Thesis complete the last semester of the program as a Practicum Module.

The Master’s Thesis can also be linked to the Internship, developing a professional work supervised by both, an academic supervisor and a professional supervisor.

The objectives of the Master’s Thesis are:

• To synthesize and integrate skills acquired in the courses of the Master’s Degree in Circular Economy.
• To know the nature of the problems, and propose the appropriate solutions.
• To develop organizational and planning skills. That is, to set the objectives of the TFM and determine the most appropriate means to achieve them.
• To improve the capacity for analysis, use and synthesis of information.
• To acquire skills with different computer tools.
• To improve written and oral expression.
• To acquire skills for the development and application, where appropriate, of an Engineering Project.