Universität Wien
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301903 SE Science or Science fiction: How to make research more sustainable (2025W)

2.00 ECTS (1.00 SWS), SPL 30 - Biologie
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 24 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

03.12.2025 is a reserve date incase one of the previous one falls out.

SR 3/6.105, Dr.Bohrgasse 9.1030 Wien
Every Wednesday - 17.00 - 19.00

  • Wednesday 08.10. 17:00 - 19:00 BZB/Seminarraum 3, 6.Ebene 6.105, Dr.-Bohrgasse 9, 1030 Wien
  • Wednesday 15.10. 17:00 - 19:00 BZB/Seminarraum 3, 6.Ebene 6.105, Dr.-Bohrgasse 9, 1030 Wien
  • Wednesday 22.10. 17:00 - 19:00 BZB/Seminarraum 3, 6.Ebene 6.105, Dr.-Bohrgasse 9, 1030 Wien
  • Wednesday 05.11. 17:00 - 19:00 BZB/Seminarraum 3, 6.Ebene 6.105, Dr.-Bohrgasse 9, 1030 Wien
  • Wednesday 12.11. 17:00 - 19:00 BZB/Seminarraum 3, 6.Ebene 6.105, Dr.-Bohrgasse 9, 1030 Wien
  • Wednesday 19.11. 17:00 - 19:00 BZB/Seminarraum 3, 6.Ebene 6.105, Dr.-Bohrgasse 9, 1030 Wien
  • Wednesday 26.11. 17:00 - 19:00 BZB/Seminarraum 3, 6.Ebene 6.105, Dr.-Bohrgasse 9, 1030 Wien
  • Wednesday 03.12. 17:00 - 19:00 BZB/Seminarraum, 4.Ebene 4.120, Dr.-Bohrgasse 9, 1030 Wien

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

How can sustainability be integrated at a University and in the Lab?

The course begins with key facts on climate change and an introduction to the tools available for measuring greenhouse gases and other climate factors. We will also take a brief look at legislation, including the European Green Deal, and discuss new regulations that will affect research in the near future.

Next, we will focus on how to calculate CO₂ footprints. We will explain GHG accounting using the three scopes and compare it with other methods of carbon accounting. Using the tool Climcalc, we will calculate a university footprint and discuss how to acquire missing datasets or apply suitable approximations. With the EN-Roads tool (MIT), we will test the impact of research on global temperature goals (IPCC) and explore how we can contribute to achieving them. In addition, we will highlight the major impact sectors.

Drawing on examples of CO₂ footprints from universities and research institutions, we will examine the four main contributors: mobility, energy, products, and waste. Each of these areas will be discussed in detail, with specific examples from research labs.
Finally, we will carry out a stakeholder analysis to identify how we can catalyze change and make research more sustainable and fit for the future.

Assessment and permitted materials

- 1/3 participation
- 1/3 group exercises and assignment
-1/3 exam

When between 2 grades, the participation will be the deciding note

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

- participation: Presence in all of the course, active participation in the discussions.

- group exercises and assignment
Presentation of a sustainable case study (in a group): Preparation topic, making powerpoint slides, and leading the discussion with the group
Pre-assigment. 1 Page summary of a sustainability report of a university or research institute.

- Exam
2-3 detailed questions and a short essay on a topic discussed in the course

Examination topics

- Slides with presentations for each hour
- Case studies of universities will be provided (Pres-assignemt)
- Group presentations will be share
- Moodle activity (SCORM package)
- Reading materials will be provided before each lecture

Reading list

One Earth. Jan 21 2022.
Preaching water while drinking wine: Why universities must boost climate action now
Nikoline Borgermann, Alice Schmidt, Jeroen Dobbelaere

Before the course starts. One short paper will be provided before each course.

Association in the course directory

MMB IV., M-WZB, PhD, MNEU V.

Last modified: Tu 23.09.2025 13:48