2026/27 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

CAPE3310 Sustainability in Process Engineering

20 Credits Class Size: 120

Module manager: Dr V Dupont
Email: v.dupont@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2026/27

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The module uses practical examples from various fields of process engineering to teach the three principles of sustainable process engineering: i) environment, ii) economics and iii) society, and how those principles are being integrated to transform the chemical processing industries.

Objectives

1. Describe the sustainable development goals and how the SDGs can be addressed through process engineering.
2. Explain the challenges of energy transition and demonstrate awareness of state-of-the-art developments in the field.
3. Apply principles of life cycle assessment from an environmental and social dimension.
4. Articulate the chemical engineering advances that help shape sustainable food structures and water supply for the global population.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Apply the principles of sustainability (environmental, social, economic) and the ability to apply techniques for analysing the interaction of process with the environment.
2. Explain that an effective ethics culture includes how sustainability is informed by ethical reasoning and behaviour of the professional engineer.
3. Describe the objectives and context of the design in terms of how business and technical requirements interact with sustainability requirements.

Skills outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills:
a. Academic writing, Referencing, Presentation skills.
b. Time management, planning & organising, Teamwork/Collaboration, Problem solving & analytical skills, Critical thinking, Creativity, Core Literacies, Applying Creativity and Innovation.

Syllabus

Principles of sustainability & United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; Energy transition and decarbonisation; Food structures for a sustainable world; Life Cycle Assessment; Green process metrics; Social Impact Audit for engineering processes; Process intensification and continuous processing.

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Lecture 22 2 44
Seminar 22 1 22
Private study hours 134
Total Contact hours 66
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 200

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative feedback will be provided through in-class polling (on a weekly basis) and drop-in sessions for the coursework (before the submission deadline).

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Assignment . 40
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 40

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams
Exam type Exam duration % of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) 2.0 Hrs Mins 60
Total percentage (Assessment Exams) 60

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading List

Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list

Last updated: 30/04/2026

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team