Continuing Education Engineering & Natural Sciences

The module Benign by Design (BbD) integrates content covered in F2 Environmental Chemistry, F3 Toxicology and Ecotoxicology, and F4 Modeling of Chemical Properties and Fate to introduce conceptual approaches for molecular de novo and re-design of chemical compounds with reduced environmental and toxicological impact and/or improved function. Using state of the art examples from scientific literature and practical exploration of the concept, the emphasis is laid on understanding the potential and applicability of molecular benign by design, as well as currently still existing gaps in experimental and in silico data required for widespread application of the approach. Another topic addressed in the module is benign by design of materials and processes and related substance flows, material flows, and product flows. This module is thereby linking to F1 Concepts of Sustainable Chemistry, and also linking to aspects of resource availability and circular economy covered in depth in module F8 Resources, Recycling, and Circular Economy.

This module introduces the business model of Chemical Leasing and its relation to other chemical business models. The concept of Chemical Leasing and its comparison to the sells-per-volume approach are presented. The general approach of Chemical Leasing as a service-based model that positions the utility provided by a chemical into the centre of the buying process is being addressed. The advantages for economic, environmental and social benefits will be presented. The do’s and dont’s of Chemical Leasing B2B relationships will be shown based on practical experiences. The module also introduces into the field of sustainability entrepreneurship and discusses the potential of innovations in chemistry for generating social and ecological impact. By exemplary developing own sustainability focused business ideas, the students get to know and apply the business model canvas for discussing and structuring sustainability business models in the field of chemistry. A brief introduction into business pitching will be given as a basis for successfully presenting business ideas.

This module introduces the interdisciplinary concept of sustainable chemistry and a holistic perspective of chemistry along the life cycle of chemical products. The concept of Sustainable Chemistry and its comparison to Green Chemistry are presented, and the general approach of recognizing and anticipating downstream consequences of chemical operations at the source and considering various strategies for possible solutions. Many topics touched on in this module will be followed up in more depth in subsequent modules of the programme. 

The course provides an introduction to the basics and principles of environmental chemistry. This includes an introduction to compartments, parameters and processes to understand and to model concentrations in the environment and basic analytical methods as well as the distributions of certain substances in the different compartments of the environment, namely the atmosphere, the oceans, the soil and sediments . Furthermore, the principles of abiotic degradation reactions such as h hydrolysis and direct and indirect p hotolysis will be discussed. The abiotic part is followed by an introduction to biotic degradation in the liquid phase and b acterial metabolism and enzymatic biodegradation.A laboratory unit focusing on the degradation of chemicals in the environment is a mandatory part of the module and will take place every year in July.

From the very beginning, identifying and evaluating potentially high value chemicals that can be extracted and transformed from renewable feedstocks requires robust, efficient, selective, reproducible, and benign analytical approaches. Green and sustainable separation of natural products from agro-industrial waste is attractive considering several techno-scientific, socio-environmental and economic aspects. In this module, the concepts of green and sustainable analytical chemistry, especially separation of natural products will be discussed, highlighting the main studies conducted in this topic over the last years. Some of the principal analytical techniques, by-products and target compounds described in the literature and considering our practice will be presented, including the emerging green and sustainable separation approaches towards bioeconomy, circular economy, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets internationally agreed in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, focusing on selected case studies related to food production, processing and consumption.

In this module you will learn to act in a legally compliant manner in an international building law context. An awareness of cultural and legal differences will be acquired. You will become familiar with the principles of conflict of laws and the increasing Lex Mercatoria and will thus be able to identify and interpret the applicable law in each case. You will learn the basics of contract law as well as civil and common law: this includes the Unidroit principles of law for commercial contracts. The focus here is on construction and consultancy contracts as well as the contractual allocation of tasks, especially those tasks that touch on typical construction risks. The overall aim of the module is to enable you to apply what you have learned in an international construction context and to be able to draft, negotiate and conclude construction and consultancy contracts.

Introduction to the basics and principles of chemicals regulation. The course will focus on substance specific regulations for different areas of use, like industrial chemicals, biocides as well as chemicals used in products like in cosmetics and occurrence or use in food. The students will get a closer look at that different regulatory areas and the procedures that have to be followed to bring chemicals / products on the market. This will include the data requirements, authority issues, borderline cases and some critical issues to be considered. Another field is persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and emerging contaminants with special emphasis on emission sources, regional and global distribution via different pathways and their fate in various environmental compartments. This will include international regulations such as the Stockholm Convention.

The module covers the background and practical application of substance evaluation using computer-based methods. Due to improvements in computational power, computer-based methods have changed the traditional way to engage in experimental science. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models link a property or effect, such as boiling point or toxicity, to parameters associated with chemical structure. These models can be used to assess chemical substances within the so-called in silico approach (as an analogy to the in vitro and in vivo approach). After a basic introduction, this module mainly focuses on the practical application and applicability of in silico software and assessment.

In this module you will learn how to avoid and resolve conflicts in projects under international (FIDIC and other) standard contracts. To do this, you will acquire dispute avoidance techniques and related legal principles, including arbitration law, Uncitral Model Laws and international conventions. Identify the mechanisms by which cultural and legal differences, behaviour in the procurement and contract management process, etc., influence the emergence and resolution of disputes. influence the emergence and resolution of conflicts. This will enable you to use conflict prevention and resolution tools economically, taking into account legal and psychological aspects, while being culturally and ethically sensitive. You will acquire principles of process strategies as well as process risks. The module includes teaching units on mediation and other alternative dispute resolution tools, FIDIC arbitration panels and others, ICC arbitration and others, as well as on conducting negotiations and hearings. The overall learning objective should be to apply what has been learned in an international construction context, effectively representing the interests of contracting parties through the correct use of the appropriate tools.

In this module you will learn to develop infrastructure and construction projects. Areas of application from different disciplines will be used, including law, (construction) business administration, technology and psychology. You will acquire relevant knowledge about project development in order to be able to select the appropriate award and procurement strategy to international standard contracts and to successfully manage and administer construction contracts. Accordingly, you will learn the basics of contracting and procurement and related laws, including risk analysis and assessment as well as risk management in a general sense. The different types of contracting and procurement strategies are explained and discussed. You will also learn how to deal with pain and gain elements as well as incentives and sanctions. Complementary skills in contract management and administration are developed. The curriculum therefore includes teaching units in recognising, assessing and quantifying risks, cash flow management and programming as its three cornerstones. The use of complementary and supporting legal tools will be learned. The overall aim is to apply what has been learned in an international construction context. In doing so, the application of FIDIC standard contracts is learnt, taking into account general procurement and contract law, irrespective of the role as client, contractor or consultant.

The first phase of this course introduces the need for adapted and sustainable water management strategies. The concept of Circular Water Economy is presented, and the need to integrate sustainable chemistry and water quality management approaches to fulfil the requirements of the specific water reuse. Phase 2 will present the concept of bioresources, especially from vegetal feedstocks, in the scope of bio-circular economy. The main aim is to generate material and energy ideally with indefinite maximization of the resources with no unrecoverable waste. Green and sustainable design, production and use of materials, processes and energy obtained from plant-based biomass, as well as their potentialities, limitations and other practical implications currently will be discussed, focusing on polymers. Emphasis will be giving to case studies related to plastic products. Phase 3 will focus on metal resources and their relevance for modern society. As in principle metals are “eternal” materials their effective recycling and wider approaches for a circular economy can significantly contribute to reduce energy needs and waste streams linked to metal containing products of our daily life. Case studies from the clean mobility area will be used to elaborate why a sustainable metals management is an imperative for the future.

The main focus of the course is on two aspects of sustainability assessment: The first aspect covers the relationship between modelling approaches in the field of material and energy flow analysis like life cycle assessment, specific instruments & indicators (e.g. carbon footprints, material circularity index and life cycle sustainability assessment issues) How can the approaches contribute to better understanding of the phenomena and to solving problems? The second aspect is modelling and simulation: How to become an expert in life cycle assessment?

The course provides an overview of the current status of the energy transition (Energiewende) in Germany and which targets have been defined and have been met so far and still need to be met. The course aims to shed light on the energy system transformation from the point of view of energy economic and energy policy developments and goals. In the first part of the course, the objectives of the energy system transformation and the goals that have been achieved will be examined. In the second part of the course, special attention is paid to the energy economy and the role of renewable energies in the energy system transformation. In particular, the opportunities and risks of a full supply of renewable energies are examined.    

This module introduces basic concepts in toxicology and ecotoxicology and highlights their relevance for risk assessment and regulation. The theoretical part provides in-depth knowledge on organ-specific toxicology, different endpoints, mutagenesis and carcinogenesis and current issue in the field e.g. nano-toxicology. All topics are discussed regarding their relevance for risk assessment and regulation of chemicals. Different testing procedures will be introduced in the theoretical part and selected test methods will be conducted and discussed in the practical unit of this module.A laboratory unit focussing on selected test methods is a mandatory part of the module and will take place every year in July.