Climate change and environmental impacts resulting from land use, materials, chemicals, and energy are immensely complex issues, placing enormous pressures on the planet and our ways of living. When coupled with rapid social changes and developments in technology, economics, and environmental policy, the demand for expert knowledge and skills in these areas is vast.

By studying industrial ecology at Chalmers University of Technology, you will contribute to how humanity can face these issues, through analysing and developing sustainable technical solutions to be implemented by industry, governmental agencies, and researchers. You will contribute to leading humanity to a greener and more sustainable way of living.

This master's programme in industrial ecology will equip you with the competencies, knowledge and tools needed to analyse environmental impacts and resource constraints. You will learn to propose mitigation measures, to plan and lead their development, and evaluate and follow up their effects.

This could entail issues relating to product development, land and resource use, energy systems, and large-scale urban planning processes. Industrial ecology offers a solution-oriented engineering approach to environmental and sustainability problems.

Graduates of the programme will gain a broad understanding of environmental issues, while also becoming experts in the tools of analysis that can lead to the suggestion of relevant measures or policies and informed decision-making.

If you aim for a professional career in a field where you can truly make a difference in promoting sustainable development, then this is the programme for you. Encompassing environmental strategy, research, assessment and more, the scope of this programme ranges from traditional, fundamental engineering skills and problems, to changing industrial practices, as well as international negotiations and policymaking. The programme welcomes students from all fields of engineering, as well as graduates with other relevant backgrounds such as architecture, environmental science, physics, and chemistry.

You will study the fundamental areas of sustainable development and  industrial ecology, as well as elective courses in areas such as the environment, life cycle assessment and circular economy.