3 ECTS credits
88 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4016189FNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
English
Faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool
Department
Business Technology and Operations
Educational team
Cathy Macharis (course titular)
Philippe Lebeau
Sam de Pape
Activities and contact hours
24 contact hours Lecture
64 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

Logistics and mobility are essential aspects of the economy. At the same time, they also induce a lot of external effects such as emissions, climate change, noise nuisance and congestion. This course focuses on how logistics and mobility can be organized in a more sustainable way. First, the most recent research results and trends will be presented. Then, research techniques being applied within the area of logistics and mobility will be discussed. Topics that are dealt with involve basic logistics and mobility concepts, mobility management, traffic models, intermodal transport, sustainability impact assessment tools (i.e. life-cycle assessment en external cost calculations), evaluation methods in transport (i.e. social cost-benefit analysis, multi-actor multi-criteria analysis) and city distribution. 

Course material
Course text (Required) : Sustainable Mobility and Logistics, Handboek Edition 2017, Macharis, C. and J. Van Mierlo, VUB, 2220170004648, 2017
Digital course material (Required) : Slides, scientific papers, notes
Additional info

Teaching Methods

Lecture: collective contact-dependent moments during which the lecturer engages with learning materials
- Seminar, Exercises or Practicals (Practical): collective or individual contact-dependent moments during which the students are guided to actively engage with learning materials
- Independent or External Form of Study (Self): independent study

This description of the teaching methods is indicative, in order to assess the expected study load.

Lecture: 24 hours (amounting to 2 lectures of 2 hours per week in the first 6 weeks of the semester)

Self: 64 hours

  • keeping up with the course material during the semester and run through background info, amounting to 2 hour per lecture: 24 hours (12 x 2 hours)
  • preparation exam: 40 hours (5 days of 8 hours)
Learning Outcomes

Algemene competenties

The students should be able to understand and use the basic principles of Mobility and Logistics. The objectives are that the students gain insight in and knowledge in the sustainability aspects of this domain. They should be able to use the corresponding research techniques. 

This course contributes to the following programme outcomes:

Knowledge oriented competence

  • in-depth knowledge and understanding of the advanced methods and theories to schematize and model complex problems or processes
  • reformulate complex problems in order to solve them (simplifying assumptions, reducing complexity)
  • conceive, plan and execute a research project, based on an analysis of its objectives, existing knowledge and the relevant literature, with attention to innovation and valorization in industry and society

Attitude

  • has a creative, problem-solving, result-driven and evidence-based attitude, aiming at innovation and applicability in industry and society
  • has a critical attitude towards one’s own results and those of others
  • has consciousness of the ethical, social, environmental and economic context of his/her work and strives for sustainable solutions

Attitudes

Having a creative, problem-solving, result-driven and evidence-based attitude, aiming at innovation and applicability in industry and society.

Attitudes

Having a critical attitude towards one's own results and those of others.

Attitudes

Having consciousness of the ethical, social, environmental and economic context of his/her work and strives for sustainable solutions to engineering problems including safety and quality assurance aspects.

Attitudes

Having the flexibility and adaptability to work in an international and/or intercultural context.

Attitudes

Having an attitude of life-long learning as needed for the future development of his/her career.

Teamwork

Having in-depth knowledge and understanding of exact sciences with the specificity of their application to engineering.

Presentation skills

Having a broad scientific knowledge, understanding and skills to be able to design, produce and maintain complex mechanical, electrical and/or energy systems with a focus on products, systems and services. E.g. codepo project, courses around renewable, sustainable mobility,...

Scientific competences

Can reformulate complex engineering problems in order to solve them (simplifying assumptions, reducing complexity).

Scientific competences

Can conceive, plan and execute a research project, based on an analysis of its objectives, existing knowledge and the relevant literature, with attention to innovation and valorization in industry and society.

Scientific competences

Can correctly report on research or design results in the form of a technical report or in the form of a scientific paper.

Scientific competences

Can present and defend results in a scientifically sound way, using contemporary communication tools, for a national as well as for an international professional or lay audience.

Scientific competences

Can collaborate in a (multidisciplinary) team.

Scientific competences

Can think critically about and evaluate projects, systems and processes, particularly when based on incomplete, contradictory and/or redundant information.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Written Exam with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

The written exam consist of a number (5 to 10) open questions.

Exam question examples:

  • What are external costs of transport?
  • What are the most important modal choice variables?
  • What is a macroscopic traffic model?
  • What is the growth factor model?
  • Discuss the differences between summer smog and the ozone hole.
  • How can one define the environmental friendliness of a vehicle (Ecoscore)?
Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Photonics Engineering: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Electromechanical Engineering: Vehicle Technology and Transport (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Electromechanical Engineering: Sustainable Transport and Automotive Engineering