Sustainable Machinery | Gdańsk University of Technology

UNIVERSITY:

• RWTH Aachen

SUBJECT AREA:

• Smart and Sustainable Cities and Communities

CATEGORY:

• Instructor paced Courses

OFFERED TO:

• MSc Students
   

Description

Sustainable Machinery" is an interdisciplinary online course focused on the design, operation, and lifecycle assessment of machinery from a sustainability perspective. The course covers key topics such as material selection, energy efficiency, digital monitoring, eco-friendly tribological systems, and circular economy strategies. It is delivered in a modular format using short 10-minute video lessons combined with project-based learning and interactive activities. Students will work collaboratively on sustainability-driven design tasks, supported by real-life examples and digital tools.

The course is relevant for engineering and technology students who want to understand and apply sustainable design principles to mechanical systems and industrial products.

Expected learning outcomes

Knowledge:

Participants will gain a solid understanding of the principles and practices of sustainable machinery design and operation. They will learn about the environmental, economic, and social impacts of machinery throughout its lifecycle. Key topics include sustainable material selection, energy efficiency, lifecycle assessment, waste reduction strategies, and the role of digital technologies in monitoring and optimizing machinery performance. This foundational knowledge will enable learners to appreciate the importance of sustainability in engineering and industrial contexts.

Skills:

Learners will develop practical skills to evaluate and improve the sustainability of machinery in international collaborative environment. They will be able to apply methods for selecting eco-friendly materials, analyze energy consumption patterns, perform lifecycle assessments, and implement waste minimization techniques. Additionally, learners will gain competence in using digital tools for smart monitoring and predictive maintenance, which are critical for extending machinery lifespan and reducing environmental impact. These skills prepare learners to actively contribute to designing and operating machinery with sustainability goals in mind.

Responsibility and Autonomy:

Students will learn how to analyze and solve complex problems in sustainability using practical digital tools like simulations and monitoring systems. Working together with international students from the ENHANCE Alliance, they will improve their communication, teamwork, and ability to work with people from different cultures. The course encourages independent learning, helping students develop decision-making skills, manage their own work, and reflect on their progress to contribute effectively in diverse settings.

Prerequisites

Students must be enrolled in a master’s degree program. Additionally, they should have foundational knowledge in mechanical engineering, materials science, or a related engineering field, typically gained through a bachelor’s degree. These requirements ensure that students have the necessary background to understand and engage with the course material effectively.

Type of Assessment

The formal assessment consists of two parts:

1. Project Report – Students will work individually or in teams to develop a sustainability-focused solution related to machinery design, operation, or lifecycle. The report will assess their ability to apply course concepts to a practical case.
2. Final Presentation – At the end of the course, students will present their project outcomes, demonstrating their understanding, methodology, and sustainable impact of their solution.

Quality Assurance

QA by university quality assurance mechanisms  

Grading System

Grading System: The course follows the standard German grading scale from 1.0 to 5.0, where:

• 1.0 – 1.3 = Very Good
• 1.7 – 2.3 = Good
• 2.7 – 3.3 = Satisfactory
• 3.7 – 4.0 = Sufficient
• 4.1 – 5.0 = Fail

The final grade is composed of two components:

Project report: 60%

Final presentation: 40%

How to enroll

For Virtual Incoming Students from ENHANCE Partner universities: write an e-mail to the ENHANCE Team at RWTH: enhance@rwth-aachen.de using your student e-mail address.

In this e-mail, please state

• the title of this course
• your full name
• your home university
• your study program

RWTH students (limited master programs) can register directly via: https://www.rwth-aachen.de/rwthonline

Students from NTNU and Gdańsk Tech should first contact their local program coordinators to request access to the course. Once confirmed, a participation/enrollment link will be provided by the course coordinator.

Course page:

APPLY for Sustainable Machinery

ECTS: 6 ECTS

EQF: 7

LANGUAGE: English

APPLICATION PERIOD: Aug 01, 2025 - Aug 31, 2025

PLACES AVAILABLE: Limited

FORM OF PARTICIPATION: Online

TEACHING PERIOD: Oct 13, 2025 - Feb 06, 2026

DURATION: tbd (e.g. 10 weeks, 10 meeting)