Sustainable Food Production: LCA and Carbon Footprint Calculation (2cr)
Code: C-02472-XX00DY07-3001
General information
- Enrolment period
- 01.08.2025 - 30.11.2025
- Registration for the implementation has begun.
- Timing
- 01.08.2025 - 15.12.2025
- Implementation is running.
- Credits
- 2 cr
- Institution
- Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences
- Teaching languages
- Finnish
- Seats
- 0 - 100
- Course
- C-02472-XX00DY07
Objectives (course unit)
After completing the course, the student will be able to apply the principles of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in evaluating the sustainability of food production. The student will recognize the four main phases of LCA — goal and scope definition, life cycle inventory (LCI), life cycle impact assessment (LCIA), and interpretation — and be able to clearly describe each of them. The student will be capable of selecting appropriate modeling methods and utilizing LCA databases for assessing the environmental impacts of food products. During the course, the student will gain hands-on experience with the IKE carbon footprint calculator developed by SeAMK and will be able to use it for carbon footprint assessments. The student will be able to analyze and compare the results generated through modeling and produce a clear report based on a real or realistically simulated case in food production. Additionally, the student will be able to evaluate and justify the choices made during the modeling process and identify the limitations and uncertainties related to the assessment.
Content (course unit)
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): rules and guidelines • The four main phases of LCA • LCA modeling: methods and databases • IKE carbon footprint calculator • Practical use of the IKE carbon footprint calculator • Final assignment: carbon footprint calculation
Assessment methods and criteria
After completing the course, the student will be able to apply the principles of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in evaluating the sustainability of food production. The student will recognize the four main phases of LCA — goal and scope definition, life cycle inventory (LCI), life cycle impact assessment (LCIA), and interpretation — and be able to clearly describe each of them. The student will be capable of selecting appropriate modeling methods and utilizing LCA databases for assessing the environmental impacts of food products Assessment is based on assignments completed during the course.
Assessment scale
1-5
Teaching methods
Online course independent of time and place During the course, the student will gain hands-on experience with the IKE carbon footprint calculator developed by SeAMK and will be able to use it for carbon footprint assessments. The student will be able to analyze and compare the results generated through modeling and produce a clear report based on a real or realistically simulated case in food production. Additionally, the student will be able to evaluate and justify the choices made during the modeling process and identify the limitations and uncertainties related to the assessment.
Learning materials
Course materials and instructional videos
Student workload
Teaching 15h Independent study 7h Assignments 12h Final assignment 20h
Content scheduling
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): rules and guidelines • The four main phases of LCA • LCA modeling: methods and databases • IKE carbon footprint calculator • Practical use of the IKE carbon footprint calculator • Final assignment: carbon footprint calculation