Design for the Circular Economy Graduate Certificate

University of Colorado Boulder via Coursera MasterTrack

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Overview

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Our current economic model is often described as “linear”, whereby we mine materials from the earth, manufacture products from them, use those products, and finally toss them in the trash when we’re done. In contrast, the “Circular Economy” represents an emergent business model focused on redesigning products to be less resource intensive and can be readily transformed into new products at the end of their life. According to the Ellen Macarthur Foundation, a leader in the transformation to a Circular Economy, “The Circular Economy is underpinned by a transition to renewable energy and materials. A circular economy decouples economic activity from the consumption of finite resources. It is a resilient system that is good for business, people and the environment.” As companies transition to this new paradigm, they require technical leaders to develop innovative circular products and processes, and to create new business models based on them.

The program is a collaboration between the University of Colorado Boulder’s Engineering Management Program and Siemens, a $60B multinational corporation headquartered in Germany. It is designed to prepare early to mid-career technical professionals for management and leadership opportunities related to the circular economy. Completing the certificate program provides the skills and knowledge needed for technical professionals to serve as key contributors in industry sustainability initiatives, as well as prepare them to become future leaders in roles such as Chief Sustainability Officer.

The Design for the Circular Economy Graduate Certificate is a 9-credit hour, 100% online program. The program offers four specializations consisting of twelve 1-credit hour courses, as outlined below. __Students are required to complete any two 3-credit hour specializations (totaling 6 credit hours), and 3 additional courses (totaling 3 credit hours), which could include another specialization, or any three topical electives from the Design for the Circular Economy Certificate electives listed below.__

In addition, students are eligible to earn a digital badge from Credly, issued by Siemens Digital Industries Software and made in partnership with the University of Colorado Boulder, that acts as a visual representation of the verified credential they have earned. This badge demonstrates to future employers that they have completed the course or specialization and have gained specific industry skills and knowledge that comes with it.

There are no prerequisites for any of the courses offered within the program, and students must achieve a B or better to obtain credit for the course. Upon successful completion of the certificate, learners could apply the 9 credits toward the CU Boulder [Master of Engineering in Engineering Management degree on Coursera. ](https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder)

Syllabus

Course 1: EMEA 5216: Sustainability and the Circular Economy
- This first course in the Applied Sustainability specialization discusses the need to shift from today’s linear economy to a circular one. The course begins with the sustainability imperative and introduces the Anthropocene. It then shifts to solutions, detailing the rapid transition to renewable energy, electric vehicles, and the design of more environmentally responsible buildings. The course closes with an overview of the circular economy, and how it is integrated into these solutions. [Learn more about this course. ](https://www.coursera.org/learn/sustainability-and-the-circular-economy)

Course 2: EMEA 5217: Applied Sustainability Engineering: Methods & Applications
- This second course in the Applied Sustainability specialization discusses the techniques used by engineers and scientists to develop and assess the environmental impact of products and processes. It discusses carbon and water footprints and how they are determined. Topics then address the different approaches to environmental analysis, including life cycle assessment, energy and material flow analysis, and eco-audits. The course concludes definitions of what constitutes circular product and packaging design. [Learn more about this course. ](https://www.coursera.org/learn/applied-sustainability-engineering)

Course 3: EMEA 5218: Leading the Circular and Sustainable Business
- This final course in the Applied Sustainability specialization discusses the business case for circularity. Topics include design of production and operations and ensuring circularity throughout the supply chain. The course then examines the marketing of circular products and what distinguishes true marketing from greenwashing. Finance is impacted by circularity and is addressed through Triple Bottom Line accounting. Finally, the course concludes with how individuals can become agents of change in the organizations where they work. [Learn more about this course.](https://www.coursera.org/learn/leading-circular-sustainable-business)

Course 4: EMEA 5226 Sustainable and Resilient Operations Management
- Operations management is the use of company resources to create value or meet a market need. Increasingly, customers are demanding more attention be paid to the environmental impacts of the goods and services they buy. In this course, students will learn concepts and practices companies employ to manage business processes that meet the needs of shareholders and employees while reducing negative impacts on pollution and waste. [Learn more about this course.](https://www.coursera.org/learn/sustainable-resilient-operations-management)

Course 5: EMEA 5227 Developing and Managing Sustainable Supply Chains
- Customers are becoming more aware of the environmental and social impacts of where and how the products they purchase are produced and delivered. Many are demanding organizations act in environmentally responsible ways. In this course, you will learn to build a more sustainable and socially responsible supply chain while meeting business expectations. [Learn more about this course.](https://www.coursera.org/learn/developing-and-managing-sustainable-supply-chains/)

Course 6: EMEA 5228 Impacts of Sustainable Operations and Supply Chains
- Innovative organizations need leaders and managers who understand the complex nature of corporate social responsibility, sustainability, and resilience. In this course, students will learn strategies to become good corporate citizens while still creating value for stakeholders. You will learn methods to measure environmental and social impacts of sustainable operations and supply chains. [Learn more about this course.](https://www.colorado.edu/emp/graduate-programs/me-em-coursera/me-em-coursera-curriculum/emea-5228-impacts-sustainable-operations)

Course 7: EMEA 5222 Product Design for the Circular Economy
- This course in the Sustainable and Circular Product Development specialization provides the tools necessary to implement Circular Economy (CE) principles. Methodologies include Cradle-to-Cradle, Design for ¿R¿, where R refers to Reuse, Repair, Remanufacturing, and Recycling. Organic materials enable the biological cycle as a component to CE. Products are often packaged, and a circular product needs to also have circular packaging. Finally, the course highlights ways designers can select the appropriate materials to achieve their circularity objectives. [Learn more about this course.](https://www.colorado.edu/emp/coursera/curriculum)

Course 8: EMEA 5223 Packaging Design for the Circular Economy
- The Circular Economy is about zero waste, where products are disassembled into their constituent components, either to be recycled or composted. While considerable attention has been on the product itself, a product can only be sustainable or circular if the packaging it comes in is also sustainable and circular. This course provides an overview of packaging today, and how it is evolving to become more sustainable. Topics include packaging systems, functionality, materials, and recycling strategies. [Learn more about this course.](https://www.colorado.edu/emp/coursera/curriculum)

Course 9: EMEA 5224 Circular Product Design Frameworks and Certifications
- This course in the Sustainable and Circular Product Development specialization provides the tools necessary to take a circular product design to the next step, including frameworks such as Cradle-to-Cradle, Biomimicry, ISO 14000 and several EU Directives. Products can be certified if they meet certain criteria, and the course covers the major certifications available today. Finally, the course shows how companies report their progress using methods prescribed by ISO standards or the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). [Learn more about this course.](https://www.colorado.edu/emp/coursera/curriculum)

Course 10: EMEA 5241 The Circular Economy
- This first course in the Circular Economy specialization defines the Circular Economy and how it differs from the linear economy. It then highlights the need to move toward a Circular Economy, and how such a transition could take place. This also requires customers going from being “consumers” to “users”, which impacts product design, and therefore challenges existing financial business models. The course concludes with several case studies highlighting companies successfully adopting Circular design practices. [Learn more about this course.](https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-circular-economy/)

Course 11: EMEA 5242 Sustainable Marketing and Consumer Trends
- As businesses increasingly recognize the importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria in their operations, understanding how to integrate sustainability goals into marketing efforts becomes essential. In this course, you will learn tools and strategies for marketing products and services with a focus on sustainability. Emphasis will be placed on aligning organizational sustainability objectives with consumer preferences and market trends. [Learn more about this course.](https://www.coursera.org/learn/sustainable-marketing-and-consumer-trends)

Course 12: EMEA 5243 Leading the Way: Becoming a Sustainability Change Agent
- As sustainability becomes increasingly central to corporate strategy, managers must be adept at leading and managing sustainability initiatives. This course will explore the principles of corporate sustainability, change management strategies, and techniques for building networks and seizing opportunities in the rapidly evolving landscape of sustainable business. It is to equip future business leaders with the knowledge, skills, and mindset required to drive sustainable change within organizations. [Learn more about this course.](https://www.coursera.org/learn/leading-the-way-becoming-a-sustainability-change-agent)