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n.BA.UI.MNB.25HS (Sustainability Assessment Methods) 
Module: Sustainability Assessment Methods
This information was generated on: 11 June 2026
No.
n.BA.UI.MNB.25HS
Title
Sustainability Assessment Methods
Credits
5

Description

Version: 1.0 start 01 August 2025

 

Study Programme Natural Resource Sciences
Regulations Applicable RPO, 29 January 2008, School of Life Sciences and Facility Management Academic Regulations, 15 Dec. 2009, Annex for the Bachelor of Natural Resource Sciences degree programme
Module Type  
  Compulsory Module  X Elective Module    Optional Module
Planned Semester 3rd Semester
Module Coordinator René Itten
Telephone / E-Mail +41 (0)58 934 52 32 / rene.itten@zhaw.ch
Lecturer(s),
Speaker(s),
Associate(s)		 René Itten, Matthias Stucki, Gianna Lazzarini, Alice Aubert, interne und externe Lehrbeauftragte
Entrance Requirements See Digital Study Planner
Learning Outcomes and Competencies Students should be able to
  • explain and apply different methods for assessing sustainability.
  • discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods.
  • select methods that are suitable for assessing sustainability in specific use cases.
  • differentiate between types of labels and their basic structure.
  • recognise greenwashing and assess the credibility of marketing claims.
Module Content Sustainability assessment
  • Introduction and motivation
  • Qualitative and quantitative assessment
Labels and greenwashing
  • Label development and standards systems
  • The Swiss label landscape  
  • Assessment of labels with regard to sustainability and credibility
  • Blue & green washing
  • Credibility of sustainability and marketing claims
Assessment methods
  • Ecological footprint
  • Material flow analysis
  • Water footprint / virtual water
  • Life cycle analyses such as climate and eco-balance
  • Multi-criteria Analysis
Follow-up Modules See Digital Study Planner
Methods of Instruction 
  • Lectures
  • Exercises
  • Individual/partner work
  • Discussions
Digital Resources
  • Moodle
  • Excel
  • Educational videos
Lesson Structure / Workload  
 Contact Hours 56
 Guided Self-Study 34
 Independent Self-Study 60
 Total Workload 150
Classroom Attendance -
Assessment
  • Written exam at the end of the semester (80%) / e-assessment
  • Course work (20%)
If there is a low number of participants, the lecturer may change the form of a repeat examination after consultation with the head of the study programme: e.g. an oral examination can be used to replace a written one. Please report any changes to the form of examinations by e-mail to pruefungsadmin.lsfm@zhaw.ch and Cc. Head of study programme
Language of Instruction  German
Comments This module is part of the Sustainability Assessment minor.

 

Course: Sustainability Assessment Methods
No.
n.BA.UI.MNB.25HS.V
Title
Sustainability Assessment Methods

Note

  • No module description is available in the system for the cut-off date of 11 June 2026.