Access profile

Given the multidisciplinary nature of the scientific field of the programme, there are a wide range of degrees that qualify applicants for admission. The most appropriate education for applicants to the doctoral programme in Sustainability to have will soon include bachelor’s studies in the sciences and technologies and master’s studies in Sustainability Science and Technology, the current master’s programme in Sustainability or another master’s programme in the same scientific field. In addition to having this educational background, certain personal characteristics are considered important, such as interest in the research projects being carried out in the programme, critical and analytical skills, having initiative, being consistent and persistent with work, being able to work in a team, and having suitable oral and written communication skills.

The normal admission pathway to this doctoral programme is completion of the master’s programme in Sustainability or the master’s programme in Sustainability Science and Technology, in these cases, no bridging courses will be required. The appropriateness of applicants with other master’s degrees will be assessed by the Academic Committee, who will, if necessary, define the bridging courses that must be completed.
Thus, holders of degrees in the following subject matters may be admitted into the doctoral programme in Sustainability:
• Any of the fields of engineering, architecture or construction.
• Any of the fields of the natural sciences or mathematics.
• Any of the fields of the social sciences, economics or geography.
• A higher engineering degree (pre-EHEA).
• An architecture degree (pre- EHEA).
• A licentiate degree (pre- EHEA) in the fields of the natural sciences or mathematics.
• A licentiate degree (pre- EHEA) in the fields of the social sciences, economics or geography in addition to a master’s degree in any area of engineering.

Output profile

Doctoral candidates who complete a doctoral degree will have acquired the following competencies, which are needed to carry out quality research (Royal Decree 99/2011, of 28 January, which regulates official doctoral studies):

a) A systematic understanding of the field of study and a mastery of the research skills and methods related to the field.
b) An ability to conceive, design or create, put into practice and adopt a substantial process of research or creation.
c) An ability to contribute to pushing back the frontiers of knowledge through original research.
d) A capacity for critical analysis and an ability to assess and summarise new and complex ideas.
e) An ability to communicate with the academic and scientific community and with society in general as regards their fields of knowledge in the manner and languages that are typical of the international scientific community to which they belong.
f) An ability to foster scientific, technological, social, artistic and cultural progress in academic and professional contexts within a knowledge-based society.

The award of a doctoral degree must equip the graduate for work in a variety of settings, especially those requiring creativity and innovation. Doctoral graduates must have at least acquired the personal skills needed to:

a) Develop in contexts in which there is little specific information.
b) Find the key questions that must be answered to solve a complex problem.
c) Design, create, develop and undertake original, innovative projects in their field.
d) Work as part of a team and independently in an international or multidisciplinary context.
e) Integrate knowledge, deal with complexity and make judgements with limited information.
f) Offer criticism on and intellectually defend solutions.

Finally, with respect to competencies, doctoral students must:
a) have acquired advanced knowledge at the frontier of their discipline and demonstrated, in the context of internationally recognised scientific research, a deep, detailed and well-grounded understanding of theoretical and practical issues and scientific methodology in one or more research fields;
b) have made an original and significant contribution to scientific research in their field of expertise that has been recognised as such by the international scientific community;
c) have demonstrated that they are capable of designing a research project that serves as a framework for carrying out a critical analysis and assessment of imprecise situations, in which they are able to apply their contributions, expertise and working method to synthesise new and complex ideas that yield a deeper knowledge of the research context in which they work;
d) have developed sufficient autonomy to set up, manage and lead innovative research teams and projects and scientific collaborations (both national and international) within their subject area, in multidisciplinary contexts and, where appropriate, with a substantial element of knowledge transfer;
e) have demonstrated that they are able to carry out their research activity in a socially responsible manner and with scientific integrity;
f) have demonstrated, within their specific scientific context, that they are able to make cultural, social or technological advances and promote innovation in all areas within a knowledge-based society;
g) have demonstrated that they are able to participate in scientific discussions at the international level in their field of expertise and disseminate the results of their research activity to audiences of all kinds.

Number of places

10

Duration of studies and dedication regime

Duration
The maximum period of study for full-time doctoral studies is three years, counted from the date of admission to the programme to the date of submission of the doctoral thesis. The academic committee of the doctoral programme may authorise a doctoral candidate to pursue doctoral studies on a part-time basis. In this case, the maximum period of study is five years, counting from the date of admission to the programme to the date of submission of the doctoral thesis. For calculating these periods, the date of admission is considered to be the date of the first enrolment for tutorials, and the date of submission the moment in which the Doctoral School officially deposits the doctoral thesis.

For full-time doctoral candidates, the minimum period of study is two years, counted from the date of an applicant's admission to the programme until the date on which the doctoral thesis is deposited; for part-time doctoral candidates it is four years. When there are justified grounds for doing so, and the thesis supervisor and academic tutor have given their authorisation, doctoral candidates may request that the academic committee of their doctoral programme exempt them from the minimum period of study requirement.

The calculation of periods of study will not include periods of absence due to illness, pregnancy or any other reason provided for in the regulations in force. Students who find themselves in any of these circumstances must notify the academic committee of the doctoral programme, which, where appropriate, must inform the Doctoral School. Doctoral candidates may also temporarily withdraw from the programme for up to one year, and this period may be extended for an additional year. Doctoral candidates who wish to interrupt their studies must submit a justified request to the academic committee of the doctoral programme, which will decide whether or not to approve the request. Each programme will establish conditions for readmission to doctoral studies.

Extension
If full-time doctoral candidates have not applied to deposit their thesis by the end of the three-year period of study, the academic committee of the programme may authorise an extension of up to one year. In exceptional circumstances, a further one-year extension may be granted, subject to the conditions established by the corresponding doctoral programme. In the case of part-time doctoral candidates, an extension of two years may be authorised. In both cases, in exceptional circumstances a further one-year extension may be granted by the Doctoral School's Standing Committee, upon the submission of a reasoned application by the academic committee of the doctoral programme.

Dismissal from the doctoral programme
A doctoral candidate may be dismissed from a doctoral programme for the following reasons:

• The doctoral candidate submitting a justified application to withdraw from the programme.
• The maximum period of study and of extensions thereof ending.
• The doctoral candidate not having enrolled every academic year (unless he or she has been authorised to temporarily withdraw).
• The doctoral candidate failing two consecutive assessments.
• The doctoral candidate having disciplinary proceedings filed against him or her that rule that he or she must be dismissed from the UPC.

Dismissal from the programme implies that doctoral candidates cannot continue studying at the UPC and the closing of their academic record. This notwithstanding, they may apply to the academic committee of the programme for readmission and the committee must reevaluate them in accordance with the criteria established in the regulations.

Organization

• Gil Roig, Jose Maria

• Aranda Gimo, Silvia
• Etxeberria Larrañaga, Miren
• Gil Roig, Jose Maria
• Mehaba, Wafa
• Pujadas Alvarez, Pablo
• Villares Junyent, Miriam

• University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology (PROMOTORA)

Office 202 – Building C2 (North Campus)
Tel.: 934 017 094
E-mail: doctorat.sos.camins@upc.edu

Access profile

Given the multidisciplinary nature of the scientific field of the programme, there are a wide range of degrees that qualify applicants for admission. The most appropriate education for applicants to the doctoral programme in Sustainability to have will soon include bachelor’s studies in the sciences and technologies and master’s studies in Sustainability Science and Technology, the current master’s programme in Sustainability or another master’s programme in the same scientific field. In addition to having this educational background, certain personal characteristics are considered important, such as interest in the research projects being carried out in the programme, critical and analytical skills, having initiative, being consistent and persistent with work, being able to work in a team, and having suitable oral and written communication skills.

The normal admission pathway to this doctoral programme is completion of the master’s programme in Sustainability or the master’s programme in Sustainability Science and Technology, in these cases, no bridging courses will be required. The appropriateness of applicants with other master’s degrees will be assessed by the Academic Committee, who will, if necessary, define the bridging courses that must be completed.
Thus, holders of degrees in the following subject matters may be admitted into the doctoral programme in Sustainability:
• Any of the fields of engineering, architecture or construction.
• Any of the fields of the natural sciences or mathematics.
• Any of the fields of the social sciences, economics or geography.
• A higher engineering degree (pre-EHEA).
• An architecture degree (pre- EHEA).
• A licentiate degree (pre- EHEA) in the fields of the natural sciences or mathematics.
• A licentiate degree (pre- EHEA) in the fields of the social sciences, economics or geography in addition to a master’s degree in any area of engineering.

Access requirements

Applicants must hold a Spanish bachelor’s degree or equivalent and a Spanish master’s degree or equivalent, provided they have completed a minimum of 300 ECTS credits on the two degrees (Royal Decree 43/2015, of 2 February)

In addition, the following may apply:

• Holders of an official degree awarded by a university in Spain or any other country in the European Higher Education Area, pursuant to the provisions of Article 16 of Royal Decree 1393/2007, of 29 October, which establishes official university course regulations, who have completed a minimum of 300 ECTS credits on official university degrees, of which at least 60 must be at the master's degree level.
• Holders of an official Spanish bachelor’s degree comprising at least 300 credits, as provided for by EU regulations. Holder of degrees of this kind must complete bridging courses unless the curriculum of the bachelor’s degree in question included research training credits equivalent in value to those which would be earned on a master's degree.
• Holders of an official university qualification who, having passed the entrance examination for specialised medical training, have completed at least two years of a training course leading to an official degree in a health-sciences specialisation.
• Holders of a degree issued under a foreign education system. In these cases, homologation is not required, but the UPC must verify that the degree certifies a level of training equivalent to an official Spanish master's degree and qualifies the holder for admission to doctoral studies in the country where it was issued. Admission on this basis does not imply homologation of the foreign degree or its recognition for any purpose other than admission to doctoral studies.
• Holders of a Spanish doctoral qualification issued under previous university regulations.

Note 1: Doctoral studies entrance regulations for holders of an undergraduate degree awarded before the introduction of the EHEA (CG 47/02 2014)

Note 2: Governing Council Decision 64/2014, which approves the procedure and criteria for assessing the fulfilment of academic admission requirements for doctoral studies by holders of non-homologated foreign degrees (CG 25/03 2014)

Admission criteria and merits assessment

With regard to the doctoral programme in Sustainability, the selection and admission of candidates is the responsibility of the programme’s academic committee.

 • Candidate’s CV, motivation for research work and references provided (50%).
• The availability of a grant or funding to complete a thesis (40%).

The following will also be considered:
• Grades earned in previous degree programmes. Average grade on the academic transcripts that enable admission to the doctoral programme (4%).
• Level of English. Knowledge of other languages will also be considered favourably (4%).
• Interview with the candidate (if the Committee finds it necessary) (2%).

Training complements

The academic committee for the programme may require that doctoral students pass specific bridging courses. In this case, the Committee will monitor the bridging courses and set up appropriate criteria to limit their length.

The courses shall involve training in research, but in no case will candidates be required to enrol in 60 or more ECTS credits (as per the academic regulations for doctoral studies, bridging courses could also include transversal education, but this is likely to be changed to include only research-related credits, especially in cases of 300-ECTS-credit doctoral programmes).

Depending on the doctoral student activity report, the programme’s Academic Committee may propose measures, in addition to those established by current regulations, that would disassociate candidates who do not meet the established requisites.

In the doctoral programme in Sustainability, applicants who have graduated from associated master’s programmes (i.e., the master’s programmes in Sustainability Science and Technology, and in Technology for Human Development and Cooperation, both offered by the UPC) will not be required to take bridging courses.

In this doctoral programme, student-specific supplementary requisites for methodological of scientific training may be defined by the academic committee when a candidate is admitted, depending on his/her background. This additional coursework shall pertain to subjects taught in the master’s programmes associated with this doctoral programme (the master’s programmes in Sustainability Science and Technology, and in Technology for Human Development and Cooperation, both offered by the UPC).

Thesis supervisors, based on their observations of candidates’ shortcomings, or the need for additional training in one or more areas pertaining to doctoral theses, may require candidates to complete specific training. This training will take place in the form of attending specialised courses, seminars, workshops or completing stays in research centres that allow candidates to complete their training in specific aspects related to their theses.

The time limit for completing this additional training and bridging courses is one and a half years (18 months), if the completion of said courses is required by the programme’s Academic Committee as a condition for the candidate’s admittance. The Committee may remove students who have not completed the required bridging courses within 18 months.

Given that there is no specific profile that grants access to the doctoral programme in Sustainability, bridging courses, if necessary, will be selected from the master’s degree programmes that depend on the UPC’s Sustainability Institute.

Enrolment period for new doctoral students

Ordinary enrolment: September-October.

Special enrolment: February.

More information at the registration section for new doctoral students

Enrolment period

Ordinary enrolment: September-October.

More information at the general registration section

Procedure for the preparation and defense of the research plan

Doctoral candidates must submit a research plan, which will be included in their doctoral student activity report, before the end of the first year. The plan may be improved over the course of the doctoral degree. It must be endorsed by the tutor and the supervisor, and it must include the method that is to be followed and the aims of the research.

At least one of these annual assessments will include a public presentation and defence of the research plan and work done before a committee composed of three doctoral degree holders, which will be conducted in the manner determined by each academic committee. The examination committee awards a Pass or Fail mark. A Pass mark is a prerequisite for continuing on the doctoral programme. Doctoral candidates awarded a Fail mark must submit a new research plan for assessment by the academic committee of the doctoral programme within six months.

The committee assesses the research plan every year, in addition to all of the other activities in the doctoral student activity report. Doctoral candidates who are awarded two consecutive Fail marks for the research plan will be obliged to definitely withdraw from the programme.

If they change the subject of their thesis, they must submit a new research plan.

Formation activities

Activity: tutorial.
Hours: 288.

Activity: Training in information skills.
Hours: 1.5.
Type: optional.

Activity: Research methodology.
Hours: 12.
Type: optional.

Activity: Innovation and creativity.
Hours: 8.
Type: optional.

Activity: Language and communication skills.
Hours: 18.
Type: optional.

Activity: Courses and seminars.
Hours: 16.
Type: optional.

Activity: Workshops.
Hours: 20.
Type: optional.

Activity: Publications.
Hours: 280.
Type: optional.

Procedure for assignment of tutor and thesis director

The academic committee of the doctoral programme assigns a thesis supervisor to each doctoral candidate when they are admitted or enrol for the first time, taking account of the thesis supervision commitment referred to in the admission decision.

The thesis supervisor will ensure that training activities carried out by the doctoral candidate are coherent and suitable, and that the topic of the candidate’s doctoral thesis will have an impact and make a novel contribution to knowledge in the relevant field. The thesis supervisor will also guide the doctoral candidate in planning the thesis and, if necessary, tailoring it to any other projects or activities undertaken. The thesis supervisor will generally be a UPC professor or researcher who holds a doctoral degree and has documented research experience. This includes PhD-holding staff at associated schools (as determined by the Governing Council) and UPC-affiliated research institutes (in accordance with corresponding collaboration and affiliation agreements). When thesis supervisors are UPC staff members, they also act as the doctoral candidate’s tutor.

PhD holders who do not meet these criteria (as a result of their contractual relationship or the nature of the institution to which they are attached) must be approved by the UPC Doctoral School's Standing Committee in order to participate in a doctoral programme as researchers with documented research experience.

The academic committee of the doctoral programme may approve the appointment of a PhD-holding expert who is not a UPC staff member as a candidate’s thesis supervisor. In such cases, the prior authorisation of the UPC Doctoral School's Standing Committee is required. A UPC staff member who holds a doctoral degree and has documented research experience must also be proposed to act as a co-supervisor, or as the doctoral candidate’s tutor if one has not been assigned.

A thesis supervisor may step down from this role if there are justified reasons (recognised as valid by the committee) for doing so. If this occurs, the academic committee of the doctoral programme will assign the doctoral candidate a new thesis supervisor.

Provided there are justified reasons for doing so, and after hearing any relevant input from the doctoral candidate, the academic committee of the doctoral programme may assign a new thesis supervisor at any time during the period of doctoral study.

If there are academic reasons for doing so (an interdisciplinary topic, joint or international programmes, etc.) and the academic committee of the programme gives its approval, an additional thesis supervisor may be assigned. Supervisors and co-supervisors have the same responsibilities and academic recognition.

The maximum number of supervisors of a doctoral thesis is two: a supervisor and a co-supervisor.

For theses carried out under a cotutelle agreement or as part of an Industrial Doctorate, if necessary and if the agreement foresees it this maximum number of supervisors may not apply. This notwithstanding, the maximum number of supervisors belonging to the UPC is two.

More information at the PhD theses section

Permanence

The academic committee of the programme may authorise an extension of up to one year for full-time doctoral candidates who have not applied to deposit their thesis by the end of the three-year period of study, in the terms outlined in the Academic Regulations for Doctoral Studies of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. In the case of part-time candidates, an extension of two years may be authorised. In both cases, in exceptional circumstances a further one-year extension may be granted by the Doctoral School's Standing Committee, upon the submission of a reasoned application by the academic committee of the doctoral programme.

A doctoral candidate may be dismissed from a doctoral programme for the following reasons:

• The doctoral candidate submitting a justified application to withdraw from the programme.
• The maximum period of study and of extensions thereof ending.
• The doctoral candidate not having enrolled every academic year (unless he or she has been authorised to temporarily withdraw).
• The doctoral candidate failing two consecutive assessments.
• The doctoral candidate having disciplinary proceedings filed against him or her that rule that he or she must be dismissed from the UPC.

Dismissal from the programme implies that doctoral candidates cannot continue studying at the UPC and the closing of their academic record. This notwithstanding, they may apply to the academic committee of the programme for readmission and the committee must reevaluate them in accordance with the criteria established in the regulations.

International Mention

The doctoral degree certificate may include International Doctorate mention. In this case, the doctoral candidate must meet the following requirements:

a) During the period of study leading to the award of the doctoral degree, the doctoral candidate must have spent at least three months at a respected higher education institution or research centre outside Spain to complete courses or do research work. The stays and activities carried out must be endorsed by the thesis supervisor and authorised by the academic committee of the programme. The candidate must provide a certifying document issued by the person responsible for the research group of the body or bodies where the stay or activity was completed. This information will be added to the doctoral student’s activity report.
b) Part of the thesis (at least the summary and conclusions) must be written and presented in one of the languages commonly used for science communication in the relevant field of knowledge, which must not be an official language of Spain. This rule does not apply to stays and reports in Spanish or to experts from Spanish-speaking countries.
c) At least two PhD-holding experts belonging to a higher education institution or research centre outside Spain must have issued officially certified reports on the thesis.
d) The thesis examination committee must have included at least one PhD-holding expert from a higher education or research institution outside Spain who was not responsible for the candidate’s stay abroad (point a) above).
e) The thesis defence must have taken place on UPC premises or, in the case of joint programmes, at the location specified in the collaboration agreement.

List of authorized thesis for defense

• BOTERO POSADA, SIMÓN ANDRÉS: Caracterización y modelación del sistema agroalimentario sostenible en la comunidad de Ziparadó, Resguardo indígena Embera Dóbida de Tanela, municipio de Unguía, departamento del Chocó, Colombia.
  
  Author: BOTERO POSADA, SIMÓN ANDRÉS
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN SUSTAINABILITY
  Department: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology (IS.UPC)
  Mode: Normal
  Deposit date: 25/07/2022
  Reading date: pending
  Reading time: pending
  Reading place: pending
  Thesis director: ALVAREZ DEL CASTILLO, JAVIER | RÍOS OSORIO, LEONARDO ALBERTO
  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: NICHOLLS ESTRADA, CLARA
       SECRETARI: MORATO FARRERAS, JORDI
       VOCAL NO PRESENCIAL: VAN HOOF, BERNHARDUS
  Thesis abstract: Agro-food systems in indigenous communities, due to their characteristics of complexity and adaptability, must be studied from a multidimensional perspective. In this class of systems, economic, political, environmental, social and cultural factors intervene, and among these there are multiple systemic interrelationships that affect the processes of production, processing, distribution and consumption of foodThe text includes three chapters, related to the specific objectives of this research in which a methodological research proposal is presented, from which it was possible to build a theoretical model of an agri-food system based on socio-ecological resilience, as an essential characteristic for the Sustainability of the agri-food systems of the Ziparadó community in the Embera Dóbida indigenous reservation of Tanela, located in the municipality of Unguía, department of Chocó, ColombiaThe first chapter corresponds to the documentary stage of the Participatory Evaluative Research -IEP- (acronym in Spanish), where a systematic review of the scientific literature was carried out in accordance with the PRISMA declaration. The selected documents presented topics related to rural communities and their agri-food systems, alternative food networks, farmers' markets, community agriculture, among others. Those texts in which reference was made to industrial-type agri-food systems were excludedIn the second chapter, the diagnostic stage of the (IEP) was developed, which consists of two moments: Exploratory and Deepening, in which, through mixed methods, a characterization of the functional and structural aspects of six agri-food systems of indigenous families was carried outThe third chapter established a theoretical model of a sustainable agri-food system for the indigenous community of Ziparadó, based on socio-ecological resilience and applying the methodology of complex systems.
  

Last update: 06/10/2022 04:45:23.

List of lodged theses

Last update: 06/10/2022 04:30:28.

List of defended theses by year

• BALTÀ SALVADOR, ROSÓ: L'experiència acadèmica i el benestar de l'estudiantat en situació de risc en estudis STEM
  
  Author: BALTÀ SALVADOR, ROSÓ
  Thesis link: http://hdl.handle.net/10803/675186
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN SUSTAINABILITY
  Department: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology (IS.UPC)
  Mode: Article-based thesis
  Reading date: 29/06/2022
  Thesis director: OLMEDO TORRE, NOELIA | PEÑA CARRERA, MARTA
  

  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: ESPINACH ORUS, FRANCISCO JAVIER
       SECRETARI: LUSA GARCIA, AMAIA
       VOCAL: CAMARERO FIGUEROLA, MARTA
  Thesis abstract: One of the main goals of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development is to guarantee quality education for all students, especially the most vulnerable. Engineering studies are a key element in educating and training future generations in the design and development of innovative solutions that contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, some situations may prevent the provision of quality education for all students. This research explores two of them: (1) students who are part of minority groups, specifically foreign-born students, and (2) learning during an emergency situation. As previous literature has shown, these are two threatening contexts involving multiple factors that can have a negative impact on students, affecting their performance and academic persistence. This thesis aims to provide a better understanding of the factors that intervene in engineering students' educational experience and well-being when they find themselves in these situations to determine how the elements studied can compromise their development and prevent them from benefiting from an equitable and quality education. The research is based on three analytical-descriptive studies, two of them using cross-sectional surveys and one of them using a longitudinal survey. The questionnaires were distributed to undergraduate engineering students at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC). From the data collected, descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used to perform the analysis. The results showed that the risk situations analyzed do indeed have an impact on the well-being and academic experience of the students. Among other detrimental effects, it is worth highlighting the decrease in psychological well-being, such as in students' self-esteem and the feelings of worry, discouragement, discomfort, and vigilance. The situations analyzed also have a significant impact on their learning and academic development, to the point of leading students to drop out of their studies. To address the risks to which students are exposed and mitigate their negative affect, this thesis identifies good practices and recommendations that will help academic institutions develop appropriate support systems.
  

• BERMEJO PLANA, DAVID: Experimental investigation of the influence of hydrodynamic cavitation on heat generation
  
  Author: BERMEJO PLANA, DAVID
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN SUSTAINABILITY
  Department: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology (IS.UPC)
  Mode: Temporary seizure
  Reading date: 03/06/2022
  Thesis director: RUIZ MANSILLA, RAFAEL | ESCALER PUIGORIOL, FRANCESC XAVIER
  

  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: RUDOLF, PAVEL
       SECRETARI: CORTINA PALLAS, JOSE LUIS
       VOCAL NO PRESENCIAL: DULAR, MATEVZ
  Thesis abstract: The fresh water scarcity has become a concern for societies as a result of the scientific evidence about climate change and the intensive human activities. Thermal separation is one of the best available techniques for waste water treatment where the pollutants are removed from wastewaters by evaporating the water at the expense of large amounts of energy. In many industries there is no access to heat waste, thus a clean source of energy is required. The so-called hydrodynamic heat generators are claimed as high efficiency heating devices, avoiding scaling by warming liquids without transfer surfaces with the help of cavitation effects. However, neither the heat transfer mechanisms nor the amount of energy released to the surrounding liquid have been sufficiently understood yet. Based on this, the objective of the thesis has been to investigate the effects of cavitation on heating processes confirm the generation of heat in cavitating hydraulic systems and quantify the energy released by cavitation. The produced knowledge about the heat transfer mechanisms and the behaviour of cavitation in heat processes helps to assess the design of hydrodynamic heat generators. For that, an experimental approach has been adopted in a new test rig devoted to study the macroscale thermodynamic effects of attached sheet cavitation developed inside an ad hoc converging-diverging pipe with asymmetric rectangular cross section. This cavitation tunnel has been equipped with a control system to set a wide range of stable flow conditions by means of the centrifugal pump rotating speed and the opening ratio of a control valve. A pneumatic system has permitted to modify the reference pressure and a data acquisition system is used to record the operating parameters such as the pressures, temperatures and pump electrical power consumption and rotating speed. Initially, a series of short-term tests at non-cavitating and cavitating regimes have been performed to map the operation of the test rig and the flow behaviour at the test section. During these tests, the cavitation morphology and dynamic behaviour has been identified and measured with the help of high-speed video recording. Then, a series of long-term tests have been conducted at homologous pump¿s operating points at non-cavitating and cavitating regimes to compare the heat generation between them. The obtained results have demonstrated that the cavitation flow behaviour inside the Venturi-like test section along the full operating range of the closed loop pumping system is in good agreement with previous studies. Moreover, the behaviour of the cavitating flow has been found similar to that exhibited by chocked compressible gas flows: the static pressure at the inlet section rises as flow rate increases while the cavitation number remains constant. Thus, the pressure at the inlet section becomes proportional to the dynamic pressure at the throat with the inception and development of cavitation. On the basis of these observations, a new flow coefficient has been derived which remains constant at any cavitating regime. In relation to the temperature effects, the results have demonstrated a linear dependency of the rising temperature rate with the generated hydraulic power. However, no evidence has been found confirming that the presence of cavitation inside the test section influences significantly the rising temperature rates when homologous operating points at non-cavitating and cavitating regimes are compared. Contrarily, only the external temperature has been found to play an important role in the heating process.
  

• GUADARRAMA FUENTES, OMAR VICENTE: Un enfoque holísitico para evaluar la Sostenibilidad de las Indicaciones Geográficas: una aplicación a las DOP de aceite en Cataluña
  
  Author: GUADARRAMA FUENTES, OMAR VICENTE
  Thesis link: http://hdl.handle.net/10803/674493
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN SUSTAINABILITY
  Department: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology (IS.UPC)
  Mode: Normal
  Reading date: 01/06/2022
  Thesis director: GIL ROIG, JOSE MARIA
  

  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: BELLETTI, GIOVANNI
       SECRETARI: KALLAS CALOT, ZEIN
       VOCAL: BRUGAROLAS MOLLA-BAUZA, MARGARITA MARÍA
  Thesis abstract: The importance of Geographical Indications (GI) has grown considerably in recent years as an opportunity for product differentiation for specific segments of the population. The continuous increase in the number of certified products, as well as their growing economic importance, has determined that the scientific literature has found in this type of products an interesting source of inspiration. Much of the recent literature has focused on analysing the sustainability of these production systems from an economic, social and environmental point of view. However, few studies have addressed the overall sustainability of GIs by adopting a holistic and multidimensional approach. Taking into account the existing limitations in the literature, the main contribution of this thesis has been to develop a methodological approach to assess the sustainability of agri-food production systems linked to GIs, based on three criteria: holistic approach, ability to resolve conflicts between indicators, and ease of monitoring. In addition, the aim is to offer a tool that facilitates the development of strategic plans for GIs to improve their sustainability commitments to society. To achieve this objective, this Thesis has been structured in three chapters. Chapter 2 analyses and prioritizes the main discourses that have been generated in the literature on GIs using the Q-Methodology. The chapter reviews the literature on GIs and concludes that the main discourses surrounding GIs are articulated along three axes: governance, differentiated product quality, and contribution to territorial development. Chapter 3 reviews the existing literature on sustainability indicators and develops a methodological proposal that includes 36 individual indicators and a synthetic indicator. This synthetic indicator is calculated using the Fuzzy Hierarchical Analytical Process based on the opinions of 55 experts related to GIs (Regulatory Councils, heads of Public Administrations and researchers). A tool is also designed to assess the strategic positioning of GIs. Chapter 4 presents the application of the approach analysed in Chapter 3 to the five-olive oil PDOs in Catalonia (Baix Ebre and Montsià, Garrigues, Empordà, Siurana and Terra Alta). The results indicate a very satisfactory level of sustainability in the five PDOs analysed, although with potential for improvement in the environmental pillar. The thesis ends with Chapter 5, which includes the main conclusions of the results obtained, a self-critical review of the work and suggestions for future lines of research. Keywords: Sustainable geographical indications; Arguments of the GI discourse; Synthetic sustainability indicator.
  

• LÓPEZ DÍAZ, MARÍA TERESA DE JESÚS: Contextualización de la enseñanza de las matemáticas en las carreras tecnológicas
  
  Author: LÓPEZ DÍAZ, MARÍA TERESA DE JESÚS
  Thesis link: http://hdl.handle.net/10803/675070
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN SUSTAINABILITY
  Department: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology (IS.UPC)
  Mode: Article-based thesis
  Reading date: 22/07/2022
  Thesis director: PEÑA CARRERA, MARTA
  

  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: MAS MARÍ, JOSÉ
       SECRETARI: RODELLAR BENEDE, JOSE JULIAN
       VOCAL NO PRESENCIAL: DE TERÁN DE VERGARA, FERNANDO
  Thesis abstract: The teaching of Mathematics has been always a matter of great concern at all academic levels and more especially in technological degrees. Both the contents of mathematical subjects and the way they are taught, have been always questioned. Currently, students have less interest in technological degrees and the dropout rate has increased in first courses of these studies. One of the main reasons is the lack of motivation that students have towards mathematical subjects in these first academic years, which is derived in most cases, from the lack of awareness about the importance of Mathematics for their academic progress and for their future profession. Likewise, technological knowledge is becoming more specialized, as well as fundamental for economic development of present societies, thus experts in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) disciplines are more required and the occupation demand of STEM professionals is expected to increase. The fact that there are fewer students interested in technological degrees and that these specialists are the most demanded, accentuate the concern of educators and professionals involved. The main objective of this thesis is to increase students¿ motivation and involvement towards mathematical subjects in first academic years of technological degrees through the contextualization of these subjects in the different disciplines which compose their degrees, so that students became aware of the importance of Mathematics for the development of their degree and for their future career. In this way, students¿ interest towards Mathematics increase, growing their academic performance and decreasing the dropout failure rate in these degrees. So, this work has as a goal, the improvement of the quality education in technological degrees, in which the required knowledge for the education in sustainable development is taught, and therefore it contributes to the achievement of the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) proposed by Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in the 2030 Agenda. To attain these objectives, the implementation of practical mathematical applications related to the disciplines that students will learn in next academic years, have been undertaken. To this end, in the 2019/2020 y 2020/2021 academic years, the seminars ¿Applications of Mathematics in Engineering I: Linear Algebra¿, and ¿Applications of Mathematics in Engineering II: Multivariable Calculus¿, in UPC (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech), based on the teaching of these subjects through the execution of real problems, where the mathematical concepts which are part of those subjects, are necessary to solve the problems. To analyze the effect that these seminars have caused on the students, anonymous surveys has been held, where students have valued these sessions regarding to their motivation improvement and to the learning of mathematical concepts through practical applications. Moreover, at the end of each seminar, personal interviews have been undertaken, in which students have been able to express straightforwardly their opinion about these sessions. The results obtained confirm that the implementation of real mathematical problems increases their motivation and improves the learning of the developed mathematical concepts, what implies a performance increase and a dropout rate decrease in first academic years of technological degrees. This entails a greater interest in STEM degrees, which are essential for economic development of present societies.
  

• PEJMAN, NILOOFAR: Animal welfare in Europe and Iran: policy perspective and society
  
  Author: PEJMAN, NILOOFAR
  Thesis link: http://hdl.handle.net/10803/673996
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN SUSTAINABILITY
  Department: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology (IS.UPC)
  Mode: Normal
  Reading date: 10/03/2022
  Thesis director: KALLAS CALOT, ZEIN
  

  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: BRUGAROLAS MOLLA-BAUZA, MARGARITA MARÍA
       SECRETARI: RAHMANI MEDDOUR, DJAMEL
       VOCAL NO PRESENCIAL: COSTA FONT, MONTSERRAT
  Thesis abstract: Intensive animal production systems are compromising current animal welfare standards. Societies' growing concerns regarding how animals are raised have resulted in continuous policy reforms and regulations that have banned certain intensive farming methods. However, these concerns toward animal welfare can vary across different countries and cultures. In many developed countries, EU policymakers are continuously identifying and implementing more restrictive regulations driven by social changes that go beyond the current minimum animal welfare requirements. However, animal welfare is also an emerging concern in developing countries. In this context, the main objectives of this thesis are threefold: Firstly, to analyze the EU consumers' and citizens' attitudes towards more restrictive animal welfare (AW) regulations. The Logit Model (LM) regression was used in eight European countries (Spain, the United Kingdom, Poland, Greece, Lithuania, Romania, Italy, and Sweden) on a sample of 3860 respondents. The results showed that consumers are more reluctant to adopt more restrictive regulations than respondents in their role of citizens. Respondents from northern European countries (Poland and Sweden) are more likely to support more restrictive animal welfare regulations than respondents from southern countries (Spain and Italy). Women were found to be more concerned with the welfare of pigs and laying hens, giving credibility to the Internet as an information source and more likely to support more restrictive animal welfare legislation. Secondly, the students' opinions towards the inclusion of the AW subjects in their educational program were analyzed. The Logit Model (LM) from eight European Union (EU) countries with 1,952 secondary students and 1,929 graduate students was also used. The results showed that female university students with a high level of subjective and objective knowledge on AW and who required more restrictive AW regulations gave support to include the concept in their educational programs. However, students who support medical experiments that use animals to improve human health were less likely to accept the inclusion of the AW in their educational curricula. Furthermore, students in Italy compared to those in Sweden were prone to support AW educational programs. Thirdly, in order to have a comparative view of a developing country compared to results in EU, Iranian citizens' and consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for animal welfare (AW) milk products were analyzed using the choice experiment. The results indicate that citizens are willing to pay the highest price for traditional AW milk but not for industrial and traditional milk without AW certification. Moreover, individuals in their role as consumers exhibit a higher WTP for all types of milk but with a marked preference for industrial AW than traditional. Citizen's women and those who rely on the Internet were more concerned with dairy cattle farms and were more likely to choose AW milk. Citizens below 55 years of age were more reluctant to pay a premium to choose industrial and traditional milk without AW certification. Furthermore, consumer women and those who do not have children show a higher preference for industrial AW milk with lower animal welfare standards. However, consumers who support using animals for sport and those who assign high credibility to the television as an information source were less likely to pay a premium for AW products. Our results highlighted that both consumers and citizens are demanding higher standards regarding animal welfare. Consumers by purchasing animal welfare-friendly products and citizens by adopting a holistic approach to society legislation to achieve a minimum standard of welfare conditions. Finally, our results highlight the importance of policymakers adopting reforms that are in accordance with societal preferences and concerns to create more effective and acceptable animal welfare policies.
  

• RAMÍREZ AGUDELO, NANCY ANDREA: Nature-based solutions for waterfronts reconfigurations: Litoral Besòs, analysis of an urban sustainability transition in the Barcelona metropolitan area
  
  Author: RAMÍREZ AGUDELO, NANCY ANDREA
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN SUSTAINABILITY
  Department: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology (IS.UPC)
  Mode: Temporary seizure
  Reading date: 01/07/2022
  Thesis director: ROCA BOSCH, ELISABETH | DE PABLO RIBAS, JOAN
  

  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: ROVIRA BOIXADERAS, MIGUEL ARCANGEL
       SECRETARI: MORATO FARRERAS, JORDI
       VOCAL NO PRESENCIAL: SULEIMAN, LINA
  Thesis abstract: Cities need to respond urgently to societal challenges, such as urbanization, changes in climate, and risk management. These challenges require innovative solutions in urban systems developed with citizens to provide multiple benefits and more inclusive living environments. Nature-based solutions (NBS) are currently attracting the interest of public policy and urban research for addressing these needs, considering the social, ecological, and technological dimensions with a territorial focus. NBS implementation is-an ongoing, broad and local change process that shifts different urban domains and generates impacts and benefits for all citizens. For example, NBS are used in waterfront reconfigurations as alternative practices to address water quality and quantity challenges, among other issues, while promoting ecosystem services and creating new green infrastructure.This thesis analyzes NBS implementation as a strategy (understood as processes, results, and impacts) to address water in peri-urban areas and produce transformative effects. The case study method and the concept of urban sustainability transitions as -fundamental, structural, and multidimensional change- are used for this purpose. The research develops a systematic literature review of NBS implementation experiences globally, which aided in identifying barriers and lessons learned, emphasizing communication and monitoring to facilitate actors¿ participation. Subsequently, a case study in the Barcelona metropolitan area is analyzed in-depth, the Litoral Besòs, through semi-structured interviews with local actors, user surveys, and participant observation in public participatory processes in urban planning. The case study has verified how the NBS implemented have favored transformative shifts of the Litoral Besòs.The NBS as a riverside park and constructed wetlands addressed water problems, enabling the development of reuse technologies, natural capital regeneration, and keeping resources in use, which ultimately is an advancement for a more sustainable urban water management. However, citizens (as frequent users) can play a more significant role in NBS management and scalability. Citizens¿ perceptions, through regular monitoring, could contribute to NBS management while increasing knowledge and awareness about the benefits and biotic management. In addition, by participating in the seafront redevelopment formulation, citizens exposed the need for mediation between the urban sustainability accounts (opposing, non-conflictual, and reinforcing), advocating a more socially just aim in this reconfiguration.The findings show how NBS promote physical changes and environmental improvements, such as multifunctionality and hybridization for place-based transitions. New cultural experiences and practices include citizenship as a direct beneficiary, user, and participant. This shift in multi-actor dynamics is an iterative process, requiring flexibility for long-term urban change. NBS have the potential to support the needed social-ecological-technological transition to urban sustainability. Therefore, NBS, as providers of adaptive capacities, must still overcome some constraints, which makes necessary to favor institutional shifts, more open-ended urban planning practices, and bottom-up management strategies. Finally, the NBS reframe urban issues by highlighting social and climate justice in alternative visions of the future, encouraging more inclusive and thus more resilient urban reconfigurations.Keywords: urban governance; social vulnerability; circular economy; place-based transition; multi-actor dynamics; urban experimentation; problem reframing; visioning importance; Besòs riverside park; Three Chimneys litoral front
  

Last update: 06/10/2022 05:01:04.

Research groups

• AIEM-Architecture, energy and environment
• ATEM-Structural and Materials Technology
• CAP-High Performace Computing Group
• CEBIM-Molecular Biotechnology Centre
• CELBIOTECH-Research Group: Paper Engineering
• CNDS-Computer Networks and Distributed Systems
• COSDA-UPC-COmpositional and Spatial Data Analysis
• CRAAX-Advanced Network Architectures Lab
• CREDA-Centre for Agrifood Economics and Development
• CRnE-Barcelona Research Center in Multiscale Science and Engineering
• EC-Construction Engineering
• EPIC-Energy Processing and Integrated Circuits
• EScGD-Engineering Sciences and Global Development
• GICITED-Interdisciplinary Group on Building Scienceand and Technology
• GIIP-Project Design, Sustainability and Communication Research Group
• GREENTECH-Green Technologies Research Group
• GRHCT-Group of Research on History of Science and Technology
• GRIC-Group of Construction Research and Innovation
• HABITAR-Research Group
• IMP-Information Modelling and Processing
• InSup-Surface Interaction in Bioengineering and Materials Science Research Group
• LESEC-Laboratori d'Estudis Socials de l'Enginyeria Civil
• PERC-UPC-Power Electronics Research Centre
• POLQUITEX-Polymeric Materials and Textile Chemistry
• SIMCON-First-principles approaches to condensed matter physics: quantum effects and complexity
• STH-Sustainability, Technology and Humanism
• SUMMLab-Sustainability Measurement and Modelin Lab

Teachers

• Aguado de Cea, Antonio
• Alcaraz Sendra, Olga
• Alier Forment, Marc
• Alvarez del Castillo, Javier
• Alvarez del Castillo, M. Dolores
• Amante Garcia, Beatriz
• Bairan Garcia, Jesus Miguel
• Barcelo Garcia, Miquel
• Bosch Tous, Ricard
• Cadafalch Rabasa, Jordi
• Carrillo Navarrete, Fernando
• Consul Serracanta, Ricard
• Cremades Oliver, Lázaro V.
• Cuchi Burgos, Alberto
• Cuerva Contreras, Eva
• Darbra Roman, Rosa Maria
• de la Fuente Antequera, Albert
• de la Hoz Casas, Jordi
• Domenech Lega, Bruno
• Escribano Rodriguez de Robles, Beatriz
• Felipe Blanch, Jose Juan de
• Ferrer Marti, Laia
• Fonseca Casas, Pau
• Fuertes Perez, Pere
• Gangolells Solanellas, Marta
• Garcia Almiñana, Jordi
• Garcia Carrillo, Agueda
• Garrido Soriano, Nuria
• Gil Roig, Jose Maria
• Haurie Ibarra, Laia
• Kallas Calot, Zein
• Lopez Alvarez, David
• Magrinya Torner, Francesc
• Martin Cañadas, Maria Elena
• Maspoch Ruldua, Maria Lluïsa
• Mayorga Cardenas, Miguel Yury
• Monguet Fierro, Josep Maria
• Montserrat Jorda, Josep
• Morato Farreras, Jordi
• Navarro Moldes, Leandro
• Olmedo Torre, Noelia
• Ortego Martinez, Maribel
• Pablo Ribas, Joan de
• Pardo Bosch, Francesc
• Peña Carrera, Marta
• Perez Foguet, Agusti
• Pujadas Alvarez, Pablo
• Quera Miro, Manuel
• Rahmani Meddour, Djamel
• Rajadell Carreras, Manuel
• Riba Romeva, Carles
• Roca Bosch, Elisabeth
• Roca Rosell, Antoni
• Rodriguez Cantalapiedra, Inmaculada
• Rosas Casals, Marti
• Ruiz Mansilla, Rafael
• Sabater Pruna, Assumpta
• Salan Ballesteros, M. Núria
• Segalas Coral, Jordi
• Sierra Garriga, Carlos
• Torres Lopez, Antonio Luis
• Trullols Farreny, Enric
• Valderrama Angel, Cesar Alberto
• Velo Garcia, Enrique
• Vidal Lopez, Eva
• Villares Junyent, Miriam
• Xercavins Valls, Josep