Sim2 Education – Master courses interesting for professionals

Within SIM2  master programmes, there are several courses which are particularly interesting for professionals and experts from outside of academia. Those courses can be taken as part of credit contract which gives the possibility to register for one or more course units, with the intention of obtaining a credit certificate (instead of a full degree diploma).

How to apply for a credit contract?

  1. Current KU Leuven students – go to your Toledo, and re-enroll for the upcoming academic year, by selecting ‘Credit Contract’ from the options.
  2. If you are new to KU Leuven – follow the online application instructions. The application will be evaluated, and once it has been approved, you will receive an admission letter. With this letter, you can go to the Registrar’s Office to finalize your registration.
  3. Once you complete your registration at KU Leuven, you get access to your Individual Study Programme (ISP), where you can select the courses of your interest. The ISP you selected is then electronically sent to the faculty for approval. Only the final faculty approval leads to a full registration. The student card, tuition fee invoice and attestations will be sent to you subsequently by post. This process can take a few weeks.
  4. Please note that the (provisional) registration for a credit contract does not guarantee the fact that you can follow (all) the courses of your interest, as the final decision is taken by the faculty.

More information can be found here: https://www.kuleuven.be/english/application/instructionscredit

List of particularly interesting courses for professionals:

1.Chemical Metallurgy (6ECTS)

The main objective of this course is to provide students with general basic knowledge about different aspects, problems and applications of chemical metallurgy and to provide them with an in-depth knowledge of leaching, solvent extraction and ion exchange. The principles of solvometallurgy are introduced. Taught by: prof. Koen Binnemans

2.Air pollution and control (3 ECTS)

The aim of the course is to give an overview of 1) air pollutants, 2) measurement techniques and 3) air pollution control technologies. Taught by: prof. Thomas Van Gerven

3.Exergy Route to Sustainable Chemistry (3 ECTS)

This course aims at a deepening (e.g. new aspects and calculation methods for phase equilibria and chemical equilibrium in complex systems) and broadening (application of classic thermodynamics and phase equilibria in several practical applications) of the student's knowlegde of Chemical Thermodynamics. Taught by: prof. Thomas Van Gerven

4.Ore-Forming Processes (6 ECTS)

The course aims to provide a profound understanding of processes, as well as the nature and origin of mineral occurrences and how they fit into the Earth system. The aim is to emphasize the range of processes responsible for the formation of the enormously diverse ore deposits found on Earth and to integrate these into a description of earth evolution and global tectonics Taught by: prof. Philippe Muchez

5.Geofluids (3 ECTS)

The course aims to obtain insight in the importance of fluids in geological processes, with special emphasis on fluid inclusions, the migration patterns and geochemistry of fluids during basin development and tectonic deformation, and in low-grade metamorphic processes. Taught by: prof. Philippe Muchez

6.Ecodesign and Life Cycle Engineering (3 ECTS)

The aim of this course is to realise a larger consciousness on the consequences of design decisions in the course of a complete product life cycle. To evaluate existing products and design alternatives, and furthermore to better control the design process, a series of analysis techniques and methods for design optimization will be presented. Special attention goes to the environmental impact of design decisions in order to offer a contribution to a sustainable use of the available raw materials. Taught by: prof. Joost Duflou

7.Metals Production and Recycling (6 ECTS)

The aim of this course is to teach the knowledge of processes and treatment schemes which are important for the extraction, refining and recycling of metals. From the student it is expected that he/she can analyse existing processes and treatment schemes of the chemical metallurgy, that (simple) design calculations can be carried out and that possible alternative processes and schemes can be drafted. Taught by: prof. Bart Blanpain

8.Sustainable Materials Management (3 ECTS)

The aim of this course is to teach the students to quantify material efficiency (resource efficiency) and sustainability of materials (impact), both ecologically and economically using MFA, LCA and LCC environmental methods. The students learn how to understand the material circles, product cycles and material flows. Taught by: prof. Karel van Acker, dr. Peter Tom Jones

9.Applied Minerology (6 ECTS, first term)

The students obtain insight in the presence, the physico-chemical characteristics, the applications and the process mineralogy of some important industrial minerals and rocks; and acquire advanced quantification methods and to apply these methods on complex mineral mixes including clay minerals. Taught by: prof. Jan Elsen

10.Geology and Society (3 ECTS, First term)

This course aims at confronting the student with a number of problems related to the earth sciences that are relevant to society. By means of a number of case studies it will be examined how the geologist can make a relevant and potentially decisive contribution in the societal debate. The students write several reports and collaborate with their fellow students and researchers. Taught by: prof. Philippe Muchez