DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS BASED ON THE KNOWLEDGE OF BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS

The recently implemented European Higher Education configuration is based on a Degree-Master-PhD structure. In the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) undergraduate programs consist of 240 ECTS, structured in 4 years of study; masters can vary between 60 and 120 ECTS, 1 or 2 years of study; and access to PhD studies requires the completion of a master course. The cooperative and dynamic learning method, focused on student's learning and based on training for the development in active learning methodologies, has been carried out with a group of students along undergraduate, master and PhD programs in order to make them feel confidence in research tasks when they apply for a grant to join the PhD program and develop their thesis. Every effort has been made to promote knowledge and research in the field of Renewable Materials Engineering. The aim of the research carried out has been the evaluation of residues from industrial processes, like proteins or polysaccharides, to design innovative renewable and biodegradable materials for food packaging applications. This work arises from the need to reduce problems generated in the management of residues, mainly the urban ones, since the materials used for food packaging purposes are generally discarded after only one use. Results showed the importance of previous knowledge of subjects like Chemistry and Materials Science, offered in the first and second courses of the BSc in Chemical Engineering. Moreover, the abilities acquired by the students in the laboratory, as well as in results discussion, during the Final Year Project are highly valued. Finally, students assimilate the great value of taking into account environmental factors in order to prepare sustainable materials, which could have high added value in the market, when they study the subject of Biocomposites in the MSc in Renewable Materials Engineering, a research-oriented master that can be considered the previous step to doctorate studies.