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Environmental education for all engineers
K Jahan1, J W Everett, R P Hesketh
1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA. jahan@rowan.edu
Summary
Environmental engineering education is expanding beyond civil engineering to include broader topics. Rowan University successfully integrated environmental concepts into all engineering disciplines through a common "engineering clinic" course.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering Education
- Sustainable Engineering Practices
- Curriculum Development
Background:
- Environmental engineering education traditionally focused on water and wastewater within civil engineering.
- The field has broadened significantly, encompassing pollution, risk assessment, toxicology, and sustainable development.
- Accreditation criteria (e.g., ABET 2000) emphasize the need for environmental integration in all engineering programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and implement innovative curricula for a new engineering program at Rowan University.
- To integrate environmental education across all engineering disciplines.
- To assess the success of integrating environmental concepts into coursework and practical design projects.
Main Methods:
- Development of a common, eight-semester "engineering clinic" course for all engineering students.
- Integration of environmental design principles and pollution prevention concepts into the clinic curriculum.
- Incorporation of environmental education into all four engineering disciplines' coursework and clinics.
Main Results:
- Rowan University's new engineering program has successfully integrated environmental education for seven years.
- Environmental concepts are embedded in both the coursework and the practical "engineering clinic" experiences.
- All four engineering disciplines have incorporated environmental education into their programs.
Conclusions:
- Innovative curriculum design can effectively integrate environmental engineering principles across diverse engineering disciplines.
- A common, longitudinal course like the "engineering clinic" facilitates holistic environmental education for all engineers.
- The Rowan University model demonstrates a successful shift in environmental engineering education towards broader integration.