Purpose: This study aims to explore the role of planned, sudden shifts in lived experiences, in influencing learner capabilities towards improved problem-solving for sustainable development outcomes. The authors responded to employers of engineering and built environment graduates observing limited "real-life" problem-solving skills,…

This paper reports on a funded collaborative large-scale curriculum innovation and enhancement project undertaken as part of a UK National Higher Education Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programme. Its aim was to develop undergraduate curricula to teach appropriate skills for professional engineering practice more…

The field of nanotechnology has outgrown the discovery phase into the application and even commercial production phases. Consequently, the need for a workforce capable of supporting this growth is more than ever. However, because of the different challenges associated with nanotechnology education, specific courses are required to be developed and…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to show how industrial ecology can facilitate the achievement of sustainable development through its incorporation into an engineering curriculum. Design/methodology/approach: A model has been developed for assessing sustainability learning outcomes due to the incorporation of the concept of industrial ecology…

In this paper, we have explored how students in a cross-disciplinary course on engineering and social justice approached the idea of using social justice as a "lens" for looking at engineering. We have used an adapted phenomenographic approach [Marton, F., and Booth, S., 1997. "Learning and awareness". Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum], together with…

Well-developed professional communication skills, collaborative work practices, effective self-management and a clear understanding of social responsibility and ethical practices are essential for the new engineer who hopes to contribute to the profession and build a career. These attributes are in addition to the traditional sound knowledge of…

Product design is the convergence point for engineering and design thinking and practices. Until recently, product design has been taught either as a component of mechanical engineering or as a subject within design schools but increasingly there is global recognition of the need for greater synergies between industrial design and engineering…

Since 2001, the International Institute of Women in Engineering (IIWE) at EPF, Ecole d'ingenieurs generaliste, Sceaux, France, has conducted a 3 week short course for culturally and discipline diverse, recently graduated and final year engineering students. The aim of this course is to introduce young engineers to broad global concepts and issues…

Presents the methodology and evaluation of a course prepared by an interdisciplinary team of faculty members and aimed at developing an awareness, in engineering students, of the need for an interdisciplinary approach to societal problems. (MLH)

Describes a multidisciplinary course in the sciences, humanities, and engineering that teaches the use of evidence in problem-solving. The guided design teaching method is used, in which the instructor circulates among small discussion groups to advise them on problem-solving. (MLH)

Outlines a graduate course, "Microbial Systems Analysis," for students in chemical and environmental engineering or engineering mechanics, as well as microbiology, ecology and biotechnology. Describes the objectives, structure and laboratory experiments for the course. (YP)

A proposal is provided for Triton College's team-taught course combining freshman composition and engineering. After introductory material notes that the course has been taught for 6 years at Triton by a variety of English and engineering instructors, a rationale for the course stresses the need to promote understanding of the roles of engineer…

A new course, Environmental Chemical Engineering, introduced at Exeter University in 1972, is described. Focus is on cooperation among five participating departments, coordination of teaching, and the coherence of what was taught. The importance of the interrelationships existing between a new discipline and those outside the university are also…

Discusses educational offerings in polymers within the Chemical Engineering Department at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, including research programs, undergraduate and graduate courses offered, and sources of support for research projects. (Author/JN)

Examines the structure of environmental education and defines the discipline as an integration of three streams: environmental sciences (physical and natural sciences), environmental studies (social sciences), and environmental engineering (engineering sciences). Describes four integrating problem-oriented courses offered at Murdoch University in…