CHEM ENG 3S03: FUNDAMENTAL AND SYSTEMIC APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Abstract

Examination of the current Chemical Engineering curriculum at McMaster University reveals areas that can be adapted to teach sustainability tool and concepts without removing technical and fundamental knowledge. Creation of a conceptual sustainability-driven course entitled, CHEM ENG 3S03 – Fundamental and Systemic Approach to Sustainable Chemical Engineering addresses many of these concepts as a stand-alone technical elective option. The course is separated into ten modules that concurrently exist as individual courses within the Chemical Engineering department, with adapted reading material and systemic approaches to sustainability. It is proposed that a pedagogical strategy should be adopted to produce sustainabilityspecific learning outcomes. Metrics from the design of CHEM ENG 3S03 can be utilized to modify other Engineering courses to meet the needs of accreditation and integrate sustainability into Engineering education at McMaster.The concept of integrating sustainability into the Chemical Engineering curriculum is inspired by work completed by the Taskforce for Sustainability in Engineering Education. The Taskforce is a product of McMaster University’s Dean of Engineering, David Wilkinson, and the Strategic Plan 2009-2014. Within the report, it is an objective of the McMaster University Engineering Faculty “to examine the global engineering concept and determine how it can be best integrated into the undergraduate curriculum.” Aligning with this goal, the taskforce completed significant work in curriculum mapping and setting of sustainability attributes for undergraduates. The work of this taskforce led to the ideology of course development within each Engineering discipline with an emphasis on graduating Engineers that are proficient in competencies and hold specific desirable attributes.