Grand Challenges and Chemical Engineering Curriculum – Developments at TU Dortmund University

Norbert Kockmann,Andrzej Gorak,Philip Lutze

doi:10.13189/ujer.2016.040125

Norbert Kockmann, Andrzej Gorak + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2016.040125

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Abstract

Chemical processing industry is progressively focusing their research activities and product placements in the areas of Grand Challenges (or Global Megatrends) such as mobility, energy, communication, or health care and food. Innovation in all these fields requires solving high complex problems, rapid product development as well as dealing with international competition. These factors should also be reflected in modern chemical and biochemical engineering curricula. At TU Dortmund University, chemical and biochemical engineering education has a long tradition in combining fundamental knowledge in natural science with engineering skills. Hence, the introductory course on chemical engineering already presents the subject in view of the aforementioned global challenges. Fundamentals in chemical engineering incorporating and related subjects, problem-based learning as well as design skills and problem-solving techniques are trained throughout later courses. Lectures, tutorials, and practical work are accompanied by a plant design project, placed at the end of the Bachelor curriculum. Here a group of 8 to 10 students develop a complete production plant. Students are often directly involved with research projects during the last phase of their education, i.e. Bachelor or Master thesis. With the final presentation and defence of their work, the students are well prepared for their industrial experience.

Highlights

In chemical industry many challenges, but opportunities for new products, too, are directly linked with current global needs [1]
Modern chemical engineers are team players; students have to learn interacting with different professions
We educate engineers, who have an understanding of the Grand Challenges or Megatrends of our world from the early start of their studies [4],[5]

Summary

Introduction

In chemical industry many challenges, but opportunities for new products, too, are directly linked with current global needs [1]. Demographic change, higher living standards, reliable and healthy food supply, environmental challenges and burdens dominate already today’s company’s product profile and development. Their investment strategies follow growing markets leading to technical and intercultural challenges [2]. To educate engineers, who understand those needs, Biochemical and Chemical Engineering Faculty (BCI) at TU Dortmund University developed curricula, consisting of teaching in engineering and natural sciences together with mathematics and economics. We educate engineers, who have an understanding of the Grand Challenges or Megatrends of our world from the early start of their studies [4],[5]. The Bachelor program provides an interdisciplinary study, enabling an understanding of new concepts and innovations for developing, optimizing, and operating complex production processes and equipment. We promote female students and we have worked out sophisticated teaching concepts for all phases of the study

From History of BCI Faculty

Starting into Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Studies

Problem-based Learning

Research-oriented Learning