Engineering Design for Environmental Health: A New Course Preparing Students to Address Interdisciplinary Challenges

Abstract

Abstract

Environmental engineers and environmental public health professionals need to integrate engineering fundamentals with impact on society and human health to improve the environment. Often, addressing complex environmental challenges involves working on interdisciplinary teams. A new course titled “Engineering Design for Environmental Health” integrates health concerns into the engineering design process. Junior and senior year undergraduates and graduate students from both disciplines are challenged to apply their background knowledge in an interdisciplinary setting. Prerequisites include calculus, general chemistry, and enrollment in a major of either civil/environmental engineering or environmental health sciences or graduate standing, or permission of instructor. Students justify design choices that may affect financial, performance, health, and other factors related to engineered systems. Skills-based learning allows students to apply knowledge in new ways. This course is intended to complement traditional environmental risk assessment courses by incorporating the design component. The course fulfills competencies for both Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). A survey indicated that the majority of students in the initial offering felt that the course met the stated learning objectives, and future improvements are discussed.