48210 Engineering for Sustainability

Upon completion of this subject, students should be able to demonstrate development in the following areas:

• orientation to university study
• ability to read critically and write appropriately in a variety of academic contexts
• appreciation of the social and historical contexts of engineering
• awareness of different definitions of 'progress'
• awareness of what is 'professionalism'
• appreciation of the role of codes of ethics, and
• appreciation of the principles of sustainability.

This subject takes students on a journey into the past, present and future of engineering and its relationship to society and the environment. They choose one of several module groups based around broad engineering-related themes.

Within these modules, students examine the contributions made by engineers in their respective areas, how they were received by and benefited different groups in society, and what impact they had on the environment. Current and historical case studies from local communities as well as from other parts of the world are used to illustrate the different ways in which technologies have evolved and have been valued.

The subject is taught by an interdisciplinary team who will present lectures and facilitate interactive workshops.

Assessment: Assessment includes individual reflective writing, case study reports and team-based poster presentation. In each of these assessment tasks, students are assessed both for their learning of key content material and academic skills, such as critical reading and analysis, and their academic writing and presentation.

Typical availability

Autumn semester, City campus
Spring semester, City campus