421-107 Environmental Engineering Introduction

The subject traces the evolution of engineering and its development beyond military and civil engineering into further disciplines and narrower specialities in response to the growth of experience, knowledge, understanding and application. The subject will provide a framework to demonstrate the function and responsibility of environmental engineers in a broad range of engineering projects through examination of the role of engineers; their relationship to society and its organisations; their utilisation of resources; their application of ideas, principles and techniques; the medium in which they perform; and their interaction with each other and organisations. Much of the teaching will be interactive and utilise exposure to live projects observed during a comprehensive field visit. Development of a qualitative conceptual understanding of the principle laws of engineering science will be emphasised.

• ability to communicate effectively, not only with engineers but also with the community at large

• ability to function effectively as an individual and in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams, with the capacity to be a leader or manager as well as an effective team member

• understanding of the social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities of the professional engineer, and the need for sustainable development

• understanding of the principles of sustainable design and development

• intellectual curiosity and creativity, including understanding of the philosophical and methodological bases of research activity

• profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship

• international awareness and openness to the world, based on understanding and appreciation of social and cultural diversity and respect for individual human rights and dignity

2-hour written end-of-semester examination (50%) and 1 assignment totalling 2000 words (50%). Field class participation and verbal skills will form a component the assignment.

• S Beder, The Nature of Sustainable Development. Scribe Publications, Newham, Victoria, 1996.