Development Engineering short course

Authored by: Lafayette College EGRS 451 group (Kelsey Lantz and Kristin Tuttle)

Date: Spring 2013

Course Instructor: Professor Cohen

Project Links: Memo and Proposed Syllabus

Abstract: This project’s main research question was: How can we effectively prepare Lafayette College students to tackle engineering problems in developing communities? We decided to cater a new course curriculum to a three-week interim course to be taught at Lafayette’s new IDEAL center. To address this question, we conducted a thorough literature review to identify relevant readings to facilitate meaningful class discussions and proposed five objectives to which we catered the course material. Our objectives are:

  1. Define the developing world
  2. Describe the importance of engineering for development
  3. Identify key issues that engineers face in projects in developing countries
  4. Assess engineering practices that have both failed and succeeded in developing countries
  5. Relate non-engineering contexts to engineering solutions in the developing world

These objectives are met by a series of discussions, interpretations, and hands-on participation at two separate field trips. The course strives to teach students to apply a wider perspective when approaching engineering problems in developing communities.

Tags: EGRS 451, Spring 2013, development, study abroad, IDEAL, curriculum

 

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