Sustainable Systems Engineering

Catalog description

This course introduces students to concepts, tools, metrics, and scientific basis for designing sustainable engineered projects and processes, and improving the impact of engineering decisions on the environment. An overview of sustainability (including social, economic, political, cultural, ecological, technological and scientific systems interact) will be followed by topics including models of population growth; water and energy availability and use; current challenges in resource utilization, climate change, and environmental contamination; and systems mapping, life cycle analysis (LCA) and other tools for the design of sustainable engineered systems. Prerequisites: Undergraduate: Senior standing or permission from advisor; Graduate: Graduate standing.