Filling the Gap in Engineering Education for Sustainability: Developing a Cohort-based Masters Degree of Engineering Leadership for Sustainability (original) (raw)

Abstract

The current approach to undergraduate engineering education provides graduates with the knowledge and skills required to address many technical challenges posed by sustainability. This education can be furthered through a number of degree offerings at the graduate level such as a Masters degree in Sustainable Water Management or Clean Energy Engineering. However, there is a growing need for engineers educated with a global perspective regarding the role of the engineer to facilitate change and with leadership skills. This aspect of engineering education for sustainability is consistent with the American Society of Civil Engineering's Book of Knowledge, the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board Program criteria, and the University of British Columbia's (UBC) learning goals. To address the need for engineers able to facilitate change, a Cohort-based Master of Engineering in Engineering Leadership for Sustainability program, modelled after the MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development offered at the University of Cambridge, is being designed and developed at The University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada. The students will live at a college on the UBC campus to foster community building and facilitate social change. The constructively aligned curriculum will consist of active learning opportunities embedded within coursework, a seminar series, a summer project course and added value sessions; including field trips, opportunities to work with UBC staff to enhance sustainable operations on campus, international and/or local service learning, retreats/workshops and academic exchange. The program will utilize on-line collaborations and optional travel exchanges with the University of Cambridge to enhance the students' course-based learning experiences. This paper discusses the program development and provides details of the program structure designed to enable the development of leadership for engineers. The constructively aligned curriculum focuses on active learning and community projects. Novel characteristics of the program are described with regards to meeting the program learning outcomes and developing the five key competencies required for sustainability problem solving

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