The Faculty of Engineering at The University of Western Ontario has added an eighth program to its undergraduate engineering curriculum.
The new program, Green Process Engineering (starting in September 2009), will combine and integrate the fundamental principles of chemical engineering to design commercial products and processes that are safe, economical and environmentally friendly.
“This new program will be the first of its kind in North America,” says chemical engineering professor Cedric Briens. “Other universities offer green process engineering as an option, but Western is the first university to offer a professional program of this nature.”
Western Engineering is introducing this new program, in the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, dedicated to green process engineering because the faculty recognizes the world is facing significant challenges due to the energy crisis and global warming stemming from pollution problems.
“These issues have generated extensive discussions on policy making and planning, which call for a specific set of skills that are not currently incorporated in any engineering curriculum,” adds Briens, noting the new program will emphasize green chemistry, green power, solar and bio-fuel cells, and the conversion of waste to bio-diesel and bio-ethanol products.
“This new program will educate engineers specialized in the design and development of green processes and products to meet society’s needs for a sustainable future.”
Current first year Western Engineering students will have the opportunity to enroll in Green Process Engineering this coming February during the university’s Intent to Register process – a process where students select one area of specialization from Western Engineering’s eight engineering programs.
Students interested in pursuing studies in green technologies will also benefit from Western Engineering’s $22-million, 45,000 square-foot Claudette MacKay-Lassonde Pavilion that will be LEED (Leadership in Engineering and Environmental Design) certified, making it Western’s first ‘Green Building.’
Once complete in the summer of 2009, this facility will house space for student engagement and educational experiences through hands-on design opportunities.