Integrating multiple disciplines in an environmental engineering curriculum with field exercises

Summary form only given. Field exercises are being used to integrate multidisciplinary elements of science and engineering in lower and upper division environmental engineering courses. These activities are being developed and implemented with the input of practicing professionals in the field of environmental engineering and science. The goal of the project is to provide experiences throughout our environmental engineering option for undergraduate students that imitate real-world problems in an authentic setting. These exercises will be designed to: (1) stimulate student interest and knowledge in real problems; (2) develop the ability to synthesize information from different disciplines; (3) impart confidence to find information and resources independently; (4) provide opportunities to apply science and technology to practical problems; (5) motivate students to work effectively in a group; and (6) improve communication skills. The field exercises will be implemented primarily in the introductory courses of the environmental engineering. Two lower division courses, “Aquatic Chemistry for Environmental Engineers” and “Environmental Biotechnology”, and the students´ first upper division environmental engineering course, “Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Water Resources”, are targeted for five of eight field projects. The remaining exercises will be implemented in upper division, analysis and design electives