Targeted Infusion Grant: Revamping Engineering Technology Programs to Include an Interdisciplinary Curriculum in Distributed Energy and Environmental Studies

该项目将对萨凡纳州立大学工程技术系(ENGT)的两个学术项目进行改造，以使学生和社区有机会充分参与迅速发展且占主导地位的能源和环境社会经济问题。具体地说，萨凡纳州立大学将在电子工程技术和土木工程技术学位课程中提供有关替代能源技术(AET)和环境工程技术(ENVET)的正式和重点教育。该项目将为分布式/替代能源系统技术、环境恢复和管理技术以及能源和环境研究提供证书课程。将制定的课程的技术内容将涉及当代社会/国家问题，如能源危机、化石燃料对环境的影响以及环境补救和废物管理。该课程将为这个快速崛起的行业培养具有替代能源技术知识的毕业生。课程将包括正式课程作业、本科生研究培训和实习。这一课程将达到国家标准，这将得到TAC对该系两个学位课程的认可。社会科学和自然科学专业的学生如果希望辅修任何特定领域，都可以学习这门课程。因此，课程的设计将反映跨学科的内容，并将处理能源和环境问题的社会和技术方面。最重要的是，新课程将为工程技术专业的学生提供集中精力攻读学士学位课程的重点领域之一的机会。该项目将培养一批少数族裔工程技术员、科学家和社会科学家，他们有能力作为技术员、决策者、社区/公民活动家和更好的环境保管者参与替代能源行业。它将有助于为替代能源行业和环境服务行业培养一支多元化的劳动力队伍，并教育被剥夺公民权的社区的个人如何有效利用能源和承担环境责任。

The project will revamp two academic programs in the department of Engineering Technology (ENGT) at Savannah State University in order to provide students and the community the opportunity to participate fully in the rapidly unfolding and dominant socio economic issues of energy and environment. Specifically, Savannah State University will offer formal and focused education in alternative energy technology (AET) and environmental engineering technology (ENVET) within the Electronics Engineering Technology and Civil Engineering Technology degree programs. The project will result in the curriculum for certificates in Distributed/Alternative Energy Systems Technology, Environmental Restoration and Management Technology, and Energy and the Environment Studies. The technical content of the curriculum to be developed will address contemporary societal/national problems such as, the energy crises, the impact of fossil fuel on the environment, and environmental remediation and waste management. The curriculum will produce graduates knowledgeable of alternative energy technologies for the rapidly emerging industry. The curriculum will consist of formal course work, undergraduate research training and internships. This curriculum will meet national standards as would be affirmed by TAC of ABET accreditation of the two degree programs in the department. This curriculum will be accessible to students in the social sciences as well as the natural sciences who may wish to minor in any of the specific areas. The curriculum will thus be designed to reflect an interdisciplinary content and will address both the social and technical aspects of energy, and environmental issues. Most importantly, the new curriculum will offer Engineering technology students the opportunity to concentrate in one of the focus areas in their baccalaureate degree programs. The project will produce a cadre of minority engineering technologists, scientists and social scientist with the competencies to participate in the alternative energy industry as technologists, decision makers, community/civic activists and better custodians of the environment. It will help to produce a diversified workforce for the alternative energy industry, and the environmental services industry as well as educate individuals from disenfranchised communities on the efficient use of energy and environmental responsibility.