Undergraduate Studies

Environment and Development

Description

An engineering project focuses on the development of a region but at the same time is the protection of the environment properly considered? This is a constant debate between engineers, decision-makers and environmentalists that may result in cancellation of the project or in significant damages to the environment. It's about the dialectic relationship and interaction between the environment and development, that tomorrow's engineer should be ready to deal with and benefit personally and socially. The main goals of this inter-departmental course offered from all 9 faculties of National Technical University of Athens are to: a) - demonstrate the complex nature of modern development, environmental technology issues and familiarize them with the necessity of an interdisciplinary and integrated approach, b) - bring together students in front of real dilemma that may face tomorrow, many of which could not be only solved based on the technological prospective, c) - provide the theoretical background for the analysis of complex environmental design problems, d) -provide a learning environment where the students will not just listen to scientific presentations, but will try to efficiently establish an informed position. The course is built as series of lectures. Faculty members from all schools of NTUA and guest lecturers from the industry, public authorities and other research and academic institutes are participating in a form of a debate and/or round table. At each lecture, at least 2 speakers will argue on the relationship 'Environment and Development', with emphasis on highlighting the differences between various approaches and not on proposing a specific opinion. The continuous and active participation of the students from all spectrum of engineering and science that could take this course is a prerequisite for the success of this course.