Civil & Environmental Engr: System Focused Design Engr

Systems-thinking applied to analysis and design of engineered systems and elements, including economic, social, and environmental aspects of sustainable designs within global contexts. Includes life-cycle cost analysis, uncertainty, risk, and engineering economics. Prerequisites: STAT 1410 or STAT 2430 or STAT 2510.

Prereq enforced by system: STAT 1410 or 2430 or 2510; Open to Degree and PACE students

Systems thinking applied to solve contemporary engineering challenges and to support engineering decision-making in civil and environmental applications. Topics include systems thinking, optimization, engineering economics, life-cycle assessment, uncertainty, risk, and equity analysis. This course develops skills in the analysis and design of engineering systems by following a systems approach to achieve environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable outcomes in local and global contexts. Course goals are to have students learn: 1) To recognize the interrelationships between engineered systems, socioeconomic systems, and the natural environment. 2) To apply systems models to design and optimize complex engineering problems. 3) To quantify uncertainty and risk through the assessment of systems’ dynamic behaviors and design alternatives. 4) To evaluate the costs and benefits of projects, including internalized and externalized financial, social, and environmental costs, and costs spanning a project’s lifecycle. 5) To assess equity of a proposed project or policy.

In class sessions include a combination of lectures and in-class workshops that allow you to apply and practice the concepts and techniques presented. These are supplemented with homework assignments that support deeper understanding, applied learning, and creative problem solving. Some of the class activities and assignments involve independent work while others incorporate paired or group work or peer instruction. Students are expected to spend 6 to 8 hours per week outside of class on preparation and assignments.

Grades are based on participation in class lectures and workshops, homework assignments, midterms, and a final project.