Infusing a sustainable green manufacturing course intomanufacturing/ mechanical engineering technology program

Abstract

Green manufacturing is an emerging field in recent years and is also the sustainable development model for modern manufacturing industries. Sustainable green manufacturing encompasses the concept of combining technical issues of design and manufacturing, energy conservation, pollution prevention, health and safety of communities and consumers. Many industries are directing their resources to reduce the environmental impact of their produced products and services. To remain competitive in the global economy, these industries need to train engineering and technology professionals to understand the impact of their decisions on the environment and society. It is important for universities to prepare these future engineering technologists to meet this need. Many technology programs do not offer this type of information to their undergraduate students. The goal of this paper is to assess the current undergraduate mechanical engineering technology program curriculum at Metropolitan State College of Denver (MSCD) with regard to sustainable green manufacturing predominantly metal working based manufacturing curriculum. In this paper we will discuss key topics that can be infused into manufacturing coursework at MSCD to include sustainability principles. Finally, the ABET process and the existing curriculum will be reviewed to indentify barriers and inclusion of sustainable green manufacturing course into current curriculum. © 2012 American Society for Engineering Education.