This course aims to develop a profound understanding of concepts of environmental and social responsibility, both in the wider sense and as they relate to the specific context of chemical engineering and industrial chemistry. A number of the world's most pressing environmental challenges will be examined in terms of their underlying physical, chemical and socio-political causes. Concepts of sustainability will be introduced in this context and students encouraged to make their own evaluations of the various uses of this term. The student will learn about, and learn to critically assess, the various approaches to quantifying, managing and reducing adverse environmental and social impacts, such as life cycle analysis, environmental laws, codes of practice and recycling. This, in combination with the technological expertise gained in earlier courses, will allow the student to exercise informed and critical judgement in his or her professional decision making as it relates to social and environmental matters.
This course replaces CEIC4031.