Naslov
Engineering education for environmental protection

Autori
Vasić-Rački, Đurđa ; Kniewald, Jasna

Izvornik
Annual ... of the Croatian Academy of Engineering (1332-3482) (2004); 145-153

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
environment protection; eco-engineering; high education; Croatia

Sažetak
The last two-three decades have confirmed a growing understanding that no part of our world is immune to environmental consequences of man's activities. There is a pressing need for international co-operation and solidarity to preserve our forests, safekeeping our water and oceans, and stabilize the Earth's atmosphere. Ecology has traditionally dealt only with natural systems. The new field of eco-engineering is beginning to study industrial behavior and biogeochemical cycles as a part of a system, using the results to design environmentally friendly products and processes. For true integration, we need to merge the two ecological systems - natural (biosphere) and industrial (techno sphere) -with the right consideration of space and time. The strong interest in protecting the environment has placed new responsibilities especially for the engineers. The need for advanced and continuing education and special training for engineers is acute. For eco-engineers is quite important to understand all possible problems that can occur in the environment. The fundamental knowledge from environmental chemistry, toxicology and ecology, sub disciplines making up the ecotoxicology, is necessary. The aim of ecotoxicological research is to recognize, predict and analyze the effects of potentially toxic substances in the environment. Ecotoxicological knowledge may be used to give advice on the seriousness of a particular case of pollution, on the maximum allowable concentration of a substance in the environment, or on the decision as to whether new chemicals are permitted or not. The University of Zagreb decided that all of its engineering graduates starting career as e.g. designer, managers, researchers or any other professional in any area related to environmental protection and management, should be prepared for the challenge of sustainable development. Therefore, in academic year 2004/05 starts to introduce new postgraduate program with the environmental oriented knowledge and skills on graduate and postgraduate level. The significant issues are addressed in new eco-engineering education curricula: development of sustainable technologies and solutions to complex ecological problem (terrestrial and aquatic restoration ; bioremediation, composting and biological treatment of wastewater, waste management and treatment ; recycling technologies etc.). During the program for eco-engineering, post-graduate students will come to terms with the causes of environmental degradation as well as the social and political factors which shape and direct technological change.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biotehnologija

POVEZANOST RADA