Appropriate Technology

The ratio of full-time students to full-time faculty is about 24:1. Like all engineering programs, students participate in the Senior Design class where a student, or group of students, works with a faculty advisor to develop a significant design project. For appropriate technology students, Senior Design often involves creating actual devices that can be put to use in communities that need them. Some recent examples include:

- Bicycle-powered saw and knife sharpener
- Human-power pump
- Slow sand filters for purifying water
- Hydraulic press to turn sawdust into wood briquettes to be burned as fuel
- Swivel foot bridge
- Solar-powered food dryer
- Biogas generator

Research
The research projects pursued by the department have resulted in significant contributions in waste treatment, infrastructure repair, hazardous waste containment, control of ground-water flow, recycling of industrial byproducts, earthquake engineering, coastal protection, energy conservation, and many other areas.

 

Co-Op
Students who choose the 5-year program will graduate with one and a half years of full-time enginnering work experience. The quotes below are taken from some recent student reports on their co-op experiences.

Engineering Construction Inspector, State Department of Transportation:
"Supervised daily activities involved in the roadway construction of the [interstate] bypass. Recorded daily visual inspection reports for soil sub-base and materials placed on site. Aided senior roadway engineers in approving grade prior to asphalt placement. Used various instruments to check temperature and depths for asphalt placement. Took part in on-site discussions with contractor to clear up any daily construction problems that would hinder quality of construction."

Construction Inspector, Municipal Department of Public Property:
"Inspected work performed by private contractors on city public works construction and rehabilitation projects for adherence to contract plans and specifications. Projects included health centers, police and fire stations, libraries, city hall, transit concourses, and prisons. Responsible for daily inspection reports and overall coordination for each respective project. Also responsible for reviewing bills and writing contract modifications and amendments...the variety of work was excellent."

Environmental Co-op, Chemicals Manufacturer:
"Compiled data and wrote monthly regulatory reports, in charge of hazardous waste management and small projects as needed....I had my own responsibilities that had an impact on the entire company. Employer was really interested in my opinion and gave me a chance to demonstrate my abilities, but also knew when to step in. Everybody was willing to answer any questions I may have had."

For more information please contact Dr. Richard Rosen, Program Director.