Course Overview
This course is an interdisciplinary investigation of concepts relating to the general topic of sustainability from a fundamental perspective. How people act in a sustainable world is limited by both physical and psychological factors. The realization and expression of these factors by people and by societies is guided by the philosophical "world views" they either consciously or unconsciously possess. This course attempts to bring to light many of these limiting factors and guiding views from a perspective of deep ecology. Concurrently, contemporary efforts to approach sustainability through formulas such as Industrial Ecology, Biomimicry and Green Design are investigated through the lens of deep ecology. We attempt to make these investigations insightful by introducing the practices of "non-dualistic reasoning" and "contemplative inquiry." These insight practices are components of the rapidly growing field of "Contemplative Science." The course consists of lectures, personal journaling, and the writing of essays, accompanied by numerous readings from the fields of physics, chemistry, philosophy, psychology, ecology, history and sociology.
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate numerous forms of ecological deterioration in the modern world.
- Perform a fundamental needs analysis for a selected artifact.
- Explain the interplay between physical and psychological ecosystems and how this influences the interconnectedness of technological and social evolution [9].
- Apply the principles of ecological ethics, showing how the implied duty of care influences one's personal and professional conduct [10].
- Give examples of the use of the precautionary principle.
Engineering Accreditation
The Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) oversees the accreditation of engineering programs across Canada. To measure the effectiveness of an engineering program the CEAB has identified twelve specific attributes that the graduate is expected to possess and use as the foundation to developing and advancing an engineering career. To ensure that the overall curriculum of the Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical program covers these attributes sufficiently, the learning outcomes for each course have been mapped to applicable CEAB graduate attributes.
CEAB Graduate Attributes
1. A knowledge base for engineering: Demonstrated competence in university level mathematics, natural sciences, engineering fundamentals, and specialized engineering knowledge appropriate to the program.
2. Problem analysis: An ability to use appropriate knowledge and skills to identify, formulate, analyze, and solve complex engineering problems in order to reach substantiated conclusions.
3. Investigation: An ability to conduct investigations of complex problems by methods that include appropriate experiments, analysis and interpretation of data, and synthesis of information in order to reach valid conclusions.
4. Design: An ability to design solutions for complex, open-ended engineering problems and to design systems, components or processes that meet specified needs with appropriate attention to health and safety risks, applicable standards, and economic, environmental, cultural and societal considerations.
5. Use of engineering tools: An ability to create, select, apply, adapt, and extend appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering tools to a range of engineering activities, from simple to complex, with an understanding of the associated limitations.
6. Individual and team work: An ability to work effectively as a member and leader in teams, preferably in a multi-disciplinary setting.
7. Communication skills: An ability to communicate complex engineering concepts within the profession and with society at large. Such ability includes reading, writing, speaking and listening, and the ability to comprehend and write effective reports and design documentation, and to give and effectively respond to clear instructions.
8. Professionalism: An understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the professional engineer in society, especially the primary role of protection of the public and the public interest.
9. Impact of engineering on society and the environment: An ability to analyze social and environmental aspects of engineering activities. Such ability includes an understanding of the interactions that engineering has with the economic, social, health, safety, legal, and cultural aspects of society, the uncertainties in the prediction of such interactions; and the concepts of sustainable design and development and environmental stewardship.
10. Ethics and equity: An ability to apply professional ethics, accountability, and equity.
11. Economics and project management: An ability to appropriately incorporate economics and business practices including project, risk, and change management into the practice of engineering and to understand their limitations.
12. Life-long learning: An ability to identify and to address their own educational needs in a changing world in ways sufficient to maintain their competence and to allow them to contribute to the advancement of knowledge.
Effective as of Winter 2017
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.