Humanitarian Engineering and Science

Program Director

Richard Krahenbuhl, Associate Research Professor, Geophysics

Associate Program Director

Elizabeth Reddy, Assistant Professor, Engineering, Design & Society

Assistant Professor, Engineering, Design & Society

Dorit Hammerling, Associate Professor

Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering

Junko Munakata Marr, Professor and Department Head

Director of Computer Science

Thomas Williams, Associate Professor, Director of MIRROR Lab

Department of Engineering, Design & Society

Stephanie Claussen, Research Professor

Alina Handorean, Teaching Professor

Marie Stettler Kleine, Assistant Professor

Juan Lucena, Professor and Director, Humanitarian Engineering Undergraduate Programs

Carrie McClelland, Teaching Professor

Kevin Moore, Professor and Executive Director of Humanitarian Engineering Undergraduate Programs

Dean Nieusma, Associate Professor and Department Head

Elizabeth Reddy, Assistant Professor

Jessica Smith, Professor

Department of Electrical Engineering

Kathryn Johnson, Professor

Kevin Moore, Professor and Executive Director of Humanitarian Engineering Undergraduate Programs

Department of Geology and Geological Engineering

Paul Santi, Professor

Department of Geophysics

Richard Krahenbuhl, Associate Research Professor

Jeffrey Shragge, Associate Professor

Department of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences

Jon Leydens, Professor

Department of Mining Engineering

Nicole Smith, Assistant Professor

Affiliate Faculty

Chris Anderson, Principal of Yirri Global

Teaching Assistant Professors

Cara Phillips

Syd Slouka

Assistant Professor

Yangming Shi

Graduate Certificate Program Requirements

The Humanitarian Engineering and Science (HES) certificate is an online or residential program designed for working professionals as well as graduate students who are enrolled in other degrees at Mines but wish to gain knowledge in humanitarian engineering and science. To obtain a graduate certificate, students must complete a minimum of 9 credits of the following courses. Students may not double-count courses from their undergraduate degrees. Students who have already taken one of the classes as undergraduates must find a suitable replacement, to be approved by the HES director. Students are encouraged to take 12 credits of coursework if possible, adding an elective from the approved HES electives list below.

Required HES certificate courses (9 credits):

EDNS515INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY STUDIES 3.0
EDNS577ADVANCED ENGINEERING AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT3.0
EDNS579COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH METHODS3.0
Total Semester Hrs9.0

Master of Science (MS) Program Requirements

The MS degrees in Humanitarian Engineering and Science (HES) are a professional MS (non-thesis) and a thesis-based MS. These degrees are targeted to recent graduates or midcareer professionals with a BS in science and engineering who are interested in careers, research opportunities, and/or acquiring skills that will help them work effectively with communities. The degrees include a core HES curriculum plus an approved track of related courses in a science or engineering discipline. A unique mix of social science, applied science, and engineering perspectives prepares students to apply knowledge about the earth to promote more sustainable and just uses of water, energy, and other earth resources and to understand and mitigate potential hazards.

Master of Science (non-thesis)

To obtain the 30 credits required for the MS (non-thesis), students must satisfy the following program requirements: (1) 12 credits of required HES courses, 2) 3 credits of elective HES courses approved by Engineering, Design & Society, and 3) 15 credits of courses approved by the affiliated department (see the six tracks detailed below).

HES MS (Non-Thesis) Core Courses (15 credits):

EDNS515INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY STUDIES 3.0
EDNS577ADVANCED ENGINEERING AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT3.0
EDNS579COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH METHODS3.0
EDNS580HUMANITARIAN ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE CAPSTONE PRACTICUM3.0
ELECTIVE An approved HES elective from the list below3.0
Total Semester Hrs15.0

Approved HES Electives:

EDNS590RISKS IN HUMANITARIAN ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE3.0
CEEN501LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT3.0
CEEN575HAZARDOUS WASTE SITE REMEDIATION3.0
CEEN593SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING DESIGN3.0
CEEN556MINING AND THE ENVIRONMENT3.0
CEEN570WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT3.0
CEEN573RECLAMATION OF DISTURBED LANDS3.0
CEEN580CHEMICAL FATE AND TRANSPORT IN THE ENVIRONMENT3.0
CEEN581WATERSHED SYSTEMS MODELING3.0
CEEN595ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT3.0
EBGN553PROJECT MANAGEMENT3.0
HASS525ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNICATION3.0
HASS526INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION3.0
HASS527RISK COMMUNICATION3.0
HASS565SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY3.0
HASS568ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE3.0
HASS590ENERGY AND SOCIETY3.0
MNGN503MINING TECHNOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT3.0
MNGN510FUNDAMENTALS OF MINING AND MINERAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT3.0
MNGN565MINE RISK MANAGEMENT3.0
MNGN567SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND EARTH RESOURCES3.0
MNGN571ENERGY, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND SOCIETY3.0
PEGN530ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND SUSTAINABILITY3.0

Disciplinary Tracks

Track 1: Geophysics (GPGN) (15 credits):

Degree candidates should have an undergraduate degree in geophysics, physics, quantitative earth sciences and engineering, or equivalent coursework. In addition, candidates will need to complete necessary prerequisite courses for the graduate courses. 

In addition to the core HES MS (non-thesis) curriculum (15 credits) detailed above, MS (non-thesis) students following the Geophysics track must take one required course (3 credits) and at least 12 credits of approved elective courses, as shown below. Courses not listed below that align with the student's practicum can be substituted in consultation with the degree advisor. 

Required Course
GPGN577HUMANITARIAN GEOSCIENCE3.0
At least four courses of the following:
GPGN520ELECTRICAL AND ELECTROMAGNETIC EXPLORATION3.0
GPGN570APPLICATIONS OF SATELLITE REMOTE SENSING3.0
GPGN574ADVANCED HYDROGEOPHYSICS3.0
GPGN590INSTRUMENTAL DESIGN IN APPLIED GEOSCIENCES3.0
GEGN532GEOLOGICAL DATA ANALYSIS3.0
Track 2: Environmental Engineering (CEEN) (15 credits):

A BS degree in a science or engineering discipline is required.  Pre-requisites include two semesters of college calculus, one semester of college physics, two semesters of college chemistry, and one semester of college statistics.

In addition to the core HES MS (non-thesis) curriculum (15 credits) detailed above, MS (non-thesis) students following the Environmental Engineering track must take three required courses (9 credits) and at least two courses (6 credits) of approved elective courses, as shown below. Courses not listed below that align with the student's practicum can be substituted in consultation with the degree advisor. 

Required Courses:
GPGN577HUMANITARIAN GEOSCIENCE3.0
CEEN550PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY3.0
CEEN580CHEMICAL FATE AND TRANSPORT IN THE ENVIRONMENT3.0
At least two courses of the following:
Environmental Microbiology
CEEN560MOLECULAR MICROBIAL ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT3.0
CEEN562ENVIRONMENTAL GEOMICROBIOLOGY3.0
CEEN566MICROBIAL PROCESSES, ANALYSIS AND MODELING3.0
Treatment
CEEN570WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT3.0
CEEN575HAZARDOUS WASTE SITE REMEDIATION3.0
MNGN556MINE WATER AND ENVIRONMENT3.0
Hydrology
CEEN555LIMNOLOGY3.0
CEEN581WATERSHED SYSTEMS MODELING3.0
GEGN582INTEGRATED SURFACE WATER HYDROLOGY3.0
GEGN584FIELD METHODS IN HYDROLOGY3.0
Track 3: Geological Engineering (GEGN) (15 credits):

Degree candidates should have an undergraduate degree in engineering or the equivalent coursework. In addition, candidates will need to complete necessary prerequisite courses for the graduate courses, including engineering geology, groundwater engineering, soil mechanics, and rock mechanics.

In addition to the core HES MS (non-thesis) curriculum (15 credits) detailed above, MS (non-thesis) students following the Geological Engineering track must take two required courses (6 credits) and at least three courses (9 credits) of approved elective courses, as shown below. 

Required Courses:
GEGN532GEOLOGICAL DATA ANALYSIS3.0
GPGN577HUMANITARIAN GEOSCIENCE3.0
Candidates must also take at least three of the following courses. The student and the instructor will work together to develop humanitarian themes in the project assignments within each course.
GEGN563APPLIED NUMERICAL MODELLING FOR GEOMECHANICS3.0
GEGN570CASE HISTORIES IN GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING AND HYDROGEOLOGY3.0
GEGN573GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING SITE INVESTIGATION3.0
GEGN575APPLICATIONS OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS3.0
GEGN580APPLIED REMOTE SENSING FOR GEOENGINEERING AND GEOSCIENCES3.0
GEGN671LANDSLIDES: INVESTIGATION, ANALYSIS & MITIGATION3.0
GEGN673ADVANCED GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING DESIGN3.0
TRACK 4: Humanitarian Robotics (15 CREDITS):

Degree candidates should have an undergraduate degree in computer science, mechanical or electrical engineering, or robotics, or equivalent coursework. In addition, candidates will need to complete necessary prerequisite courses for the graduate courses. 

In addition to the Core HES MS (non-thesis) curriculum (15 credits) detailed above, MS (non-thesis) students following the Humanitarian Robotics track must take three required course (9 credits) and at least 6 credits of approved elective courses, as shown below. Courses not listed below that align with the student's practicum can be substituted in consultation with the degree advisor. 

Required Courses:
CSCI532ROBOT ETHICS3.0
CSCI536HUMAN-ROBOT INTERACTION3.0
CSCI573ROBOT PROGRAMMING AND PERCEPTION3.0
At least two courses from the following:
CSCI507INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER VISION3.0
CSCI534ROBOT PLANNING AND MANIPULATION3.0
CSCI575ADVANCED MACHINE LEARNING3.0
EENG517THEORY AND DESIGN OF ADVANCED CONTROL SYSTEMS3.0
EENG519ESTIMATION THEORY AND KALMAN FILTERING3.0
MEGN540MECHATRONICS3.0
MEGN544ROBOT MECHANICS: KINEMATICS, DYNAMICS, AND CONTROL3.0
MEGN545ADVANCED ROBOT CONTROL3.0
TRACK 5: Data Science (DSCI) (15 CREDITS):

Degree candidates should have an undergraduate degree in computer science, mathematics, or data science or equivalent coursework. In addition, candidates will need to complete necessary prerequisite courses for the graduate courses. 

In addition to the core HES MS (non-thesis) curriculum (15 credits) detailed above, MS (non-thesis) students following the Data Science track must take four required courses (12 credits) and at least 3 credits of approved elective courses, as shown below. In addition to earning the HES MS (non-thesis) degree, they will also earn the Data Science Statistical Learning Graduate Certificate.

Required Courses
DSCI503ADVANCED DATA SCIENCE
DSCI530STATISTICAL METHODS I3.0
DSCI560INTRODUCTION TO KEY STATISTICAL LEARNING METHODS I3.0
DSCI561INTRODUCTION TO KEY STATISTICAL LEARNING METHODS II3.0
At least one course of the following:
MATH532SPATIAL STATISTICS3.0
MATH533 TIME SERIES AND ITS APPLICATIONSNaN
MATH536ADVANCED STATISTICAL MODELING3.0
MATH537MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS3.0
MATH582STATISTICS PRACTICUM3.0
TRACK 6: Interdisciplinary (15 CREDITS):

In addition to the core HES MS (non-thesis) curriculum (15 credits) detailed above, MS (non-thesis) students following the Interdisciplinary track will work with their advisor to choose an additional 15 credits that best match their intellectual interests.  As with our other tracks, at least 12 of these credits need to be engineering or applied science courses.  Students seeking this track are required to identify their desired focus area when applying and identify possible courses upon matriculation.  They will then work with their advisor to ensure that the student meets the course prerequisites and that the courses are offered on an appropriate timetable according to their anticipated graduation date.

Master of Science (thesis)

To obtain the 30 credits required for the MS (thesis), students must satisfy the following program requirements: 1) 9 credits of required HES core courses, 2) 3 credits of elective HES classes approved by Engineering, Design and Society,  3) 12 credits of approved Disciplinary Track classes, and 4) 6 credits of MS thesis research on a thesis topic approved by HES faculty in the Engineering, Design, and Society Division and the affiliated disciplinary track.

HES MS (thesis) Core Courses (12 credits):

EDNS515INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY STUDIES 3.0
EDNS577ADVANCED ENGINEERING AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT3.0
EDNS579COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH METHODS3.0
ELECTIVE 3 credits of approved HES electives from list below3.0

Approved HES Electives:

EDNS590RISKS IN HUMANITARIAN ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE3.0
CEEN501LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT3.0
CEEN575HAZARDOUS WASTE SITE REMEDIATION3.0
CEEN593SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING DESIGN3.0
CEEN556MINING AND THE ENVIRONMENT3.0
CEEN570WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT3.0
CEEN573RECLAMATION OF DISTURBED LANDS3.0
CEEN580CHEMICAL FATE AND TRANSPORT IN THE ENVIRONMENT3.0
CEEN581WATERSHED SYSTEMS MODELING3.0
CEEN595ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT3.0
EBGN553PROJECT MANAGEMENT3.0
HASS525ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNICATION3.0
HASS526INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION3.0
HASS527RISK COMMUNICATION3.0
HASS565SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY3.0
HASS568ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE3.0
HASS590ENERGY AND SOCIETY3.0
MNGN503MINING TECHNOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT3.0
MNGN510FUNDAMENTALS OF MINING AND MINERAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT3.0
MNGN565MINE RISK MANAGEMENT3.0
MNGN567SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND EARTH RESOURCES3.0
MNGN571ENERGY, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND SOCIETY3.0
PEGN530ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND SUSTAINABILITY3.0

Disciplinary Tracks

Track 1: Geophysics (GPGN) Courses and Thesis (18 credits):

Degree candidates should have an undergraduate degree in geophysics, physics, quantitative earth sciences, or engineering or equivalent coursework. In addition, candidates will need to complete necessary prerequisite courses for the graduate courses. 

In addition to the core HES MS (thesis) curriculum (12 credits) detailed above, MS (thesis) students following the Geophysics track must take one required course (3 credits), at least 9 credits of approved elective courses, and 6 credits of independent thesis research, as shown below.  Courses not listed below that align with the student's thesis can be substituted in consultation with the degree advisor. 

Required Course
GPGN577HUMANITARIAN GEOSCIENCE3.0
At least three courses of the following:
GPGN520ELECTRICAL AND ELECTROMAGNETIC EXPLORATION3.0
GPGN570APPLICATIONS OF SATELLITE REMOTE SENSING3.0
GPGN574ADVANCED HYDROGEOPHYSICS3.0
GPGN590INSTRUMENTAL DESIGN IN APPLIED GEOSCIENCES3.0
GEGN532GEOLOGICAL DATA ANALYSIS3.0
And:
GPGN707GRADUATE THESIS / DISSERTATION RESEARCH CREDIT6.0
Track 2: Environmental Engineering (CEEN) (18 credits): 

A BS degree in a science or engineering discipline is required.  Pre-requisites include two semesters of college calculus, one semester of college physics, two semesters of college chemistry, and one semester of college statistics.

In addition to the Core HES MS (thesis) curriculum (12 credits) detailed above, MS (thesis) students following the Environmental Engineering track must take one required course (3 credits), at least two courses (6 credits) of approved elective courses, and 6 credits of independent thesis research, as shown below. Courses not listed below that align with the student's thesis can be substituted in consultation with the degree advisor. 

Required Course:
GPGN577HUMANITARIAN GEOSCIENCE3.0
At least three courses of the following:
CEEN550PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY3.0
CEEN580CHEMICAL FATE AND TRANSPORT IN THE ENVIRONMENT3.0
Environmental Microbiology
CEEN560MOLECULAR MICROBIAL ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT3.0
CEEN562ENVIRONMENTAL GEOMICROBIOLOGY3.0
CEEN566MICROBIAL PROCESSES, ANALYSIS AND MODELING3.0
Treatment
CEEN570WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT3.0
CEEN575HAZARDOUS WASTE SITE REMEDIATION3.0
MNGN556MINE WATER AND ENVIRONMENT3.0
Hydrology
CEEN555LIMNOLOGY3.0
CEEN581WATERSHED SYSTEMS MODELING3.0
GEGN582INTEGRATED SURFACE WATER HYDROLOGY3.0
GEGN584FIELD METHODS IN HYDROLOGY3.0
And
CEEN707GRADUATE THESIS / DISSERTATION RESEARCH CREDIT6.0
Track 3: Geological Engineering (GEGN) (18 credits): 

Degree candidates should have an undergraduate degree in engineering or the equivalent coursework. In addition, candidates will need to complete necessary prerequisite courses for the graduate courses, including engineering geology, groundwater engineering, soil mechanics, and rock mechanics.

In addition to the Core HES MS (thesis) curriculum (12 credits) detailed above, MS (thesis) students following the Geological Engineering track must take two required courses (6 credits), at least two courses (6 credits) of approved elective courses, and 6 credits of independent thesis research, as shown below. 

Required Course:
GEGN532GEOLOGICAL DATA ANALYSIS3.0
GPGN577HUMANITARIAN GEOSCIENCE3.0
At least two of the following courses:
GEGN563APPLIED NUMERICAL MODELLING FOR GEOMECHANICS3.0
GEGN570CASE HISTORIES IN GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING AND HYDROGEOLOGY3.0
GEGN573GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING SITE INVESTIGATION3.0
GEGN575APPLICATIONS OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS3.0
GEGN580APPLIED REMOTE SENSING FOR GEOENGINEERING AND GEOSCIENCES3.0
GEGN671LANDSLIDES: INVESTIGATION, ANALYSIS & MITIGATION3.0
GEGN673ADVANCED GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING DESIGN3.0
And:
GEGN707GRADUATE THESIS / DISSERTATION RESEARCH CREDIT6.0
Track 4: Humanitarian Robotics (18 CREDITS):

Degree candidates should have an undergraduate degree in computer science, mechanical or electrical engineering, or robotics or equivalent coursework. In addition, candidates will need to complete necessary prerequisite courses for the graduate courses. 

In addition to the core HES MS (thesis) curriculum (12 credits) detailed above, MS (thesis) students following the Humanitarian Robotics track must take three required course (9 credits), at least 3 credits of approved elective courses, and 6 credits of independent thesis research, as shown below. Courses not listed below that align with the student's thesis can be substituted in consultation with the degree advisor. 

Required Courses:
CSCI532ROBOT ETHICS3.0
CSCI536HUMAN-ROBOT INTERACTION3.0
CSCI573ROBOT PROGRAMMING AND PERCEPTION3.0
At least one course from the following:
CSCI507INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER VISION3.0
CSCI534ROBOT PLANNING AND MANIPULATION3.0
CSCI575ADVANCED MACHINE LEARNING3.0
EENG517THEORY AND DESIGN OF ADVANCED CONTROL SYSTEMS3.0
EENG519ESTIMATION THEORY AND KALMAN FILTERING3.0
MEGN540MECHATRONICS3.0
MEGN544ROBOT MECHANICS: KINEMATICS, DYNAMICS, AND CONTROL3.0
MEGN545ADVANCED ROBOT CONTROL3.0
And:
CSCI707GRADUATE THESIS / DISSERTATION RESEARCH CREDIT6.0
Track 5: Data Science (DSCI) (18 CREDITS):

Degree candidates should have an undergraduate degree in computer science, mathematics, or data science or equivalent coursework. In addition, candidates will need to complete necessary prerequisite courses for the graduate courses. 

In addition to the core HES MS (thesis) curriculum (12 credits) detailed above, MS (thesis) students following the Data Science track must take four required courses (12 credits) and 6 credits of independent thesis research, as shown below.  In addition to earning the HES MS (thesis) degree, they will also earn the Data Science Statistical Learning Graduate Certificate. 

Required Courses
DSCI503ADVANCED DATA SCIENCE
DSCI530STATISTICAL METHODS I3.0
DSCI560INTRODUCTION TO KEY STATISTICAL LEARNING METHODS I3.0
DSCI561INTRODUCTION TO KEY STATISTICAL LEARNING METHODS II3.0
And:
MATH707GRADUATE THESIS / DISSERTATION RESEARCH CREDIT6.0
Track 6: Interdisciplinary (18 CREDITS):

In addition to the core HES MS (thesis) curriculum (12 credits) detailed above, MS (thesis) students following the Interdisciplinary track will work with their advisor to choose an additional 12 elective credits that best match their intellectual interests and take 6 credits of independent thesis research.  The 12 elective credits need to be engineering or applied science courses.  Students seeking this track are required to identify their desired focus area when applying and identify possible courses upon matriculation.  They will then work with their advisor to ensure that the student meets the course prerequisites and that the courses are offered on an appropriate timetable according to their anticipated graduation date.

Mines' Combined Undergraduate/Graduate Degree Program

Students enrolled in Mines’ combined undergraduate/graduate program may double count up to 6 credits of graduate coursework to fulfill requirements of both their undergraduate and graduate degree programs. These courses must have been passed with B- or better, not be substitutes for required coursework, and meet all other university, department, and program requirements for graduate credit.

Students are advised to consult with their undergraduate and graduate advisors for appropriate courses to double count upon admission to the combined program.

EDNS479. COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH. 3.0 Semester Hrs.

Engineers and applied scientists face challenges that are profoundly socio-technical in nature, and communities are increasingly calling for greater participation in the decisions that affect them. Understanding the diverse perspectives of communities and being able to establish positive working relationships with their members is therefore crucial to the socially responsible practice of engineering and applied science. This course provides students with the conceptual and methodological tools to conduct community-based research. Students will learn ethnographic field methods and participatory research strategies, and critically assess the strengths and limitations of these through a final original research project. Prerequisite: HASS100 or graduate student standing. Co-requisite: HASS200 or graduate student standing.

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EDNS515. INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY STUDIES. 3.0 Semester Hrs.

This course engages scholarship on the inextricable link between science, engineering and the various social contexts within which scientists and engineers work. We begin by critically reflecting on the question, What are science and engineering for? We then explore key conceptual domains in the social scientific study of science and engineering, including knowledge, agency, and expertise. We will learn from a diverse set of social scientific experts who study and collaborate with scientists and engineers. Students will leave the course with a better understanding of how social scientific inquiry can aid in understanding, and practicing, science and engineering. They will also have a clearer articulation of their individual professional commitments and how those fit with more traditional understandings of science and engineering.

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  • By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to:
  • By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to:
  • By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to:
  • By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to:
  • By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to:

EDNS544. INNOV8X. 3.0 Semester Hrs.

Innov8x introduces concepts and tools to accelerate the design, validation and adoption of innovations in support of creative problem solving. Using an entrepreneurial mindset, we learn how to identify and frame problems that beneficiaries and stakeholders face. We attempt to design and test practical solutions to those problems in collaboration with those who experience the problems. We apply beneficiary discovery, pretotyping, business model design (social, economic and environmental), constrained creativity, efficient experimentation, and rapid iteration. While resolving challenges involves technical solutions, an important aspect of this course is directly engaging beneficiaries and stakeholders in social contexts to develop solutions with strong impact potential. Innov8x is grounded in collaborative creativity theory at the intersection of organizational behavior (social psychology), design principles, entrepreneurship and innovation management.

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  • Frame and translate complex ambiguous problems into actionable opportunities for innovation
  • Conduct effective, objective and ongoing beneficiary discovery in efficient ways
  • Combine tools and methods to quickly test assumptions and secure beneficiary acceptance
  • Develop creative approaches to navigate real and perceived constraints
  • Leverage mentor and stakeholder support through credible communication based on research • Launch innovative solutions with the advocacy of beneficiaries and stakeholders
  • Create value by solving complex problems that straddle technical and social domains
  • Launch innovative solutions with the advocacy of beneficiaries and stakeholders

EDNS577. ADVANCED ENGINEERING AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. 3.0 Semester Hrs.

Analyzes the relationship between engineering and sustainable community development (SCD) from historical, political, ethical, cultural, and practical perspectives. Students will study and analyze different dimensions of sustainability, development, and "helping", and the role that engineering might play in each. Will include critical explorations of strengths and limitations of dominant methods in engineering problem solving, design and research for working in SCD. Through case-studies, students will analyze and evaluate projects in SCD and develop criteria for their evaluation. 3 hours lecture and discussion; 3 semester hours.

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  • .

EDNS579. COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH METHODS. 3.0 Semester Hrs.

Engineers and applied scientists face challenges that are profoundly sociotechnical in nature, and communities are increasingly calling for greater participation in the decisions that affect them. Understanding the diverse perspectives of communities and being able to establish positive working relationships with their members is therefore crucial to the socially responsible practice of engineering and applied science. This course provides graduate students with the conceptual and methodological tools to conduct community-based research. Graduate students will learn ethnographic field methods and participatory research strategies, and critically assess the strengths and limitations of these through a final original research project related to their ongoing independent research or practicums.

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  • During this course students will learn to:

EDNS580. HUMANITARIAN ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE CAPSTONE PRACTICUM. 3.0 Semester Hrs.

(I, II, S) This course allows students to practice the concepts, theories and methods learned in HES courses with the goal of making relevant their academic training to real world problems. This practicum can be achieved through a number of possibilities approved by HES director, including supervision and/or shadowing in HES-related activities, engaging in a social enterprise where they do problem definition, impact gap analysis and layout a business canvas, and designing and carrying out a project or fieldwork of their own, etc. Prerequisite: EDNS570, EDNS479. 3 hours research; 3 semester hours.

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  • • Identify successful practices for humanitarian projects in real settings (ABET a,h,j) • Determine different ways in which previous humanitarian projects could have been improved to yield more successful technical and social results (ABET a,b,h,j) • Determine effective engineering methods for different humanitarian applications (ABET b,c,h,j) • Work in teams to design, execute and evaluate a project with stakeholders (ABET a,b,c,d,e,j,k) • Gain experience in engaging and communicating with community members and stakeholders (ABET c,d,f,h,i,j,k) • Develop stronger professional communication skills through written assignments, group projects, discussions, presentations, and community engagement (ABET g,f,h,i,j,k)

EDNS590. RISKS IN HUMANITARIAN ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE. 3.0 Semester Hrs.

(I) This course provides students with opportunities to consider the risks related to humanitarian projects?or any projects that effect and involve people. These risks might include things that different scientific and engineering disciplines typically consider, as well as those that may be pertinent to project stakeholder perspectives. Guided by social scientific insights related to risk, students in this class will gain new tools for defining problems in ways that are relevant and appropriate for multiple contexts. Students will read, discuss, and analyze material together and to undertake independent research to deepen their understandings of chosen topics. 3 semester hours.

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  • • Analyze humanitarian science and engineering projects using established evaluation criteria (ABET a,h,j) • Identify the most successful practices for humanitarian science and engineering (ABET a,h,j) • Determine different ways in which previous engineering or scientific projects could have been improved to yield more successful technical and social results (ABET a,b,h,j) • Gain conceptual tools for and experience in engaging and communicating with community members and stakeholders (ABET c,d,f,h,i,j,k) • Develop stronger professional communication skills through written assignments, group projects, discussions, presentations, and community engagement (ABET g,f,h,i,j,k)

EDNS598. SPECIAL TOPICS IN ENGINEERING DESIGN & SOCIETY. 6.0 Semester Hrs.

(I, II, S) Pilot course or special topics course. Topics chosen from special interests of instructor(s) and student(s). Usually the course is offered only once, but no more than twice for the same course content. Prerequisite: none. Variable credit: 0 to 6 credit hours. Repeatable for credit under different titles.

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EDNS599. INDEPENDENT STUDY. 0.5-6 Semester Hr.

Individual research or special problem projects supervised by a faculty member, also, when a student and instructor agree on a subject matter, content, and credit hours. Variable credit: 0.5 to 6 credit hours. Repeatable for credit under different topics/experience and maximums vary by department. Contact the Department for credit limits toward the degree. Independent Study form must be completed and submitted to the Registrar.

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