AC 2009-1192: Evaluation of ABET Program Curricula Criteria for the Integration of Sustainability Related Subject Areas

摘要

ABET has also acknowledged the need for the integration of sustainability into engineering programs by including it in general criteria. A content analysis was performed on the criteria for each undergraduate program accredited by ABET. Sustainability and its component concepts of environment, society, and economy were identified within individual program criteria. As a relative measure of integration of sustainability into the program specific criteria, the number of individual programs containing reference to these concepts was compared to the number of programs referring to mathematics, a theme chosen because of its relevance to all engineering programs. All of these concepts were found with less frequency that the core subject area of mathematics. Sustainability was not specifically identified within any individual program criteria. Society was found within seven program criteria. Economy related concepts were found within five specific program criteria, while environment was identified within three. Despite the fact that much of the effort to develop sustainability related courses and teaching materials has been lead by environmental engineering programs and faculty, mining engineering was the only program criteria which specifically mentioned all three component concepts of sustainability.