The issues facing the engineering community have become more complex. These issues include topics such as how to develop and maintain sustainable civil infrastructure systems and how to approach a problem using a multi-disciplinary approach. A method to address such topics in engineering education is being introduced at the University of Utah using a new study abroad program on the topic of sustainable infrastructure. The faculty-led program to Costa Rica, hosted by the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and supported by the Environmental Studies Program, is being designed to combine engineering and non-engineering students to approach sustainable infrastructure planning, design, construction, and operation from a multi-disciplinary perspective. The goal of the program is to provide engineers and non-engineers the necessary broad understanding of infrastructure and in-depth technical skills to enable them to create more sustainable solutions. One key aspect of this engineering study abroad program is the integration of the learning activities with the location of the study abroad experience. To accomplish this integration and the goal of the course the instructors developed a set of learning activities including a team project, case study analysis, research paper, and individual and team assignments that will require the students to work in multi-disciplinary teams, learn from examples and professionals in Costa Rica, and make connections from their experiences in Costa Rica to practice in the United States. The paper will provide a description of the course objectives, content, and in-country activities. The focus will be how the pedagogy is coordinated with the international experience, applies e-Learning techniques, and incorporates multi-discipline activities.
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