The Technology Context – B101
Academic year
2008/9
"Engineering is the design and operation of technical systems to achieve specific goals. It includes the application of
science,
economics, and
aesthetics to these ends. Among the criteria for success,
effective performance of a system is more important than abstract elegance."
– by R. B. Gordon
Learning outcomes
- Knowledge of the market context, environmental legislation and engineering practices relevant to sustainable developments.
- Investigate and evaluate the effects of environmental legislation, usability requirements and manufacturing costs on the sale price of a technology product.
- Familiarity with technical information provided by environmental agencies and manufacturing companies.
- Awareness of the diverse engineering disciplines required for sustainable development projects.
Assessments
The coursework assignments will explore with increasing depth the impact of environmental issues on technology products. Each assignment emphasizes a different communication skill. Weekly lectures will introduce case studies for discussion and coursework development.
- Coursework 1 was due November 30, 2008 and contributed 40% to the unit mark. Video of presentations must be uploaded by January 9, 2009.
- Coursework 2 is due January 18, 2009 and contributes 60% to the unit mark.
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Textbooks
- Edwards, A. (2005). Sustainability revolution: portrait of a paradigm shift. Gabriola Island: New Society Publishers. ISBN 0865715319.
Read online using Ebrary.
- Harms, A. (2004). Engineering in time : the systematics of engineering history and its contemporary context. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing. ISBN 1860944337.
Read online using Ebrary.
- Livingston, C. (2005). Working with numbers and statistics : a handbook for journalists. Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. ISBN 0805852484.
Read online using Ebrary.
- Maran, R. (2005). Maran illustrated excel 2003. Boston: Course Technology, Inc.
Read online using Ebrary.
- Silverman, J. (2004). Shortcuts for the student writer. Blacklick: Mc Graw-Hill. ISBN 0071466517.
Read online using Ebrary.
- Soubbotina, T. (2004). Beyond economic growth : an introduction to sustainable development (2nd Ed.). Washington, DC: World Bank Publications.
Read online or download Acrobat PDF file.
- Zelazny, G. (2004). Say it with charts workbook. Blacklick: Mc Graw-Hill. ISBN 0071454934.
Read online using Ebrary.
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Study resources
PRESENTATIONS
WRITING
RESEARCH SOURCES
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
ECONOMICS AND FINANCE
DATA AND STATISTICS
MICROSOFT OFFICE
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