西安大略大学

Western’s green process engineering (GPE) is Canada’s first program of this kind that addresses societies growing concern on the environment and sustainability, focusing on developing products and processes that are inherently clean and sustainable without sacrificing economic viability and efficiency. Students apply the principles of chemistry and chemical engineering, biology, physics, mathematics and economics to design of new pathways that use alternative and renewable materials and energy sources, and reduce waste generation at the source.

Common First Year

All first-year students complete a common first year. Courses include: Applied Mathematics - Calculus, Applied Mathematics — Linear Algebra, Business for Engineers, Chemistry, Computer Programming Fundamentals, Introductory Engineering Design and Innovation Studio, Physics, Properties of Materials and Statics. Upon completing Western Engineering’s common first year, students apply to the Green Process Engineering program.

Green Process Engineering

The program provides a platform that integrates the fundamental principles of chemical engineering to the design of commercial products and processes that are safe, economical and environmentally friendly. The program emphasizes use of alternative sources of energy and renewable feedstock with reduced carbon emissions, and design of alternative pathways to processes or products with reduced environmental footprints and process intensification.

Students, in addition to fundamental chemical engineering courses, take specific courses such as green chemistry, fundamentals of green engineering, solar fuel cells, green fuels, green power, photovoltaic and energy storage, sustainability and life cycle analysis and green process design. Through technical electives, students have the opportunity to explore emerging topics in fields of catalysis, (bio)energy, wastewater treatment, drinking water quality, solid waste management, and oil processing.

In their fourth year, students have the option of investigating a focus area of their interest in greater depth by working in a research lab under the supervision of a faculty mentor, gaining practical skills while completing an original research project. In addition, they complete their studies with a capstone design project dealing with the design of a green chemical process of industrial relevance