Title: Incorporating the systems approach in future undergraduate chemical engineering education curriculum: illustration via computer-aided process simulation laboratory exercises

Authors: Cheng Seong Khor, Ali Elkamel, William A. Anderson

Addresses: Chemical Engineering Department, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Bandar Seri Iskandar, 31750 Tronoh, Perak, Malaysia; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada. ' Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada. ' Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada

Abstract: In this work, we explicitly incorporate the principles espoused by the systems approach as an essential component in the ongoing movement to revamp the undergraduate chemical engineering curricula in response to major transformations that have taken place within the field and the profession. We propose to accomplish this goal by enhancing the use of commercial process simulators in classroom instruction in the form of process simulation computer laboratory exercises, in order to complement the traditional lecture format mode of teaching, by implementing the approach on a separation processes course. This work is significant judging by the value of incorporating such an industrially-relevant tool in the training of tomorrow|s chemical engineers, thus providing enough incentive to develop more of such high quality educational materials.

Keywords: chemical engineering education; chemical engineering curriculum; systems approach; process simulation; Aspen.

DOI: 10.1504/WRSTSD.2008.020291

World Review of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 2008 Vol.5 No.3/4, pp.402 - 413

Published online: 14 Sep 2008 *

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