Monthly Archives: June 2012

Donald C. Stone and the American Public Works Association

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An article by EPD Program Directors Howard Rosen, PhD, Program Director, and Stephen T. Pudloski, PE,  was published in the American Public Works Association Reporter. The article profiles Donald C. Stone and his dedication to the American Public Works Association.

Article excerpt:
In 1935, two public works organizations each independently asked Donald C. Stone to become their Executive Director. Stone was already by then highly respected on a national and international level, having led successful public works projects and consulting on public works management. Stone agreed to serve, only if these organizations would agree to merge. Working part-time as the Interim Executive Director, Stone introduced initiatives to increase membership, develop programs, and generate resources. By the time the American Public Works Association (APWA) was officially launched in 1937, Stone had built a solid foundation of resources that allowed the organization to flourish. Read more of this profile of and tribute to Donald C. Stone and his dedication to the APWA.

View upcoming public works and municipal courses from UW–Madison’s Department of Engineering Professional Development.

Visit EPD at 2012 IEEE Transportation Electrification Conference and Expo

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EPD will be in Dearborn, Michigan, June 18-20 at the 2012 IEEE Transportation Electrification Conference and Expo (ITEC ’12). Stop by Booth No. 303 to find out about our continuing education offerings.

EPD’s Bulent Sarlioglu, PhD, Assistant Professor and Associate Director of Wisconsin Electric Machines and Power Electronics Consortia (WEMPEC), UW–Madison, will be moderating a panel discussion 8 titled Aerospace Applications–More Electric Aircraft. This panel discussion will take place Tuesday, June 19, 2:00-3:40 pm.

On Wednesday, June 20, Sarlioglu will participate in Panels 13 and 14: University Capabilities in Transportation Electrification.

Congrat to Dee Miller, graduate project assistant, EPD!

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Dee Miller recently received the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Dissertation Grant for the 2012-2013 academic year, through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health & Society Scholars program.

Her research project is entitled “Understanding Health Information Needs and Communication Behaviors of Older Adults and their Informal Caregivers to Inform Design for Consumer Health IT Applications.” The purpose of her research is to apply a participatory design methodology called contextual design, to understand older adults, as well as their informal caregivers (family and friends) health information needs and information-sharing behavior as it relates to activities of daily living. This exploratory research represents a first step towards establishing a framework for developing system and users requirements that will inform the design and development process of future consumer health IT applications.

UW-Madison Summer Forum on Sustainability

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University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Continuing Studies and its campus partners are sponsoring a University Summer Forum, which focuses on sustainability and is open to the public at no cost and to registered students for the regular credit fees.

Beyond the Green Label: The Challenge in Defining Sustainability

Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 19-July 12 (no classes the week of July 4), 7-9 pm

1610 Engineering Hall 1415 Engineering Drive

Although the term sustainability and sustainable development are frequently used words these days, actually understanding what is sustainable as opposed to “what is not” sustainable is a challenging topic. In these sessions, we will explore definitions from various thought leaders and discuss them in class. The forum will have an international focus and include some commonly used frames such as the Natural Step and Industrial Ecology.

Learn more about the lead faculty members teaching this course:

Professor Patrick Eagan 
 Department of Engineering Professional Development (EPD), Office of Sustainability, and the Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. Find out more about Eagan’s courses through the Master of Engineering in Sustainable Systems Engineering. 

Professor Craig Benson Wisconsin Distinguished Professor Craig H. Benson, Director of Sustainability Research and Education, Chair of civil and environmental engineering and geological engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

The Forum is free and open to the public. Advanced registration is requested. Register now!

The new online Master of Engineering in Sustainable Systems Engineering (SSE) program will begin in January 2013, with applications being accepted through October 15, 2012.

Webinars Focus on New Online Sustainable Systems Engineering Program

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The University of Wisconsin–Madison will be holding a series of informational webinars on the new online Master of Engineering in Sustainable Systems Engineering (SSE). The webinars offer the opportunity for interested individuals to ask specific questions on the program, hear from UW–Madison online Master of Engineering program students and alumni on their experiences, and to learn more about the SSE curriculum from SSE faculty.

Online information sessions will be held:

  • Tuesday, June 19, 1:00-1:30 pm Central Time
  • Wednesday, June 20, 7:00-7:30 pm Central Time
  • Wednesday, July 25, 7:00-7:30 pm Central Time
  • Thursday, July 26, 1:00-1:30 pm Central Time

Pre-registration for information sessions is required. To register for an information session, contact Marty Gustafson, SSE Program Director, magustafson2@wisc.edu, 800-462-0876 or 608-262-8819.

SSE is designed to prepare mid-career engineers with knowledge in sustainable engineering practices to be leaders in managing systems that impact the quality of water, land, air, energy, economics, and society. In addition, SSE focuses on the technical aspects of three specializations—energy production and distribution, facilities and built environment, and public infrastructure.

For more information on SSE, contact Marty Gustafson, SSE Program Director, magustafson2@wisc.edu, 800-462-0876 or 608-262-8819.

New Online Sustainable Systems Master’s Program Geared Toward Practicing Engineers

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Patrick Eagan, PhD

Patrick Eagan, PhD, a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Department of Engineering Professional Development (EPD), Office of Sustainability, and the Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, likes to look at sustainability as an opportunity for engineers to become leaders in green development.

Today sustainability is no longer just a concept but a global imperative. “For engineers, it’s a topic that needs to be explored and a competency that should add value to their career,” says Eagan. “Companies and other institutions seek engineers competent in sustainability practices.” As human impact on the earth increases, changes must be made to keep the planet healthy.

In order to address demand, Eagan worked with a talented group of individuals to create UW–Madison’s new online Masters of Engineering in Sustainable Systems Engineering (SSE) degree, geared toward practicing engineers.  The program prepares students to understand and inspire change within their organization relating to complex systems and their impact on the quality of water, land, air, energy, economics, and society. SSE is currently accepting applications through October 15, 2012 for the semester beginning January 2013.

The new online degree combines expertise in distance technology delivery to graduate students and UW-Madison’s expertise in the emerging area of sustainability. “EPD has been looking for some way to meet the needs of engineers and other professionals working on sustainability and making it actionable for more than seven years,” says Eagan.  “Our research indicated that there was a need and that we could meet that need.” The degree requires 27 credits, consisting of required courses, approved electives and a capstone project.  “UW-Madison has a lot of talent in sustainability,” Eagan says, “As well as an established program with a great track record.”

The University’s online graduate engineering programs are ranked #1 by U.S. News & World Report.

Eagan also helped design two online courses based on sustainable engineering that are part of the SSE curriculum, with the intention of teaching engineers the skill sets they need in order to obtain the job they desire. The first course: Core Competencies of Sustainability, introduces students to sustainable design and development. Over the semester, students experience a range of sustainability dimensions and explore sustainability by engaging in reflective thinking. They also look at the professional and personal competency needed to deal with that particular week’s topic.

The second course: Sustainability Tools and Contexts, explores sustainability from both an industrial, as well as a public sector standpoint. Students learn how to utilize various eco-design tools, and how to evaluate output after these tools are in use. Each week the students use a different tool (such as the Economic Input-Output Life Cycle Assessment) that they apply to a variety of situations. Speakers with hands-on experience using these tools in their careers are also brought in to show students how these tools will affect their careers and be used in real life.

“By reflecting and engaging in activity-based learning, the students are able to explore sustainability in terms of how it will apply to their lives and their interests,” Eagan says.

Both courses have been largely successful but the courses are constantly evaluated courses, leading to continuous change and improvement.

“We are always looking for ways to improve the learning environment for our students,” Eagan says.