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COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS CONCENTRATION

Updated 1/2/2024

The Sustainable Systems concentration is designed to provide students with opportunities to cut across disciplines and gain a breadth of experience in key areas of Sustainable Engineering, with the intent of fostering integrated solutions. 

Key knowledge, skills and capabilities include:

  • Systems thinking
  • Lifecycle analysis
  • Supply chain management
  • Circular systems

Top research areas:

  • Complex adaptive systems
  • Climate resilience
  • Circular systems
  • Sustainable supply chains

Key courses include:

  • SUSE 7115 – Sustainable Engineering Systems (Spring) – Required
  • SUSE 7113 – Sustainable Materials (Fall)
  • SUSE 7120 – International Development (Fall)
  • SUSE 7200 – Biomimicry (Spring)
  • SUSE 8111 – Advanced Lifecycle Analysis (Fall)
  • SUSE 8112 – Sustainable Supply Chain (Spring)
  • SUSE 8130 – GHG Management (Spring)
  • SUSE 9015 – Sustainable Infrastructure (Summer)
  • ECE 7800 – Renewable Energy Systems (Spring)
  • GEV 7040 – Introduction to GIS (Fall)

MASTER'S IN SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

 

 

RESOURCES

APPLICATION  INFORMATION

TUITION, FEES AND FINANCIAL AID

ACADEMIC CALENDAR

GRADUATE STUDENT RESOURCES

E-LEARNING

GRADUATE CAREER SERVICES

Dr. Bridget Wadzuk
Director of Sustainable Engineering
Professor, Edward A. Daylor Chair in Civil Engineering

Lexi George
Program Coordinator
Email: lexi.george@villanova.edu

STUDENT REFLECTIONS

MATT BEMIS, GHANA

With Lifetime Well International, Bemis worked on a GIS-based asset management tool for handpump water systems.

“It's not about going in and telling the locals what to do; it's acting as a resource that local management teams can use to help improve and extend the sustainability of projects.”

Cristina Benzo, Peru

Benzo is working on a thesis project with the WindAid Institute to develop a methodology for accessing available wind resources and projecting how they might vary in a changing climate.

"My time with WindAid has not only opened my eyes to a beautiful, vibrant culture, but also given me the opportunity to delve into small wind energy manufacturing and implementation in developing communities."

Mackenzie Bowden '18 ChE, Indonesia

With a Fulbright award, Bowden is spending the year researching feedstocks for anaerobic digestion in partnership with Bogor Agricultural University.

“During a 2017 service trip to Indonesia, I learned a valuable lesson about failure and growth. My anaerobic digestion project at that time was unsuccessful and frustrating. It inspired me, however, to research the topic further and increase my knowledge of the technology so that I can complete a redesigned project for rural application with a greater understanding of how to achieve successful results.”

Amanda Findlay ’17 CLAS, Madagascar

Findlay is working with Catholic Relief Services to develop a management tool for rural water utilities to track water quality, financial flows and customer satisfaction over time.

“I’ve learned a lot about being flexible and working as part of a team. To play even a small role in this great mission has been a privilege and a blessing.”

Terry Williams, Cambodia

For the past two summers, Williams has worked with the Caramanico Foundation promoting the adoption of simple and affordable technology to improve the quality and range of educational material available to students in the poorest parts of Cambodia.

“Development work is often difficult—working in new cultures and environments with unfamiliar customs and values—yet it can also be very rewarding when you see the enthusiasm for your ideas or solutions. Getting work done takes a lot of perseverance, however. The first step is to figure out who to ask and with whom to ally.”