In line with the priorities the university established several years ago regarding proper waste management, and with the goal of raising environmental awareness, the elective course "Environmental Aspects in Engineering" was launched.
This new course is taught to students in the Engineering and Biotechnology degree programs by professors Mag. Inés Tiscornia and Dr. Silvia Acuña.
According to Tiscornia, this course was created to help students acquire and deepen their knowledge of environmental issues, with applications to the production processes carried out in any company or industry.
“We believe it is important for students in various fields of study to have the tools to identify and address environmental issues within their respective fields,” he adds.
Although the elective was first offered in the Biotechnology program, it is currently being incorporated into the Systems Engineering program. “Tools such as life-cycle analysis are useful not only for biotechnology engineers. Understanding how to properly manage biological, chemical, and electronic waste adds value for all professionals,” says Tiscornia.
Throughout the course, we will work on a case study of a company so that students can apply their knowledge to a real-world scenario.
Some of the topics to be covered include: the functioning of environmental systems, eco-efficiency and clean production, life cycle analysis, carbon footprint, water footprint, and the circular economy, among others.
The course "Environmental Aspects in Engineering" is taught by two instructors to provide added value and diverse perspectives, ranging from a strong theoretical foundation to an examination of the realities in Uruguay. It will also explore the various contributions that biotechnology can make to this field.
Acuña is a chemical engineer with training in environmental engineering and has Ph.D. in Engineering Projects from the Polytechnic University of Valencia; she currently works in the climate change division of the new Ministry of the Environment. Meanwhile, Tiscornia holds a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and a master’s degree in Biology. She runs a startup producing compostable bags that promotes responsible consumption and serves as deputy coordinator of the university’s Biotechnology Laboratory and Environmental Management Department.