Fall 2022, 3 Credits

Instructor: Rita Klees

Course Description

A true understanding of global engineering requires students to engage in a significant field-based experience in low- or middle-income context.  The Global Development Practicum meets this objective and is an important component of the Mortenson Center in Global Engineering & Resilience program, so it is required of all Mortenson Center Professional Master's and Graduate Certificate students.  The practicum provides students with an opportunity to synthesize and integrate knowledge acquired in Mortenson Center coursework and other learning experiences, and to apply theory and principles in a situation that approximates some aspect of professional practice in engineering and international development.  The practicum is designed to help students:

  • Understand the meaning and importance of global engineering practice
  • Understand the purpose of field methods including community-based needs assessment, monitoring and evaluation, and household surveys
  • Understand and observe common elements among planning models and be able to develop a plan for an engineering intervention addressing a global issue, e.g. water supply, housing, energy
  • Understand major implementation issues, common barriers to implementation, and strategies for minimizing barriers to implementation
  • Identify and observe strategies for scaling up and sustaining engineering solutions
  • Apply planning, monitoring and evaluation skills to real-world problem solving; and
  • Enhance practice skills of leadership, effective teamwork, and the mastery of competencies in global engineering

For more details about past and present practicum assignments, please see our Practicum Placements page.