Lessons from Engineering Disasters (Timed and Monitored)
- Course Number: G1035T
- Credits: 2 hours
- Instructor: Helen Chen, Ph.D., PE
- Price: $20
Course Outline
This course explores significant engineering disasters throughout history, focusing on the technical, ethical, and managerial failures that led to these catastrophic events. Each case study will be thoroughly examined to identify the root causes of the disaster, the subsequent investigations, and the lessons learned to prevent similar failures in the future. The course emphasizes the critical role of engineering judgment, ethical responsibility, and the importance of adhering to safety standards. Students will gain insights into the complex interplay between design, materials, environmental factors, and human decision-making that can lead to engineering failures.
At the end of this course, there will be a multiple-choice, open-book quiz, which is designed to enhance your understanding of the course material.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Be able to understand the technical causes behind significant engineering disasters;
- Be able to identify key points of failure in design, construction, and maintenance;
- Be able to understand the importance of risk management and safety protocols; and
- Be able to apply lessons from past failures to improve future engineering practices.