(121a) “Synthetic Fuel Production” As a Chemical Engineering Energy Elective

While many chemical engineers work in fossil fuel industries, we are also at the forefront of technology in renewable energy. With students capable of taking many pathways in other majors, it is important that we recruit and educate students in chemical engineering about the breadth of possible careers and its global impact. In our department, we have stressed environmental implications in several courses, with topics on solar engineering, sustainability, and energy from waste that have been offered as upper level and graduate electives. A recent new course is “Synthetic Fuel Production”, which focuses on the chemical and biological processing of both fossil and renewable feedstocks. The course also discusses current and futuristic fuel economies, such as hydrogen and methanol. In addition, the course is designed to emphasize the global aspects of both the history of energy, specifically transportation fuels, and related geopolitical impacts, current events, and potential advances for the future. With the broad scope and application framework, the course is capable to engage students within applications, while introducing/reinforcing core course content. It is part of USF’s Global Citizen Project.