EGR 291, Fall 2009 Great Issues in Global Engineering | College of Engineering, Michigan State University

What is this course really about?

In a word -- GLOBALIZATION -- and its impact on engineering.

Why should I learn about globalization?

Globalization will surely have an impact on your professional career both as you start and during your climb up the ladder of success ...

Here is what the Wall Street Journal had to say about college degrees (excerpted from The Declining Value of Your College Degree, 7/17/08):

"College-educated workers are more plentiful, more commoditized and more subject to the downsizings that used to be the purview of blue-coller workers only."
"Economists (report that)... globalization and technology... (made it easier for firms to do overseas) the work once done by 'lower-end college graduates in middle management'... but made college graduates whose work was more abstract and creative more productive, driving their salaries up."

How will this course help me?

You will enhance the characteristics that make a great "global engineer". That's a person who

enjoys and is good at problem-solving, and seeks continuous improvement;
comes to understand the major components of globalization;
brings a global perspective to his or her work; and
expects to be a lifelong learner who welcomes new career challenges.

Can you be more specific about how this course will help me?

We will integrate three major themes with a thinking toolbox.

Economics - international trade and development, global corporations, and the Michigan economy
Engineering - systems for agriculture, for communication, for energy, for water, and for habitation
The Environment - what does our planet have to say?
A thinking toolbox - systems tools, literacy concepts, how to frame questions, persuading others

Why is the College of Engineering making this effort and investment?

We see it as critical that we introduce global engineering awareness and skills to our student who are most likely to become future leaders.

Why is the course targeted at sophomores?

We want you to develop passion for following up some of the questions you develop in the course. You will have time in school to do this if you start with globalization ideas earlier.

Will the course "count" for my degree?

For most majors, this will be a free elective, counted in your credit count but not fulfilling any specific degree requirement. For Applied Engineering Science students who have not yet taken EGR 300, that course will be waived with this offer of EGR 291.

OK, I'm so excited -- when and how do I get started?
Sign up for EGR 291, Section 001 or 002 in Fall 2009.

Get an override from Jeanette Robertson in 1410 Engineering Bldg (EB) or robertso@egr.msu.edu