Undergraduate Courses
At the National Technical University of Athens, many specialized courses have been developed focusing on sustainability, covering a wide range of topics from architecture and engineering related to modern challenges in energy management and the environment.
This subsection refers to some indicative courses that have been included in the study guide of the individual faculties of the National Technical University of Athens in the respective undergraduate study cycles with clear directions towards the familiarization of the student community with the basic concepts of sustainability and its implementation-integration in the respective applications of engineering.
A first introduction to the basic concepts and processes of anti-pollution in relation to water resources takes place in the 3rd semester of the school in the course “Environmental Technology”. The course “Environmental Impacts” of the 9th semester is a specialized course that covers the basic environmental parameters related to the subject of Civil Engineering, presenting, among other things, the methods and standards of impact assessment from various projects and in various types of environments, describing the methods of dealing with and restoring environmental impacts and identifying any remedial measures. The course “Technical Materials II” of the 8th semester has included the sustainability of building materials and constructions in its curriculum, studying how the concept of sustainability is integrated into modern constructions and what is the environmental and energy impact of the green transition.
A first thorough introduction to the causes and sources of pollution and the related anti-pollution technologies associated to the subject of Mechanical Engineering is given in the course “Principles of Environmental Engineering for Mechanical Engineers” of the 5th semester, while in the course “Anti-Pollution Technology of Thermal Stations” of the 9th semester, an in-depth study of current anti-pollution technologies and the general environmental legislative framework is carried out.
In addition to the courses covering the study of emissions and the reduction of pollutants, the School of Mechanical Engineering has a set of courses that emphasize the utilization of sustainable energy sources and the environmental design of mechanical systems.
Indicatively, the courses of the “Basic Principles of Refrigeration” and the “Industrial Refrigeration Systems” where there is an extensive presentation of modern cooling and heating systems that implement the transition to environmentally friendly refrigerants, in accordance with the EU directives for climate neutrality and environmental design of systems. In fact, within the framework of the course “Industrial Refrigeration Systems” students also participate in international student competitions of ASHRAE for the sustainable energy design of buildings and systems, as mentioned in more detail in section 2.1.5.
In addition, in the courses “Decentralized Thermal Systems”, “Wind Energy”, “Solar Energy” there is an extensive study of the most environmentally friendly electricity, heat and cooling production systems with the utilization of sustainable sources, such as solar energy, geothermal energy and biomass, a subject that is also covered by the course “New and Renewable Energy Sources” of the 7th semester.
Like the other faculties of the National Technical University of Athens, there is also the provision in the coverage of the basic principles and technologies of sustainable and sustainable energy through the course “Renewable Energy Sources” of the 9th semester for the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. In addition, for many years – as well as the RES course – the “Energy Management and Environmental Policy” course of the 9th semester has been taught covering the main axes of the green transition and the related environmental policies as well as how they are implemented in the field of energy management, highlighting once again the importance that NTUA gives to environmental policy towards a sustainable future.
The School of Architecture offers special courses on sustainable and bioclimatic design. These courses have been part of the program for over two decades, highlighting NTUA’s long-standing commitment to sustainability education. Indicatively, the course of “Building Technology 3” of the 5th semester is mentioned, which concerns the analysis and design of a building structure, emphasizing the basic principles of sustainability and bioclimatic architecture. In addition, an elective course “Special Topics on Sustainable and Bioclimatic Design”, which further investigates sustainable architectural design practices using advanced programs and technology.
Due to the direct scientific correlation with the subject of environmental pollution, the School of Chemical Engineering has in its curriculum a direction to choose for the 4th and 5th year of undergraduate studies on the subject of “Environment-Energy” and with a specialized course that allows the deepening of topics directly related to the environment, such as “Pollutant Dispersion” and “Environmental Assessment and Optimization” Industrial Processes”, which, in combination with the course of “Environmental Engineering”, which is a compulsory course of the 8th semester, show the clear targeting of the School of Chemical Engineering in environmental technologies and sustainability.
Environmental management and sustainable planning for the containment of the climate crisis is a key field of study for the School of Agricultural and Surveying Engineering and Geoinformatics Engineering. In this direction, the undergraduate curriculum includes the flow of “Spatial Planning and Environmental Management” which has courses focusing on issues related to climate change adaptation, environmental planning, environmental impact assessment from projects as well as programs, management and interconnection of natural resources.
On the same axis as the other faculties of the National Technical University of Athens, the School of Mining-Metallurgical Engineering has a targeted direction around sustainability and environmental issues entitled “Environmental Engineering and Geoenvironment”. Already in the 4th semester and the course “Introduction to Environmental Science and Technology” the foundations are laid around the study of sustainable development and environmental issues and technological solutions. while the aforementioned specialization offered in the 4th and 5th year of the School offers a set of specialized courses that include, among others, “Groundwater Management and Protection” and “Natural Resources and Environment Management”.
A key contribution to sustainable design issues for the curriculum of the School of Naval Mechanical Engineering are the courses “General Chemistry” and “Risk Analysis and Environmental Impact Assessment in Sustainable Transport”, which provide essential knowledge that contributes to the understanding and promotion of environmental protection and sustainable development. The course “General Chemistry” focuses on topics such as water and air pollution, marine pollution and methods of restoring the marine environment after marine accidents. Understanding the chemical processes associated with pollution allows for the development of effective strategies to prevent and deal with pollution, thus helping to maintain the ecological balance. At the same time, the course “Risk analysis and environmental impact assessment in maritime transport” focuses on the study and management of risk in shipping, including the environmental dimension, such as oil pollution. Critical analysis of regulations on maritime safety and the protection of the marine environment enhances the ability to make informed decisions that promote sustainable development.
In full alignment with the other faculties of the National Technical University of Athens, the Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Natural Sciences has for years encompassed courses that aim at the appropriate education of the student community on environmental issues. Indicatively, the course “Physics of the Environment” is mentioned, in which an introduction is made to the basic issues surrounding Climate Change and air pollution in general. Accordingly, the course “Environmental Policy and Ethics” covers both the study of the field of current environmental legislation and ethical issues related to environmental management and sustainability
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