Conference Session

Project-Based Service Learning

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Maya Trotz, University of South Florida; Ken Thomas, University of South Florida

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

Tampa, which is currently beautifying three of its stormwater ponds.The Environmental Engineering Laboratory at USF is a required 1 unit course offered in the Falland Spring semester each year with a total enrollment of 60 students each semester. Studentswork in teams of 3 to conduct experiments and write reports for a series of labs that explorewater quality measurements (e.g. pH, turbidity, DO, hardness, phosphorous) and treatmentprocesses (e.g. chemical precipitation, flocculation and settling, sorption, photocatalyticoxidation). Class lectures not only cover experimental approaches, but also used online videosthat addressed issues of sustainability. After the videos, students brainstormed on sustainabilityas it applies to the laboratory

Conference Session

Project-Based Service Learning

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Adam Czekanski, United States Military Academy

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

Page 14.896.3migration, education and social well-being were also collected as a side project driven by thespecific background studies and interests of the students on the team.MethodologyThis project was no different than other international service learning experiences in that theoverall goal was to work with members of the host nation to solve problems through theapplication of knowledge initially obtained in the classroom.1 The difference in this project fromthose employed at other institutions is that this service learning experience did not count foracademic credit for the students due to rigid guidelines established by our institution, and due tothe academic diversity of the group that would limit the ability to allocate potential

Conference Session

Environmental Engineering Curricula

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Simeon Komisar, Florida Gulf Coast University; Diane Bondehagen, Florida Gulf Coast University; Tanya Kunberger, Florida Gulf Coast University; Robert O'Neill, Florida Gulf Coast University

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

to a level of competence appropriate to these challengesthen becomes a difficult task in light of universal constraints on teaching resources, availablecredits within our template (128 semester based credits at FGCU), and the need to deliver design Page 14.473.2experiences throughout. A two required course sequence of (1) Fluid Mechanics and (2)Hydraulics or Hydrology and Hydraulics are often the required courses in a CE curriculum, asshown in Table 1, below, showing an analysis of 20 well established programs in CivilEngineering at publicly supported Universities, yet some programs require only one course in thegeneral fluids area and very

Conference Session

Project-Based Service Learning

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Beverly Jaeger, Northeastern University; Ethan LaRochelle, Northeastern University

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

programs.This first-phase research found that involvement in the EWB organization yielded the followingnotable outcomes: over 80% of respondents reported that they developed a greater appreciationfor other cultures, nearly 80% indicated it taught them a stronger appreciation for teamwork, andover 75% attested to an increased awareness of the role of ethics and personal responsibility inengineering. In the second phase of this project, a more extensive web-based survey instrumentwas then developed building on these results and extending the inquiry to a more nationaldemographic. This work also yielded encouraging results in terms of further quantifying (1)individual benefits for volunteer participants and (2) identifying areas for academic programs

Conference Session

Environmental Engineering Curricula

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Montserrat Rabago-Smith, Kettering Univeristy; Jennifer Aurandt, Kettering University

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

) Internship Program, administered by theDepartment of Environmental Quality, Environmental Science and ServicesDivision.Introduction In a national workshop, Exploring Opportunities in Green Chemistry andEngineering Education: A workshop summary to the Chemical SciencesRoundtable, sponsored by the National Research Council, environmental leadersagreed that Green Chemistry must be incorporated into the undergraduateengineering curriculum. They proposed that an introductory Green Chemistrylecture/laboratory course is vital to future engineers and scientists. 1 In support ofthis finding, we have developed and taught a course entitled “Green IndustrialOrganic Chemistry” to advance interests in chemical sciences and address theneeds of educating

Conference Session

Project-Based Service Learning

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jim Chamberlain, Clemson University; Lisa Benson, Clemson University

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

knowledge withwhich to make systematic improvements to the CI class’s structure and setting. Often calledaction research, this kind of research is quickly assimilated and implementable, and has thepotential for bearing much immediate fruit[1]. The goal of the class is in creating an atmosphereof professionalism that is characteristic of a consulting engineer’s office and work structure.Secondly, the findings may point to the need for a more in-depth study that will utilize studentprofiles and perceptions generated here. Two educational theories are used to form the initial theoretical constructs or bases forthe survey questionnaire. These are motivation theory and situated cognition, and both aredescribed below. No less than with

Conference Session

Service Learning Projects in Developing Countries

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jana Fattic, Western Kentucky University; Andrew Ernest, Western Kentucky University

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

certification in Water and Wastewater. Page 14.1357.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2009 ! ∀ # !∀#∃ ∃ ∀ % & # ∀ #∋ # ( & ∃ ∀ & & & & & %& ∀ ∀ & & )∗∗+ & , − .## & / 0 1 ,./− ∀ & 0 1 ,01− / # & 2 # #∋ # ( ∀ % & / # & & ∀ # & ∀ & &

Conference Session

Project-Based Service Learning

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Chris Swan, Tufts University; Mary McCormick, Tufts University

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

American Society of Civil Engineers(ASCE), “The manner in which civil engineering is practiced must change” (2). Engineeringeducation must be restructured to adequately prepare engineers for the anticipated futurechallenges; globalization, sustainability, complexity, and adaptability. Publications such as theEngineering Criterion 3 (EC 2000) from the Accreditation Board for Engineering andTechnology (1), Engineer of 2020 by the National Academy of Engineers (NAE) (15), and ASCE’sBody of Knowledge (BOK2)(3) are aimed at revising the current engineering curriculum to shiftthe existing paradigm of the engineering curriculum towards a more well-rounded education.Although the premise of each report is unique, there is a consistent, resounding theme

Conference Session

Sustainability in Engineering Courses

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jennifer Aurandt, Kettering University; Terri Lynch-Caris, Kettering University

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

thereare six distinct modules agreed upon as necessary to meet the environmental challengeof re-designing common products sustainably. The course is based upon the FordPartnership for Advanced Studies (PAS) pedagogy which emphasizes active learningthrough “hands-on activities”. The original six modules include (1) Historical Social andEthical Perspectives, (2) Life Cycle Analysis, (3) Material Selection, (4) Process Design,(5) End of Life Options, and (6) Environmentally Responsible Management. In additionto these original modules Green Chemistry was added as a seventh module to add animportant lab component to the course. Each module was designed to become a standalone module able to be disseminated and used in any course.In the Green Chemistry

Conference Session

Project-Based Service Learning

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Angela Bielefeldt, University of Colorado, Boulder; Kurt Paterson, Michigan Technological University; Chris Swan, Tufts University

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

interested in evidence indicating thatgraduates of these PBSL programs are achieving modern knowledge and skills. It may be thatPBSL offers substantial promise for building the technological workforce needed by the nation.Project-Based Service LearningProject-based service learning is a form of active learning where students work on projects thatbenefit a real community or client while also providing a rich learning experience. Project-basedlearning (PBL) is learner focused.1 In contrast to traditional PBL where a project is developedby the instructor and the learning path is fairly predictable, PBSL adds the community as a fullpartner and the outcomes are less clear. William Oakes notes: “the facilitation of the [PBSL]experience is more dependent

Conference Session

Sustainability in Engineering Courses

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Anoop Desai, Georgia Southern University; Jean-Claude Thomassian, State University of New York, Maritime College

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

400 students persemester. Being part of the core curriculum, students from diverse educational backgrounds andeducational objectives typically take this course in their freshman year. The course is anexcellent introductory gateway for non-science/technology majors into the world of science,technology and sustainability.The state in which this course has existed in the past had the following prominent drawbackswhich were in absolute need of rectification:1. Recent technological advancements such as fuel cells, smart materials etc which are an integral part of environment consciousness and sustainability were not given any exposure.2. Product Design, which forms an integral component of sustainability, didn’t receive any exposure.3. The

Conference Session

Sustainability in Engineering Curricula

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Anoop Desai, Georgia Southern University; Jean-Claude Thomassian, State University of New York, Maritime College

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

referred to as Quality Function Deployment (QFD). This tool centers on the so calledhouse of Quality. The House of Quality is a matrix that converts customer requirements intoproduct design features.Figure 1 illustrates the structure of a typical house of quality.It is evident from the figure that customer requirements can easily be translated into productfeatures using this approach. Simultaneously, it is also useful in ensuring that the product staysahead of any competition that may exist or might crop up in the future. .In order to use the QFD systematically, one needs to adopt a four step approach to curriculumdesign which is detailed as follows.1. Curriculum Planning: This is the first step in the process. It seeks to incorporate the voice

Conference Session

Service Learning Projects in Developing Countries

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Maya Trotz, University of South Florida; Amy Stuart, University of South Florida; Daniel Yeh, University of South Florida; Helen Muga, University of South Florida; Linda Phillips, University of South Florida; James Mihelcic, University of South Florida

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

to meet them, more non-traditionalpartnerships and funding mechanisms are emerging that include non-governmentaland civic organizations (Hokanson et al., 2006; Mihelcic, et al., 2005, 2006). Table 1lists examples of partnerships in the Civil and Environmental Engineering program atthe University of South Florida (USF) that include experiences for undergraduate,master’s and doctoral students.Table 1: Examples of non traditional international partnerships at USF,including participant demographics and applicable education levels of program. Case Non-Traditional Academic #Female # BS MS Ph.D. Partner (Location) URM 1. International Local community

Conference Session

Sustainability in Engineering Curricula

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jess Everett, Rowan University; Peter Mark Jansson, Rowan University; Krishan Bhatia, Rowan University; Chris Moore, Rowan University; William Riddell, Rowan University; Chris Baralus, Rowan University

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

. Page 14.533.2BackgroundOur Engineering College is committed to innovative methods of learning to best prepare studentsfor a rapidly changing and highly competitive marketplace [1]. Key objectives include: • Creating multidisciplinary experiences through collaborative laboratories and coursework; • Incorporating state-of-the-art technologies throughout the curricula; • Creating continuous opportunities for technical writing and communication, and • Emphasizing hands-on, open-ended problem solving, including undergraduate research.To help meet these curriculum objectives, the four engineering programs have commonEngineering Clinic classes (Clinics) throughout their programs of study. Students enroll inClinics in each of their

Conference Session

Service Learning Projects in Developing Countries

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jess Everett, Rowan University; Yusuf Mehta, Rowan University; Joshua R. Wyrick, Rowan University; Maria Perez-Colon, Rowan University

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

program, EPANET. To learn more about this program, developed by theEnvironmental Protection Agency, visit http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/wswrd/dw/epanet.html. Thestudents were tasked to learn this program on their own. After several simulations, a feasiblepipe layout and design was identified. The design of this pipe system was delivered to a localSenegalese contractor who supervised the final construction and implementation. Studentslearned a great deal from this project, e.g., they learned the importance of obtaining new skills,such as the operation of EPANET, to solve problems. Figure 1 shows two engineering studentsexploring life in Ngonine. Figure 1: Engineering student pounds millet

Conference Session

Understanding Students: Recruiting, Retention, Enrichment

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Eric Bumbalough, Kettering University; Jennifer Aurandt, Kettering University

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

of students, faculty and staff who are interested in educating studentsin making environmentally responsible decisions. KIET received NationalScience Foundation CCLI Phase 1 Grant (DUE#051132) to design and teach theEnvironmentally Conscious Design and Manufacturing class and start theGreener Engineering Organization (GEO), a student club, in Fall 2007. Since itsformation, GEO has improved environmental awareness, stimulatedenvironmental action, and enhanced the image of Kettering as anenvironmentally conscious university. They have improved the local anduniversity community by giving its members service learning, leadership, andnetworking opportunities. Furthermore, they initiated paper and beveragecontainer recycling programs, and

Conference Session

Service Learning Projects in Developing Countries

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sharon deMonsabert, George Mason University; Cynthia Jester, United States Army Corps of Engineers

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

with three commands coordination would bechallenging. In February 2007, the Bush Administration announced the creation of anew unified combatant command for the continent of Africa because of its emergingstrategic importance. AFRICOM was declared operational on 1 October 2008. (Figure 1) Page 14.165.3Figure 1. AFRICOM Area of Responsibility (CRS Report for Congress)As stated earlier, AFRICOM is a combatant command and has all the traditionalresponsibilities associated with military operations. However, AFRICOM has also beengiven a “soft power” mandate which concentrates on building a stable environment withthe help of a civilian component. The civilian

Conference Session

Sustainability in Engineering Curricula

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michelle Jarvie, Michigan Technological University

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

probability, weredetailed within the 19 of the 26 program criteria provided in the 2008-2009 criteria foraccreditation4, including the following programs: 1. Agricultural and Similarly Named Engineering Programs 2. Architectural and Similarly Named Engineering Programs 3. Bioengineering and Biomedical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs 4. Biological and Similarly Named Engineering Programs 5. Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs 6. Construction and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Page 14.593.9 7. Electrical, Computer and Similarly Named Engineering Programs 8. Engineering Mechanics and Similarly Named Engineering

Conference Session

Sustainability in Engineering Courses

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Joseph Delfino, University of Florida

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

Journal), weekly (Business Week) or biweekly (Fortune) frequencies.The learning objectives for students in the Industrial Ecology course are to learn: (1)concepts of sustainability as they apply to society and corporations; (2) factors and risksthat influence sustainability; (3) the thoughts of influential authors through reading aseparate book on a course topic and then writing about it in a scholarly way; and (4) goodscholarship through preparing a case study [individually or as a member of a small group]which discloses actions that corporations have taken, will take or should take to makethemselves more sustainable. 3Since industry ecology is billed as the science of

Conference Session

Sustainability in Engineering Courses

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Scott Morton, University of Wyoming; M.P. Sharma, University of Wyoming

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

carrying capacity. Most rely on energy source or resourcelimitations, mainly food production, to establish maximums as illustrated by the following eightestimates1. 1. 5.994 Billion E. G. Ravenstein, 1891, food production limitations, Page 14.1267.2 2. 15.634 Billion Albrecht Penck, 1924, food production limitations, 3. 146 Billion C. T. De Wit, 1967, non-agricultural land use limitations, 4. < 1 Billion H. R. Hulett, 1970, production of essential materials at United States consumption rates, 5. 40 Billion Roger Revelle

Conference Session

Understanding Students: Recruiting, Retention, Enrichment

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Johannes Strobel, Purdue University; Inez Hua, Purdue University; Constance Harris, Purdue University; Jun Fang, Purdue University; Lindsey Tracy, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

-2006accreditation rules requires all engineering disciplines to include environmental andsustainability issues as constraints in design (criterion three)1. Similarly, the Institutions ofEngineering, Australia’s Code of Ethics and National Competency Standard 2000 mandatesustainability design and development for all undergraduate engineering students2.From a workforce standpoint, it is equally an opportune time to train engineers with a broaderunderstanding of environmental impacts. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,employment for environmental engineers (EE) will increase “much faster than average” through20143. The National Science Board anticipates a 27% growth in EE jobs through 2010 4. And,while workforce estimates vary somewhat, the

Conference Session

Sustainability in Engineering Curricula

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Cliff Davidson, Carnegie Mellon University; Chris Hendrickson, Carnegie Mellon University; Scott Matthews, Carnegie Mellon University; Michael Bridges, Carnegie Mellon University; David Allen, University of Texas, Austin; Cynthia Murphy, University of Texas, Austin; Braden Allenby, Arizona State University; Yongsheng Chen, Arizona State University; Eric Williams, Arizona State University; John Crittenden, Georgia Tech; Sharon Austin, EPA

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

, and graduate student assistants. The demographics of theworkshop participants are shown in Table 1. For 2009, the Table lists expected participants whohave been accepted at this year’s summer workshops. Note that the participants are roughlyevenly divided between untenured and tenured faculty, and that there are a substantial number ofwomen attendees. The Minority column provides the number of Black and Hispanic attendees.Table 1. Information on workshop participants.Year ofWorkshops Tenured Untenured Male Female Minority 2006 28 33 44 17 4 2007 28 30 39 19 5 2009 28 35 40 23

Conference Session

Environmental Engineering Curricula

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Audra Morse, Texas Tech

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

’ understanding and successful application of the ExCEEdmodel. Additionally, feedback on TAs teaching effectiveness was assessed through mid-semester evaluations and end-of-the-semester evaluations. Lastly, the TAs assessed their ownunderstanding of the ExCEEd model and its benefits at the beginning and ending of the course.Background on the ExCEEd ModelThe ExCEEd (Excellence in Civil Engineering Education) Model evolved from trainingdeveloped and administered by the U.S. Military Academy to train rotating military faculty. In1999, the first ExCEEd workshop2 was held and has been held each summer since. The ExCEEdmodel contains the following components: (1) structured organization which includes learningobjectives, inclusion of appropriate to subject

Conference Session

Understanding Students: Recruiting, Retention, Enrichment

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Angela Bielefeldt, University of Colorado, Boulder

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

of interest.Activities in a first year EVEN course were modified over time to better demonstrate howenvironmental engineers help solve energy problems in an effort to try to improve the retentionof these students.General Information on the Program at the University of ColoradoAt the University of Colorado at Boulder (CU), all first-year engineering students are required totake a 1-credit introductory engineering course. Students generally select the course associatedwith the major in which they are enrolled: Architectural Engineering, Aerospace Engineering(ASEN), Chemical & Biological Engineering (CHEN), Civil Engineering (CVEN),Environmental Engineering (EVEN), Electrical and Computer Engineering, or MechanicalEngineering (MCEN). In

Conference Session

Understanding Students: Recruiting, Retention, Enrichment

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Angela Bielefeldt, University of Colorado, Boulder

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

disciplines outsideof environmental engineering. Different types of projects may lend themselves more readily todifferent mixtures of personality types. For example, creativity plays a more important role inprojects with a research and development focus.31 Therefore, it was of interest to see howpersonality types would impact team performance on short term non-design projects in afreshman environmental engineering course.Team ProjectsAll first year students in engineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder are required totake a 1-credit course to introduce them to their major of interest. Students transferring into theprogram and students in the College of Arts and Sciences may also enroll in the course if theyare interested in learning about

Conference Session

Environmental Engineering Curricula

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Angela Bielefeldt, University of Colorado, Boulder

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

Page 14.860.2In spring 2008 the American Academy of Environmental Engineers (AAEE) released a draft ofthe Body of Knowledge for Environmental Engineering (EnvE BOK).1 The BOK was developedby a group of distinguished practicing environmental engineers and academics. This documentoutlines the skills and abilities that are needed to become a licensed Professional Engineer. Itincludes the skills and abilities that should be acquired as part of the accredited Bachelor’sdegree in Environmental Engineering. The document included 18 outcomes, whichencompassed 15 knowledge domains and varying levels of achievement expected at the B.S.degree level. The levels of achievement are based on Daggett’s Rigor/Relevance Framework2and are defined as six

Conference Session

Service Learning Projects in Developing Countries

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bradley Striebig, James Madison University; Susan Norwood, Gonzaga University

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

Engineering Education, 2009Abstract!"#$%&'!()*&"+,-./0&"11,21,-/*((.30242567&$89./*-207&/08&%(.-1,2.-*6:&-)&/0&-0*(,8-).-14-0/,6&.29,)(&;-*3&/&*3,((<1/,*&+2.9)=&.,2))&.94*9,/4&*,/-0-05&/08&-0<8(1*3&)*986&2+&!()*&"+,-./0&.94*9,(7&)*986&2+&3(/4*3&.208-*-20)&/08&3(/4*3&1,2>2*-20&-0&8(?(421-05&.290*,-()7&/08&(1-8(>-2425-./4&,()(/,.3&8()-50)&/08&*3(-,&1,/.*-./4&/114-./*-20&9)-05&/11,21,-/*(&*(.302425-()&+2,&(,/8-./*-05&;/*(,94*-8-).-14-0/,6&1,2D(.*&*(/>)&/08&9)(8&.29,)(&.20*(0*&/)&*3(&+2908/*-20&+2,&8(?(421

Conference Session

Sustainability in Engineering Curricula

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Cynthia Murphy, University of Texas, Austin; David Allen, University of Texas, Austin; Cliff Davidson, Carnegie Mellon University; H Scott Matthews, Carnegie Mellon University; Braden Allenby, Arizona State University; Chris Hendrickson, Carnegie Mellon University; John Crittenden, Arizona State University

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

the balance between environmental, economic, andsocial considerations. The Brundtland Commission report describes this as “meeting the needsof the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirneeds” 1. Engineering, with its basis in scientific objectivity and focus on problem solving,would appear to be an appropriate home for the study of and development of solutions to issuesof sustainability (or lack thereof). A recent study performed by the Center for SustainableEngineering (CSE), a consortium of the Univ. of Texas at Austin, Arizona State Univ., andCarnegie Mellon Univ. has found that sustainability is an area that many engineering educatorsare embracing. Indeed, with the caveat that the results

Conference Session

Sustainable Engineering

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sarah Pumphrey, University of Cincinnati; Anna Hoessle, University of Cincinnati; Daniel Oerther, University of Cincinnati

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

future generations to meet their own needs.”1, has emerged as acritical component of research and education within the field of Environmental Engineering. Asreflected in presentations and lengthy discussions at the semi-annual gathering of the Associationof Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP, 2005), a major challenge forincorporating sustainability into a graduate research program is the need to identify appropriateprojects and interested students producing the quantity and quality of research results comparableto other traditional areas of Environmental Engineering. Often, research in sustainability mustbe boot-strapped from piecemeal funding opportunities, and it must leverage a diverse collectionof interested parties

Conference Session

Environmental Engineering Curricula

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Daniel Oerther, University of Cincinnati; Cathy Maltbie, University of Cincinnati; Baikun Li, Pennsylvania State University-Harrisburg; Jin Li, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Amy Pruden, Colorado State University; Peter Stroot, University of South Florida

Tagged Divisions

Environmental Engineering

engineering. In a recent report, “Research Frontiers in EnvironmentalEngineering”, published jointly by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and by theAssociation of Environmental Engineering Professors (AEEP, September 15, 1998), “AnalyticalTools in Molecular Sciences” was identified as one of four critical research needs in the field ofEnvironmental Engineering and Science.1 In follow-up work, the development of moleculartools to track environmental microorganisms was identified as a research priority by the NationalScience Foudation2 and by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.3NeedIn response to the need for environmental biotechnology research and education, academicdepartments across the country have made a sustained effort to recruit and