Paper Authors

Abstract

NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract

Session 3486

Interdisciplinary Curriculum and Laboratory Development for Chemical Process Operator Technology Education

Robert S. Weis Delaware Technical & Community College

Abstract

Delaware’s chemical industries are critical to the state’s economic viability and require technicians entering their workforces to have greater academic knowledge and laboratory-based experiences related to current and future job responsibilities. To meet this community need Delaware Tech has initiated a new Associate Degree in Chemical Process Operator Technology. Delaware’s major chemical companies have played a key role in designing the new curriculum, which includes broad preparation in mathematics, chemistry, physics, and a range of courses with direct application to the operation of several different types of chemical plants. The Chemistry Department is developing the program in cooperation with faculty in other A.A.S.. disciplines, including mechanical engineering technology, industrial plant maintenance technology, and process instrumentation technology. A July 1999 National Science Foundation award is enabling the College to implement its new Chemical Process Operator Technology curriculum that is adapted from the American Chemical Society’s National Voluntary Industry Standards for Chemical Process Industries Technical Workers. The adaptation involves consideration of local industry needs. The NSF grant is also helping to equip four state-of-the-art laboratories for integrated use in Chemical Process Operator Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Industrial Plant Maintenance Technology, and Process Instrumentation Technology. Laboratory equipment that is planned for the new computer simulation, mechanical systems, process instrument, and unit operations laboratories will be highlighted. Overall program goals are to implement an A.A.S. Degree in Chemical Process Operator Technology, to enhance related A.A.S. Degree courses, and to work with an Industry Advisory Committee of local chemical industry representatives to ensure that the associate degree curriculum and new laboratories meet industry, American Chemical Society, and TAC-ABET standards.

I. Introduction

The State of Delaware has a critical need for high quality advanced education in chemical engineering technology. The chemical industry, which is a major part of the state’s economy, is very diverse with businesses ranging from pharmaceuticals, to specialty and commodity chemicals, to large scale processing of plastics and petroleum products. With the rapid modernization of the chemical industry, these companies require technicians entering their workforces to have greater academic knowledge and laboratory-based experiences related to current and future job responsibilities. In addition, these firms will need trained candidates to replace expected retirees estimated at 50% of current workforces over the next three to five years.

Proceedings of the 2001 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2001, American Society for Engineering Education

• Citation

• Format
  • APA
  • APA - LaTeX bibitem
  • MLA
  • MLA - LaTeX bibitem
  • Bibtex
  • EndNote - RIS

Weis, R. (2001, June), Interdisciplinary Curriculum And Laboratory Development For Chemical Process Operator Technology Education Paper presented at 2001 Annual Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 10.18260/1-2--9452