(90a) Energy and Sustainability Modules in Chemical Engineering At Mississippi State University

In this economic climate, departments of chemical engineering are challenged to improve retention to justify appropriate use of state and federal funding. At Mississippi State University, we are attempting to increase student interest by using active learning methods in the classroom in order to improve retention and student interest in the profession of chemical engineering. We are using energy modules, most of which are applied to hydrogen production or hydrogen use in fuel cells, which were created by external support from the CACHE Corporation and the United States Department of Energy. The use of energy technology in the classroom provides us as instructors with a means to apply the chemical engineering fundamentals to a broad problem in sustainable energy. We have anecdotally noted that since most chemical engineering students want a career where they can help others, the theme of sustainability grabs their attention. We report on current uses of the modules across the curriculum.