Green Engineering is a design philosophy which seeks to avoid and/or resolve potential environmental issues associated with the manufacture, use, and/or disposal of engineered systems and their byproducts early in the decision-making stages of design. Green engineering encompasses ideas described by such related terms as environmentally-conscious manufacturing, eco-efficient production, waste management, and pollution avoidance. In a world of technological advances and diminishing natural resources, engineers will assume a prominent role in the stewardship of the environment for years to come.

Materials engineers will be central participants in serving the needs of a green engineered world by way of their expertise in the conception, design, processing, selection, and application of materials for engineering systems. Concepts and skills relevant to these areas are presented throughout the MSE curriculum. Examples of courses that incorporate topics important to green engineering in the field of Materials Science and Engineering include:

• MSE 2044 -- Fundamentals of Materials Engineering
  
• MSE 4424 -- Physical Ceramics Laboratory
  
• MSE 4055 -- Materials Selection and Design I
  

Students of MSE may choose to pursue a formally-stated and recognized Concentration in Green Engineering by way of a college-sponsored initiative created to emphasize environmental consciousness and responsibility among our engineering students and graduates. Details and requirements of the program can be found at the College's Green Engineering website, http://www.eng.vt.edu/green.html, and/or by contacting Professor Kampe, the Department's representative on the College's Green Engineering Committee.

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