Global Perspectives in Engineering

Fifteen students and a faculty member from the Lee College of Engineering traveled to Munich, Germany, during spring break 2010 as part of the new Global Perspectives in Engineering program.

The program is a technical elective and focuses on the global implications of engineering solutions in the context of transportation, energy and automotive manufacturing. In classes in Charlotte, guest speakers included representatives from the Charlotte Department of Transportation and AREVA. The class also visited a Siemens power generation plant in south Charlotte, and the BMW manufacturing plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

While in Germany, the students were hosted by Lee College of Engineering alumnus Jason Early, who is now a systems engineer for AREVA in Erlangen. The students also visited BMW Zentrum, took a tour of the Technical University of Munich, and visited the German Technical Museum.

“Experiencing engineering in a global context gives students an invaluable experience,” said Jennifer Braganza, the college of engineering faculty associate who developed the program. “Students are able to develop the ability to work with people different than themselves, understand their needs, and how to design solutions to meet their needs.”

For more information, please contact Jennifer Braganza at jbraganz@uncc.edu.