Program Overview
Humanitarian engineering is a growing, interdisciplinary field focused on serving the most basic needs to improve the quality of life for developing communities and vulnerable populations. Whether it's designing a pedestrian bridge to provide safe crossing over a river or installing a solar panel array for consistent and reliable energy at a hospital, there are many exciting entrepreneurial and international opportunities in the field. With support from the Peugeot Center, you will join hundreds of alumni, faculty, and professionals who have created significant positive impact in communities around the world and here in Nashville.
Through the minor, you will receive significant technical mentorship and real-world project experience alongside course credit that is valuable for any engineering career. The minor is currently available for civil, electrical and computer, and mechanical engineering majors. Students interested in adding the minor to their degree plan should consult their academic advisor for guidance.
In addition to the foundational knowledge and skills from an engineering major, the humanitarian engineering minor will prepare you for pursuing a career in the field with theoretical and practical experience. Support from the Peugeot Center will allow students to participate in a variety of project options as well as connect with professionals for in-depth learning and guidance.
You will have the opportunity to customize your career path in humanitarian engineering with the selection of an elective outside of the College of Engineering related to your interests. During your senior year, you will be placed on a senior design project with an emphasis on humanitarian engineering as selected by the Peugeot Center staff to complete the minor.
In order to gain valuable project experience, the minor also requires completion of a practicum. You'll work alongside Peugeot Center staff to select a project, meet with a technical mentor, and complete tasks toward given objectives. The practicum will give you substantial project experience working in the field as a humanitarian engineer.
