Designing an Environmental and Resources Engineering Curriculum

This paper presents the experience carried out at the University of Florence in the development of a new undergraduate curriculum in “Environmental and Resources Engineering” at the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje (FYR Macedonia) in the framework of the TEMPUS CD_JEP_19028_2004 DEREC – Development of Environmental and Resources Engineering Curriculum (2005-2008). The DEREC JEP helped the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje in applying the principles of the 'Bologna Process' by implementing the new two-level education system, and the European Credit Transfer System. Particularly, DEREC created a new course in Environmental and Resources Engineering and enhanced the academic skills of the consortium member Universities teaching staff. The project also developed updated modern teaching and learning materials and provided substantial aid in purchasing computers, field and laboratory equipment. As a result, the programme was characterized by a reciprocal enrichment, in terms of innovative educational methods and opening to the international dimension of higher engineering education. The environment protection and natural resources enhancement, as well as the technical and methodological aspects related to the sustainability of development and human presence in the environment, in the frame of engineering education, were also discussed.