Want to apply your course work to real world problems?

Our programs are built upon Staff and students involvement through working groups, providing feedback, events, giveaways and workshops etc: touching the campus life of thousands of University staff and students. A range of students have applied their course work to real world environmental challenges.

Overview of Applied student projects coursework for 2004 / 2006. (PDF file 20Kb)

Options for University of Sydney

A Masters in Sustainability student, Sally-Ann Hunting, has developed a Report on the Options for Triple Bottom Line Reporting at The University of Sydney. Triple Bottom Line Reporting is the reporting on social, economic and environmental aspects of how we do perform as an Higher Education Institution. This reporting is already being used at Monash University. The work outlined a phased-in approach for its application here at The University of Sydney.

Advanced Engineering students participated in a final year thesis project to apply their research skills and knowledge to a real world problem here at the University of Sydney. They were asked by CIS to examine the cost and feasibility of available options to "Drought proof" the campus. The scenarios considered ranged from the everyday to the visionary:

• The payback periods associated with retrofitting various types of toilets; taps and lab equipment with water efficient alternatives.
• Reducing demand for water cooled air-conditioning by improved building insulation and passive solar design. The students looked at how rainwater could be collected on building roofs and used in Cooling Towers.
• The students also developed basic estimates for the size and cost of an on-campus wetland system to hold harvested rainwater or treat stormwater for watering ovals and playing fields.
• A thesis student looked at the water use and requirements of the SUSports Aquatic Centre and the feasibility of grey water re-use and water saving pool back wash systems and washing facilities.