THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING CURRICULUM: A CASE STUDY FROM UNIVERSITY OF DAMMAM

This study proposes a model curriculum for environmental engineering, based on national research and stakeholder's surveys that meet the needs of the current and recent future of persisting environmental issues. The paper reports on the process of developing a curriculum for this program and the challenges that faced the development of such a program to achieve the government policy and the need of the kingdom. It describes two different approaches to develop the curriculum. One approach takes its starting point from the traditional environmental engineering programs under the civil engineering umbrella. The other framework developmental approach takes its starting point from a particular need of the kingdom. The article suggests that, while curriculum development is a starting point, challenges remain in fine-tuning the programme so that graduates are prepared well to deal with the local environmental issues and sustainable development in the local Saudi environs.