Waste Management Institute

The Interdisciplinary Waste Management Institute (WMI)

WMI has helped to raise awareness of waste management issues and sustainability for the NC A&T community. WMI’s interdisciplinary team of faculty and students are looking ahead to the future and hoping to keep breaking new ground in environmental sustainability and waste management including diving into design thinking framework to deliver better, more human-centered environmental outcomes to the market during pandemic.
 

The Waste Management Institute (WMI) coordinates the interdisciplinary environmental and waste management efforts of the University. The approach to environmental and waste management education at the University rests upon a solid foundation of applied and physical sciences, life sciences, social sciences, engineering, technology, and law/policy.

The following academic programs are involved in environmental and waste management activities: Agricultural Education, Agricultural Economics,
Architectural Engineering, Animal Science, Bioengineering, Biological Engineering, Biology, Business Administration, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Construction Management and Safety, Criminal Justice, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Electrical Engineering, Elementary Education, Family and Consumer Science, Graphic Communications, History, Horticulture, Industrial Systems Engineering, Journalism and Mass Communications, Manufacturing Systems, Mechanical Engineering, Natural Resources, Landscape Architecture, Liberal Studies, Mathematics, Nursing, Political Science, Physics, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work and Soil Science.

Additionally, the Waste Management Institute administers an Undergraduate and Graduate Certificate Program. Click here to access the application for the Undergraduate Certificate Program and here for the Graduate Certificate Program. 

The Waste Management Certificate “highlights” the training of N.C. A&T students in Environmental Security and Waste Management Issues and also adds value to degree programs (graduate and undergraduate). The Certificates are awarded at a special ceremony. 

WMI Certificate Requirements

18 credit hours of recommended waste management course work including a “CAPSTONE” seminar. A one page typed statement of environmental/waste management experiences (internships, projects completed, volunteer work, etc.) including how environmental and waste management relate to student's major. Students must complete degree requirements in their disciplines
with a 2.00 GPA. Students must be cleared to graduate in order to receive WMI certificates.

 

12 credit hours (6 credit hours of advanced waste management course work and 6 credit hours of waste management thesis/project including a “CAPSTONE” seminar. Students must complete advanced degree requirements in their disciplines with a 3.00 GPA.


Students must be cleared to graduate in order to receive advanced WMI certificates.
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See Graduate Catalog

WMI 236. Recycling Credit 1(1-0)
This lecture class will cover how to manage solid wastes in a manner that allows for the least environmental impact and reduction in the amount of waste produced and disposed improperly. Students will develop their creativity, analytical skills and imagination.
Sophomore standing and consent of instructor


WMI 333. Waste Management Capstone Seminar I Credit 1(1-0)

The seminar introduces students to the interdisciplinary nature of waste management and covers the waste management aspects of natural sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, humanities, engineering, technology, and economics in an integrated manner.

Students are introduced to waste management topics that enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed in post academic-endeavors. The seminar incorporates current literature, research, and the consulting activities in environmental industry. 
Sophomore standing and consent of instructor.

WMI 417. Environmental Ethics & Philosophy Credit 2(2-0)

This course introduces students to the interdisciplinary nature of ethics and philosophy of waste management and covers the waste management ethics and philosophy of natural sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, humanities, engineering, technology, and economics in an integrated manner. Students are introduced to topics in waste management ethics and philosophy that enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed in post-academic endeavors. Senior/Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

WMI 419. Environmental Justice Credit 3(3-0)

This lecture class will cover case studies on landfills, air pollution issues, water pollution issues, solid waste disposal, chemical waste disposal, hazardous waste disposal, nuclear waste issues, biological wastes issues, ocean dumping, global oil spill and coastal impacts, incineration and climate issues. Senior/Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

WMI 429. Hazmat Training Credit 3(1-4)

Students are introduced to regulations, toxicology, monitoring, chemistry, site characterization, safety plan, sampling, spill, control and emergency response. Emphasis is placed on 29 CFR 1910.120 OSHA regulations and other applicable standards. Students will receive a 40-hour Hazmat Training Certificate upon completion of this course in addition to a course grade. Senior/Graduate
standing and consent of instructor.

WMI 490. Independent Study in Environmental and Waste Management Credit 3(1-4)

Students will engage in an in-depth independent study of topics in environmental and waste management under the supervision of a faculty member. Senior standing and consent of instructor. 

Note that courses do not include prerequisites and must be approved by Academic Advisors and the Director of the Interdisciplinary Waste Management Institute.

 

About WMI

  • Instruction
  • Research
  • Outreach 

University of North Carolina System General Administration (UNC-GA) Mandate

“…This office has reviewed your request to establish a Waste Management Institute. We conclude that the proposed unit, as described, will be an academic support unit with more limited research and public service functions…Establishment of a Waste Management Institute is hereby approved…” C. D. Spangler, Jr President 

Chancellor’s Mandate

“…Coordination of waste management and environmental efforts (instruction, research and outreach of the University which now exist in individual departments; implementation of certificate programs in waste management…advisement of students who are interested in environmental and waste management careers; and clearing house for the University’s environmental/waste management activities...” Edward B. Fort, Chancellor

WMI CERTIFICATE ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Application Guideline for Interdisciplinary Waste Management Certificates

 “Global, national and local concerns for environmental problems and waste management issues present an opportunity and a challenge for the University to mobilize academic resources and capabilities for developing solutions” - Professor Godfrey A. Uzochukwu, PhD

WMI certificates “Highlights the training of NC A&T students in Waste Management and Environmental Security Issues"

  • Students must complete an application in order to receive the certificates Students will receive the certificate at a special ceremony upon the completion of their undergraduate degree requirements. Students must reapply for WMI Certificates if they did not complete all graduation requirements.
  • To earn an interdisciplinary undergraduate certificate in waste management, students must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours of approved waste management/related courses including a capstone seminar, and have a minimum GPA of 2.0.
  • To earn an advanced interdisciplinary certificate in waste management graduate students must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours (6 hours of thesis and 6 hours of advanced environmental course work) including a capstone seminar and have a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Award of Interdisciplinary Waste Management Certificates

The procedure for the award of certificates which was endorsed by the Administrative Council of the Division of Academic Affairs are outlined below:

  • StudentswillcompleteapplicationsandsubmittotheWMIdirectorbythedeadline
  • The WMI director will screen applications, compile a list of qualified students and forward the list to the Provost office and office of the Registrar through the Dean.

To enhance awareness and understanding of waste management issues and develop programs that protect the environment and improve the quality of life. The program aligns with N.C. A&T mission as it prepares students to enhance the quality of life for themselves, the citizens of North Carolina, the nation, and the world. The interdisciplinary program achieves this through exemplary instruction and interdisciplinary studies, scholarly and creative research, courage and community service.

Converging Approaches for Effective Environmental and Waste Management Solutions

Development of effective environmental and waste management solutions requires converging approaches such as the integration of knowledge from air, water, energy, infrastructure, climate and education. Search for solutions must draw upon  innovative  ideas from different disciplines.      

Precollege STEM Environmental Security – 876 students impacted

WMI conducts Pre-College Workshop on Environmental Security, Sustainability and Waste Management for public school students and teachers.

Contact Us

Godfrey A, Uzochukwu, Director
Email: uzo@ncat.edu
Phone: 336-334-7030