A Comparison Of Flood Management Practices Between Germany And The Usa: An Undergraduate Research Project On Sustainable Practices

The Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) offers a three credit hour study abroad course which focuses on sustainable development, globalization, and German culture. Undergraduate students have an option to add another three credit hour sustainable research project to their studies while in Germany. Students can select a sustainable project and work with one of a number of different German industries, municipalities, or universities or they can elect to conduct an individually designed sustainable project on their own. This paper will feature highlights from one student’s project, who worked with faculty and researchers at the University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg-Stendal (FH), Germany and the Institute for Water Management and Ecotechnology for four weeks during the summer of 2006. The student’s research project focused on the flooding practices of Germany and the European Union and comparisons with those in the United States. This paper will also provide information about how this undergraduate research program works for students, faculty, and mentors. Issues for practices and future research will be addressed.