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Water and Sanitation Infrastructure in Developing Countries OpenCourseWare: MIT's Free Online Graduate Level Course on Water Sanitation

Published Jan 02, 2009

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Those who study international development understand that inexpensive, sustainable systems for handling human waste and providing potable water are essential to further progress in a struggling nation or region. MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) offers 'Water and Sanitation Infrastructure in Developing Countries' via OpenCourseWare. This free interdisciplinary online course is recommended for students who are working toward a Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Urban Planning, International Development, International and Policy Studies or similar degree programs, as well as for advanced undergraduate learners.

Water and Sanitation Infrastructure in Developing Countries: Course Specifics

Degree Level Free Audio Video Downloads
Graduate Yes No No Yes

Lectures/Notes Study Materials Tests/Quizzes
Yes Yes No

Water and Sanitation Infrastructure in Developing Countries: Course Description

Clean water is a basic human need, yet 1.1 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water. Human waste is a potent reservoir of disease and parasites that cause death and suffering in whole populations, but 2.6 billion people live without adequate sanitation. Planning, engineering, building and maintaining water and sanitation systems requires an understanding of engineering, hydrology, hygiene and health, as well as recognition of the technical capabilities and cultural norms of the local population. Senior lecturer Susan Murcott at MIT in Cambridge, MA, has posted online course information discussing these issues. Community organizing and state diplomacy may be needed for building political and economic support. A technology that is appropriate in one region may be inappropriate in another. A workable system must have a simple design so that locals can maintain it. It must be low cost and use local, easily available materials. While this course focuses on water issues, almost any development projects involve similar issues.

This OpenCourseWare offers lecture notes, reading lists and resources for completing the course assignments. To learn more with these free online course materials, visit the sanitation infrastructure and international development course page.

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