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Student Projects

SPRING 2009 FIELD PROJECTS:

Alcoa, world leader in production of aluminum
A student team is evaluating recycling costs and market viability for potentially new aluminum applications.

Westinghouse Nuclear, worldwide nuclear technology and service provider
A student team is working on development of policies and processes for greening the supply chain.

Pennsylvania Environmental Council
A student team is analyzing opportunities to cultivate renewable biomass energy, reclaim abandoned mine lands, and reduce nutrient runoff in impaired watersheds.

City of Pittsburgh
A student team is benchmarking best practices in city government and helping with the development of policies for more sustainable practices.

Pittsburgh Zoo
A student team is analyzing current operating practices and identifying opportunities to conserve energy, save money and promote eco-friendliness.

FALL 2008 FIELD PROJECTS:

Alcoa, world leader in production of aluminum
A student team analyzed water management trends related to achieving wastewater reduction goals, evaluating new technology, buildingvalue-based pricing model, and researching competitive and regulatory environments.

Parkhurst Dining Services, division of Eat'n Park Corporation
A student team examined the environmental impact of selling bottled water on a college campus and recommended an action plan for testing economically and healthy alternatives.

Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
A student team benchmarked sustainability practices at world museums; audited current practices at Carnegie complex, and developed an opportunity matrix for conserving energy and promoting eco-friendly practices.

Therm-O-Rock Corporation, regional industrial manufacturer
A student team provided recommendations for cost avoidance and evaluated new product opportunities for creating revenue streams by converting clean waste into raw materials.

SUMMER 2008 FIELD PROJECTS:

PNC Bank, diversified financial services for retail, business and corporate markets.
A student team participated in a timely risk management assessment for on-line products and services.

Green Building Alliance, not-for-profit that advances sustainable design and construction
A student team conducted primary research with architects, construction firms and manufacturers of green building materials to identify information gaps in the green building supply chain.

Westinghouse Nuclear, worldwide nuclear technology and service provider
A student team studied the business case for integrating sustainability measure into the strategic plan.

SPRING 2008 FIELD PROJECTS:

Sustainable Pittsburgh, not-for-profit resource for community and business solutions
A student team researched and refined sustainability metrics to help design and launch a Sustainable Development award for the Southwest Region of Pennsylvania.

Highmark Inc., one of the nation's leading health insurers
Duquesne MBA Sustainability students developed dynamic models for forecasting costs and savings of alternatives associated with retrofitting facilities to be more sustainable, including updating the HVACC system, replacement of flooring, and replacement of trees and other landscaping.

Tower Group, leading research and advisory firm for financial services industry
A student team evaluated carbon footprints of buildings and operations at a macro level and provided a model for ongoing use.

Green Building Alliance, not-for-profit that advances sustainable design and construction
A student team developed survey instruments to collect data on green building products, supply chains, and the decision process involved in acquiring green products for new and retrofit building projects.

Auberle, a not-for-profit agency that provides services for at-risk children and families
A student team analyzed the organization's annual 260,000+ miles of logistics services, fleet vehicles, and centralized control systems to more effectively serve needs for transporting clients.

FALL 2007 FIELD PROJECTS:

Giant Eagle, the largest grocery chain in Western Pennsylvania
A student team studied the environmental issues surrounding plastic and paper bags. Project dimensions included analysis of consumer perceptions, financial impact, and alternative carry-out packaging solutions.

Allegheny Conference, a civic leadership group that stimulates regional economic development
A student team researched migration patterns of the region's highly educated, young professional population and suggested ways to attract and retain a larger share of this high skill, high demand portion of the region's workforce.

CNX Corporation, a natural gas and coal methane producer
A student team analyzed current and potential governmental regulation and economic incentives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the energy industry and provided insight for voluntary trading on the Chicago Climate Exchange.

FALL 2007 CLASSROOM PROJECTS:

Life Cycle Assessments
Students reviewed inputs and outputs to the manufacturing process of paper money; recognized movement toward electronic solutions to solve existing currency systems.

Supply Chain Simulations
Students conducted reality-based exercises to assess the impact that business decisions have on all members of a supply chain, including end customers.

Burning Issue Analysis
Students research and interpret topics such as environmental regulation, the role of NGOs in promoting sustainability and social responsibility hot topics.