• Environmental engineers design processes and infrastructure to ensure society has access to safe water, clean air, and healthy ecosystems. They apply knowledge from physics, chemistry, biology and the social sciences to address a variety of problems. They work on water and wastewater treatment and ecosystem remediation, analysis of chemical fate and transport in the natural environment, and modeling of hydrologic and atmospheric flows. As climate change creates new challenges, such as in the form of droughts and intense weather events, the field of environmental engineering evolves to meet society’s needs.

  • As an environmental engineering major, students will begin their study with an extensive series of foundation courses in science and mathematics, and two introductory courses specific to civil and environmental engineering. At the upper-division level, students will take advanced courses in specific topics in environmental and water resources engineering. These courses will include subjects such as water and wastewater treatment, analysis of chemical fate and transport in natural environments, modeling of hydrologic and atmospheric flows, and water resources management.