Elective courses enable students to specialize in areas such as water reclamation, hydrology (rivers, groundwater, and climate), ground-water remediation, wastewater treatment, pollution prevention, ecology, public health, and sustainable engineering design.

Students can also get involved in the analysis of environmental and public health problems; studies to develop physical and mathematical models of environmental systems; projects to plan, design, construct, and operate water quality control infrastructure; research to advance environmental science and technology; and efforts to shape public policy and develop environmental regulations.

Environmental engineers have a broad range of career options that include positions with local, regional, and national government agencies, nonprofit institutions, international organizations, environmental consulting firms, private industries, national laboratories, and universities.

Employers include consulting firms, mining and energy companies, government agencies, international organizations, national laboratories, universities, and non-profits.

Near graduation, students can elect to take the Environmental Engineering Fundamentals in Engineering (FE) exam. Licensure can be obtained as a Professional Engineer (PE).

Program Educational Objectives (PEOs):

Within three years of attaining the BS degree, graduates will be:

• Situated in growing careers or will be successfully pursuing a graduate degree in environmental engineering or a related field.
• Advancing in their professional standing, generating new knowledge and/or exercising leadership in their field.
• Contributing to the needs of society through professional practice, research, and/or service.

Student Outcomes (SOs):

Graduates will demonstrate:

• an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
• an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
• an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
• an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
• an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
• an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
• an ability to communicate effectively
• the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context
• a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
• a knowledge of contemporary issues.
• an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.