Environmental Engineering is an interdisciplinary branch of engineering that draws from the natural and applied sciences including biology, microbiology, hydrology, hydraulics, geology, mathematics, and ecology. Rooted in both civil and chemical engineering traditions, it addresses the critical challenge of protecting ecosystems and improving the health of both the environment and living organisms. Within civil engineering specifically, environmental engineering has historically been closely linked to sanitary engineering.
The discipline equips graduates to confront complex engineering challenges with sustainability and ecological responsibility at the forefront. Students develop expertise in waste treatment, recycling, and resource recovery, as well as the mitigation of air and water pollution and the remediation of contaminated sites.
The field operates at multiple scales simultaneously. At the local level, practitioners address site-specific concerns and navigate regional regulatory frameworks; at the global level, they develop predictive models of environmental impact to inform national and international policy. The program therefore encompasses both technical competencies engineering design, construction, and deconstruction — and a deep understanding of how environmental policy is formulated and put into practice.
The curriculum integrates classroom instruction with collaborative group work and laboratory-based experiential learning. In the final years of study, students engage directly with communities on real-world projects, reinforcing theoretical knowledge through applied practice. Design courses offered each year further bridge the gap between academic preparation and professional engineering practice.
Experience-Based Learning
Throughout the program, students gain meaningful field experience by partnering with local municipalities and governmental bodies. The university’s sustainable infrastructure serves as a living laboratory, offering hands-on engagement with cutting-edge environmental systems. Students may also pursue a formal internship, obtaining full-time paid experience across diverse professional environments and establishing a professional network prior to graduation.
Career Pathways
Graduates of this program are well-positioned to enter a wide range of sectors, including:
- Environmental engineering roles across government agencies at all levels, non-governmental organizations, consulting firms, and manufacturing or extractive industries both domestically and internationally
- Sustainability planning and design
- Environmental policy development and implementation
- Infrastructure design, management systems, and information systems
- Impact assessment encompassing regulatory, sustainability, environmental, social, and risk dimensions