
Students can earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineering.
The undergraduate curriculum is founded on a sound background in basic sciences
(chemistry, physics, biology) and mathematics (calculus, differential equations),
and strengthened with engineering science fundamentals (engineering mechanics,
fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer). Upper division coursework in environmental
engineering includes analysis and design of water and wastewater treatment systems,
hazardous substance management and regulations, air pollution control technologies,
and fate and transport of chemicals in the environment. All students participate
in a capstone-design experience meant to foster interaction and communication
between different engineering disciplines while applying environmental engineering
principles to a real-world problem.
Like all undergraduate programs in the College of Engineering, the Environmental Engineering undergraduate
program consists of pre-engineering and professional-engineering components.
Admission to the pre-engineering program (first and second years) requires no
separate application beyond that for admission
to OSU. Admission to the professional program (beginning of the third year)
is competitive. To be eligible, you must have completed 80 credit hours with
a cumulative GPA of 2.25 or better. Moreover, all required pre-engineering courses
must have been completed with a “C” or better, with a cumulative
GPA of 2.25 or better for the required pre-engineering courses.
Among
the many unique opportunities open to OSU environmental engineering students is the
Multiple Engineering Cooperative
Program (MECOP). The program offers students a high quality, paid industrial
experience and related academic activities while pursuing a degree at OSU. We
also encourage students to seek registration as a professional engineer. This
process begins by successfully passing the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam
(FE exam), which is normally held in April and late October.
More information about the environmental engineering program for undergraduate
students can be found in the School
of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering Undergraduate Advising
Guide.
Educational Objectives
The ENVE undergraduate program aims to educate students such tha they will:
- Be prepared for either immediate employment in the field of Environmental engineering or continuation into a graduate program with a specialty of Environmental engineering
- Be proficient at mathematics, basic sciences and engineering sciences relevant to environmental engineering, including fundamental concepts, experimental techniques, methods of analysis, and computational applications
- Be able to formulate and solve problems, synthesize and evaluate information, and will be prepared for modern environmental engineering design
- Be able to communicate effecively and work collaboratively in diverse teams
- Have knowledge of contemporary societal issuses and the challenge of meeting social, environmental, and economic contstraints within a global community.
Program Outcomes
The graduates of the OSU Environmental Engineering Program must demonstrate that they have:
- 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 contstraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety manufacturability, and sustainability.
- an ability to function on multi-disciplinary 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;
- an ability to include non-engineering considerations in problem solving;
- a knowledge and application of project planning, monitoring, and managing practices and tools;
- an ability to assess imperfect or incomplete data conditions, risks and alternatives, and make sound problem-solving decisions;
- an exposure to current industry design practices and overall project delivery considerations
Environmental engineers manage our environment for the benefit of humanity
and nature. They provide engineering solutions to problems with our land, air
and water resources. In many respects, an environmental engineer is similar
to a traditional civil engineer, but with more emphasis on chemistry and environmental
processes, and less emphasis in areas such as structures and transportation.
In both public and private practice, environmental engineers work in interdisciplinary
teams to manage environmental problems through application of scientific, engineering,
and social skills. These include issues of air pollution and control, water
supply and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, solid and hazardous
waste disposal, control of hazardous substances, pollution in surface and groundwaters,
public health, and the ecological health of our environment.
The environmental engineering
degree program at OSU is one of only several in the nation and the only such separate
degree program in the Pacific Northwest. The interdisciplinary curriculum provides
unique skills for application to environmental problems. Research results developed
by our active faculty are fed back directly into the classroom to maintain state-of-the-art
training.
The environmental engineering program is an interdisciplinary degree program
with a broad basis in the physical, chemical, and biological sciences in addition
to course work in environmental, civil, and chemical engineering. Students may
also elect an environmental engineering option within the civil engineering,
chemical engineering, or environmental science degree programs. A minor in environmental
engineering is available to all undergraduate students and includes 29 quarter
credits of environmental engineering and related course work.
Civil and environmental engineers are employed by several groups: public agencies
(departments of public works, county engineering offices, departments of transportation,
federal and state agencies); engineering consulting firms; industries; utilities;
construction firms; the military; the Peace Corps, etc. Environmental engineers
often work for public agencies charged with environmental protection, such as
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
or state departments of environmental protection.
Some BS graduates elect to continue their training in graduate school. About
40% of our graduates attain a master's degree or higher. The department itself
offers both the MS and Ph.D. degrees and graduates about 45 MS and Ph.D. students
each year.
Our undergraduate curriculum includes coursework in:
- water and wastewater treatment (ENVE 421, 422),
- solid and hazardous wastes (ENVE 451), and
- air pollution (ENVE 321, ENVE 425).
The ABET accredited undergraduate environmental engineering program totals
192 credit hours and fulfills the requirements of the Baccalaureate Core.
Environmental engineers spend a great deal of time in the field and with faculty
researchers for realistic training. In addition, the Multiple Engineering Cooperative Program (MECOP) were created
to provide structured internships. Opportunities exist within MECOP
for two six-month internships in environmental engineering, with both private
and public employers. This requires an extra two terms in which to graduate.
The Advising
Guide for the Environmental Engineering Program supplements the Academic
Regulations and Procedures found in the Schedule
of Classes and the Oregon
State University Bulletin: General Catalog. It is intended to aid students
in planning and completing programs leading to a degree in Environmental
Engineering (ENVE). The guide provides information regarding the undergraduate
curriculum, professional practice, advising, admissions policies, and other
vital information pertaining to the undergraduate program.
Links
Environmental Engineering
Student Organization (EESO)
Earth's Subsurface
Biosphere (ESB) IGERT Program
Hydrophiles, OSU Student Chapter
of the American Water Resources Association
Western Region Hazardous Substance Research
Center
OSU Subsurface Biosphere Inititiative