Bachelor of Environmental Engineering Program

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Fun Facts

about UD's Environmental Engineering Program

Environmental engineering is a relatively new branch of the engineering profession that has developed in response to environmental pollution. Environmental engineers work to provide safe drinking water, treat and dispose of solid waste, clean up sites contaminated by hazardous waste, and maintain air and water quality.

Environmental engineers must have a thorough understanding of the biological, chemical, and physical processes involved in treating and disposing of society's by-products. For example, they need to know how bacteria living in the soil work to break down a particular waste product, how minerals such as iron and magnesium in the soil will react with the waste, and how the waste travels through the soil and groundwater.

Environmental engineers are responsible for developing new waste treatment processes; for designing, constructing, and maintaining pollution control and waste treatment facilities; for developing long-range environmental protection plans for facilities or communities; and for developing and administering regulations established by law to protect the public and the environment. Few other careers have such an impact on our health and quality of life.

Environmental engineering overlaps some areas of chemical engineering and environmental science. Environmental engineers use many of the principles and tools of chemical engineering to address problems of public health and environmental impact due to pollution. Environmental engineers also use knowledge of the characteristics of healthy ecosystems gathered by environmental scientists to determine appropriate solutions to environmental problems. The University of Delaware also offers degree programs in chemical engineering and environmental science.

Until recently, most environmental engineers were civil or chemical engineers with specialized training (usually an advanced degree) in environmental concerns. The University of Delaware was among the first wave of universities to offer a bachelor's degree program in environmental engineering. Our program was established in 1995 and provides greater depth and focus on environmental engineering than programs in civil or chemical engineering. (Students with a more broad-based interest can still major in civil engineering with a concentration in environmental engineering through the CEE Department.)

We offer two concentrations within the environmental engineering program:

• environmental facilities design and construction
• pollution transport and control processes

Our environmental engineering faculty are highly regarded as researchers and practitioners in the profession. Their courses incorporate problem-based learning, in which students work to solve real-world problems, and laboratory exercises using the most current analytical techniques and instruments. The faculty's research projects furnish many opportunities for undergraduates to become involved in research and independent study. As seniors, students participate in a year-long design course that simulates how an environmental engineering firm would respond to a problem posed by a real-world client.

The environmental engineering curriculum is a challenging mixture of engineering courses from three engineering departments, chemistry, and mathematics. In addition to the Introduction to Environmental Engineering course, the first year includes courses in general chemistry, quantitative chemistry, analytical geometry and calculus, and physics. A required English course and general education electives round out the first two semesters.

Students interested in environmental engineering should take as much math and science in high school as possible including biology, chemistry, physics, advanced algebra, and trigonometry. A second chemistry course, calculus, and computer courses are also highly recommended.

The job market for environmental engineers has grown significantly in the last 15 years. Although the rate of growth has declined recently, the market remains strong and is expected to grow at a moderate rate for the foreseeable future. Our first class of BEE students graduated in May 1999 and were offered jobs with starting salaries ranging from $32,000 to $52,000 per year with 90% of the students accepting jobs before graduation. The graduates took engineering positions with municipalities responsible for operating water and wastewater treatment facilities, engineering consulting firms involved with a wide variety of environmental problems, and a law firm that had a special need for an environmental engineer to assist them in the technical side of legal issues. One graduate elected to begin law school in August 1999.

Specialized consulting firms, state and federal agencies, municipal public works, and corporate research and engineering groups all need capable environmental engineers. With a robust job market, you will likely be able to choose which type of work environment appeals to you the most. By the time you graduate, you will probably have had at least one internship during a summer or winter session, which will help you build experience, make contacts, and define your interests.

The Career Services Center at the University of Delaware will be available to help you with many aspects of your job search including developing your resume, refining your interviewing skills, and locating potential employers.

Our students are also well prepared to continue on to graduate school. Graduate degrees, particularly at the master's level, are increasingly being viewed as a valuable asset by today's employers. A master's or Ph.D. degree can increase your starting salary substantially.

"Research has given me hands-on expereince and a greater understanding of environmental engineering. Because of my research activities, I am more confident that this is the major for me." --Amy Sawicki

"What I like most about the program is that it not only offers me a challenging curriculum, but also faculty and staff that are always willing to help me succeed." --Gary Woulard

"I'm happy with my decision to attend the University of Delaware and be a part of the environmental engineering program. I have enjoyed the freedom to explore the different facets of this field while benefitting from the University of Delaware's reputation in the engineering community." --Denise Weaver