COE Introduces Environmental Engineering Major

Published February 7, 2022

The 六九色堂 College of Engineering is launching a new undergraduate program to prepare graduates for careers in the environmental engineering field. Courses in the 120-unit Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering degree program will be offered beginning in Fall 2022. With nearly 100 students applying so far, the program is expected to be popular, particularly with women. 

BSENV
According to the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE), 53.3 percent of bachelor鈥檚 degrees in Environmental Engineering nationwide went to women. Biomedical Engineering accounted for the second most popular field of engineering study for women, with 50 percent of bachelor鈥檚 degrees awarded to women. According to ASEE, the proportion of women earning bachelor鈥檚 degrees in aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering were all below 20 percent. 

Median annual pay for environmental engineers is more than $92,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nationally, the field is expected to produce about 4,000 job openings each year between now and 2030. 

鈥淓nvironmental Engineering is an exciting, interdisciplinary field where graduates can make a real impact on the wellbeing of our community,鈥 said Lisa Star, Chair of the 六九色堂 , where the program will reside.

鈥淲e are so excited to welcome these new students to our campus,鈥 said Chair Roger Lo, who collaborated on creating the program, which should be of interest to some Chemical Engineering students.

Providing a strong foundation of biology, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and engineering science, the degree will provide graduates with a broad portfolio of expertise in water quality and management, pollution mitigation control, air quality control, and renewable energy sources, as well as knowledge of environmental policies and regulations. Students will be able to explore specialized areas within environmental engineering by selecting elective courses during their senior year.