Environmental Engineering BSENE
Degree Awarded: BS in Environmental Engineering (BSENE)
Minimum Required Credits: 125.0
Co-op Option: Three Co-op, Two Co-op, One Co-op, No Co-op
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 14.1401
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 17-2081
About the Program
The Environmental Engineering BS program prepares students to design systems, processes, and policies that protect human, animal, and plant populations from adverse environmental conditions while supporting a more sustainable society. Students develop a strong foundation in engineering fundamentals and gain core knowledge related to air and water quality, environmental contaminants, waste and resource management, and climate-related impacts. The program emphasizes analytical thinking, problem formulation, and solution development, preparing graduates to address environmental challenges that span multiple media and scales. Students also develop an understanding of the environmental, societal, and ethical responsibilities associated with environmental engineering practice.
The Environmental Engineering BS program combines rigorous engineering coursework with applied, interdisciplinary learning experiences. The curriculum integrates principles from civil, chemical, and mechanical engineering with foundational knowledge from the natural sciences, including chemistry, physics, hydrology, geology, atmospheric science, biology, and biochemistry. Students engage in laboratory-based courses, project-centered learning, and a multi-year design sequence that builds design skills progressively. This sequence culminates in a senior design experience, where teams of students work with faculty advisors and, in many cases, industry or community partners to develop a substantial design project addressing real environmental challenges. Elective coursework allows students to tailor the curriculum to specific interests and career goals, and seniors may enroll in select graduate-level courses with advisor approval.
Graduates of the Environmental Engineering BS program are prepared for professional roles in consulting, industry, government agencies, and non-profit organizations focused on environmental protection, sustainability, and public health. The degree also provides strong preparation for graduate study in environmental engineering or related fields. As an ABET accredited program, the curriculum supports progress toward professional licensure and continued professional development.
The Environmental Engineering BS program is distinguished by deep industry integration across the CAEE department. Through practice-informed instruction, industry-engaged design projects, and Drexel’s experiential learning model, students gain sustained exposure to professional practice and real-world environmental challenges. This strong connection between academic preparation and applied experience equips graduates to contribute effectively to healthier, more resilient, and more sustainable communities.
Additional Information
For more information about this program, please contact the School of Engineering
Degree Requirements
| University Requirements | ||
| EXP 1001 | Introduction to Experiential Learning | 3.0 |
| WRIT 1100 | Composition and Rhetoric I | 3.0 |
| or WRIT 1110 | English Composition I | |
| WRIT 1200 | Composition and Rhetoric II | 3.0 |
| or WRIT 1210 | English Composition II | |
| Introductory Core Competencies 1 | ||
| Select one course from each of the three (3) categories of Introductory Core Competency Courses: | 6.0-9.0 | |
Introductory: Inquire and Analyze | ||
Introductory: Collaborate and Integrate | ||
Introductory: Apply and Engage - satisfied by ENGR 1010 in the College Requirements below | ||
| Free Electives | 15.0 | |
| College Requirements | ||
| The College of Engineering and Computing requires a one-semester first-year design course and a two-semester senior capstone project sequence. Analogous courses across the college may be used as substitutes for the specific courses below; for the senior capstone sequence, college approval is required for any substitutions. | ||
| ENGR 1010 | Introduction to Engineering Design | 3.0 |
| CAEE 4998 | CAEE Design: Capstone I | 3.0 |
| CAEE 4999 | CAEE Design: Capstone II | 3.0 |
| Program Requirements | ||
| Select one (1) of the following courses: | 3.0 | |
| Introduction to Computing in CAEE | ||
| Introduction to Computer Programming | ||
| Programming for Engineers | ||
| CAEE 2110 | Statistical Analysis of Engineering Systems | 3.0 |
| or MATH 2801 | Probability and Statistics I | |
| CAEE 2910 | CAEE Design: Methods and Tools | 3.0 |
| CAEE 2920 | CAEE Design: Project Management | 3.0 |
| CAEE 3910 | CAEE Design: Integrated Systems | 3.0 |
| CIVE 2410 | Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics | 4.0 |
| CIVE 3410 | Water Resources Engineering | 3.0 |
| ENVE 3110 | Environmental Engineering | 3.0 |
| ENVE 3120 | Environmental Engineering Chemistry | 4.0 |
| ENVE 3130 | Environmental Engineering Microbiology | 4.0 |
| ENVE 3140 | Water, Wastewater, and Groundwater Treatment | 3.0 |
| ENVE 4110 | Outdoor Air Quality | 3.0 |
| or AE 4120 | Indoor Air Quality | |
| ENVE 4130 | Solid and Hazardous Waste Management | 3.0 |
| MEM 2310 | Thermodynamics | 3.0 |
| Select three (3) of the following courses: 2 | 9.0 | |
| Indoor Air Quality 3 | ||
or ENVE 4110 | Outdoor Air Quality | |
| Computational Fluid Dynamics in Buildings | ||
| High Performance Buildings | ||
| Intelligent Buildings | ||
| Data-Based Engineering Modeling | ||
| Risk and Reliability | ||
| Life Cycle Assessment and Circular Economy | ||
| Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling | ||
| Sustainable Water Resources Engineering | ||
| Groundwater Flow and Modeling | ||
| Math and Science Requirements | ||
| BIO 1111 | General Biology I | 3.0 |
| BIO 1113 | General Biology Laboratory I | 1.0 |
| CHEM 1040 | General Chemistry I | 4.0 |
| or CHEM 1030 | Chemistry for Engineers | |
| CHEM 1042 | General Chemistry II | 4.0 |
| ESS 1001 | Introduction to Earth and Environmental Science | 4.0 |
| MATH 1201 | Calculus I | 4.0 |
| MATH 1202 | Calculus II | 4.0 |
| MATH 2901 | Matrix and Differential Systems I | 4.0 |
| PHYS 1201 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers I | 4.0 |
| Optional Co-op Experience | ||
| Co-op is an option for this degree for full-time on-campus students. Co-op cycles may vary. Students choosing this option will be required to complete COOP 1001 as preparation for their co-op experience. COOP 1001 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned. | 0.0 | |
| Total Credits | 125.0-128.0 | |
- 1
A complete list of eligible Introductory Core Competency courses can be found here.
- 2
To best align with their career goals, students should consult with their academic advisor when selecting electives.
- 3
If AE 4120 was not taken to fulfill a major requirement, it can be taken as an elective. If ENVE 4110 was not taken to fulfill a major requirement, it can be taken as an elective.
Program Learning Outcomes
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An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
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An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
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An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
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An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of the engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
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An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
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An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
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An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies