Environmental Engineering BS/MS

Major: Environmental Engineering
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering (BSENE) and Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 227.50
Co-op Options: Three Co-op (Five years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 14.1401
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code:
 17-2081

About the Program

The BS/MS in Environmental Engineering is an accelerated degree program that provides academically qualified students the opportunity to develop technical depth and breadth in their major and an additional complementary related area, earning two diplomas (BS and MS) within the typical duration of earning the bachelor's degree alone. A natural progression from the student’s undergraduate courses, with the necessary technical prerequisite understanding and skills, prepares students for graduate-level studies. Students can still enjoy the benefits and rewards of the Drexel co-op experience and gaining research experience by working with research faculty. Salaries for students with MS degrees can range up to 25% higher than those with BS degrees alone. 

Additional Information

For more information, visit  the COE BS/MS program webpage or the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering.


 

Admission Requirements

Students must have a GPA of at least 3.2 and have taken coursework sufficient to demonstrate a readiness to take graduate coursework.

Degree Requirements

General Education/Liberal Studies Requirements
CIVC 101Introduction to Civic Engagement1.0
COOP 101Career Management and Professional Development *1.0
ENGL 101Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research3.0
or ENGL 111 English Composition I
ENGL 102Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing3.0
or ENGL 112 English Composition II
ENGL 103Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres3.0
or ENGL 113 English Composition III
PHIL 315Engineering Ethics3.0
UNIV E101The Drexel Experience1.0
General Education Requirements **15.0
Engineering Core Courses
BIO 141Essential Biology4.5
Chemistry Requirements ***3.5-7.5
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I
General Chemistry I
CHEM 102General Chemistry II4.5
Engineering (ENGR) Requirements
ENGR 111Introduction to Engineering Design & Data Analysis3.0
ENGR 113First-Year Engineering Design3.0
ENGR 131Introductory Programming for Engineers3.0
or ENGR 132 Programming for Engineers
MATE 220Fundamentals of Materials4.0
or ENGR 220 Fundamentals of Materials
MEM 210Introduction to Thermodynamics3.0
or ENGR 210 Introduction to Thermodynamics
Mathematics Requirements 4.0-10.0
Algebra, Functions, and Trigonometry
and Calculus I
Calculus and Functions I
and Calculus and Functions II
Calculus I
MATH 122Calculus II4.0
MATH 200Multivariate Calculus4.0
CAEE 231Linear Engineering Systems3.0
or ENGR 231 Linear Engineering Systems
CAEE 232Dynamic Engineering Systems3.0
or ENGR 232 Dynamic Engineering Systems
Physics Requirements 4.0-8.0
Preparation for Engineering Studies
and Fundamentals of Physics I
OR
Fundamentals of Physics I
PHYS 102Fundamentals of Physics II4.0
PHYS 201Fundamentals of Physics III4.0
Environmental Engineering Requirements
BIO 220Essential Microbiology3.0
or ENVE 316 Fundamentals of Environmental Biotechnology
CAEE 202Introduction to Civil, Architectural & Environmental Engineering3.0
CAEE 203System Balances and Design in CAEE3.0
CAEE 212Geologic Principles for Infrastructure & Environmental Engineering4.0
or GEO 101 Physical Geology
CAEE 361Statistical Analysis of Engineering Systems3.0
CHE 211Material and Energy Balances I4.0
CHEM 241Organic Chemistry I4.0
CHEM 242Organic Chemistry II4.0
CIVE 240Engineering Economic Analysis3.0
CIVE 320Introduction to Fluid Flow3.0
CIVE 330Hydraulics4.0
CIVE 430Hydrology3.0
CIVE 431Hydrology-Ground Water3.0
ENVE 300Introduction to Environmental Engineering3.0
ENVE 302Environmental Transport and Kinetics3.0
ENVE 410Solid and Hazardous Waste3.0
ENVE 421Water and Waste Treatment II3.0
ENVE 422Water and Waste Treatment Design3.0
ENVE 435Groundwater Remediation3.0
ENVE 460Fundamentals of Air Pollution Control3.0
or ENVE 465 Indoor Air Quality
ENVE 485Professional Environmental Engineering Practice1.0
ENVE 486Environmental Engineering Processes Laboratory I2.0
ENVE 487Environmental Engineering Processes Laboratory II2.0
ENVE 491 [WI] Senior Project Design I3.0
ENVE 492 [WI] Senior Design Project II3.0
ENVE 493 [WI] Senior Design Project III3.0
ENVS 230General Ecology3.0
Chemistry of the Environment (ENVS 501 counts toward this course)
Technical Electives ††12.0
MASTERS DEGREE COURSES
Core Courses (15.0 credits)
ENVE 660Chemical Kinetics in Environmental Engineering3.0
ENVS 501Chemistry of the Environment (Counts as ENVS 401)3.0
Approved Statistics Course3.0-4.0
Biomedical Statistics
Data-based Engineering Modeling
Biostatistics
Approved Policy Course3.0
Sustainable Water Resource Engineering
Public Finance and Cost Benefit Analysis
Theory and Practice of Policy Analysis
Methods of Policy Analysis
Approved Life Sciences course3.0
Fundamentals of Environmental Biotechnology
Evolutionary Ecology
Aquatic Ecology
Specialization Courses (select one area to complete) 9.0-12.0
Environmental Treatment Processes
Solid Waste Systems
Env Engr Op-Chem & Phys
Enviro Engr Unit Oper-Bio
Hazardous Waste & Groundwater Treatment
Human Risks
Indoor Air Quality
Environmental Exposure Science
Risk Assessment
Principles and Practice of Environmental and Occupational Health
Water Resources
Sustainable Water Resource Engineering
Open Channel Hydraulics †††
Analytical and Numerical Techniques in Hydrology
Urban Ecohydraulics
Environmental Life Cycle Assessment
Environmental Modeling
Geographic Information Systems †††
Environmental Life Cycle Assessment
Analytical and Numerical Techniques in Hydrology
Data-based Engineering Modeling
Approved Advanced Math Course
Applied Engr Analy Methods I
Mathematical Methods in Chemical Engineering
Numerical Engineering Methods
Air Quality
Indoor Air Quality
Principles and Practice of Environmental and Occupational Health
Fundamentals of Air Pollution Control
Cognate Discipline Track ‡‡12.0
Electives or Thesis9.0-6.0
Total Credits227.5-242.5
*

Co-Op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

**

 General Education Requirements.

***

CHEM sequence is determined by the student's Chemistry Placement Exam score and the completion of a summer online preparatory course available based on that score.

MATH and PHYS sequences are determined by the student's Calculus Placement Exam score and the completion of an summer online preparatory courses available based on that score. Some students who select the MATH 116 & MATH 117 sequence may need a one-credit concurrent practicum course depending on their calculus exam score and summer preparatory review participation.

††

Technical electives:

  • 6 credits in the following subjects (200-499): AE, BIO, BMES, CHE, CHEM, CIVE, CS, ECE, ECEP, ECEE, ECES, ECEC, GEO, ENVE, ENVS, INFO, MATE, MATH, MEM, PHYS, SE or courses approved by ENVE advisor.

    AND

    6 credits in the following subjects (300-499): AE, BIO, BMES, CHE, CHEM, CIVE, CS, ECE, ECEP, ECEE, ECES, ECEC, GEO, ENVE, ENVS, INFO, MATE, MATH, MEM, PHYS, SE or PBHL 305, PBHL 314, PBHL 317, PBHL 321, PBHL 350, PBHL 457 or courses approved by ENVE advisor. 

Students must take 4 courses in an approved specialization, such as environmental treatment processes, human risks, water resources, environmental modeling, or air quality.

‡‡

Students must complete a course sequence of 12.0 credits aside from their specialization. This might include a second specialization course sequence or a sequence of elective courses as approved by the student’s advisor and the departmental graduate advisor in any of the following subjects: AE, CHE, CHEC, CHEM, CIVE, ENVE, ENSS, ENVP, ENVS, MATH, MEM (500-699).

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

Sample Plan of Study

5 year,3 co-op, Spring/Summer

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
CHEM 101*3.5CHEM 1024.5BIO 1414.5VACATION
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 101 or COOP 101***1.0COOP 101 or CIVC 101***1.0 
ENGR 1113.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
MATH 121**4.0ENGR 131 or 1323.0ENGR 1133.0 
UNIV E1011.0MATH 1224.0MATH 2004.0 
 PHYS 101**4.0PHYS 1024.0 
 14.5 19.5 19.5 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
CAEE 2023.0CAEE 2033.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
CAEE 231 or ENGR 2313.0CAEE 232 or ENGR 2323.0  
CIVE 2403.0ENGR 210 or MEM 2103.0  
ENGR 220 or MATE 2204.0ENVS 2303.0  
PHYS 2014.0PHIL 3153.0  
(UG) General Education Requirement3.0   
 20 15 0 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
CAEE 212 or GEO 1014.0CHEM 2414.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
CAEE 3613.0CIVE 3304.0(GR) Graduate Elective3.0 
CHE 2114.0CIVE 4313.0  
CIVE 3203.0ENVE 3023.0  
ENVE 3003.0(GR) Graduate Policy Course3.0  
(GR) Graduate Elective3.0(GR) Graduate Statistics Course3.0  
 20 20 3 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
CHEM 2424.0ENVE 4103.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
CIVE 4303.0(UG) General Education Requirements9.0  
ENVS 501 (Counts as ENVS 401)3.0ENVE 6603.0  
(UG) Technical Elective3.0(GR) Graduate Elective3.0  
(GR) Graduate Elective3.0   
(GR) Graduate Life Science3.0   
 19 18 0 0
Fifth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
BIO 220 or ENVE 3163.0ENVE 4213.0ENVE 4223.0 
ENVE 460 or 4653.0ENVE 4862.0ENVE 4353.0 
ENVE 4851.0ENVE 4923.0ENVE 4872.0 
ENVE 4913.0(UG) Technical Electives6.0ENVE 4933.0 
(UG) Technical Elective3.0(GR) Graduate Elective3.0(UG) General Education Requirement3.0 
(GR) Graduate Electives6.0(GR) Graduate Electives3.0(GR) Graduate Electives6.0 
 19 20 20 
Total Credits 227.5
*

CHEM sequence is determined by the student's Chemistry Placement Exam score and the completion of a summer online preparatory course available based on that score.

**

MATH and PHYS sequences are determined by the student's Calculus Placement Exam score and the completion of an summer online preparatory courses available based on that score.

***

Co-Op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

General Education Requirements

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty

Abieyuwa Aghayere, PhD (University of Alberta). Professor. Structural design - concrete, steel and wood; structural failure analysis; retrofitting of existing structures; new structural systems and materials; engineering education.
Ivan Bartoli, PhD (University of California, San Diego) Program Head for Civil Engineering. Professor. Non-destructive evaluation and structural health monitoring; dynamic identification, stress wave propagation modeling.
Shannon Capps, PhD (Georgia Institute of Technology). Associate Professor. Atmospheric chemistry; data assimilation; advanced sensitivity analysis; inverse modeling.
Zhiwei Chen, PhD (University of South Florida). Assistant Professor. Mobility system modeling, simulation, optimization, control, and social impact analysis, with applications to modular, connected, and automated vehicle systems, mobility as a service, public transit systems.
S.C. Jonathan Cheng, PhD (West Virginia University). Associate Professor. Soil mechanics; geosynthetics; geotechnical engineering; probabilistic design; landfill containments; engineering education.
Arvin Ebrahimkhanlou, PhD (University of Texas at Austin). Assistant Professor. Non-destructive evaluation, structural health monitoring, artificial intelligence, robotics.
Yaghoob (Amir) Farnam, PhD (Purdue University). Associate Professor. Advanced and sustainable infrastructure materials; multifunctional, self-responsive and bioinspired construction materials; advanced multiscale manufacturing; characterization, and evaluation of construction materials; durability of cement-based materials.
Patricia Gallagher, PhD (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University). Professor. Geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering; soil improvement; soil improvement; recycled materials in geotechnics.
Patrick Gurian, PhD (Carnegie-Mellon University). Professor. Risk analysis of environmental and infrastructure systems; novel adsorbent materials; environmental standard setting; Bayesian statistical modeling; community outreach and environmental health.
Charles N. Haas, PhD (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign) Program Head for Environmental Engineering; L. D. Betz Professor of Environmental Engineering. Water treatment and wastewater resuse; risk analysis; microbial risk assessment; environmental modeling and statistics; microbiology; environmental health.
Simi Hoque, PhD (University of California - Berkeley) Program Head for Architectural Engineering. Professor. Computational methods to reduce building energy and environmental impacts, urban metabolism, thermal comfort, climate resilience.
Y. Grace Hsuan, PhD (Imperial College). Professor. Durability of polymeric construction materials; advanced construction materials; and performance of geosynthetics.
Joseph B. Hughes, PhD (University of Iowa). Distinguished University Professor. Biological processes and applications of nanotechnology in environmental systems.
L. James Lo, PhD (University of Texas at Austin). Associate Professor. Architectural fluid mechanics; building automation and autonomy; implementation of natural and hybrid ventilation in buildings; airflow distribution in buildings; large-scale air movement in an urban built environment; building and urban informatics; data-enhanced sensing and control for optimal building operation and management; novel data gathering methods for building/urban problem solving; interdisciplinary research on occupant behaviors in the built environment.
Franco Montalto, PhD (Cornell University). Professor. Water in the built environment; planning, design, and restoration of natural and nature-based systems, including green stormwater infrastructure; urban ecohydrology; hydrologic and hydraulic modeling; urban flooding; urban sustainability; and climate change and climate resilience.
Mira S. Olson, PhD (University of Virginia). Associate Professor. Peace engineering; source water quality protection and management; contaminant and bacterial fate and transport; community engagement.
Miguel A. Pando, PhD (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University). Associate Professor. Slope stability and landslides; natural hazards; geotechnical earthquake engineering and liquefaction; laboratory and field measurement of soil and rock properties; soil erosion and scour; soil-structure-interaction; earth-based construction materials.
Matthew Reichenbach, PhD (University of Austin at Texas). Assistant Teaching Professor. Design and behavior of steel structures, bridge engineering, structural stability
Fernanda Cruz Rios, PhD (Arizona State University). Assistant Professor. Circular economy, life cycle assessment, convergence research, sustainable buildings and cities.
Michael Ryan, PhD (Drexel University) Associate Department Head of Graduate Studies. Associate Teaching Professor. Microbial Source Tracking (MST); Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA); dynamic engineering systems modeling; molecular microbial biology; phylogenetics; metagenomics; bioinformatics; environmental statistics; engineering economics; microbiology; potable and wastewater quality; environmental management systems.
Christopher Sales, PhD (University of California, Berkeley). Associate Professor. Environmental microbiology and biotechnology; biodegradation of environmental contaminants; microbial processes for energy and resource recovery from waste; application of molecular biology, analytical chemistry and bioinformatic techniques to study environmental biological systems.
Robert Swan, PhD (Drexel University) Associate Department Head for Undergraduates. Teaching Professor. Geotechnical and geosynthetic engineering; soil/geosynthetic interaction and performance; laboratory and field geotechnical/geosynthetic testing.
Sharon Walker, PhD (Yale University) Dean, College of Engineering. Distinguished Professor. Water quality systems engineering; fate and transport of nanomaterials; pathogen adhesion phenomena.
Michael Waring, PhD (University of Texas at Austin) Department Head, Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering. Professor. Indoor air quality, indoor aerosols, indoor air modeling, indoor chemistry, healthy buildings, and building sustainability intelligent ventilation, air cleaning, indoor disease transmission.
Jin Wen, PhD (University of Iowa) Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, College of Engineering. Professor. Architectural engineering; Building Energy Efficiency; Intelligent Building; Building-grid integration; Occupant Centric Control; and Indoor Air Quality.

Emeritus Faculty

A. Emin Aktan, PhD (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign). Professor Emeritus. Health monitoring and management of large infrastructures with emphasis on health monitoring.
Eugenia Ellis, PhD, AIA (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University). Professor Emerita. Natural and electrical light sources and effects on biological rhythms and health outcomes; ecological strategies for smart, sustainable buildings of the nexus of health, energy, and technology.
Ahmad Hamid, PhD (McMaster University). Professor Emeritus. Engineered masonry; seismic behavior, design and retrofit of masonry structures; development of new materials and building systems.
Harry G. Harris, PhD (Cornell University). Professor Emeritus. Structural models; dynamics of structures, plates and shells; industrialized building construction.
Joseph P. Martin, PhD (Colorado State University). Professor Emeritus. Geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering; hydrology; transportation; waste management.
James E. Mitchell, MArch (University of Pennsylvania). Professor Emeritus. Architectural engineering design; building systems; engineering education.
Aspasia Zerva, PhD (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign). Professor. Earthquake engineering; mechanics; seismology; structural reliability; system identification; advanced computational methods in structural analysis.