Environmental Engineering BSENE

Major: Environmental Engineering
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering (BSENE)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 185.5
Co-op Options: Three Co-op (Five years); One Co-op (Four years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 14.1401
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 17-2081

About the Program

Environmental engineering is concerned with the design of systems, policies and processes to protect human, animal and plant populations from the effects of adverse environmental factors, including toxic chemicals and wastes, pathogenic bacteria and global warming, and to design systems that enable a more sustainable society.

Environmental engineers design systems, processes and policies to minimize the effect of human activities on the physical and living environment so that we can all live more healthy and sustainable lives. Environmental engineers work to meet human needs for resources in ways to minimize impact on the ecosystem and adverse effects on health.  This field builds on other branches of engineering, especially civil, chemical and mechanical engineering. It also builds on information from many of the sciences, such as chemistry, physics, hydrology, geology, atmospheric science and several specializations of biology (ecology, microbiology and biochemistry). Students who elect to study environmental engineering will become familiar with many of these areas because maintaining and improving the environment requires that problems be evaluated and solutions found using a multidisciplinary approach.

Mission

The mission of the undergraduate environmental engineering program at Drexel University is to graduate outstanding engineers who can identify, evaluate and solve complex environmental problems, and who desire to continue their education on a lifelong basis.

Program Educational Objectives

Environmental engineering graduates will be responsible professionals who analyze, design, construct, manage or operate facilities or systems to protect or enhance the environment of people and other living things, work collaboratively and communicate with stakeholders, and/or advance knowledge of the field.

Student Outcomes

The department’s student outcomes reflect the skills and abilities that the curriculum is designed to provide to students by the time they graduate. These are:   

1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics
2. 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
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in  global, economic, environmental and societal contexts
5. 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
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed while using appropriate learning strategies

Additional Information

The Environmental Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission's General Criteria and Program Criteria for Environmental and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

For more information, visit the Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Department and the BS in Environmental Engineering page.

Degree Requirements

*

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 any summer online preparatory courses available based on that score.

‡

Some students may need a one-credit concurrent practicum course depending on their calculus exam score and summer preparatory review participation.

^

Or courses approved by ENVE advisor.

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 

4 year, 1 co-op, Spring/Summer

*

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 any 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. 

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.

†

See degree requirements.

††

6.0 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

6.0 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. 

4 year, 1 co-op, Fall/Winter

*

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 any 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. 

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.

†

See degree requirements.

††

6.0 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

6.0 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. 

5 year, 3 co-op, Spring/Summer

*

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 any 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. 

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.

†

See degree requirements.

††

6.0 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

6.0 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. 

5 year, 3 co-op, Fall/Winter

*

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 any 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. 

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.

†

See degree requirements.

††

6.0 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

6.0 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. 

Co-op/Career Opportunities

Environmental Engineers pursue careers with many different industries, such as chemical, pharmaceutical and manufacturing, in groundwater and hazardous waste remediation, in water or wastewater treatment, in air pollution abatement and control, and in mining. Some also join environmental consulting firms which serve several engineering areas. In addition, some students go to graduate school. The breadth of an environmental engineering education prepares the student to follow many career paths.

Co-op Experiences

Past co-op employers of Environmental Engineering majors have included:

• Exelon, Philadelphia, PA
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Philadelphia, PA
• Philadelphia Water Department, Philadelphia, PA
• Sun Co., Philadelphia, PA
• Aqua America, Bryn Mawr, PA
• Fairmount Park Commission, Philadelphia, PA
• Weston Solutions, West Chester, PA
• CDM Consultants, Philadelphia PA and other offices

Accelerated Degree

The Accelerated Program of the School of Engineering provides opportunities for highly talented and strongly motivated students to progress toward their educational goals essentially at their own pace. Through advanced placement, credit by examination, flexibility of scheduling, and independent study, the program makes it possible to complete the undergraduate curriculum and initiate graduate study in less than the five years required by the standard curriculum.

Bachelor’s/Master’s Accelerated Degree Program

Drexel offers a combined BS/MS degree program for our top engineering students who want to obtain both degrees in the same time period as most students obtain a bachelor's degree.

For more information on this program, visit the Department's BS/MS Accelerated Degree Program page.

Facilities

The Department is well equipped with state-of-the-art facilities:

• The department computer labs are in operation: a computer-assisted design (CAD) and computerized instructional lab; and a graduate-level lab (advanced undergraduates can become involved in graduate-level work)
• External labs are used for surveying, building diagnostics, and surface and ground-water measurements
• Molecular microbiology laboratory to conduct PCR and qPCR analyses, as well as classical measurements
• Analytical equipment for chemical contaminants
• Instrumentation for characterization of indoor and outdoor atmospheric aerosols

Program Level Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to:

• Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics
• 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
• Communicate effectively with a range of audiences
• Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts
• Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives
• Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
• Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty

Emeritus Faculty