ENVSE-BS - Environmental Systems Engineering (BS)

Objectives and Outcomes

This major prepares students to:

• Design and manage more sustainable and equitable solutions for societyʼs needs in the face of population growth, climate change, and natural hazards.

• Think critically and innovatively about how to achieve a more sustainable future in the provision and management of water, energy, buildings, and infrastructure for both society and the natural environment to flourish.

• Develop the design, technical, communication, and modeling skills needed to address a range of current and future environmental systems engineering problems.

The Curriculum: A Focus on Sustainability

Students complete a foundation of coursework in math, science, engineering, and communication skills followed by an in-depth focus in one of four areas :

Sustainable Coastal Systems focuses on the impacts of the interactions between urban areas and coastal waters. Study areas include coastal engineering, biological and chemical processes and contaminants in the marine environment, and issues in coastal planning and policy.

Sustainable Energy Systems focuses on designing renewable energy systems to address urban area challenges. Coursework includes optimization of renewable energy systems, the impacts of energy use on climate and urban air pollutants, and equity in rapid energy technology transitions.

Sustainable Freshwater Systems focuses on incorporating sustainability into the design, management, and protection of water supply systems. Areas of study include water resources, water treatment processes, and aquatic chemistry and biology, and design principles for urban waterways.

Sustainable Urban Systems focuses on sustainability in the constructed urban environment. Areas of study include sustainable design and construction practices, building energy supply and demand, urban infrastructure, and sustainable cities.

Careers

Students with a degree in Environmental Systems Engineering are prepared for a wide variety of careers. Graduates may work in careers in urban infrastructure design and renewal, as consulting engineers, or work with utilities and agencies focused on incorporating sustainable practices to meet climate goals. Our graduates also pursue careers working for NGOs and foundations focusing on solving environmental challenges.

Graduate Study

The Environmental Systems Engineering major prepares students for graduate work across a diverse spectrum of fields, including civil and environmental engineering, sustainability science and practice, city and regional planning, business, and law. Students are also prepared for graduate study in scientific fields such as hydrology, oceanography, epidemiology, and energy science.