What is an Environmental Engineer?

Mining, manufacturing and industry run our society - our lives wouldn't be the same without them. But they unfortunately create a lot
of pollution and waste. Environmental engineers are experts who help minimize and manage waste and pollution, protecting the air,
water, soil, and ourselves from harmful chemicals. They often coordinate these activities, making sure the companies they work for
are in compliance with all environmental regulations.

What Is an Environmental Engineer?

Environmental engineering is the branch of engineering that focuses on protecting the environment by reducing waste and pollution.
The field is also dedicated to improving environmental conditions through remediation. It deals with the design of technologies and
processes that control pollution releases and clean up existing contamination.
Environmental engineers design, plan, and implement measures to prevent, control, or remediate environmental hazards. They may
work on waste treatment, wastewater treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology.

Our environmental laws would mean little without professionals like these who know how to implement them at the facility level.
These valuable professionals help control pollution, and design new technologies to engineer a better world.

What Does an Environmental Engineer Do?

Environmental engineers use their scientific knowledge to design systems that control pollution and protect public health. For
example, they design systems, processes, and equipment to control waste and pollution, such as stack scrubbers and wastewater
management systems. This includes industrial wastewater. Environmental engineers coordinate waste management and recycling
activities at manufacturing sites and mines. They make sure it's treated and disposed of in accordance with all environmental and
health regulations. In fact, they're often appointed to ensure that all of their companies' projects, including building and development
projects, are compliant with regulations. They advise on the environmental effects of construction projects, fill out permit paperwork,
incorporate regulations into project planning, and conduct inspections to ensure compliance. They write environmental investigation
reports detailing their findings. Environmental engineers also frequently serve as a company's liaison with federal, state, or local
agencies on issues related to waste program requirements.

In addition to controlling pollution, environmental engineers also design systems, processes, and equipment to help clean it up. The
systems they create restore air, soil, and water quality at sites that have already been contaminated. Some environmental engineers
work at the front lines of the clean energy economy, developing systems that convert waste into electric power.

Environmental engineers are often tasked with coordinating their companies' environmental management system (EMS). An EMS is a
voluntary management technique that ensures systematic implementation and review of customized environmental and safety best
practices. EMS following the international standard ISO 14001 are particularly beneficial to the credibility of companies involved in
international activities.
 Where Does an Environmental Engineer Work?
As of 2012, the greatest number of environmental engineers (28%) worked in architectural, engineering, and related services. Another
21% were employed in management, scientific, and technical consulting services. 13% worked in state government, 7% in federal
government, and 6% in local government.

Environmental engineers work in various settings. They usually work from in offices while planning designs or working on
environmental permitting and regulatory issues. However, they may work at industrial sites or outdoors while conducting inspections
or coordinating a facility's waste management activities. Most environmental engineers work full time. Those who manage projects
often work overtime to monitor progress and meet deadlines.

Environmental Engineering Jobs & Job Description

A senior environmental engineer has a breadth of experience that assures competent in a team-lead position. Many of the additional
tasks at the upper tier may be administrative or managerial in scope, such as:

 Creating reports, data meta-analysis and thought leadership

 Communicating with a variety of technical and non-technical stakeholders
 Navigating environmental regulations and funding sources
 Liaising with interdisciplinary teams for an holistic solution to environmental engineering problems

What Is the Job Demand for Environmental Engineering?

The employment outlook for environmental engineers is excellent. The field is projected to grow 15% from 2012 to 2022, which is
faster than the average for all occupations. Some growth will be fueled by the need for water reclamation projects that increase water
supplies, especially in Western states. Concerns about industrial wastewater, particularly from fracking for natural gas, will also drive
growth in this area. Retirements will also open up future positions. Those with master's degrees will have the best opportunities to fill
vacancies.

How Do I Get an Environmental Engineering Degree?

Positions require a minimum of a bachelor's degree (B.S.), usually in environmental engineering, civil, or chemical engineering. Some
undergraduate and graduate civil engineering programs offer concentrations in environmental engineering.

Students generally study basic engineering principles, ecosystem processes, fate and transport of organic contaminants, alternative
energy technologies, air quality control technologies, principles of sustainability, water and wastewater treatment, mathematics, and
computer-aided design (CAD). Lab and field work are often part of the curriculum.

It's important to gain practical experience. Participate in an internship or cooperative engineering programs if you can. These
programs award college credit for structured job experience.

Some colleges offer a combined 5-year program that leads to both a bachelor's and a master's degree. A graduate degree can open up
opportunities as instructors at some colleges, and also in research and development positions.

Some employers prefer to hire graduates of ABET-accredited programs. Education through an ABET-accredited program is usually
necessary for professional licensing.

Read more about getting an Environmental Engineering degree.

 Environmental Engineering Licensure
Engineers who offer their services directly to the public must be licensed as professional engineers (PEs). Licensure generally
requires:

 A degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program

 A passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
 Relevant work experience, typically at least 4 years
 A passing score on the Professional Engineering (PE) exam
College graduates may take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam immediately. Engineers who pass this exam are called
engineers in training (EITs) or engineer interns (EIs). After gaining four years of work experience, EITs and EIs can go on to take the
Principles and Practice of Engineering exam to qualify for licensure.

Several states require engineers to participate in professional development activities in order to keep their licenses. Most states
recognize licensure from other states, as long as that state's requirements meet or exceed their own licensure requirements.

After licensing, environmental engineers can earn board certification from the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and
Scientists. This certification demonstrates expertise in an area of specialization.

Environmental Engineering Related Degrees

 Biomimicry Degrees - Online and Campus

 Environmental Microbiology Degree
 Geospatial Science Degrees - Online and Campus
 Environmental Biology Degree
 Environmental Psychology Degree

What Kind of Societies and Professional Organizations Do Environmental

Engineers Have?

 The American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) administers board certification for environmental engineers and
accredits academic environmental engineering and environmental science programs. It also provides training through online courses and webinars,
and publishes a quarterly magazine and other reference materials for members.
 The National Society of Professional Engineers is the authority on licensure, ethics, and practice in the engineering profession. It hosts a job board,
provides salary information, offers a mentoring program, and provides resume writing services. It also organizes six interest groups for construction,
government, higher education, industry, private practice, and young engineers.
 The Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP) supports professors in academic programs throughout the world. It
facilitates networking and the exchange of information through its annual Research and Education Conference. It also hosts a list of links to schools
with environmental engineering or environmental science programs, hosts a job board, and issues publications.

Earning a degree in either environmental engineering or environmental science can qualify the recipient to work in various roles that

deal with issues at the intersection of the man-made and natural worlds.
But while these two paths of study have a number of similarities, they also have a number of important differences that should be

recognized and understood before selecting one path over the other. Here, we have provided a brief introduction to these two areas of

study, followed by a side-by-side comparison to help aspiring environmental engineers or scientists reach a final decision.

SIMILARITIES, DIFFERENCES AND OVERLAP

Environmental science and environmental engineering share some basic similarities. To begin, and perhaps most importantly, both

areas of study are concerned with the natural environment and its relationship with the human world. Both environmental scientists

and engineers focus on data gathered from the natural environment, particularly data on the past and future effects of human activity

and its impact, in order to devise and implement solutions to a variety of issues.

Beyond that, however, these paths begin to diverge, although it’s fair to say they are complementary and may share the same ultimate

goal or goals. Like any scientist, an environmental scientist is generally tasked with performing research for a specific project,

gathering data provided by the natural environment focusing on a certain issue, such as environmental degradation and the effects of

human activity on a given area. An environmental scientist may then analyze this data, and further provide a recommendation to be

implemented in order to facilitate change or enact future benefits.

Here, the environmental engineer steps in. Once provided with data, an analysis, and a recommendation by a scientist, an engineer can

begin using his or her knowledge of both engineering and environmental science in order to apply it toward a plan and solution. His or

her actions could include planning new infrastructure to limit the effects of human activity on a specific space, or even shaping a plan

to ensure that a given area is rapidly developed to allow for human use.

Ultimately, these two fields of study can be largely understood and differentiated through their related terms: science and engineering.

Specifically, an environmental scientist will work like any other scientist, gathering and analyzing a set of data to provide answers to

certain questions. And, in contrast, an environmental engineer will utilize a host of engineering principles to create a plan of action

using information provided by the scientist. Of course, these two fields of study are both concerned with the same end goal of

answering questions or providing solutions to problems related to the environment, which again highlights the significant overlap

between the two.

How do the fields Although definitions may vary depending on the Environmental engineering, in general, is a field of study that utilizes
define and source, Iowa State University defines environmental existing principles of engineering to develop and implement solutions to
differentiate science as the a study that “provides an integrated, environmental issues, often as a result of a recommendation provided by an
themselves? quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to the environmental scientist.
study of environmental systems.” Some consider it a
branch of biology concerned with the
interconnectivity among organisms and their
environment, as well as the study of how our role as
humans affects our natural surroundings.
What department In many cases, the environmental science program Environmental engineering most often falls within the engineering
is the program at a university or college will fall within the natural department at a given university, and is even occasionally combined with the
typically part of in sciences department, or in the department of sub-department of civil engineering, as well.
the institution? geography and environmental sciences. Of course,
the program’s location within the institution
ultimately depends on a number of factors.
 Do any A number of specializations may be available to Depending on the institution, students within programs of environmental
specializations those pursuing a degree in environmental science, engineering may be able to specialize in the following areas, among others:
exist within these including the following:
degree programs? . Coastal and ecological engineering;
. Aquatic biology;
. Water resources engineering; and
. Applied ecology;
. Geophysical engineering.
. Alternative energy;

. Environmental agriculture;

. Earth systems; and

. Geographic information science.

What courses will The curriculum for an environmental science Those students pursuing a degree in environmental engineering at
students likely take while program will likely depend on the institution; either an undergraduate or graduate level should expect to take courses
pursuing this degree? however, students pursuing this degree will likely
take courses on basic science and math, earth
sciences (geology, in particular), and natural
sciences (such as ecology and hydrology). Beyond
this, students may take courses on public policy,
economics, political theory, and various
specialization courses, all of which will generally
focus on their relation to the environment.
What existing work Individuals who have a degree in environmental
will students be science may be able to utilize their skills in a
prepared for with research position; indeed, environmental scientists
this degree? may be tasked with researching a specific topic or
space for a project, examining and analyzing a
number of factors (including human actions and their
effects), at which point they may be asked to create
recommendations for change or future operation.
These scientists may assist with projects aimed to
clean public areas or mitigate the effects of human
influence on the environment, or teams that work to
enact policy change.
What emerging Because human population is slated to grow
work will students consistently for the foreseeable future, environmental
be prepared for scientists will likely always be needed to gather and
with this degree? analyze data and craft suggestions to determine how
human beings can continue to exist within their
on a number of classes, including physics and chemistry, mechanics, thermodynamics
, heat transfer, engineering hydrology, air pollution control, and a number of
other electives, depending on their schedule.
Ultimately, those with a degree in environmental engineering will likely be able to find
projects as an environmental engineer, including those focused on:
. Public works and recycling;
. Waste disposal and wastewater treatment;
. Air pollution control; and
. Environmental impact and climate control.
Furthermore, the services of an environmental engineer may be utilized in p
these, and ultimately wherever solutions need to be implemented in a syst
with the environment.
As human beings continue to grapple with understanding their role within the natural en
actions can affect and degrade their natural surroundings, the employment opportunities
should continue to grow. Indeed, environmental engineers will continuously be needed
impending environmental crises and to help ensure the population is efficiently and effe
connecting with their natural environment.
 natural surroundings. To be sure, environmental
scientists will be required to work to discover new
ways to reduce any climate damage and develop
more efficient methods of waste disposal and water
treatment, among other tasks.

Name three schools that The following is a list of three schools that offer online bachelor’s degrees in The following is one of the only schools that offer
offer online bachelor’s environmental science: environmental engineering:
degrees in this field.
. Southern New Hampshire University . California National University

. Oregon State University (Note that there are also some hybrid
. American Public University
programs where some but not all courses ma

Name five schools that The following is a list of five schools that offer online master’s degrees in The following is a list of five schools that offer on
offer online master’s environmental science: environmental engineering:
degrees in this field.
. Montana State University . Johns Hopkins University

. University of Illinois – Springfield . Villanova University

. University of Colorado at Boulder . University of New Haven

. Johns Hopkins University . Worcester Polytechnic Institute

. Green Mountain College . North Carolina State University

The Bottom Line? A degree in environmental science helps an individual to adopt a role as a scientist, Environmental engineers, in general, take informa
one who specifically researches a given topic, analyzes data, and uses this develop and implement solutions to any issues pre
information to help others enact significant change. An environmental scientist engineer may assist in the creation of a new waste
 may assist in developing new recycling systems, may analyze human influence on craft a new system to monitor air pollution. Overa
the environment, or may work to enact legislative change through presentations. responsible for taking action to help protect the int
Ultimately, environmental scientists play an integral role in preserving the quality
of the natural surroundings that we share.

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING VS. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

FIND SCHOOLS

FIND SCHOOLS

*sponsored

Earning a degree in either environmental engineering or environmental science can qualify the recipient to work in various roles that

deal with issues at the intersection of the man-made and natural worlds.
But while these two paths of study have a number of similarities, they also have a number of important differences that should be

recognized and understood before selecting one path over the other. Here, we have provided a brief introduction to these two areas of

study, followed by a side-by-side comparison to help aspiring environmental engineers or scientists reach a final decision.

SIMILARITIES, DIFFERENCES AND OVERLAP

Environmental science and environmental engineering share some basic similarities. To begin, and perhaps most importantly, both

areas of study are concerned with the natural environment and its relationship with the human world. Both environmental scientists

and engineers focus on data gathered from the natural environment, particularly data on the past and future effects of human activity

and its impact, in order to devise and implement solutions to a variety of issues.

Beyond that, however, these paths begin to diverge, although it’s fair to say they are complementary and may share the same ultimate

goal or goals. Like any scientist, an environmental scientist is generally tasked with performing research for a specific project,

gathering data provided by the natural environment focusing on a certain issue, such as environmental degradation and the effects of

human activity on a given area. An environmental scientist may then analyze this data, and further provide a recommendation to be

implemented in order to facilitate change or enact future benefits.

Here, the environmental engineer steps in. Once provided with data, an analysis, and a recommendation by a scientist, an engineer can

begin using his or her knowledge of both engineering and environmental science in order to apply it toward a plan and solution. His or

her actions could include planning new infrastructure to limit the effects of human activity on a specific space, or even shaping a plan

to ensure that a given area is rapidly developed to allow for human use.

Ultimately, these two fields of study can be largely understood and differentiated through their related terms: science and engineering.

Specifically, an environmental scientist will work like any other scientist, gathering and analyzing a set of data to provide answers to

certain questions. And, in contrast, an environmental engineer will utilize a host of engineering principles to create a plan of action

using information provided by the scientist. Of course, these two fields of study are both concerned with the same end goal of

answering questions or providing solutions to problems related to the environment, which again highlights the significant overlap

between the two.

areer Prospects
After successfully gaining your BSc then MSc, as an environmental engineer, you must first and foremost come up with
technical solutions for the many problems related to the environment and land. Whatever the professional organization
in which you end up, you will regularly work in a multidisciplinary context which will involve the ability to listen and to
negotiate. Your approach must consistently be a comprehensive one, which means that before suggesting a solution, you
have to analyze the space-temporal context of the problem to be solved.
By way of example, the pollution removal of an industrial site involves, in addition to the work of analyzing the pollutants to be eliminated, real
investigative work attempting to reconstruct the circumstances (history of the site and its operations) which caused the contamination. You would act the
same way if you worked in the field of resource management, because you have to also carry out space-temporal assessments, notably for making
forecasts. In the two cases, the tools of geographical representation provide you with invaluable assistance for superimposing the solutions which you
recommend on the basis of the past, present, or future situation.
聽
Your potential employers are first of all engineering consulting firms or environmental consulting firms. You will also have the opportunity to work for
public administration (sanitation, waste management, land management, etc.), environmental-protection agencies, or in distribution companies (water,
electricity, gas), or laboratories specializing in environmental technology. Finally, you can also deepen your knowledge by doing a PhD or considering
working in technical cooperation.