德克薩斯大學奧斯汀分校

Environmental Engineers protect the natural environment and the health of people as influenced by the environment. The field began as a part of civil engineering by providing the water supply for municipalities but has grown to encompass a broad view of the interaction of humans with the environment. The environmental engineer applies principles from all of the natural sciences (physics, chemistry, geology, and biology) to understand the natural environment and to build systems that protect that environment. Areas of environmental engineering include air quality, water quality, water resources, and contaminant process engineering.

The environmental engineering student obtains a broad background in mathematics and all the sciences, along with their application to the several areas of environmental engineering. This flexible curriculum allows the student to elect 18 semester hours of approved technical coursework to emphasize the areas of environmental engineering of most interest to the student. In addition, courses in the humanities and social sciences are included.

To excel as an environmental engineer, a student should have an aptitude for mathematics and science, an abiding interest in protecting the natural environment and public health, and the motivation to study and prepare for environmental engineering practice. Environmental engineering graduates of the University may seek a wide variety of employment opportunities with private consulting firms, industry, and government agencies at the local, state, and national levels. Those who plan to pursue graduate work in engineering, or in other professions such as business, medicine, law, or journalism, have an excellent base on which to build.

Student Outcomes

Graduates of the environmental engineering program should attain the following outcomes:

• An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
• An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
• An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
• An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
• An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
• An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
• An ability to communicate effectively
• The broad education necessary to understand what impact engineering solutions have in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
• Recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in lifelong learning
• Knowledge of contemporary issues
• An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice

Program Educational Objectives

Graduates of the environmental engineering program should address environmental engineering problems within a greater societal context. They should:

• Exhibit character and decision-making skills embodying professionalism and ethical behavior
• Apply knowledge, strong reasoning, and quantitative skills to design and implement creative and sustainable solutions
• Engage in lifelong learning to meet evolving engineering challenges facing society
• Exhibit strong communication, critical thinking, interpersonal, and management skills as leaders and contributors in the environmental engineering profession