Program Overview

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Environmental Engineering

School

School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Department

Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering

Major

Environmental Engineering BS

This program is designed for individuals who are strong in science and math, and want to be good problem solvers in balancing the needs of society and nature. From protecting lakes and rivers to managing the impact of natural disasters, students will be on the way to making a clear difference for communities around the world.

What will I learn?

Students will typically start with foundational classes and labs in chemistry, physics, and calculus, then quickly move on to specific courses in the major such as sustainability and environmental engineering fundamentals. In their junior and senior years, they will get more in-depth training in topics such as modeling pollutant movement, treating contaminated water and air, and environmental monitoring. Students will also be able to choose from a variety of electives, allowing them to follow their interests and explore topics like hydraulic engineering and brownfield restoration—or take classes in a related technical field.

What can I do outside of class?

• Internships, co-ops, and experiential learning: Build professional networks and gain real-world experience off-campus and on-campus, including UB's engineering intramurals.
• Student groups: Make new friends and explore different interests through student clubs, including many that focus on engineering and the environment.
• Research: Work with faculty on life-changing research, from reducing wildfire damage to developing sustainable water reuse and resource recovery systems.
• Study abroad: Consider going abroad for a life-changing experience and international perspective; UB engineering students have traveled to Australia, Costa Rica, France, and many other countries during summer and winter breaks.

What can I do with an environmental engineering degree?

Providing clean water to hundreds of thousands of people, consulting on green infrastructure projects, and joining environmental regulatory agencies are just a few examples of how graduates have used their degrees to make an impact.

Environmental engineers typically work for private consulting firms, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and research labs around the world. Leading organizations that recruit UB graduates include:

• AECOM
• Arcadis
• Buffalo Sewer Authority
• CH2M Hill
• Ecology and Environment
• Erie County Water Authority
• GHD
• Golder Associates
• New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
• O'Brien & Gere
• Parsons Engineering Science
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

While many students work in the environmental field, some apply their skills and knowledge to careers in business, law, public health, and other areas.

Who will I learn from?

Scholars, leaders, mentors, and teachers will inspire and guide students. Faculty members have been named as SUNY Distinguished Professors and have won numerous awards for their teaching, including the President Emeritus and Mrs. Martin Meyerson Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching and Mentoring, and the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Faculty are typically active members (and often hold leadership positions) in many top professional organizations, including the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors, American Water Works Association, American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Air & Waste Management Association.

In addition, they have been recognized and honored by leading national and international organizations, including the National Science Foundation, American Chemical Society, and National Groundwater Association.