Program Overview

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Environmental Engineering, BS

Environmental engineering is a career path to protecting, restoring, managing, and enhancing the natural world around us and how we interact with it for todays generation and tomorrows. Professionals in this field design, build, and operate systems and facilities to:

• Treat and distribute safe and reliable drinking water
• Recover materials, nutrients, and energy resources from wastewater and solid waste
• Protect and restore wetlands, streams, lakes, and groundwater
• Allocate water resources for urban, agricultural, and recreational use
• Protect and develop coastal shorelines and stream banks
• Manage stormwater and minimize flood risk
• Reduce, reuse, and recycle waste
• Minimize the creation of and provide treatment for industrial and agricultural waste and air emissions
• Protect us from the impacts of climate change, like rising sea levels and severe weather
• Slow down or reverse climate change by using alternative energy sources, recovering carbon and other greenhouse gases from industrial air emissions

Vision

Develop and maintain a learning community that pursues new knowledge and understanding, and provides innovative and sustainable solutions to human and ecological needs.

Mission of Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering (BSEnvE) Program

Create, integrate, and transfer environmental engineering knowledge and practice in the development of professionals, leaders, and citizens that help define and serve societal and environmental needs by applying this knowledge and practice in an effective and sustainable manner.

Admission to the College as a First-Year Student

Students applying to UWMadison need to indicate an engineering major as their first choice in order to be considered for direct admission to the College of Engineering. Direct admission means that students get to start their college career in the engineering program of their choice and have access to engineering-specific resources and facilities. Students who are directly admitted need to meet progression requirements at the end of the first year to guarantee advancement in that program.

Cross-Campus Transfer to Engineering

UWMadison students in other schools and colleges on campus must meet minimum admission requirements for admission consideration to engineering degree programs. Cross-campus admission is competitive and selective, and academic performance expectations may increase as demand trends change. The students overall academic record at UWMadison is also considered. Students apply to their intended engineering program by submitting the online application by stated deadlines for spring and fall.

Off-Campus Transfer to Engineering

With careful planning, students at other accredited institutions can transfer coursework that will apply toward engineering degree requirements at UWMadison. Off-campus transfer applicants are considered for direct admission to the College of Engineering by applying to the Office of Admissions with an engineering major listed as their first choice. Those who are admitted to their intended engineering program must meet progression requirements at the point of transfer or within their first two semesters at UWMadison to guarantee advancement in that program. A minimum of 30 credits in residence in the College of Engineering is required after transferring, and all students must meet all requirements for their engineering major.

University General Education Requirements

All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below.

• BreadthHumanities/Literature/Arts: 6 credits
• BreadthNatural Science: 4 to 6 credits, consisting of one 4- or 5-credit course with a laboratory component; or two courses providing a total of 6 credits
• BreadthSocial Studies: 3 credits
• Communication Part A & Part B
• Ethnic Studies
• Quantitative Reasoning Part A & Part B

Summary of Requirements

The following curriculum applies to students admitted to the environmental engineering degree program.

Course List

Course List Code	Title	Credits
Introduction to Engineering	3
Mathematics and Statistics	19
Basic Science	16
Engineering Mechanics	9
Engineering Tools	6
Fundamental Principles	18
Advanced Principles and Practices	33
Communications	8
Liberal Studies	16
Total Credits	128

Introduction to Engineering

Course List Code	Title	Credits
INTEREGR 170	Design Practicum	3
Total Credits	3

Mathematics and Statistics

Course List Code	Title	Credits
MATH 221	Calculus and Analytic Geometry 1	5
or MATH 217	Calculus with Algebra and Trigonometry II
MATH 222	Calculus and Analytic Geometry 2	4
MATH 234	Calculus--Functions of Several Variables	4
MATH 319	Techniques in Ordinary Differential Equations 2	3
or MATH 320	Linear Algebra and Differential Equations
One of the following:	3-6
STAT 324	Introduction to Statistics for Science and Engineering
or I SY E 210	Introduction to Industrial Statistics
STAT 311 & STAT 312	Introduction to Theory and Methods of Mathematical Statistics I and Introduction to Theory and Methods of Mathematical Statistics II
Total Credits	19-22

Basic Science

Course List Code	Title	Credits
One of the following:	5-9
CHEM 109	Advanced General Chemistry
CHEM 103 & CHEM 104	General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II
One of the following:	5
PHYSICS 202	General Physics
PHYSICS 208	General Physics
One of the following:	3
GEOSCI 100	Introductory Geology: How the Earth Works
GEOSCI/ENVIR ST 106	Environmental Geology
One of the following:	3
ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY/BOTANY 151	Introductory Biology
ZOOLOGY 153	Introductory Biology
ZOOLOGY/BOTANY/ENVIR ST 260	Introductory Ecology
MICROBIO 101	General Microbiology
Total Credits	16-20

Engineering Mechanics

Course List Code	Title	Credits
E M A 201	Statics (with a grade of C or better)	3
E M A 202	Dynamics	3
CIV ENGR 310	Fluid Mechanics	3
Total Credits	9

Engineering Tools

Course List Code	Title	Credits
CIV ENGR/G L E 291	Problem Solving Using Computer Tools	4
CIV ENGR 159	Civil Engineering Graphics	2-3
or M E 231	Geometric Modeling for Design and Manufacturing
Total Credits	6-7

Fundamental Environmental Engineering Principles

Course List Code	Title	Credits
CIV ENGR 311	Hydroscience	3
CIV ENGR 320	Environmental Engineering	3
CIV ENGR 324	Environmental Engineering Thermodynamics	3
CIV ENGR 325	Environmental Engineering Materials	3
CIV ENGR 494	Civil and Environmental Engineering Decision Making	3
CIV ENGR 498	Construction Project Management	3
Total Credits	18

Advanced Principles and Practices

Environmental Engineering Experiments

Course List Code	Title	Credits
One of the following lab courses:	3
CIV ENGR 322	Environmental Engineering Processes
CIV ENGR 410	Hydraulic Engineering
BSE 365	Measurements and Instrumentation for Biological Systems
GEOSCI/G L E 627	Hydrogeology
Total Credits	3

Senior Capstone Design

Course List Code	Title	Credits
CIV ENGR 578	Senior Capstone Design 1	4
Total Credits	4

Environmental Engineering Breadth Electives

Course List Code	Title	Credits
Electives
At least one class in at least four of the following sub-disciplines. At least two of the courses must be designated as an engineering design course () and must be from different sub-disciplines. At least one engineering design course () must be taken prior to CIV ENGR 578. If more than one course is taken from a subdiscipline, then the additional course(s) will be counted towards the Technical and Professional Electives Requirement.	12
Environmental Chemistry
CIV ENGR 500	Water Chemistry
SOIL SCI 621	Soil and Environmental Chemistry
Health Hazards and Risk Assessment
CIV ENGR 422	Elements of Public Health Engineering
POP HLTH/ENVIR ST 471	Introduction to Environmental Health
POP HLTH/ENVIR ST 502	Air Pollution and Human Health
Hydraulics
CIV ENGR 410	Hydraulic Engineering
CIV ENGR 411	Open Channel Hydraulics
Surface Water Resources and Hydrology
BSE 473	Water Management Systems
BSE 571	Small Watershed Engineering
CIV ENGR 414	Hydrologic Design *
CIV ENGR 415	Hydrology
Groundwater, Soils, and Sediments
CIV ENGR 412	Groundwater Hydraulics
GEOSCI/G L E 627	Hydrogeology
Water and Wastewater
CIV ENGR 426	Design of Wastewater Treatment Plants *
CIV ENGR 428	Water Treatment Plant Design *
CIV ENGR 521	Membrane Science and Technology
Air Quality and Control
CIV ENGR 423	Air Pollution Effects, Measurement and Control
Solid and Hazardous Waste
CIV ENGR 427	Solid and Hazardous Wastes Engineering *
CIV ENGR 522	Hazardous Waste Management *
Energy and Environment
BSE/ENVIR ST 367	Renewable Energy Systems
CBE 512	Energy Technologies and Sustainability
CIV ENGR/G L E 421	Environmental Sustainability Engineering
CIV ENGR/G L E 535	Wind Energy Balance-of-Plant Design *
GEOSCI/ENVIR ST 411	Energy Resources
Total Credits	12

Professional Electives

Select 14 credits of coursework that meets at least one of the following criteria:

• Any engineering course numbered 300 or higher, excluding E P D and INTEREGR. Up to six credits of independent study (e.g. CIV ENGR 699 Independent Study and others) may be counted
• Any intermediate or advanced-level course from atmospheric and oceanic sciences, botany, chemistry, geography, geoscience, mathematics, microbiology, molecular and environmental toxicology, physics, population health sciences, soil science, statistics, or zoology
• Up to three credits of any intermediate or advanced-level course from agricultural and applied economics, economics, general business, management and human resources, or INTEREGR 303 Applied Leadership Competencies in Engineering
• Up to three credits of CIV ENGR 1 Cooperative Education Program

Communications

Course List Code	Title	Credits
Communications A (choose one)	3
ENGL 100	Introduction to College Composition
LSC 100	Science and Storytelling
COM ARTS 100	Introduction to Speech Composition
ESL 118	Academic Writing II
Speech-Related Course (choose one)	2
INTEREGR 275	Technical Presentations (was EPD 275)
COM ARTS 181	Elements of Speech-Honors Course
COM ARTS 262	Argumentation and Debate
COM ARTS 266	Theory and Practice of Group Discussion
Writing-Related Course	3
INTEREGR 397	Engineering Communication
Total Credits	8

Liberal Studies

Course List Code	Title	Credits
College of Engineering Liberal Studies Requirements	16
Complete Requirements
Requirements specific to Environmental Engineering:
An economics course must be selected from the following list:
ECON 101	Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 102	Principles of Macroeconomics
ECON 111	Principles of Economics-Accelerated Treatment
A minimum of three credits of environmental studies course that meets the breadth designations of Humanities, Literature, and/or Social Studies. Courses that also carry breadth designations of Biological Sciences, Natural Sciences, or Physical Sciences will not count towards this requirement.
Total Credits	16

Learning Outcomes

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, using appropriate learning strategies

Four-Year Plan

First Year

• Fall:
  • MATH 221 (5 credits)
  • CHEM 109 (5 credits)
  • GEOSCI 100 or 106 (3 credits)
  • Communications A (3 credits)
  • Environmental Studies (3 credits)
  • Total: 16 credits
• Spring:
  • MATH 222 (4 credits)
  • E M A 201 (3 credits)
  • INTEREGR 170 (3 credits)
  • CIV ENGR 159 (2 credits)
  • Total: 15 credits

Second Year

• Fall:
  • MATH 234 (4 credits)
  • STAT 324 or I SY E 210 (3 credits)
  • CIV ENGR 320 (3 credits)
  • Biology (3 credits)
  • Ethnic Studies (3 credits)
  • Total: 16 credits
• Spring:
  • MATH 319 or 320 (3 credits)
  • E M A 202 (3 credits)
  • CIV ENGR 325 (3 credits)
  • CIV ENGR/G L E 291 (4 credits)
  • INTEREGR 275 (2 credits)
  • Total: 15 credits

Third Year

• Fall:
  • CIV ENGR 310 (3 credits)
  • CIV ENGR 324 (3 credits)
  • PHYSICS 202 or 208 (5 credits)
  • INTEREGR 397 (3 credits)
  • Liberal Studies (3 credits)
  • Total: 17 credits
• Spring:
  • CIV ENGR 311 (3 credits)
  • CIV ENGR 498 (3 credits)
  • Lab Course (3 credits)
  • Env Engr Breadth #1 (3 credits)
  • Total: 16 credits

Fourth Year

• Fall:
  • CIV ENGR 494 (3 credits)
  • Env Engr Breadth #2 (3 credits)
  • Env Engr Breadth #3 (3 credits)
  • Professional Elective (3 credits)
  • Professional Elective (2 credits)
  • Total: 17 credits
• Spring:
  • CIV ENGR 578 (4 credits)
  • Env Engr Breadth #4 (3 credits)
  • Professional Elective (3 credits)
  • Professional Elective (3 credits)
  • Total: 16 credits

Advising and Careers

Every College of Engineering undergraduate has an assigned academic advisor. Academic advisors support and coach students through their transition to college and their academic program all the way through graduation.

Certification/Licensure

Licensure as a Professional Engineer is expected of environmental engineers. Information on steps needed to obtain licensure is available from the National Council for the Examination of Engineers and Surveyors (NCEES).

Accreditation

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

Program Educational Objectives for the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering

We recognize that our graduates will choose to use the knowledge and skills that they have acquired during their undergraduate years to pursue a wide variety of career and life goals, and we encourage this diversity of paths. Whatever path our graduates may choose, we expect them to be meeting the following objectives at least three to five years after graduation:

1. Design and construct both natural and built processes and systems to efficiently meet determined needs using technical knowledge; modern tools; design principles; ethical practice; and communication, leadership, and team skills.
2. Investigate natural and built systems by using measurements, experiments, and analysis tools.
3. Understand, anticipate, and incorporate economic, environmental, political, social, safety, ethical and global considerations in the design, investigation, and construction of natural and built systems.
4. Engage in lifelong learning to keep pace with the continuous evolution of policies, procedures, technologies and tools for engineering analysis, design, and decision making.
5. Serve others through participation in professional and/or civic activities and responsibilities.