Program Overview
UBC Environmental Engineering Program
The UBC Environmental Engineering program is a four-year degree that provides a well-rounded education experience, including unique courses designed specifically for program students. Environmental engineering is essential to the well-being of society and the global ecosystems that we depend on. Environmental engineers are involved in processes that minimize or eliminate pollution, protect public health, promote sustainability, and improve ecosystem strength while sustaining economic viability and efficiency.
Why UBC Environmental Engineering
Outstanding Education
The program has dedicated and experienced instructors and professors who have been in the field. The curriculum is structured in a way that promotes the success of each and every one of the students.
Mentorship by Professionals
ENVL students in small groups meet with a senior professional environmental engineer to discuss career goals, professionalism, and to work on integrating their knowledge by discussing case studies.
High-Impact Learning Opportunities
High-impact learning is hands-on and engaging while building knowledge to address current issues important to everyone. Students in the ENVL program can expect learning activities that are problem-driven and project-based, in-the-field learning, and a 4th year capstone design project.
Academics
UBC’s environmental engineering degree program is designed to be completed in eight academic semesters with an optional 16 months of Co-op work placement. In addition to the common first year engineering courses, students in the environmental engineering program will take courses in:
- Chemical and Biological Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Earth and Ocean Sciences
- Statistics
- Environmental Engineering
- Mathematics
Career Opportunities
The primary focus of environmental engineering work is protecting and regenerating ecosystem health. Graduates of the ENVL program are equipped to find employment in one of the four sectors:
- Environmental consulting firms
- Urban Municipalities
- Extractive industries and Agriculture
- Rural communities
Job Market Outlook
The outlook is very good. Because ENVL graduates are qualified to work in a variety of sectors, the job market for environmental engineers is usually strong. This is expected to continue into the foreseeable future due to continued growth of cities and the need to retrofit current practices in order to both reduce carbon emissions across sectors and improve ecosystem health.
Types of Industries or Jobs
Graduates of the ENVL program are likely to find employment in one of four sectors:
- Environmental consulting firms: British Columbia is the base for many renowned environmental consulting firms that work throughout the World. These industries are involved in industrial waste management, remediation, environmental services, consulting, environmental risk analysis, water management, and all aspects of environmental management and planning.
- Urban Municipalities: Environmental engineers are key to providing critical municipal services to large cities, including water supply, waste management, energy conservation and recovery, pollution reduction, and remediation of contaminated sites for construction.
- Extractive industries and Agriculture: Extractive industries, such as mining and oil and gas, employ environmental engineers to design systems and new technologies to mitigate the effect of these activities on the environment.
- Rural communities: Environmental Engineers are responsible for designing appropriate technologies for remote communities to supply them with safe drinking water and to treat their wastes to improve overall health and protect the environment.
Typical Types of Work or Tasks
Specific tasks include:
- The design of facilities, management systems, and information systems
- The performance of impact assessments (including regulatory, sustainability, environmental, social, and risk)
- Sustainability planning and design
- Environmental policy formulation
Within these general tasks, there are many avenues an environmental engineer may pursue that are both exciting and rewarding.