Environmental Engineering

Director of undergraduate studies: Drew Gentner; seas.yale.edu/departments/chemical-and-environmental-engineering

Environmental engineering encompasses the scientific assessment and development of engineering solutions to environmental problems affecting land, water, and air (the biosphere). The field addresses broad environmental issues, including the safety of drinking water, groundwater protection and remediation, wastewater treatment, indoor and outdoor air pollution, climate change, solid and hazardous waste disposal, cleanup of contaminated sites, the prevention of pollution through product and process design, and strategies for sustainable water and energy use and production.

Environmental engineers must balance competing technical, social, and legal issues concerning the use of environmental resources. Because of the complexity of these challenges, environmental engineers need a broad understanding not only of engineering disciplines but also of chemistry, biology, geology, and economics. Accordingly, the program allows students in the major to select an emphasis on environmental engineering technology, sustainability, global health, economics, or energy and climate change. The program prepares students for leadership positions in industry and government agencies or for further studies in engineering, science, business, law, and medicine.

Two degree programs are offered: the B.S. in Environmental Engineering, and the B.A. in Engineering Sciences (Environmental). The B.S. degree program in Environmental Engineering is designed for students who desire a strong background in environmental engineering leading to a career in the field. The B.A. degree program in Engineering Sciences (Environmental) is intended for students whose careers will involve, but not be dominated by, the skills of environmental engineering. The B.A. program is appropriate for those contemplating a career in which scientific and technological problems can play an important role, as is often the case in law, business, medicine, or public service.

Students are held to the requirements in place when they declared their major. However, with approval from the director of undergraduate studies (DUS), the following prerequisites and major requirements, updated for the academic year 2023-2024, may be fulfilled by students who declared the major in a prior term.

Prerequisites 

B.A. degree program in Engineering Sciences (Environmental) The B.A. degree program requires MATH 112 and 115; a two-term lecture sequence in chemistry; and PHYS 170, 171.

B.S. degree program in Environmental Engineering The B.S. degree program has the following prerequisites in mathematics and basic sciences: MATH 112, 115; MATH 120 or ENAS 151; ENAS 194; ENAS 130 or S&DS 230; a two-term lecture sequence in chemistry, with corresponding labs; PHYS 180, 181; BIOL 101 and 102 or BIOL 103 and 104. 

Requirements of the Major 

B.A. degree program The B.A. degree program requires nine term course credits beyond the prerequisites, including the senior requirement. Students take ENVE 120, 360, and either ENVE 373 or 377. Five electives must be chosen in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies (DUS). Elective courses may build toward an optional concentrated area of emphasis, including (a) Climate and Energy, (b) Environmental Science and Technology, (c) Sustainability and Policy, and (d) Self-designed.  

B.S. degree program The B.S. degree program requires at least thirteen term course credits beyond the prerequisites, including the senior requirement. Students take CENG 300 or MENG 211; ENVE 120; ENVE 360; ENVE 373; ENVE 314 or 448; EVST 444 or ENVE 438; ENVE 441; and ENAS 642. At least four electives must be chosen in consultation with the DUS; of these, three must be technical electives. Elective courses may build toward an optional concentrated area of emphasis, including (a) Climate and Energy, (b) Environmental Science and Technology, (c) Sustainability and Policy, and (d) Self-designed.  

Credit/D/Fail No course taken Credit/D/Fail may count toward the major, including prerequisites.

Senior Requirement

B.A. degree program Students in the B.A. program must pass ENVE 416 or ENVE 490 in their senior year.

B.S. degree program Students in the B.S. program must pass ENVE 416 or ENVE 490 in their senior year.

SUMMARY OF MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

ENGINEERING SCIENCES (ENVIRONMENTAL), B.A.

Prerequisites MATH 112, 115; two-term lecture sequence in chemistry; PHYS 170, 171

Number of courses 9 term courses beyond prereqs (incl senior req)

Specific courses required ENVE 120; ENVE 360; and ENVE 373 or 377

Distribution of courses 5 electives approved by DUS

Senior requirement ENVE 416 or ENVE 490

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING, B.S.

Prerequisites MATH 112, 115; MATH 120 or ENAS 151; ENAS 194; ENAS 130 or S&DS 230; two-term lecture sequence in chemistry, with labs; PHYS 180, 181; BIOL 101 and 102 or BIOL 103 and 104

Number of courses 13 term courses beyond prereqs (incl senior req)

Specific courses required CENG 300 or MENG 211; ENVE 120; ENVE 360; ENVE 373; ENVE 314 or 448; EVST 444 or ENVE 438; ENVE 441; ENAS 642 

Distribution of courses 4 electives approved by DUS, three of which must be technical electives

Senior requirement  ENVE 416 or ENVE 490 

Engineering  Sciences (Environmental) B.A. Degree  

Prerequisites 

Requirements

9 courses (9 credits) beyond the prerequisites, but including the senior requirement

Environmental Engineering, B.S. Degree

Prerequisites 

Requirements 

13 courses (13 credits) beyond the prerequisites, but including the senior requirement

Environmental engineers are involved with many aspects of society’s interaction with the environment. The field embraces broad environmental concerns, including the safety of drinking water, groundwater protection and remediation, wastewater treatment, indoor and outdoor air pollution, solid and hazardous waste disposal, cleanup of contaminated sites, preservation of sensitive wetlands, energy and the environment, and prevention of pollution through product and process design. Environmental engineers must balance technical, social, economic, and legal issues concerning the use of environmental resources. Consequently, they need a broad understanding not only of engineering disciplines but also of chemistry, biology, geology, economics, and management.

Students majoring in Environmental Engineering select an emphasis on environmental engineering technology, sustainability, global health, energy and climate change, or economics. The major prepares students for leadership positions in industry and government agencies. Graduates may also continue with further studies in engineering, science, business, law, and medicine.

Students interested in the major should take the following course during the first year:

  • ENVE 120, Introduction to Environmental Engineering

One of the following math courses:

  • MATH 112, Calculus of Functions of One Variable I
  • MATH 115, Calculus of Functions of One Variable II
  • MATH 120, Calculus of Functions of Several Variables

One of the following chemistry sequences:

Information can be found on the Chemical and Environmental Engineering website. The director of undergraduate studies (DUS) welcomes consultation with students about the program at any time.

FACULTY ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROGRAM IN ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

Professors Paul Anastas (Forestry & Environmental Studies), Michelle Bell (Forestry & Environmental Studies), Ruth Blake (Geology & Geophysics), Menachem Elimelech (Chemical & Environmental Engineering), Edgar Hertwich (Forestry & Environmental Studies), Edward Kaplan (School of Management), Jaehong Kim (Chemical & Environmental Engineering), Jordan Peccia (Chemical & Environmental Engineering), Lisa Pfefferle (Chemical & Environmental Engineering), Julie Zimmerman (Chemical & Environmental Engineering)

Associate Professors John Fortner (Chemical & Environmental Engineering), Drew Gentner (Chemical & Environmental Engineering)   

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