Degree Requirements
Environmental Systems Engineering is an interdisciplinary program with two options. One option is Environmental Systems Engineering and it is concerned with the impact of industrial activities on the environment and the choice of cost-effective remediation strategies. The other option is Environmental Health and Safety Engineering and it is concerned with safe and healthful design of industrial systems such that workers are protected from potentially high risk exposures associated with today's industries. The program is unique as it is designed to address critical environmental, safety and health problems of the basic industries such as those involved in the extraction, conversion, and utilization of energy and mineral resources. The courses are sequenced so that students acquire an appropriate blend of theory, applications, and design and are equipped with the fundamentals necessary to maintain lifelong professional growth. Graduates are prepared to enter both the private and public sectors as environmental systems engineers or health and safety engineers or to pursue further education at the graduate level.
Students enrolled in engineering or science programs at Penn State follow a very similar course of study within their first two years. The basic requirements in mathematics, in the physical and engineering sciences, and in the social sciences and humanities are essentially identical.
A complete breakdown of the degree requirements for this program is available on the University Bulletin Web site.
A list of all the required courses for the program are available on the Recommended Academic Plan/Scheduling Guide for Environmental Systems Engineering.
EnvSE students have the capability to specialize in air, land, and water. A list of required courses for each area is available on the EnvSE Specialization Courses Listing.
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the Environmental Systems Engineering program will acquire:
- 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
- an ability to function on multi-disciplinary 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 the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context
- a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
- knowledge of contemporary issues
- an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
- an ability to integrate knowledge and minimize environmental impacts in resource recovery and the process industries
ABET Accreditation
The Environmental Systems Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012, telephone: (410) 347-7700.