Degree Requirements
Environmental Systems Engineering is an interdisciplinary program concerned with the impact of industrial activities on the environment and the choice of cost-effective remediation strategies. The program is unique as it is designed to address critical environmental 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 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.
For the B.S. degree in Environmental Systems Engineering, a minimum of 131 credits is required.
- General Education: 45 credits
- (27 of these 45 credits are included in the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)
- (See description of General Education in front of Bulletin.)
- First Year Seminar:
- (Included in REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)
- United States Cultures and International Cultures
- (Included in GENERAL EDUCATION course selection)
- Writing Across the Curriculum
- (Included in REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)
- Requirements for the Major: 113-114 credits
- (This includes 27 credits of General Education courses: 9 credits of GWS courses; 6 credits of GQ courses; 9 credits of GN courses; and 3 credits of GS courses.)
- Prescribed Courses: 81 credits
- EM SC 100S GWS(3)+ (Sem: 1-2)
- CHEM 110 GN(3), CHEM 111 GN(1), CHEM 112 GN(3), CHEM 202(3), E MCH 211(3), E MCH 212(3), GEOG 030 GS(3), MATH 140 GQ(4), MATH 141 GQ(4), MATH 251(4), PHYS 211 GN(4), PHYS 212 GN(4), MICRB 106 GN(3) (Sem: 1-4)
- C E 370(3)*, EGEE 301(6) (Sem: 3-6)
- EGEE 470(3), ENGL 202C GWS(3)*, GEOSC 452(3), MNG 401(1), MN PR 301(3)*, P N G 411(1) (Sem: 5-6)
- GEOEE 404W(3), GEOEE 406(3), GEOEE 412(1), GEOEE 427(3)*, GEOEE 480(3) (Sem: 5-8)
- * A student enrolled in this major must receive a grade of C or better, as specified in Senate Policy 82-44.
- + The following substitutions are allowed for students attending campuses where the indicated course is not offered: CAS 100 GWS or ENGL 202C GWS can be substituted for EM SC 100S GWS.
- Additional Courses: 20-21 credits
- ENGL 015 GWS(3) or ENGL 030 GWS(3) (Sem: 1-2)
- CMPSC 201 GQ(3), CMPSC 202 GQ(3), or CMPSC 203 GQ(4) (Sem: 3-4)
- MATH 220 GQ(2-3) or MATH 231(2) (Sem: 3-4)
- GEOSC 001(3) or GEOSC 071(3)* (Sem: 3-6)
- GEOSC 413W(3), SOILS 401(3), or METEO 455(3) (Sem: 7-8)
- METEO 454(3), MN PR 401(3), or MN PR 426(3) (Sem: 7-8)
- GEOEE 408(3), M E 433(3), or MN PR 425(3) (Sem: 7-8)
- * A student enrolled in this major must receive a grade of C or better, as specified in Senate Policy 82-44.
- Supporting Courses and Related Areas: 12 credits
- Select 12 credits in consultation with adviser (Sem: 7-8) (Students may apply up to 6 credits of ROTC.)
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.