The minor in Environmental Systems Engineering is for students interested in environmental issues associated with the extraction, processing, and utilization of mineral and energy resources and their solutions. It provides an opportunity for students to understand and appreciate the interrelationship between energy and the environment, be exposed to the basic courses in environmental systems engineering, and to appreciate and evaluate the impact of environmental pollution control on viability of the profitability and feasibility of operations associated with the safe extraction, processing, and utilization of mineral and energy resources.
A minimum of 18 credits is required for the minor. A student enrolled in this minor must receive a grade C or better in all courses in the minor. Advising is available through the professor in charge.
What is Environmental Systems Engineering?
Environmental systems engineering begins with the concept that the Earth and its environment form a complex integrated system whose parts should not be viewed in isolation. The gases, liquids, and solids that make up the earth system meet and interact with each other at interfaces and an understanding of these interactions facilitates the solution of environmental problems related to air, land, and water, and any associated environmental health hazards. The Environmental Systems Engineering degree program provides a broad background and understanding of the sources, causes, and choices of remedies for industrially related environmental pollution to ensure that the health and welfare of workers and the environment can be preserved.
Environmental systems engineers may take on a variety of tasks or roles, including design projects such as water reclamation facilities, air pollution control systems, wastewater treatment systems, technical support for remediation projects or legal actions, hazardous waste management, stream restoration, environmental investigations, and assessing the environmental impact of proposed construction projects.
Environmental systems engineers also collaborate with environmental scientists, urban and regional planners, hazardous-waste technicians, and other engineers to address environmental problems and environmental sustainability.
Learn more about the career outlooks for environmental systems engineers from the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
You Might Like This Program If...
You have strong math, science, and engineering skills and want to apply that to minimize the environmental impact of industrial activities and to protect the health of workers, the general public, and beneficial ecosystems.