Environmental Engineering

Environmental Engineering Program Chart
Department Web Site

Director: J. Plummer (CEE)
Associated Faculty: J. Bergendahl (CEE),  T. Camesano (CHE), W. Clark (CHE), D. DiBiasio (CHE), F. Hart (CEE), N. Kazantzis (CHE),  P. Mathisen (CEE), J. O’Shaughnessy (CEE), B. Savilonis (ME), J. Sullivan (ME), R. Thompson (CHE)

Mission Statement

Environmental engineers are challenged not only with mastering technical and scientific principles, but also understanding the broader context within which environmental solutions are implemented. The environmental engineering program encourages coursework in the humanistic and social aspects of engineering decisions, public health management, and environmental preservation. The projects program at WPI offers environmental engineering students a unique opportunity to explore the complex humanistic, economic, legal, and political issues surrounding environmental engineering problems.

The Environmental Engineering degree program prepares students for careers in both the private and public sectors, consulting, industry, and advanced graduate study.

Program Educational Objectives

The educational objectives for the Bachelor degree in Environmental Engineering are that all graduates:

  1. Are able to apply fundamental principles of mathematics, science, and engineering to solve water, air, and land environmental problems.
  2. Have the interpersonal and communication skills, an understanding of ethical responsibility, and a professional attitude necessary for a successful engineering career.
  3. Have the ability to engage in lifelong learning.
  4. Have an appreciation for the interrelationships between basic scientific knowledge, technology, and societal issues.

Program Outcomes

The educational outcomes for the Bachelor degree in Environmental Engineering are that all graduates will:

  1. Be prepared for engineering practice, including technical, professional, and ethical components.
  2. Be prepared for future changes in environmental engineering.
  3. Have a solid understanding of the basic principles of environmental engineering.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge in the areas of water, land, and air systems, and environmental health.
  5. Understand appropriate scientific concepts, and have an ability to apply them to environmental engineering.
  6. Understand the engineering design process and have an ability to perform engineering design, which includes the multidisciplinary aspects of the engineering design process, the need for collaboration and communication skills, plus the importance of cost and time management.
  7. Have the ability to collect, analyze and interpret experimental data.
  8. Understand options for careers and further education, and the educational preparation necessary to pursue those options.
  9. Have an ability to learn independently.
  10. Have the broad education envisioned by the WPI Plan, and described by the Goal and Mission of WPI.
  11. Have an understanding of the environmental engineering profession in a societal and global context.

Program Distribution Requirements for the Environmental Engineering Major

The normal period of residency at WPI is 16 terms. In addition to WPI requirements applicable to all students, students wishing to receive a degree designated “Environmental Engineering” must satisfy certain distribution requirements as follows:

RequirementsMinimum Units

1.

Mathematics and Basic Science (Note 1)

4

2.

Advanced Science  (Note 2)

1

3.

Engineering Science and Design (Includes MQP) (Note 3)

6

Notes:

  1. Mathematics and Basic Science
    1. Must include 6/3 units of mathematics, including differential and integral calculus, differential equations, and statistics.
    2. Must include 6/3 units of basic science, including 1/3 unit of biology (BB), 3/3 units of chemistry (CH), 1/3 unit of earth science (GE 2341 recommended) and 1/3 unit of PH (calculus based).
  2. Advanced Science: Must include 3/3 units of science in biology (BB) and chemistry (CH) with a minimum of 1/3 unit in BB and 1/3 unit in CH. Advanced BB courses must be at the 2000-level or higher. Advanced CH courses include CH 1040 and CH courses at the 2000-level or higher. Courses may not be double-counted toward the basic science requirement.
  3. Engineering Science and Design.
    1. Must include 2/3 units in thermofluids, including 1/3 unit in fluid mechanics (ES 3004 recommended) and 1/3 unit in thermodynamics (ES 3001, CH 3501 or CHE 2013).
    2. Must include 2/3 units in mechanics and materials (CE 2000 or ES 2501, CE 2001 or ES 2502, ES 2001, ES 2503).
    3. Must include 3/3 units of Core Environmental Engineering (CHE 2011, CE 3059, CE 3062, CHE 3201).
    4. Must include 6/3 units in Environmental Engineering Electives, arranged as follows: 3/3 units in water quality and resources, 2/3 units in air and land environmental systems, and 1/3 unit in environmental management.
    5. Must include 1/3 unit of environmental health issues (CE 3059, CE 3060, CE 3061, or appropriate experience through IQP, independent study, or appropriate consortium courses).
    6. Must include 2/3 units with laboratory experimentation. Must include either CE 4060 or CHE 4401. The remaining 1/3 unit may be CE 4060, CHE 4401, laboratory courses in CH (CH 2640 or CH 2650, which would satisfy Advanced Science course requirements), CE 3026, or CE 2020.
    7. Must include 1/3 unit major design experience through the MQP, or other approved design experience in a course such as CHE 4403 or ME 4429.

For more information, please consult the Environmental Engineering web site.

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Last modified: February 05, 2009 12:22:32