Environmental engineers create solutions to ensure clean water, soil, and air for the health of humans and the broader ecosystem we inhabit. They design systems to treat tap water and wastewater, manage stormwater, and protect surface and groundwater sources. They develop technologies to reduce and clean up pollution, recycle waste products, prevent contamination of our water and food supply, and preserve natural resources and habitats.
Environmental engineering is a multidisciplinary field. Students who choose environmental engineering at Oregon State University will gain a solid background in chemistry, biology, microbiology, and physical processes, in addition to core engineering classes. Upper division coursework includes analysis and design of water treatment systems, hazardous substance management, air pollution control technologies, and the fate and transport of chemicals in the environment.
Our diverse faculty includes specialized expertise in areas such as bioremediation of chlorinated solvents and emerging contaminants, sustainable biological wastewater treatment, the environmental impacts of nanoparticles and microplastics, and the persistence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in wastewater systems.