Environmental issues such as water resources and quality, economic globalization, population growth, climate change, urban sprawl, solid waste, food production and distribution, and environmental degradation must be addressed to develop a sustainable society; engineers solve the problems associated with these issues.
The Environmental Engineering major at UGA provides an engineering education in a liberal arts background, developing engineering, math, environmental, and technical science skills to maintain and enhance diverse ecological systems and analyze and design relevant solutions for environmental problems. Students integrate environmental and human health constraints while adhering to economic growth standards, sustainable development, and strong ethics.
A strong emphasis is placed on using community-oriented service learning projects to provide experience integrating engineering with political and societal constraints, both locally and abroad. Co-op allowances are also available for students to pursue alternating semesters of full-time, off-campus professional work experience in designated industries, agencies, and laboratories.
Graduates are prepared for a wide range of careers devoted to developing solutions to environmental problems. Many pursue continued education through professional licensure, certification, or a graduate degree.