Environmental engineering applies scientific and engineering principles to protect human populations from harmful environmental factors and to protect and improve the quality of the environment. Environmental engineers are concerned with local and worldwide environmental issues, such as sustainable engineering, global climate change, air and water pollution, hazardous waste management, and more.
Environmental engineering majors at USU gain experience in water/wastewater engineering, air quality management, public health/industrial hygiene, solid and hazardous waste management, and water quality management. Students in the program have ample opportunities to work with faculty on real-world research projects that seek to find solutions to environmental problems. Students also have the opportunity to join the USU chapter of Engineers Without Borders and work with professors and professional engineers on volunteer projects in various developing countries. These projects provide students with hands-on experience in environmental engineering and also improve the quality of life for the individuals and communities with whom they partner.
The environmental engineering degree is accredited by the EAC Accreditation Commission of ABET. More than 95% of the graduates from this program are employed in the field or are pursuing advanced degrees.
Concurrent Bachelors/Masters Program:
The department also offers a concurrent bachelors/masters program, which allows USU engineering students to begin taking graduate classes during their senior year as an undergraduate and to complete requirements for both the bachelor's degree and the masters degree concurrently over two years.