Environmental Engineering Major
The Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences (EEES) offers a four-year EAC-ABET-accredited degree program in Environmental Engineering (ENV). This program provides strong engineering and scientific experience with advanced techniques heavily integrated into the curriculum. Students intending to major in this program are encouraged to be well prepared in the sciences and mathematics. Specialization is achieved by means of the selection of appropriate technical electives. Total credits - 130.
The student professional chapters of the Air & Waste Management Association (AWMA), American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers (PSPE) and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences periodically offer seminars on subjects of a timely nature. Attending these seminars and taking the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE) are mandatory for the completion of the degree in Environmental Engineering.
Honors Program in Environmental Engineering
Upon the recommendation and approval of the Environmental Engineering faculty, honor students in Environmental Engineering will be recognized upon completion of the following requirements: achievement of an overall grade point average of 3.25 or better; receipt of grades of 3.00 or better in all engineering courses of his or her discipline; pursuit of independent research or special projects in engineering; and presentation of research and project results at meetings, conferences, or by means of publication of a paper. The distinction "Honors in Engineering" will be recorded on the student’s transcript upon graduation.
Environmental Engineering Major - Required Courses and Recommended Course Sequence
First Semester
CHM-117 Chemistry Lab for Engineers |
1 |
CHM-118 Chemistry for Engineers |
3 |
ENG-101 Composition |
4 |
FYF-101 First-Year Foundations |
3 |
ME-180 CADD Lab |
1 |
MTH-111 Calculus I |
4 |
|
16 |
Second Semester
Distribution Requirements |
6 |
ENV-205 Environmental Microbiology |
3 |
MTH-112 Calculus II |
4 |
PHY-201 General Physics I |
4 |
|
17 |
Third Semester
Distribution Requirement |
3 |
EES-240 Principles of Environmental Engineering and Science |
3 |
EES-241 Principles of Environmental Engineering and Science Lab |
1 |
ME-231 Statics |
3 |
MTH-211 Intro. to Differential Equations |
4 |
PHY-202 General Physics II |
4 |
|
18 |
Fourth Semester
Distribution Requirements |
6 |
GEO-101 Introduction to Geology |
3 |
GEO-103 Introduction to Geology Lab |
1 |
ENV-201 Probability & Statistics for Engineers |
2 |
ME-232 Strength of Materials |
3 |
ME-322 Thermodynamics |
3 |
|
18 |
Fifth Semester
ENV-315 Soils |
3 |
ENV-202 Environmental Engineering Systems |
2 |
ENV-321 Hydrology |
3 |
ENV-323 Hydrology Lab |
1 |
ME-321 Fluid Mechanics |
3 |
ME-323 Fluid Mechanics Lab |
1 |
Technical Elective** |
3 |
|
16 |
Sixth Semester
Distribution Requirement |
3 |
EGM-320 Engineering Project Analysis |
3 |
EGR-201 Engineering Ethics |
1 |
ENV-330 Water Quality |
4 |
ENV-332 Air Quality |
3 |
ENV-390 Junior Seminar |
1 |
Technical Elective** |
3 |
|
18 |
Seventh Semester
ENV-305 Solid Waste Management |
3 |
ENV-350 Water and Wastewater Treatment Lab |
1 |
ENV-356 Physical Chemical Treatment Processes |
2 |
ENV-357 Biological Treatment Processes |
3 |
ENV-391 Senior Projects I |
1 |
Technical Elective** |
3 |
|
13 |
Eighth Semester
ENV-322 Water Resources Engineering |
3 |
ENV-352 Hydraulic Engineering |
3 |
ENV-353 Air Pollution Control |
3 |
ENV-354 Hazardous Waste Management |
3 |
ENV-392 Senior Projects II |
2 |
|
14 |
**Technical electives must include GIS-271 (3 credits) or ENV (3 credits); has to be 200 or above or SUS 4XX and above); others can be any 200 or above level science or engineering course.
Environmental Engineering
ENV-198/298/398. Topics in ENV
Selected topics in the field of engineering and related areas. The may include the
following topics: mechanical engineering; civil engineering; engineering management;
geotechnology; and radiation.
Click here for fee for courses with a lab.
ENV-201. Probability and Statistics for Engineers
This course provides an introduction to the central ideas of probability and statistics and their application in the analysis of engineering and environmental data including control charts and specification error. Sampling and data gathering techniques are also discussed. One hour of lecture and one hour of discussion per week.
ENV-202. Environmental Engineering Systems: Analytical and Computational Analysis
This course focuses on basic methods for obtaining numerical solutions of algebraic and transcendental equations, simultaneous linear equations, and curve fitting techniques; examples provided are relevant to environmental engineering processes; will include an introduction to problem-solving using Excel and MATLAB. Two hours of lab per week.
ENV-205. Environmental Microbiology
The foundation concepts in microbiology that are important in environmental systems will be explored in this course. This will include the function and formation of cellular components starting from basic molecules (carbohydrates, fatty acids, amino acids, nucleotides) to the cellular structures that are formed (membranes, proteins, and the nucleic acids RNA & DNA); carbon, energy, and nutrient sources required for cellular growth; and the metabolic pathways for substrates common in environmental systems will be shown. Biodegradation and growth kinetic models will be introduced. Global cycles of major elements (i.e. carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, etc.) will be explored.
ENV-305. Solid Waste Management
Assessment of the scope of the solid waste problem and engineering and management strategies. Lecture topics include the following: solid waste sources; characterization and generation rates; collection and transportation technologies and management options; sanitary landfill design and operation; and recycling strategies and technologies. Three hours of lecture per week.
ENV-315. Soils
Study of the structure, properties, and classification of soils. Fundamental concepts
of soils science are applied to the environmental management of terrestrial ecosystems.
Topics include soil genesis, the classification, and physical properties of soils,
soil chemistry, and soil moisture relationships. Two hours of lecture and three hours
of lab per week.
Click here for course fees.
ENV-321. Hydrology
A quantitative analysis of the physical elements and processes that constitute the
hydrologic cycle. Topics include precipitation, infiltration, evaporation, runoff,
streamflow, and ground water flow. Ground water modeling and advanced treatment of
Darcy’s Law is presented within the context of migration of ground water pollutants.
Three hours of lecture per week.
ENV-322. Water Resources Engineering
Design and development of selected projects in the various fields of engineering under the direction of a staff member. Technical as well as economic factors will be considered in the design. A detailed progress report is required. Three hours of lecture per week.
ENV-323. Hydrology Lab
Components of the hydrologic cycle are studied experimentally. Three hours of lab
per week.
ENV-330. Water Quality
The physical, chemical, and biological processes that affect the quality of water
in the natural environment. The measurement of water quality parameters in water and
wastes. The behavior of contaminants in ground and surface water. Three hours of lecture
and three hours of lab per week.
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ENV-332. Air Quality
Study of atmospheric pollutants, their sources and effects; measurement and monitoring
techniques for air pollutants; atmospheric chemical transformations; regulatory control
of air pollution; meteorology of air pollution; transport and dispersion of air pollutants;
and introduction to indoor air pollution. Lab work includes both problem-oriented
and hands-on exercises. Exercises include basic gas concepts, volume measuring devices,
flow, velocity, and pressure measuring devices, calibration of such devices, and various
sampling techniques. Two hours of lecture and three hours of lab per week.
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ENV-350. Water and Wastewater Treatment Lab
Students will gain laboratory experience with physical, chemical and biological treatment processes typical of water and wastewater treatment. Students will design processes and experimentally evaluate their results and will visit treatment facilities.
ENV-352. Hydraulic Engineering
Water distribution, sewage collections, pipe network models, piping materials, pumps and pumping stations, valves and tanks. Design and operation. Three hours of lecture per week.
ENV-353. Air Pollution Control
This course provides the philosophy and procedures for design of air pollution control systems. Methods used for controlling air-borne emissions of gases, aerosols, and organic vapors are covered. Designs are carried out based on data for typical systems. Evaluations of alternatives with cost comparisons are also presented. Three hours of lecture per week.
ENV-354. Hazardous Waste Management
An overview and application of engineering principles to management of hazardous wastes and the remediation of contaminated sites. Introduction to regulatory compliance and environmental laws. Three hours of lecture per week.
ENV-356. Physical/Chemical Treatment Processes
Design of physical/chemical processes in aqueous treatment systems. Focus will be on the drinking water treatment processes, but industrial treatment processes will be included as well. Estimation of demand and sludge disposal will also be addressed.
ENV-357. Biological Treatment Processes
Design of biological processes in aqueous treatment systems. Topics will include typical municipal wastewater treatment as well as industrial treatment processes. Generation of biogas will be addressed as well as sludge handling and disposal.
ENV-373. Occupational Health
Appraisal of environmental health hazards, sampling techniques, instrumentation and analytic methods. Principles of substitution, enclosure, and isolation for the control of hazardous operations in industry. Three hours of lecture and demonstration per week. Requirement: Junior or senior standing in engineering.
ENV-390. Junior Seminar
Course will focus on project management, design concepts and constraints, literature review and preliminary data collection for senior projects course.
ENV-391. Senior Projects I
Design and development of selected projects in the various fields of engineering under
the direction of a staff member. Technical as well as economic factors will be considered
in the design. A professional paper and detailed progress report are required. Requirement:
Senior standing and department permission. (See the department for more details about
the department permission.)
Click here for course fees.
ENV-392. Senior Projects II
Design and development of selected projects in the field of engineering under the direction of a staff member. Technical as well as economic factors will be considered in the design. This is a continuation of ENV-391. A professional paper to be presented and discussed in an open forum is required.
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ENV-395. and 396. Independent Research
Independent study or research for advanced students in the field of their major under
the direction of a departmental faculty member.
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Approval of department chair and academic advisor.
ENV-397. Seminar
Presentations and discussions of selected topics and projects. Requirement: Senior standing in environmental engineering.
ENV-398. Topics
Selected topics in the field of engineering and related areas. The may include the
following topics: mechanical engineering; civil engineering; engineering management;
geotechnology; and radiation.
Click here course fee.
Permission of the instructor.
ENV-399. Cooperative Education
Professional cooperative education placement in a private or public organization related to the student’s academic objectives and career goals. In addition to their work experiences, students are required to submit weekly reaction papers and an academic project to a Faculty Coordinator in the student’s discipline. See the Cooperative Education section of this bulletin for placement procedures.