Dec 11, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Environmental Engineering BS


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Program Requirements

If you think it’s important to protect our water-air-soil environment, make our cities more sustainable, and build resilience in the face of climate change, then you should definitely be thinking about environmental engineering. This program is designed for people who are strong in science and math, and want to be good problem solvers in balancing the needs of society and nature. From protecting lakes and rivers to managing the impact of natural disasters, you’ll be on the way to making a clear difference for communities around the world. 

Visit the Environmental Engineering academic program page for more information about the academic experience, who you will learn from, opportunities outside of class and what you can do with this degree.

Visit the Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering department page  for contact information, a brief overview of the department and the curricular options.

Admission Criteria


  • Minimum overall GPA of 2.500 required
  • Matriculated student with academic good standing at the University at Buffalo.
  • Satisfactory performance in a series of core courses (see below). There are two paths to meet this requirement.
    1. Standard: Completion of four core courses with a combined core course grade point average of at least 2.500.
    2. Fast-Track: Completion of at least two of the four core courses (graded on an A-F bases) with a combined core course grade point average of at least 3.000.

Engineering Core Courses:

  1. Calculus 1 (MTH 141 or MTH 153)
  2.  Calculus 2 (MTH 142 or MTH 154)
  3.  General Chemistry 1 (CHE 101, CHE 105, or CHE 107)
  4.  General Physics 1 (PHY 107 or PHY 117)

 

Current students wishing to pursue the Environmental Engineering BS must follow the instructions on the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Supplemental Application. See the complete School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Admissions Policies for details.

Course Requirements


Environmental Engineering Core (91 credits)


Technical Electives (6 credits)


Two 300-400 level classes with any of the following prefixes, subject to the additional exclusions and requirements noted below.*****

  • BE Biomedical Engineering
  • CE Chemical and Biological Engineering
  • CIE Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering
  • CSE Computer Science and Engineering
  • EE Electrical Engineering
  • EAS Engineering and Applied Sciences
  • IE Industrial and Systems Engineering
  • MAE Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  • MDI Materials Design and Innovation
  • BIO Biological Sciences
  • CHE Chemistry
  • EVS Environment and Sustainability
  • GEO Geography
  • GLY Geology
  • MTH Mathematics
  • PMY Pharmacology and Toxicology
  • PUB Public Health

Notes


*Students are permitted to take BIO 200  in lieu of BIO 201 /BIO 211  ; however, BIO 201/211 is preferred for Environmental Engineering majors. This option should only be utilized by students transferring into the program with BIO 200 already completed or when significant extenuating circumstances prevent a student from completing BIO 201/211 in a timely manner. In the latter case, students should consult the department before enrolling in BIO 200.    

**Students are permitted to use MAE 177  or EAS 999TR177  (general graphics for transfer students) to satisfy this requirement. However, CIE 177  is strongly preferred for Environmental Engineering majors. The MAE 177  or EAS 999TR177  should only be utilized by students transferring into the program with these courses already completed. View our Graphics Requirement website for more information on graphics alternatives and self-study packages.

***Students are permitted to take EAS 305  in lieu of CIE 308 , however CIE 308  is strongly preferred for Environmental Engineering majors. The EAS 305  option should only be utilized by students transferring into the program with EAS 305  already completed or when significant extenuating circumstances prevent a student from completing CIE 308  in a timely manner. In the latter case, students should consult the department before enrolling in EAS 305 .

****Students are permitted to take alternative programming courses CSE 115  or EAS 240  in lieu of EAS 230 , however EAS 230  is strongly preferred for Environmental Engineering majors. The alternative programming courses should only be utilized by students transferring into the program with CSE 115 , EAS 240 , or EAS 999TRCP  (general programming for transfer students) already completed. View our Computer Programming Requirement website for more information on the programming alternatives and self-study packages.

*****Only three credits of the informal courses (CIE 496 CIE 498 CIE 499  and EAS 496 ) can be counted as a technical elective toward fulfillment of degree requirements. 300/400-level courses outside the above departments may also be taken as technical electives with prior approval from the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Courses cannot be double-counted as fulfilling both a technical elective requirement and an environmental engineering program requirement, an environmental engineering elective, and/or an earth science elective.

Total Credits Required for Major: 109


Additional Degree Requirements Include:


Additional coursework to fulfill UB Curriculum requirements Elective courses as needed to complete the 126 credit hour total

Total Credits Required for Graduation: 126


Total Credit Hours Required represents the minimum credits needed to complete this program, and may vary based on a number of circumstances. This should not be used for financial aid purposes.

Academic Requirements


Students in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences must have a minimum GPA of 2.000 in technical classes (engineering, math, and science classes) to be in good standing and graduate with an undergraduate degree. To maintain academic standards and determine eligibility for continued enrollment, the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences reviews the academic records of all students in an approved undergraduate SEAS major. This academic review is conducted at the end of each fall and spring semester. View the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Academic Review Policy

Transfer Credit Policy

Students seeking an undergraduate engineering degree from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences must complete 30 undergraduate credit hours of junior/senior level courses required in their major at the University at Buffalo.

Curricular Plan


A Curricular Plan provides a roadmap for completing this academic program and the UB Curriculum on time. Your actual plan may vary depending on point of entry to the university, course placement and/or waivers based on standardized test scores, earned alternative credit and/or college transfer credit.

Total Credits: 14 or 15


Total Credits: 16-17


Total Credits: 15


Total Credits: 17


Total Credits: 15


Total Credits: 17


Fourth Year Fall


Total Credits: 15


Fourth Year Spring


Total Credits: 16


Total Credits Required: 126


Note: Some classes may count toward both a major and UB Curriculum requirement.

Learning Outcomes


The curriculum provides opportunities for students to develop the following knowledge, skills, and behaviors by the time of graduation:

  • an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
  • an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
  • an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  • an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
  • an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
  • an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
  • an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

 

(HEGIS: 09.22 ENVIRONMENT&SANITARY ENG, CIP14.1401 Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering)

 

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Program Requirements