What is Environmental engineering: Definition and 30 Discussions

Environmental engineering is a job type that is a professional engineering discipline and takes from broad scientific topics like chemistry, biology, ecology, geology, hydraulics, hydrology, microbiology, and mathematics to create solutions that will protect and also improve the health of living organisms and improve the quality of the environment. Environmental engineering is a sub-discipline of civil engineering and chemical engineering.
Environmental engineering is the application of scientific and engineering principles to improve and maintain the environment to:

protect human health,
protect nature's beneficial ecosystems,
and improve environmental-related enhancement of the quality of human life.Environmental engineers devise solutions for wastewater management, water and air pollution control, recycling, waste disposal, and public health. They design municipal water supply and industrial wastewater treatment systems, and design plans to prevent waterborne diseases and improve sanitation in urban, rural and recreational areas. They evaluate hazardous-waste management systems to evaluate the severity of such hazards, advise on treatment and containment, and develop regulations to prevent mishaps. They implement environmental engineering law, as in assessing the environmental impact of proposed construction projects.
Environmental engineers study the effect of technological advances on the environment, addressing local and worldwide environmental issues such as acid rain, global warming, ozone depletion, water pollution and air pollution from automobile exhausts and industrial sources.Most jurisdictions impose licensing and registration requirements for qualified environmental engineers.

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  1. bmihalik

    Detecting Hazards: From Radioactive Materials to Biological Threats

    Hello! I'm an electrical engineer from Hungary, who also does a lot of physics and biology in job. At the beginning of my career I worked with X-ray systems control and image processing, then with isotope diagnostic devices, then with non-invasive electrobiological measurements and spirometry...
  2. T

    Energy and environmental engineering silly question

    Hello everyone, I am sorry if this question looks silly but my tutor has not replied yet and I need to work it out as soon as I can. Could someone tell me if they see any difference question 1 and question 2? Because I genuinely don't and it is driving me crazy. The assignment is about a coal...
  3. Boltzman Oscillation

    Are ISFETS available for cheap or am I out of luck

    I was looking into measuring the ph levels of a lake nearby where I live. I wanted to tie the experiment to my electronics coursework so I did some reasearch and found the wonder electronic that is the ISFET. Unfortunately, I cannot find anywhere to buy an ISFET transistor; I can easily find...
  4. R

    Physics Should I switch to astrophysics?

    Like many of you, I have always enjoyed physics and math throughout high school. When applying to universities, I was quite unsure about my goals, so I applied to both engineering and science majors. I have always been deeply fascinated by astronomy, but I enjoyed environmental science as well...
  5. O

    Chemical Engineer - MBA in Chemical Industry

    Experience in the fertilizer industry, with focus on environmental issues and energy recovery, clean technologies, process design and simulation, GHG balance. Published several studies on low carbon technologies as well as on Kyoto Protocol Communications.
  6. F

    Programs Is Environmental Engineering capitalized?

    Hi! I'm currently a freshman applying to an REU for the summer. It would be great help if anyone could take a look at it and critique what needs to be changed. As a side note, I know this is a super long personal statement because the program I'm applying for says the word count needs to be...
  7. L

    Schools Did I make the wrong choice? - Grad School Advice

    My undergraduate degrees are in math and physics, but I decided to apply for graduate school in engineering (specifically environmental engineering). I was lucky enough to be accepted to almost all of the programs I applied to, but I only received one research position offer (that would pay for...
  8. ervays

    What's inside a gas detection Station?

    Good Morning guys! I'm trying to understand more about gas sensors. I know a lot about electrochemical and metaloxide sensors. I've faced all the limits that those sensors presents when you are using them outdoors. Now I'm wondering how the gas sensors stations can measure different gases...
  9. studentalways101

    Programs 2nd BS Degree Advice_Business to Environmental Engineering

    I have decided I really really really want to go back to school to expand my education into environmental engineering. I currently have a BS in Business Admin from UC Berkeley. I have researched several masters programs, and it is looking like it will be very difficult for me to even get into a...
  10. rajen

    What are the operational problems in filtration in water treatment plants

    Can anyone tell me about the operational problems involved with filtration in water treatment plant?
  11. P

    New solution found for Gold extraction

    No mention of this here so far that I see so I would like to see what the experts know about this. A Univeristy of Saskatchewan professor claims he has invented a solution, "acetic acid combined with very small amounts of an oxidant and another acid", that can rapidly remove plated gold from...
  12. S

    From Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology to Physics?

    'Sup guys, I'm in my final year at the ETH Zurich. For some very short-sighted reasons, in the days of my youth when I was choosing my major, I narrowly chose environmental engineering over physics. After 1.5 / 2 years at the very latest (basically as soon as the STEM common core classes got...
  13. K

    Bachelor's in Civil Engineering with a Master's in....?

    Hello, I am new to this community and appreciate greatly any insight or guidance you may have. I am currently in my fifth and final year pursuing my bachelor's in civil engineering with no emphasis. I've worked full-time and part-time for the past year for a larger local firm, and will...
  14. B

    Engineering Career advice for a Chemical Engineer graduating in 2016?

    Hi all, my name is Brandon and I'm new to these forums I'm going into my 5th year at university and am majoring in Chemical Engineering. From my understanding, those who choose to go into industry after graduating are usually in process, petroleum, etc. However, I am rather more interested...
  15. J

    I in deciding my specialization

    Hello everyone, I am civil engineering student from India. I am done with my undergrad with a cgpa of 8.5/10 and applied for colleges in America. I will be attending University of Texas at San Antonio for fall 2015. I am confused on which specialization that i need to opt for my graduation. They...
  16. S

    Graduate Studies in Environmental Engineering & International Dev.

    Hi all, I wanted to talk about WASH, and water and sanitation engineering. I'm particularly interested in WASH from an international development perspective. I have a B.S. degree in physics, and am currently in the Peace Corps, with the intention of joining an Environmental Engineering Masters...
  17. S

    Environmental Engineering w/Biology

    I just recently finished a Drafting and Design technical program at my local cc, and I have been planning to go into civil/environmental engineering for some time now. In the past few months, however, I have been introduced to the world of Botany through a biologist friend of mine. I'm curious...
  18. P

    Engineering Green jobs in physics, environmental engineering, other sciences?

    Hello, I'm a rising junior undergraduate physics major and I'd like to get some kind of green job in physics, maybe in alternative energy. I was wondering what kind of options are out there. I switched majors a few times from theater to environmental science to physics and decided to...
  19. H

    Environmental engineering, plug flow reactor

    Homework Statement Another way to treat acid mine drainage is to add limestone to the stream to precipitate the metals. The first order reaction rate constant is 10/day. Assume the stream is 3 feet by 1 foot. If the flow through the stream is 1000 gallons a day and the concentration at the...
  20. M

    How Do You Calculate Pollutant Concentration in Outflow?

    Homework Statement Hi I need help on my Environmental Engineering subject! Here is the problem: An industry, on the banks of a lake, discharges a pollutant into the lake. The river flow is 10 m3/s, the waste flow is 0.1 m3/s, the pollutant’s concentration in the river is 20 mg/l and in the...
  21. B

    Engineering Is Environmental Engineering the Perfect Career Choice?

    Hi everyone, I am looking for insight from those with experience into what Environmental Engineering actually is. It sounds like everything I want in a career, but I'm worried that it's too good to be true. I've heard some sad tales of paper pushing and lack of creative opportunities, but I'm...
  22. J

    Is Environmental Engineering worth it?

    I've been thinking about going into environmental engineering, but I've seen many mixed descriptions on it as I search through the internet. Some sites say that there will be a 30% growth in the number of jobs in the next 10 years, and others say that environmental engineers struggle to find...
  23. K

    Is Environmental Engineering the Best Path for Clean Energy Careers?

    I am a currently a junior searching for colleges. I want to be an engineer and specialize in environmental/clean energy. My ideal job would be working for an energy company making, designing or inventing clean energy alternative technology. What are the advantages of majoring in environmental...
  24. J

    Earth System Science & Environmental Engineering

    Hey everyone! First of all, Happy Holidays... Now I'm still unsure about my major at all.. I'm currently studying EE at City College of New York... As you know more engineering major you start with your general courses, liberal arts and electives... I did all my sciences, math and...
  25. S

    Civil and Environmental Engineering center of mass problem

    Homework Statement The uniform rod is bent into the shape of a parabola and has a weight per unit length of 9 lb/ft. Determine the reactions at the fixed support A Homework Equations Equation of the rod is: y^2=3x From A the rod goes 3m up and 3m to the right The Attempt...
  26. A

    Schools Proceeding with BA in physics to Graduate school for environmental engineering

    I was hoping some of you could help with some advice on my current career path. I am enrolled at Suny Geneseo, New York currently working on a BA in physics. Originally i chose Geneseo based on the reputation of its physics and education programs, but i decided early on that i wanted to advance...
  27. M

    Engineering What Is Environmental Engineering?

    What does Environmental Engineering entail exactly?!
  28. B

    Schools Environmental Engineering undergrad to Nuclear Engineering grad school.

    How feasible would this be? I'll be an Environmental Engineering sophomore this coming semester and was wondering how a path to Nuclear Engineering for graduate school would look like, if the path exists at all. I suppose that I could switch to Mechanical Engineering (having done most of the...
  29. P

    Environmental Engineering schools in PA

    Hello everyone, I live in Allentown, PA. I am looking for colleges maybe in or near my area that is an engineering school that specailize for Environmental Engineering as a BS degree. Is there any schools like that in my area? I been trying to search by using Yahoo and Google search but I am...
  30. A

    Civil and Environmental Engineering Q's

    I'm 19 and I feel I have a good grasp of Physics & Mathematics. I also did very well in Chemistry. I like to tutor/help out a lot and I feel that my advice is somewhat useful :p (hopefully). I was looking into either Architecture or Civil & Environmental Engineering. I feel Civil &...
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