Environmental Engineering - Bachelor of Science (BSEV)

Environmental engineers play a vital role in maintaining the quality of both public health and the natural environment. Environmental engineering encompasses the scientific assessment and development of engineering solutions to environmental problems impacting the biosphere, land, water and air quality. Environmental issues affect almost all municipal, commercial and industrial sectors, and are a central concern for the public, for all levels of government, and in international relations. These issues include safe drinking water, wastewater processing, solid and hazardous waste disposal, outdoor and indoor air pollution, human health and ecological risk management, prevention of pollution through alternative product or process design, and renewable and sustainable energy sources.

To address these challenges, environmental engineers often encounter challenging problems that must be solved in data-poor situations as members of multidisciplinary teams. Environmental problems require creative solutions blended with contributions from scientists, lawyers, business people and the public. Good communication skills, as well as technical proficiency, are essential for success in this arena. In addition, technology designed to address environmental problems is marketed globally, opening up increasing opportunities for international work in the environmental engineering field.

Mission

The mission of the Environmental Engineering Program is to provide a multidisciplinary undergraduate environmental engineering education that emphasizes mastery of principles and practices, inspires service for the global public good, endows a desire for lifelong learning and prepares students for broad and dynamic career paths in environmental engineering.

Faculty

The faculty of the Environmental Engineering (EVEN) Program are drawn from the Departments of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Chemical and Biological Engineering; and Aerospace Engineering Sciences. The EVEN faculty, its Professional Advisory Board (representing prospective employers of its graduates) and EVEN alumni and current students have contributed to the creation of the program's mission and the educational objectives of the BS in environmental engineering degree.

Requirements

To earn a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering, students must complete the curriculum in the undergraduate major program, as outlined below. For up-to-date program requirements, visit Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering webpage. In addition, students must meet the general undergraduate degree requirements of the College of Engineering and Applied Science. 

Note: This major cannot be combined with a BS in integrated design engineering with an environmental engineering emphasis.

Some variations may be possible; see undergraduate advisor to work on approval.

Required Courses and Credits

Sample Four-Year Plan of Study

Learning Outcomes

Program Educational Objectives

The educational objective of the Environmental Engineering Bachelor of Science degree is to produce graduates who are capable of reaching the following career goals three to five years after graduation:

1. Graduates will be employed in engineering, science or other professional careers.
2. Graduates will respond to the needs of society by pursuing professional registration or other appropriate certifications.
3. Graduates will be engaged in continual learning and advancing knowledge by pursuing advanced degrees or additional educational opportunities through coursework, professional conferences and training, and/or participation in professional societies.
4. Graduates will apply critical thinking and creativity as they develop solutions that provide benefits to communities, the environment and/or public health.
5. Graduates will conduct themselves ethically and professionally, while demonstrating that they value diversity and inclusion in work interactions and engagement with the public.

Student Outcomes

Upon graduation, students are expected to be able to:

• Identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics.
• 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.
• Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
• 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.
• Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives.
• Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
• Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Bachelor's–Accelerated Master's Degree Program(s)

The bachelor's–accelerated master's (BAM) degree program options offer currently enrolled CU Boulder undergraduate students the opportunity to receive a bachelor's and master's degree in a shorter period of time. Students receive the bachelor's degree first but begin taking graduate coursework as undergraduates (typically in their senior year).

Because some courses are allowed to double count for both the bachelor's and the master's degrees, students receive a master's degree in less time and at a lower cost than if they were to enroll in a stand-alone master's degree program after completion of their baccalaureate degree. In addition, staying at CU Boulder to pursue a bachelor's–accelerated master's program enables students to continue working with their established faculty mentors.

BS in Environmental Engineering, MS in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Admissions Requirements

In order to gain admission to the BAM program named above, a student must meet the following criteria:

• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.000 to earn either the EVEN or CVEN MS or a 3.25 GPA to earn the MCEN MS.
• Completion of all MAPS requirements and no deficiencies remaining (students admitted to CU Boulder prior to Summer 2023 only).
• Have at least junior status within the bachelor’s degree program.

Program Requirements

Students may take up to and including 12 hours while in the undergraduate program which can later be used toward the master’s degree. However, only six credits may be double counted toward the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree. Students must apply to graduate with the bachelor’s degree, and apply to continue with the master’s degree, early in the semester in which the undergraduate requirements will be completed.

Please see the BAM degree program web page for more information.