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Environmental Engineering Concentration

Collage of environmental engineering students doing engineering field work on the beach, surveying a stream stie, unloading wetland plants for a project and sampling in a stream.

Welcome to the Undergraduate Environmental Engineering Concentration of the Biological Engineering Degree Program (BE).

This program concentration earns a Bachelor of Science degree from NC State University. Studies are about engineering natural environments using technology and biological systems. Please read the Environmental Engineering Overview to learn what Environmental Engineering is all about and to find additional environmental program information.

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Undergraduate rankings

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Button link to Biological Agricultural Engineering curriculum.

Students in environmental engineering install a stream structure. Students have opportunities to work on campus projects and other extension and research work around the state.

Photo: An environmental engineering class view an outfall bolder basins.Rocky Branch runs through the center of NCSU's campus and has been the site of intensive restoration. It now serves as an on-campus teaching tool. Above a student group learns about outfall boulder basin construction.

An NCSU environmental engineering stands knee deep in a creek with a drainage pipe overhead.A student stands knee deep in North Creek on NCSU's growing Centennial Campus where environmental engineering students have undertaken projects.

Two NCSU environmental engineering students in a stream use a screen to capture silt while other student records information.Environmental students get hands-on experience monitoring stream health to determine the effectiveness of water quality solutions.

NCSU environmental engineering students apply classroom knowledge to establishing a wetland.NCSU Environmental engineering students apply classroom knowledge to map wetlands, select appropriate plants and learn how to position them to ensure growth.

A NCSU environmental engineering student studying agricultural air quality checks monitoring equipment.A student monitors air quality in a hog house. Increasing concerns with animal health has led to the need for environmental engineers to provide solutions. See Air Quality Lab.

NCSU Environmental engineering student club members are busy cleaning up a stream on campus.ASABE Student Club members take on a Service Raleigh project each year and their favorite effort is to clean-up a Raleigh stream.

Someone will be engineering the environment so
why not you!

What Students Learn...

Students studying in the environmental engineering concentration pursue a challenging curriculum that introduces them to issues, principles, and practices related to the use and protection of our soil and water resources. Students will obtain a solid foundation in engineering sciences and broad exposure to engineering practice. This concentration is very hands-on and involves outdoor learning environments.

Unique to our programs is the study of rural and agricultural soil-water engineering practices. Many of the principles of water and soil management and air pollution control apply to urban problems also. Many consulting firms and industries with environmental compliance and waste concerns seek our graduates who have a versatile environmental engineering background.

Environmental Engineering Curriculum Topics:

  • Irrigation and Drainage Practices
  • Water Quality and Pollution Control Methods
  • Soil and Water Management Strategies
  • Stream Restoration Practices
  • Urban Stormwater Solutions
  • Air Quality issues
  • Ecological Remediation

Concentration electives allow the student to focus on topics of interest to them. Engineering curriculums can be challenging and the department helps each student to succeed. Students can promote their own success by embracing some of these "Tips for Student Success" .

The Capstone Senior Design Course

Four environmental engineering senior design students stand beside their technical poster.
Senior Design students stand beside their technical poster.

In the last year of study, students work on a Senior Design team project. Senior Design is the two semester capstone engineering course where students are involved with a real-world design project of their own choosing. Projects are sponsored by faculty members or private industry with engineering problems to solve. Upon completion of the course students are expected to present the outcomes to sponsors.

Student Projects

Examples of Senior Design projects:

Residential Green Design and Development in Cary, NC

Flood Management & Stream Restoration in a Cary NC Subdivision

Kure Beach N. C. Dune Infiltration System

Town of Wrightsville Beach Municipal BMP

Improved PAM Mixing and Application Device for Erosion Control Basins

An Example of an Undergraduate Independent research project presented at the Annual NCSU Undergraduate Symposium

Raising the Roof: An Investigation of Extensive Green Roofs as a Viable Urban Stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP)

Learn more about Senior Design

empty Pre-Professional Development

College organizations provide pre-professional development skills. see BAE Student Clubs. Many professional organizations offer student reduced fee memberships.

Professional organizations environmental engineers belong to:

American Society of Biological and Agricultural Engineers (ASABE)

American Academy of Environmental Engineering (AAEE)

American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE)

American Engineering Ecological Society (AEES)

Many environmental engineers choose to earn a Professional Engineers License. Being licensed assures competencies and expands opportunities for advancement.

Photos - Environmental Students in Action...

When you graduate...

Graduates are often hired as:

  • Pollution control specialists
  • Consulting engineers
  • Land-use specialists
  • Wastewater managers
  • Erosion control specialists
  • Water resource engineers
  • Solid waste specialists
  • See more about Job Opportunities & Salaries

Many students go on to graduate school to prepare for higher-level positions or research careers.

Graphic: drawing of a hand holding a book Getting started

Do you have a questions or want to apply? Contact us

Were you looking for a non-engineering program? Please see the Bio&Ag program Agricultural and Environmental Engineering Technology AET Program information.