Environmental Option

The environmental option focuses on the design and management of systems that use or impact natural resources. Engineers capable of integrating traditional engineering thought with a solid understanding of biological and ecological systems are needed to develop sustainable solutions for the problems of today and tomorrow.

Applications in the environmental option include water quality studies of lakes, rivers, and groundwater; ecological engineering design; soil and water conservation; irrigation and drainage system design and management; waste treatment; management of air quality; and remediation of land damaged by construction, mining, and other uses. This option is distinct from, but interfaces with, the environmental option in civil engineering.