Online Degrees in Environmental Engineering

Environmental Engineering Degrees

Environmental engineering involves the use of chemical and biological knowledge to prevent or solve problems with the environment. With a degree in environmental engineering, you could work in fields like air quality control, waste water treatment or toxic materials control and may perform duties including collection and analysis of data, quality control and environmental hazard management.

In an environmental engineering bachelor's degree program, you will take a number of courses in advanced mathematics and sciences, as well as degree-specific courses such as principles of environmental engineering, environmental risk assessment and pollution engineering. Some universities offer environmental engineering as a stand-alone major, but others regard it as a supplementary minor to a degree in mechanical, chemical or civil engineering. As with most engineering majors, an environmental engineering degree may take five or more years to complete.

Master's degree programs in environmental engineering require the bachelor's degree in engineering or a related scientific field as a prerequisite for enrollment. Once enrolled, you'll likely take courses in resource management and protection, water quality assessment and pollution control. A bachelor's degree will allow you to obtain an environmental engineering position in a corporate or government setting, but advancement in the field can be achieved considerably faster by earning your master's degree. Graduate - level credentials may also be necessary to work in environmental engineering in the areas of research, consulting or management.