Howard Said:

Can you only be an environmental engineer if you have a degree in Environmental Engineering?

We Answered:

Most likely not. The Environmental Science curriculum isn't going to require that many mathematics and physics courses. For example, at my school, Environmental Science students need only a year of calculus. However, Bioenvironmental Engineering students need two years of calculus.

If you desire to become an environmental engineer, you could major in an environmental science discipline and then complete a graduate degree in Environmental Engineering.

Also, sometimes civil engineers may work in jobs related to environmental engineering since the two fields are very similar.

Jackie Said:

Do you need a BS in Engineering if you want a grad degree in Environmental Engineering?

We Answered:

Absolutely not. My wife got her bachelors in both chemistry and human physiology - yes - dual degrees. Then she went and got her masters in environmental engineering. She took all the same basic engineering courses that the other engineers took - civil, mechanical, etc. Then she took the ones specific to enviro engineering - that being the waste water engineering type courses.

So, while she didn't get her BS in engineering, she is quite qualified as an environmental engineer.
Now, to carry that one step further, one could base ones qualifications on whether they have attained the level of "registered professional engineer", but that is a question for another day.

George Said:

Does an Environmental Engineering degree require, for the most part, the same amount of math as other E degree?

We Answered:

There be much more concentration in advanced math and physics in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, as well as most other engineering disciplines.
The math requirement for Environmental Engineering will be very light compared to most other engineering disciplines.
Some of my friends in EE school, transferred from EE to Environmental Engineering because it was much easier,
Environmental Engineering will have a larger focus on chemistry, and water and air sciences, as well as environmental law.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environment…

Bonnie Said:

what can someone do with an environmental engineering degree?

We Answered:

Here are a couple of links that may help:
http://www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majo…
http://www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majo…

Jaime Said:

would anyone hire me with a degree in environmental engineering and no experience?

We Answered:

maybe

Ana Said:

What does one do with a degree in environmental engineering?

We Answered:

Oh my, there is so much!
I can't speak from personal experience, as I don't have a degree in enviro engineering, but know and work with many who do have that kind of degree.

1. You could work for a state or federal environmental regulatory agency as a:
-- permit writer negotiating with facilities to prepare wastewater permits, hazardous waste permits, etc.
-- regulatory inspector where you represent the regulatory agency in "auditing" a facilities compliance with their environmental permit. Having engineering knowledge is a BIG PLUS in understanding the processes to help you recognize when a facility is trying to "snow" you - and some do try to do that.

2. you could work for am industry in a company's environemtal department in charge of helping ensure compliance with the environmental laws. This is really important, as failure to comply can bring significant penalties -$$$. Often, some companies have one person who oversees the environmental compliance for an entire facility - and that person needs to be knowledgable of a number of environmental laws and how they apply at the facility level (e.g., wastewater treatment processes, hazardous waste storage requirements, air emission requirements, sampling and analysis requirements and procedures, etc.)

3. You oculd work for a local municipal government, in their wastewater treatment plant, or solid waste management organization.

4. You could work for a company that designs and builds wastewater treatment plants - those companies need folks with knowledge of how to properly design a properly sized plant to handle a given volume of wastewater, as well as being able to work with the civil engineers to see that a facility is properly sited - design for static loads, etc. - as well as understanding the mass balances involved and treatment recipes involved.