Students in the environmental engineering bachelor’s degree program conduct fieldwork with expert faculty

Undergraduate programs

Environmental engineering

Major: B.S.

Minor

Overview

Environmental engineers design solutions for environmental and health challenges to create a sustainable and resilient world. Contemporary environmental engineers lead and contribute to multidisciplinary teams to create smart, connected and adaptive infrastructure for modern society and enhance the global quality of life.

ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ Lyle environmental engineering students examine traditional areas of practice such as water and wastewater treatment, solid and hazardous waste treatment, disposal practices and air pollution control. They develop analytical and critical thinking skills with real-world problem-solving to confront pressing global issues such as housing supply, food production, air and water pollution, spread of disease, traffic congestion and flood control. Students graduate with a deep knowledge of environmental engineering principles with a degree in one of the most in-demand specialties of today.

Students can also earn a through the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, supported by the Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity.

 

Top 20%

Best National Universities

U.S. News & World Report (2026)

100%

of civil engineering undergraduates are employed or enrolled in continuing education six months post-graduation (2023–24)

Career Outcomes Dashboard

37%

of Lyle Engineering undergrads are women

Specializations

B.S. Environmental engineering, premedical track

Students interested in applying to medical school , which incorporates additional science and mathematics courses.

Admissions

Deadlines and details

Key dates and admissions information to help plan your application with confidence.

Transfer students

Everything transfer students need to know about admission requirements.

International students

All the essential admission requirements international students need to know.

Additional links

Ready to apply?

Get started here.

Tuition and financial aid

2 out of 3 first-year students are awarded grants and/or scholarships with an average total of $38,598.

Tuition and costs

Explore the cost breakdown of tuition for undergraduate programs.

Financial aid

Find information on scholarships and financial support available at ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½.

Curriculum and learning

The mission of the is to prepare students for professional practice and advanced studies by focusing on the following areas: water supply and resources, environmental systems and process modeling, environmental chemistry, waste management, air pollution control, and environmental and occupational health.

Featured courses

CEE 2304

Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering

Basis for identifying, formulating, analyzing and understanding various environmental problems, with a focus on material and energy balances for modeling.

CEE 3307

Infrastructure and Environmental Systems Analysis

Introduces analytical techniques commonly used in the planning, design and operation management of large-scale civil and environmental infrastructure systems.

CEE 4380

Civil and Environmental Engineering Design I

Students complete a term-long environmental or civil engineering project for an industrial or regulatory client and examine the nature of design constraints and analytical tools.

Outside the classroom

  • Maria Murad with friends in Jordan

    Internships

    Get practical experience to develop industry skills, build a professional network and gain valuable insights. Internships can open doors to future opportunities and contribute to long-term career success.

  • Study abroad

    Expand your personal and academic experiences by studying in another part of the world. Take the opportunity to immerse yourself in different cultures and gain global perspectives.

  • Clubs and organizations

    Explore interests, develop leadership skills, connect with like-minded peers, and build lasting relationships.

  • ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ students working with plants at Bontham Family Farms

    Community engagement

    Apply your classroom knowledge to real-world issues while making a positive impact. Have hands-on experiences that sharpen your problem-solving abilities and communication skills.

Student success

Our graduates consistently secure positions at leading tech companies and business institutions, pursue advanced degrees at top engineering programs, and work on entrepreneurial projects.

Student stories

Morgan Jones Freshman 2023

Scout’s honor

For Morgan David Jones ’27, his journey to protect water started during his time as an Eagle Scout. Now, Jones is continuing his pursuit as an environmental engineering major at ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½.

ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ Professor Kathleen Smits, ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ graduate student Sergio Restrepo, Professor Oscar Restrepo from the University Nacional de Colombia and ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ CEE undergraduate Kevin Sumpon at a coal mine in Medellin, Colombia.

Tackling more than methane emissions in Colombia

Lyle civil and environmental engineering students go beyond the classroom, engineering impactful solutions through cross-cultural collaboration with the NSF International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) program.

Faculty

Our distinguished faculty in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department are industry leaders and subject matter experts, bringing real-world experience and industry insights to the classroom.

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Dr Usama El Shamy

Usama El Shamy, Ph.D.

Professor and Interim Department Chair of Civil & Environmental Engineering

davila carlos

Khaled Abdelghany, Ph.D.

Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Headshot of Professor Ali Dogru of ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ Lyle.

Ali H. Dogru, Ph.D.

Herman Brown Chair of Mechanical Engineering Professor of Mechanical Engineering…
Headshot of Professor Easton John, PH.D. of ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ Lyle.

John Easton, Ph.D.

Assistant Provost for Student Academic Engagement and Success Assistant Athletic…
Headshot of Monika U. Ehrman, faculty member at ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ Dedman School of Law.

Monika U. Ehrman

Professor of Law Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering (by Courtesy)

Halit Uster Headshot

Halit Uster, Ph.D.

Fellow, Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity Professor of Operations Research &…
Headshot of Zhong Lu, a member of the Lyle School of Engineering faculty

Zhong Lu

Shuler-Foscue Chair Professor of Earth Sciences Professor of Civil & Environmental…
Headshot of Nicos Makris, Ph.D of ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ Lyle.

Nicos Makris, Ph.D.

Addy Family Centennial Professor in Civil Engineering Professor of Civil & Environmental …
Barbara Minsker

Barbara E. Minsker, Ph.D, P.E.

Bobby B. Lyle Endowed Professor of Leadership & Global Entrepreneurship Senior Fellow in …
Headshot of Reza Moghimi, Ph.D. of ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ Lyle.

Reza Moghimi, Ph.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering
A headshot of Andrew Quicksall, a member of the Lyle School of Engineering Faculty

Andrew Quicksall

Associate Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Headshot of Professor Saeed Salehi of ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ lyle.

Saeed Salehi, Ph.D.

Herman Brown Chair of Mechanical Engineering Professor of Mechanical Engineering…
Janille Smith-Colin headshot

Janille Smith-Colin, Ph.D., P.E.

Associate Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Kate Smits headshot

Kate Smits, Ph.D, P.E.

Solomon Professor for Global Development Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Brett Story headshot

Brett A. Story, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Dr. Zarazaga

Jessie Marshall Zarazaga, Ph.D., RIBA, LeedAP

Clinical Associate Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering Director of…

Facilities

ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ Lyle students have access to state-of-the-art facilities where they can conduct research, meet with industry leaders, and gain skills on new and established technologies.

ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ Lyle School of Engineering students connect with prospective employers at the career development center.

Lyle Career Development Center

Lyle’s Career Development Center gives students the tools they need for success in the workforce. Explore career paths, participate in professional development, and engage in networking opportunities like Engineering Resumania and the Engineering Connections Career Fair.

ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ Lyle Engineering students build prototypes in the Deason Innovation Gym, aka The DIG

Deason Innovation Gym

The (the DIG) provides the tools and space to work on immersion design projects to accelerate learning, innovation and leadership. Get trained on 3D printers, power tools, metal shop machines and more.

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Frequently asked questions

as the world grapples with critical environmental challenges. An environmental engineering degree from ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ signals to employers and graduate schools that you have formal knowledge and skills in the specialty and makes you a more competitive candidate for STEM-based careers. Tech companies, government agencies and are among the many groups that hire environmental engineers.

 

Environmental engineers address global health challenges, design water systems, optimize waste treatment and disposal practices, and find pollution control solutions. Environmental engineers not only respond to present issues, but they also innovate, creating more efficient and sustainable infrastructures for the future. Environmental engineers can pursue careers in remediation engineering, air quality control, hazardous waste management, regulatory compliance and environmental consulting.

Yes, at ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ you can pursue an environmental engineering Bachelor of Science with a premedical specialization. This specialization is designed for students who are interested in one day applying to medical school.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, environmental engineers had an average annual salary of $104,170 in 2024. 

The B.S. environmental engineering program at ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ is designed to take four years to complete.

Yes, students can double major or minor outside of the environmental engineering bachelor’s degree program at ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½, both within Lyle and across the University. About one out of four ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ undergraduates pursue two or more majors and minors. ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ and Lyle support students who wish to pursue cross-disciplinary studies.

A Bachelor of Science in environmental engineering is a respected STEM degree as it involves committed study of science, math and engineering coursework. However, students at ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ Lyle are supported by faculty and staff and have access to state-of-the-art facilities and advising resources to make the pursuit of their degree manageable.

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