Undergraduate Program

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Earth and Environmental Engineering prepares students for careers in the public and private sector concerned with primary materials (minerals, fuels, water) and the environment. Graduates are also prepared to continue with further studies in Earth/Environmental sciences and engineering, business, public policy, international studies, law, and medicine. The EEE program is accredited as an environmental engineering program by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABEThttp://www.abet.org

Undergraduate Program Objectives

  1. Graduates equipped with the necessary tools (mathematics, chemistry, physics, Earth sciences, and engineering science) will understand and implement the underlying principles used in the engineering of processes and systems.
  1. Graduates will be able to pursue careers in industry, government agencies, and other organizations concerned with the environment and the provision of primary and secondary materials and energy, as well as continue their education
    as graduate students in related disciplines.
  1. Graduates will possess the basic skills needed for the practice of Earth and Environmental Engineering, including
    measurement and control of material flows through the environment; assessment of environmental impact of past, present, and future industrial activities; and analysis and design of processes for remediation, recycling, and disposal of used materials.
  1. Graduates will practice their profession with excellent written and communication skills and with professional ethics and responsibilities.

Undergraduate Student Outcomes

  1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
  2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
  3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
  5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
  6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
  7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

The Curriculum

The first two years of the EEE program are similar to those of other engineering programs. Students are provided with a strong foundation in basic sciences and mathematics, as well as the liberal arts core. Specific to the EEE program is an early and sustained introduction to Earth science and environmental engineering, and options for a number of science courses to meet the specific interests of each student. The junior and senior years of the program consist of a group of required courses in engineering science and a broad selection of technical electives organized into three distinct concentrations, representing major areas of focus within the department.

Several Columbia departments, such as Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Earth and Environmental Sciences (Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory), as well as the Mailman School of Public Health, contribute courses to the EEE program. EEE students are strongly encouraged to work as summer interns in industry or agencies on projects related to Earth and Environmental Engineering. The department helps students get summer internships.