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Environmental Engineering, Bachelor of Science
This program provides a strong foundation in engineering and design principles and applies biological, chemical, and physical content to technical problems in water and wastewater engineering, air quality and pollution control, waste management and public health. Students graduating from this program can design solutions to complex environmental problems and are prepared to become registered professional engineers specializing in environmental engineering in their future careers.
This program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org
Requirements Accordion Open
To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
- All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
- All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
- At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
- At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
- A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.
The full policy can be viewed here.
Overview Accordion Closed
In addition to University Requirements:
- At least 55-57 units of preprofessional requirements
- At least 46 units of major courses
- Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.
- For this major the liberal studies prefix is CENE
- Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 239 |
| University Honors Program | Optional |
| Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan | Optional |
| AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-S | Recommended |
| Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
| Licensure | This program may lead to licensure. |
Purpose Statement
Society’s demand for essentials such as clean air, food and water, sustainable land use and consumer products pose large-scale, practical problems. Environmental engineers use engineering, biological and chemical principles to design and operate pollution control and impact mitigation systems. Environmental engineering is a newer engineering discipline, growing out of civil and chemical engineering. This exciting engineering field requires a solid understanding of core concepts including mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, statics, thermodynamics, surveying, and fluid hydraulics. These courses serve as a basis for advanced content in:
- Air quality, emissions, and pollution control (sampling, modeling, and the design of devices to remove particulate and gaseous pollutants)
- Water and wastewater quality and treatment (sampling, modeling, and the design of biological/chemical/physical treatment methods for large and small communities)
- Hazardous and solid waste engineering (site assessment, risk assessment, remediation methods, landfill design)
- Environmental health (toxicology, industrial hygiene, ecological impacts)
Student Learning Outcomes
- Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- 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.
- Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- 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.
- Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Details Accordion Closed
Major Requirements
This major requires 101 - 103 units distributed as follows:
- Preprofessional Requirements: 55 - 57 units
- Mathematics and Science Courses: (39 - 41 units)
- Engineering Science Courses: (13 units)
- Additional Requirements: (3 units)
- Major Courses: 46 units
Take the following 101 - 103 units:- Preprofessional Requirements: 55 - 57 units
- Preprofessional Requirements (55 - 57 units)
Major Courses (46 units):
- CENE 150*, CENE 280*, CENE 281L*, CENE 283L*, CENE 330, CENE 332*, CENE 333*, CENE 335*, CENE 336*, CENE 410L, CENE 434, CENE 480 (32 units)
- CENE 386W* which meets the junior-level writing requirement (3 units)
- (CENE 476* and CENE 486C) together meet the senior capstone requirement (5 units)
- Select Technical coursework from the following (6 units):
*Prerequisities to Engineering coursework that must be completed with a Grade of "C" or better in each course. In addition, ENG 105 must be completed with a Grade of "C" or better.
You may not have more than one grade of "D" in your required engineering, mathematics, and science courses.
If you wish to enhance your education in the area of civil engineering, chemistry, mechanical engineering, or mathematics, you can easily pursue a minor in each discipline with the addition of a small number of courses and by consulting with the respective disciplinary advisor.
Program Objectives:
Our overarching learning goals are stated as our Program Objectives; within three to five years of obtaining a bachelor's degree, a graduate is expected to achieve the following:- Be employed in the engineering field or pursuing a formal academic program of study;
- Have a demonstrated commitment to lifelong learning by participating in professional development activities;
- Be a registered professional engineer or be in the process of becoming a professional engineer;
- Demonstrate leadership through increasing responsibilities; and
- Engage in activities that benefit others outside of their employment.
General Electives
Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.
We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.
Additional Information
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.
This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a master's degree while simultaneously completing their bachelor's degree.
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineers work in industry, government (federal, state, tribal, county, city), and consulting sectors, performing work with:- air and water quality
- pollution control and management
- solid and hazardous waste management
- environmental regulations
- toxicology and risk assessment
- microbiological processes
Additional details
Your degree progression plan tells you what courses you take each semester.NAU’s Environmental Engineering program may lead to professional licensure/certification. State information can be found at NAU’s Professional Licensure by State table.