This is the first version of the 2023–24 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.
Educational Objectives
Within a few years of graduation, graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) program in environmental engineering will:
- be productive and contributing members of the environmental engineering profession as practitioners, entrepreneurs, researchers or teachers;
- be engaged in learning, understanding, and applying new ideas as the field develops;
- pursue advanced studies, if qualified and interested; and
- promote the safety, health, and welfare of the public and the environment through professional practice and civic leadership.
The Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a major in environmental engineering requires a minimum of 130 s.h. of credit. At the time of graduation, students must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.00 in all college work used to complete degree requirements and in all UI coursework in order to be awarded the BSE.
All BSE students are required to take the same collegiate curriculum. For information about these collegiate requirements, see the Bachelor of Science in Engineering, BSE in the catalog. Students completing the major in environmental engineering fulfill the collegiate statistics requirement by completing STAT:2020 Probability and Statistics for the Engineering and Physical Sciences. The focus area may require specific courses to count toward the General Education Component of the collegiate curriculum; see "Focus Area" below.
The major in environmental engineering requires the following coursework.
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| Collegiate Curriculum | 50 |
| Major Requirements (including one 0 s.h. course) | 65 |
| Focus Area | 15 |
Major Requirements
Major requirements include a set of common courses (58 s.h.), five professional skills courses (4 s.h., including one 0 s.h. course), and one capstone design course (3 s.h.).
Common Courses
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| CEE:1030 | Introduction to Earth Science (no lab required) | 3 |
| CEE:3155 | Principles of Environmental Engineering (with lab) | 4 |
| CEE:3371 | Principles of Hydraulics and Hydrology | 3 |
| CEE:3430 | Water Treatment (with lab) | 4 |
| CEE:4102 | Groundwater | 3 |
| CEE:4150 | Environmental Chemistry | 3 |
| CEE:4157 | Environmental Engineering Design | 3 |
| CEE:4158 | Solid and Hazardous Wastes | 3 |
| CEE:4159 | Air Pollution Control Technology | 3 |
| CEE:4374 | Water Resource Design | 3 |
| BIOL:1411 | Foundations of Biology | 4 |
| CHEM:1120 | Principles of Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM:2210 | Organic Chemistry I (no lab required) | 3 |
| ENGR:2110 | Statics | 2 |
| ENGR:2130 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| ENGR:2510 | Fluid Mechanics | 4 |
| ENGR:2710 | Dynamics | 3 |
| ENGR:2720 | Materials Science | 3 |
Professional Skills
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| CEE:1010 | Introduction to Careers in Environmental Engineering | 0 |
| CEE:2010 | Civil and Environmental Engineering Professional Practice and Ethics | 1 |
| CEE:3001 | Leadership Skills for Engineers | 1 |
| CEE:3002 | Technical Communication in Civil and Environmental Engineering | 1 |
| CEE:3003 | Project Management Skills | 1 |
Capstone Design Course
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| CEE:4850 | Project Design and Management in Civil Engineering | 3 |
Focus Area
Students must select focus area courses according to guidelines established by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Environmental engineering students may choose from a standard focus area developed by the department (environmental or public health) or create an individual focus area tailored to their interests. For a description of the standard focus area options and guidelines for tailored focus areas in environmental engineering, see Environmental Engineering Focus Areas on the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering website.
Focus areas in environmental engineering consist of content area courses and electives; carefully selected elective courses may contribute to earning a minor and/or certificate.
Environmental
Students in the environmental focus area complete two content area courses (6 s.h.) and three additional electives (9 s.h.).
Environmental Electives
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Two of these: | ||
| CEE:4107/CBE:4410 | Sustainable Systems | 3 |
| CEE:4119 | Hydrology | 3 |
| CEE:4371 | Water Resources Engineering | 3 |
Additional Electives–Environmental Focus Area
Students complete 9 s.h. in additional electives. These electives may include any Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering course (prefix CEE) not already taken for the major numbered 3000 or above.
The following courses are additional suggested electives in the environmental focus area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CPH:3500/GHS:3500 | Global Public Health | 3 |
| ECON:3625/URP:3135 | Environmental and Natural Resource Economics | 3 |
| ENGR:2120 | Electrical Circuits | 3 |
| ENGR:2730 | Computers in Engineering | 3 |
| ENGR:2995 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Engineering | 3 |
| GEOG:2050 | Foundations of GIS | 4 |
| GEOG:3210/CPH:3400 | Health, Work, and the Environment | 3 |
| LAW:8992 | Water Law | arr. |
| OEH:4240 | Global Environmental Health | 3 |
Public Health
Students in this focus area complete one required course (3 s.h.), three focus area electives (9 s.h.), and one additional elective (3 s.h.).
Students in the public health focus area are required to complete the undergraduate certificate in public health in the College of Public Health. The public health focus area requires CPH:1400 Fundamentals of Public Health as part of the collegiate curriculum General Education Component.
Required Public Health Course
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| CPH:1600 | Public Health Science: Inquiry and Investigation in Public Health | 3 |
Public Health Electives
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Three of these: | ||
| CPH:1800 | Social and Psychological Determinants of Health: Changing Behavior, Improving Health | 3 |
| CPH:2400 | The U.S. Health System in a Global Context | 3 |
| CPH:3400/GEOG:3210 | Health, Work, and the Environment | 3 |
| CPH:3500/GHS:3500 | Global Public Health | 3 |
Additional Elective–Public Health Focus Area
Students complete 3 s.h. in additional elective(s). The following courses are suggested electives in the public health focus area. Students can view courses applicable for the Certificate in Public Health in the College of Public Health section of the catalog.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CPH:2200 | Climageddon: Understanding Climate Change and Associated Impacts on Health | 3 |
| CPH:2220 | Building a Healthier Tomorrow: Public Health Methods to Minimize Disease and Pollutant Exposures | 3 |
| CPH:4200 | Agriculture, Food Systems, and Sustainability | 3 |
| CPH:4220/GHS:4530/OEH:4530 | Global Road Safety | 3 |
| Courses that count toward the undergraduate Certificate in Public Health | 2-3 | |
BSE/MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering
The College of Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science in Engineering/Master of Science program for environmental engineering undergraduate students who intend to earn an MS in civil and environmental engineering. BSE/MS students may attend the departmental graduate seminar and work on a master's thesis or research project while they are still undergraduates. They may count a limited amount of coursework toward both degrees. Once students complete the requirements for the bachelor's degree, they are granted the BSE, and they are expected to complete the MS one year later.
To be admitted to the degree program, students must have completed at least 80 s.h. and have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.25. They must submit an application form to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, along with a letter stating their proposed area of specialization and the name of a department faculty member willing to be their primary MS advisor. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores are not required for the fast-track degree program.
Applications are due by May 15.
Environmental engineers apply engineering principles to design systems that control pollution and protect public health. Environmental engineers restore air, soil, and water quality at contaminated sites, and develop systems that convert waste into clean energy. Environmental engineering addresses the complex food, energy, and water issues of the 21st century. On average, 93–98% of graduates are employed in their field of study or pursuing advanced education within seven months of graduation.
Engineering Career Services develops and promotes experiential education and professional opportunities for students in the College of Engineering. Professional staff coordinate the college's co-op and internship program, engage in employer outreach, and provide opportunities for students to network with employers, including engineering career fairs and other programming related to career development.
Engineering Career Services offers individual advising and class presentations on résumé and cover letter preparation, job and internship search strategies, interviewing skills, job offer evaluation, and much more. Engineering Career Services partners with the Pomerantz Career Center to facilitate on-campus interviewing, postgraduation outcome collection, and the university's online recruiting system, Handshake.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Environmental Engineering, BSE
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| RHET:1030 | Rhetoric a | 4 |
| MATH:1550 | Engineering Mathematics I: Single Variable Calculus b, c | 4 |
| CHEM:1110 | Principles of Chemistry I a, d | 4 |
| ENGR:1100 | Introduction to Engineering Problem Solving e | 3 |
| ENGR:1000 | Engineering Success for First-Year Students e | 1 |
| CSI:1600 | Success at Iowa | 0 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| MATH:1560 | Engineering Mathematics II: Multivariable Calculus b | 4 |
| MATH:2550 | Engineering Mathematics III: Matrix Algebra a | 2 |
| CHEM:1120 | Principles of Chemistry II a | 4 |
| PHYS:1611 | Introductory Physics I b | 4 |
| ENGR:1300 | Introduction to Engineering Computing b | 3 |
| CEE:1010 | Introduction to Careers in Environmental Engineering f | 0 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MATH:2560 | Engineering Mathematics IV: Differential Equations a | 3 |
| CHEM:2210 | Organic Chemistry I a | 3 |
| ENGR:2110 | Statics a | 2 |
| ENGR:2130 | Thermodynamics a | 3 |
| STAT:2020 | Probability and Statistics for the Engineering and Physical Sciences a | 3 |
| CEE:1030 | Introduction to Earth Science b | 3 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| GE: Approved Course Subjects g | 3 | |
| BIOL:1411 | Foundations of Biology a | 4 |
| ENGR:2710 | Dynamics a | 3 |
| CEE:3155 | Principles of Environmental Engineering f | 4 |
| CEE:3002 | Technical Communication in Civil and Environmental Engineering f | 1 |
| CEE:2010 | Civil and Environmental Engineering Professional Practice and Ethics f | 1 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GE: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion h | 3 | |
| ENGR:2510 | Fluid Mechanics b | 4 |
| CEE:4150 | Environmental Chemistry e | 3 |
| CEE:4158 | Solid and Hazardous Wastes e | 3 |
| Focus Area: topic course i | 3 | |
| CEE:3001 | Leadership Skills for Engineers e | 1 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| GE: Engineering Be Creative j | 3 | |
| ENGR:2720 | Materials Science a | 3 |
| CEE:3371 | Principles of Hydraulics and Hydrology f | 3 |
| CEE:3430 | Water Treatment f | 4 |
| CEE:4159 | Air Pollution Control Technology f | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GE: Approved Course Subjects g | 3 | |
| CEE:4102 | Groundwater e | 3 |
| CEE:4157 | Environmental Engineering Design e | 3 |
| CEE:4374 | Water Resource Design e | 3 |
| Focus Area: topic course i | 3 | |
| CEE:3003 | Project Management Skills e | 1 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| GE: Approved Course Subjects g | 3 | |
| CEE:4850 | Project Design and Management in Civil Engineering b | 3 |
| Focus Area: topic or elective course i | 3 | |
| Focus Area: topic or elective course i | 3 | |
| Focus Area: elective course i | 3 | |
| Degree Application: apply on MyUI before deadline (typically in February for spring, September for fall) k | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 130 | |
- a
- Typically this course is offered in fall, spring, and summer sessions. Check MyUI for course availability since offerings are subject to change.
- b
- Typically this course is offered in fall and spring semesters. Check MyUI for course availability since offerings are subject to change.
- c
- Enrollment in math courses requires completion of a placement exam.
- d
- Enrollment in chemistry courses requires completion of a placement exam.
- e
- Typically this course is offered in fall semesters only. Check MyUI for course availability since offerings are subject to change.
- f
- Typically this course is offered in spring semesters only. Check MyUI for course availability since offerings are subject to change.
- g
- See General Catalog for list of approved course subjects. Some focus areas may require specific courses that may be taken for General Education Component credit.
- h
- Students select a course from one of two GE CLAS Core areas: Diversity and Inclusion or Values and Culture.
- i
- Students select a standard focus area developed by the department or create an individual focus area tailored to their interests. Focus areas require 15 s.h. and consist of content area courses and additional electives; carefully selected elective courses may contribute to earning a minor and/or certificate. Some focus areas may require additional courses that may be taken for General Education Component credit. See the General Catalog or consult an advisor for more information.
- j
- See General Catalog for list of approved courses. Students who intend to enroll in a Be Creative course with prerequisites must request a waiver by completing the Request Prerequisite Special Permission form on MyUI.
- k
- Please see Academic Calendar, Office of the Registrar website for current degree application deadlines. Students should apply for a degree for the session in which all requirements will be met. For any questions on appropriate timing, contact your academic advisor or Graduation Services.