Environmental Systems Engineering - B.S.

Learn ways to make industrial and environmental remediation activities healthier, safer, more environmentally friendly, and more cost-effective in the Environmental Systems Engineering major. The program is designed to address the critical environmental, safety, and health problems of the basic industries involved in the extraction, conversion, and utilization of energy and mineral resources. Students can gain a deeper understanding of both the impact of environmental degradation on society and the effects on industrial activity of society's demands for protection of workers and the environment.

Program Options

This major has two options:

Environmental Systems Engineering (ENVSE)
This option is concerned with the impact of industrial activities on the environment and the choice of cost-effective remediation strategies.
Environmental Health and Safety Engineering (ENVHS)
This option is concerned with safe and healthful design of industrial systems such that workers are protected from potentially high risk exposures associated with today's industries.

Careers

Graduates are prepared to enter both the private and public sectors as environmental systems engineers or health and safety engineers or to pursue further education at the graduate level.

Where Environmental Systems Engineering Graduates Find Jobs

Environmental consulting firms
NGOs
Government agencies

ABET Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Systems Engineering at University Park is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Environmental Engineering and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Student Clubs and Organizations

Option to earn your B.S. and M.S. in 5 years

Integrated B.S./M.S. Degree Program: The integrated undergraduate-graduate (IUG) enables academically superior and research-focused undergraduate students to also obtain an M.S. degree in Energy and Mineral Engineering in five years of study.

Contact

Jeremy Gernand

What Our Students Say

"Majoring in Environmental Systems Engineering at Penn State was one of the best decisions I could make as a senior in high school. I loved the the closeness and smallness of the major because you really get to know your peers and professors on another level. Courses such as Aqueous Processing and Pollution Control in Process Industries honed my skills in problem-solving, public speaking, and research. From entering through the LEAP Jamaica program to presenting at the EMS Poster Exhibition, there were many opportunities that prepared me for the future."

~ Amina Grant, Environmental Systems Engineering graduate ('17)

"Professors in ENVSE care about what you aspire to do and want to make sure the course material is relevant for their students. If you want to go straight to industry, apply to graduate school, take the PE exam, or a combination of these, ENVSE professors make sure that you're ready for whatever comes next."

~ Tsunami Sharmba, Environmental Systems Engineering major