Is Environmental Engineering for you?
Environmental engineering is one of the fastest growing professions in the United States. Why? Because we help people stay healthy. Environmental engineers use the principles of science and math to manage ecosystems, restore polluted lands, and protect our soil, air, and water resources. These natural resources are just what people need to lead healthy and productive lives and, so, environmental engineers are in high demand.
Degree Options
Environmental Engineering Majors
Why study Environmental Engineering at SFU?
Real world experience is the hallmark of environmental engineering at SFU. In our program you will learn to use math and science to solve some of the most important problems facing society today and we believe that you should start putting your skills to good use even before you graduate.
Our students design projects for class, work through paid internships and summer research, and conduct engineering service both here in Pennsylvania and abroad. By combining classroom learning with authentic projects, our students develop the wide variety of skills needed to be successful in the rapidly growing field of environmental engineering.
Environmental Engineering Program Highlights
- Real design projects drawn from industry partners
- Engineering internships and summer research positions
- Individualized instruction and small class sizes
- Classrooms without walls: course work in the lab and the field
- Communication skills emphasized in every engineering course
Program Educational Objectives
Graduates of the Saint Francis University Environmental Engineering program are expected within a few years of graduation to have:
- Attained the certifications, registrations, and/or licenses needed to work effectively as environmental engineers.
- Established themselves as practicing professionals whether in the field of environmental engineering directly, or in related fields that draw on the knowledge, skills, and values of the environmental engineering profession.
- Advanced to positions of greater responsibility in their workplace, their profession, and their community.
- A Franciscan perspective as they shape culture in their workplace, their community, and civil society writ large.
- Accomplish objectives 1-4 with a commitment to life-long learning and continuous professional development.
Student Learning Outcomes
Each student will have demonstrated the proficiency in the following outcomes upon graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering:
a) An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
b) An ability to design and conduct experiments in the Lab, as well as to analyze and interpret data (in more than one major environmental engineering focus areas, e.g., air, water, land, environmental health)
c) An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability (by means of design experiences integrated throughout the professional component of the curriculum)
d) An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
e) An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
f) An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
g) An ability to communicate effectively
h) The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global,economic, environmental, and societal context
i) A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
j) A knowledge of contemporary environmental issues (especially those associated with air, land, and water systems and associated environmental health impacts)
k) An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
l) Understand concepts of professional practice and the roles and responsibilities of public institutions and private organizations pertaining to environmental engineering
Career Possibilities
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, we can expect the number of new job openings to increase faster for environmental engineers than for any other occupation through at least 2014. SFU engineering graduates have had excellent success in finding employment; nearly all find positions in their field within 12 months of graduation. Our society has a long-term need for environmental engineers as we face challenges in energy generation, drinking water supply and stewardship over natural resources. SFU environmental engineers will be well equipped not only to address the technical aspects of these challenges but also to assist others in understanding the complex ethical and societal context of each technical problem.