Environmental Engineering

• Exclusively undergraduate program featuring small classes taught by experienced faculty.
• A comprehensive program in environmental engineering at the undergraduate level with the flexibility to pursue minors such as fundamentals of business, civil engineering and humanitarian engineering.
• Highly collaborative program that is interdisciplinary in nature.
• Emphasizes comprehensive multi-disciplinary design projects and small laboratory groups that foster teamwork.
• Extensive computational and laboratory facilities in engineering and the Center for the Sciences: Chemistry and Biochemistry.
• Opportunities for undergraduate students to work with faculty during the semester and in the summer on research projects.
• Reputation for an inclusive learning environment in the college.
• Cooperative education and internship programs with employment opportunities throughout the U.S.

Training in environmental engineering prepares graduates for a variety of careers. Among them are:

• Environmental Engineer
• Environmental Lab Scientist
• Natural Resources Manager
• Conservation Agent
• Environmental Compliance and Law
• Public Policy Analyst
• Environmental Consultant
• Project Scientist
• Stormwater Engineer
• Assessment and Remediation Engineer 
• Health Safety Manager
• Corporate Policy Advisor
• Environmental Site Assessor
• Regulatory Compliance Officer
• Facilities Inspector
• STEM Teacher
• Professor

Electives

Environmental Engineering Electives: These six credits are to be selected from the array of environmental engineering electives provided. Courses which fulfill environmental engineering elective requirements are indicated with a superscript “e”: (…)e.

Humanities, Social Science, Theology Electives: Students may take six credits from the approved list of Humanities courses, Social Science courses, or Theology courses.  Courses may be from the same area or from different areas.  List of approved Humanities, Social Science, Theology Electives

World Language/Diversity Electives: Students will take three credits from either world language courses at the 102 level or above or from the diversity list.  List of approved World Language/Diversity Electives

Writing Intensive Course (as indicated by a superscript “w”): At least one course taken to satisfy the World Languages/Diversity Elective, Humanities, Social Science, and Theology Electives, THEO 200:  The Christian Tradition, or ECE 211 must be a Writing Intensive Course.  List of approved Writing Intensive Courses

Math/Science Elective: The Mathematics/Science Elective requirement may be met by taking nine credits from the approved list of courses.  Other choices may be made available by petition to the ECE Department. 

Cooperative Education: Six credits of GE 481 through GE 483 may be used to satisfy the Professional Electives requirement, if a minimum of six credits of cooperative education have been completed.  All courses are graded S/U only.

Professional Electives: These courses are selected, in consultation with the advisor, to support the student’s specific career goals.  Other choices may be made available by petition to the ECE Department. List of approved Professional Electives

Computer Specifications: When looking for a computer to use for engineering classes, click here for the specifications.

The Environmental Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org

Program Educational Objectives

Program Educational Objectives are broad statements that describe what graduates are expected to attain within a few years of graduation. Program educational objectives are based on the needs of the program’s constituencies. The Program Educational Objectives help to direct and measure the success of the  Environmental Engineering Program in accomplishing its mission. Review of the Educational Objectives is an integral part of the annual assessment process.

The Environmental Engineering Program Education Objectives state that within five to ten years of graduation, environmental engineering alumni will have:

• Attained a position within the environmental engineering community through which they are able to make a positive contribution to the engineering profession and society as a whole.
• Participated in continuing education activities, such as courses taken for advanced degrees, seminars, workshops, and conferences, demonstrating their commitment to lifelong learning; and
• Advanced in their profession. Advancement may be demonstrated through achievements such as promotions and licensure.

Student Outcomes

The purpose of the Environmental Engineering degree is to prepare graduates to pursue positions within varied environmental engineering areas. 

Environmental engineering graduates from Valparaiso University will have:

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
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.

Enrollment and Graduation Data

The College of Engineering tracks its enrollment and graduation data, click the link below to view our data over the past five years.