B.S. in Environmental Engineering

NJIT offers a bachelor of science in environmental engineering effective Fall 2026.

Programs

Environmental engineering applies the principles of engineering, chemistry, biology, earth science, and fluid mechanics to design, build, and operate systems that protect public health and the natural environment. Environmental engineers draw on a rigorous foundation in mathematics and science to plan, analyze, and engineer solutions to complex problems involving water and wastewater treatment, air quality management, hazardous waste remediation, sustainability, and the stewardship of natural resources.

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Environmental engineers are problem solvers and system designers who work at the intersection of technical knowledge and societal responsibility. They apply material and energy balances, fate and transport principles, and advanced engineering analysis to design treatment systems, remediation strategies, and pollution control technologies. Their designs must account for risk, uncertainty, sustainability, life-cycle considerations, and environmental impact, ensuring that engineered solutions are safe, effective, and durable over time. Public health protection, regulatory compliance, and sustainable design are central to all aspects of the profession.

Modern tools such as computer-aided design (CAD), geographic information systems (GIS), environmental fate and transport modeling software, and data analysis platforms are integral to engineering practice in this field. Environmental engineers are equally conversant in the concepts of professional practice, project management, and the roles and responsibilities of public institutions and private organizations in shaping environmental policy and regulation.

Environmental engineers are sought by private consulting firms, government agencies, research institutions, and non-governmental organizations. Many work as design engineers, environmental compliance specialists, project managers, and regulatory analysts in technical areas ranging from water resources engineering to site remediation to sustainable infrastructure planning. Graduates are equally prepared to pursue MS and PhD degrees in environmental engineering and allied fields, as well as professional degrees in business, management, and law.

The curriculum is structured to provide a strong foundation in mathematics through differential equations, probability and statistics, calculus-based physics, chemistry, including stoichiometry, equilibrium, and kinetics , earth science, biological science, and fluid mechanics during the first two years. Junior and senior year coursework builds on this foundation through engineering science and design courses covering material and energy balances, fate and transport of substances across air, water, and soil phases, and advanced principles relevant to environmental engineering practice. The program culminates in a two-semester capstone design sequence in the senior year, in which students apply the full range of their engineering knowledge to design systems that meet real-world constraints and client needs.

Laboratory courses are integrated throughout the curriculum to provide hands-on experimental experience in more than one major environmental engineering focus area including water, air, land, and environmental health with emphasis on data collection, analysis, and engineering interpretation. The program is computer-intensive and prepares students to apply professional engineering judgment across the design process, from conceptual planning through detailed engineering and implementation.

What do Environmental Engineering Majors Do?

The environmental engineer's work begins with identifying a problem,  whether contamination of a water supply, discharge of pollutants into a waterway, accumulation of solid or hazardous waste, deteriorating air quality, or the need to engineer a more sustainable built environment. Environmental engineers investigate sites, collect and analyze environmental samples, model the fate and transport of contaminants, assess regulatory requirements, and engage with affected communities and stakeholders. They evaluate design alternatives, apply principles of risk and uncertainty, and recommend engineered solutions that balance technical performance, cost, sustainability, and life-cycle impact. They then oversee the detailed design and construction of treatment systems, remediation installations, and pollution control infrastructure. Their work spans urban and rural settings, domestic and international contexts, and public and private sectors.

Summary

Environmental engineering is a hands-on, design-intensive program in which students work on a variety of engineering analysis, design, and construction projects both in campus classrooms and laboratories, and in internships with the many environmental engineering firms, consulting practices, and public agencies in the region.

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