Environmental engineers possess the scientific and technical knowledge to identify, design, build, and operate systems that make modern society possible. In addition to being a field for doing, the environmental engineering field and environmental engineering education are multi-disciplinary. They involve traditional engineering components such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, and engineering design. But environmental engineering education and practice also includes a range of other disciplines, such as biology, microbiology, ecology, public health, geology, meteorology, economics, political science, and computer science. To address the spectrum of issues facing the environment, environmental engineers are broadly educated, as well as technically trained.
Environmental engineers work in many places.
Like most engineers, environmental engineers must have a strong background in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. They develop the ability to apply scientific principles as part of making engineering decisions. Environmental engineers are skilled at analysis and design, and they apply their knowledge to pro-tect the environment and human health. The breadth and multidisciplinary n ature of environmental issues requires that environmental engineers expand their skills beyond the range normally associated with any single engineering field. Depending upon their specific career goals, environmental engineers gain knowledge and skills in areas such as chemical technology, geology, water and atmospheric chemistry, microbiology, toxicology, hydrology, soil science, computers, economics, and law.