Environmental engineers work to minimize the impact of engineering and technology on the natural world. Their interests include water purification, pollution control, public health, recycling, waste disposal, and sustainable design and manufacturing.
The School of Engineering introduced the concentration in environmental engineering in 2013, in response to both the growing importance of the field and student interest. The curriculum is based on the “standard” engineering core curriculum, but also includes key pre-requisites in biology and environmental science and geological sciences. The concentration currently has two options. The first focuses on energy and power, while the second focuses on chemical and biological technology.
The program will seek accreditation from the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (www.abet.org) during Brown's upcoming review period in 2020-2021 when the rest of the School of Engineering's existing accredited programs will be reviewed.
The concentration has the following general structure:
- The interdisiciplinary core for the Engineering Sc.B, taken during the first two years
- Additional courses in biology, environmental sciences, and geological sciences
- Upper level science and engineering courses
- Four approved humanities courses