Learn more about the Environmental Engineering major

The US New and World Report rankings of the top Environmental and Environmental Health Engineering programs in the United States has the Via Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) ranked #9.  Environmental engineering has been a major part of the CEE Department’s academic strengths at both the undergraduate and graduate level since the 1960s.  The Environmental Engineering (EENG) Major is one of two existing majors that can be completed within the requirements of the BS Civil Engineering degree.  While the EENG Major retains the broad civil engineering disciplinary coverage of the degree it allows students to focus certain of their fundamental and elective courses in the areas of environmental and water resources engineering.  Completion of the EENG Major helps to prepare an undergraduate student for possible graduate studies in Environmental Engineering.  Also, employers looking for undergraduate hires with an emphasis towards environmental engineering would look favorably upon completion of the EENG Major.

EENG students on catalog year 2024-2025 and later can find their major requirements listed on their Undergraduate Course Catalog.  You can find your EENG Advising Guide on our ‘Checksheets and Advising Guides’ page.  

Frequently Asked Questions

• What’s the difference between Civil Engineering (CE) and Environmental Engineering (EENG)?
  Civil Engineering is an “umbrella” designation to account for the fact     that the profession is quite broad in disciplinary scope.  Within our CEE     Department are eight different and distinct focus areas that are part of     the overall civil engineering discipline.  Environmental engineering is     one of those distinct focus areas, encompassing such topics as water     and wastewater treatment, air pollution control, solid and hazardous     waste management, urban stormwater management, etc. 

• How does choice of major impact future job opportunities?
  The EENG Major requires that certain fundamental and advanced     elective courses be taken in Environmental and Water Resources     Engineering.  Completion of those courses as part of the EENG Major     may generate enhanced interest from employers looking specifically to     hire students with an environmental engineering focus to their studies.      However, the EENG Major also requires students to complete     coursework across a broad spectrum of the civil engineering discipline.      As such completion of the EENG Major should not hinder a graduate     from pursuing employment in other civil engineering practice areas. 

• What opportunities are available within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering?
  All students in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering will participate in coursework that includes hands on learning in laboratory classes as well as the opportunity to collaborate with peers. Students will complete a real life engineering project in an area of interest in an upper level design course.
  There are also several student organizations relevant to the fields of civil and environmental engineering as well as opportunities to participate in undergraduate research with faculty in the department.
  
  
• Can I major in both CE and EENG?
  Students may not major in both Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering due to the large amount of overlap in curriculum between the two majors.
  
  
• How do I change my major to Environmental Engineering?
  Students may change their primary major in Hokie Spa during three designated change of major periods each year. Change of major dates and instructions are available here.
  
  
• Can I change from one CEE major to another?
  Yes. Students with a declared major in Civil Engineering may request to change majors to Environmental Engineering and vice versa.