Nov 27, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Environmental Engineering B.S.E.V.

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TOTAL DEGREE HOURS: 120
Plans of Study

Environmental engineers solve complex problems, supporting human and environmental needs while mitigating adverse environmental, health, and economic impacts associated with human activities. The degree is an interdisciplinary engineering program designed to provide students with a strong foundation in both theoretical and applied aspects of environmental engineering. It emphasizes traditional areas of transport, fate, and treatment of chemical, physical, and microbial pollutants in water, air, and soil along with important 21st-century themes of infrastructure, sustainability, health, data science, community engagement, and global citizenship. Coursework covers fundamental science and engineering concepts applied to environmental processes, natural and built environments, and engineering design, as well as applied learning experiences including community-engaged laboratory projects and a capstone design course that partners with stakeholders to solve local environmental problems.    

Graduates are trained to integrate considerations of risk, uncertainty, sustainability, life-cycle principles, and environmental impacts into their problem solving, to apply concepts of professional practice and project management, and to understand the roles and responsibilities of public institutions and private organizations pertaining to environmental policy and regulations. The world needs environmental engineers to provide economic and social opportunities for: an increasing population, reliable water and wastewater systems, improved air quality and transportation systems, protection of public and environmental health, management of nutrient pollution that adversely impacts water bodies, ecosystem and brownfield restoration, other infrastructure improvements, advancing global health and food systems, managing wastes in a more sustainable manner, and developing strategies to mitigate global climate change. Graduates have local and global employment opportunities with industry, engineering design firms, local/state/federal governments, and nongovernmental organizations, along with numerous opportunities to advance their education at the Master’s or Ph.D. levels.

Certified Global Pathway
This program has been certified as a Global Pathway, which has significant global content. Students in Global Pathway programs are well positioned to earn the Global Citizen Award. For more information, visit the Office of High-Impact Practices and Undergraduate Research website.

Mission Statement

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of South Florida will provide undergraduate students with strong, broad-based, engineering education which gives them the basic intellectual and organization skills that allow them to work with complex systems with technological, social and environmental components.

As many of the major’s graduates begin work upon graduation in industry or with governmental organizations, the curriculum is designed to prepare students for these roles by requiring a number of courses in the various fields of environmental engineering and by providing limited specialization in one given area. The curriculum is designed to encourage lifelong learning and to prepare students for undertaking advanced studies in engineering or in other professional areas.

Program Educational Objectives and Student Outcomes

The Environmental Engineering major and curriculum of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering are designed to meet the needs of all students within the context of the Major’s Mission Statement. The Major Educational Objectives associated with the Major’s Mission Statement are:

  1. Graduates apply their technical and civic knowledge and a systems approach in developing smart, sustainable, and inclusive solutions for critical infrastructures that protect public health and well-being and the environment while promoting safety.
  2. Graduates engage meaningfully and effectively with diverse local, state, and global stakeholders and communities to develop environmental engineering solutions.
  3. Graduates behave ethically and responsibly, continue their professional development, and participate fully in their profession and society.

The following list defines the Student Outcomes of the Civil and Environmental Engineering program:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics (critical thinking skill)
  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 (critical thinking skill).
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences (communication skill).
  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 (critical thinking skill).
  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 (communication skill).
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions (critical thinking skill).
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies (critical thinking skill).

ABET accreditation program criteria also require that graduates of the program have the ability to design environmental engineering systems that include considerations of risk, uncertainty, sustainability, life-cycle principles, and environmental impacts, to apply concepts of professional practice and project management, and to understand the roles and responsibilities of public institutions and private organizations pertaining to environmental policy and regulations.  A cumulating capstone design experiences allows students to use modern engineering techniques, skills and tools to design appropriate environmental systems to meet the needs of a local community.

Assessment of student learning outcomes will be performed through a variety of mechanisms that include core task assessments, examinations, assignments, and capstone experiences. Also, students’ achievement of the identified core learning outcomes will be measured. The results of the assessments will be used to improve student achievement and program effectiveness.

University Admissions - College of Engineering

Admission to the University is based on the University’s Undergraduate Admission Requirements that may be found by clicking on the following urls:

For Admission information specific to the College of Engineering, see the information at College of Engineering .

Progression Requirements in the Upper Division - Environmental Engineering B.S.E.V.

Environmental Engineering students who have fully met the below requirements and are in good academic standing, may progress into the upper division of the major. Prior to progression into the upper division, a student may be permitted to take no more than two departmental Engineering courses. The Department may have continuation requirements that specify minimum performance standards in core Engineering courses that must be met before further registration in the Department is granted.

  1. Completion of each of the following prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of a C in each course and a 3.0 GPA (based on best attempt with a maximum of two attempts):
  2. A minimum overall GPA of 2.0
  3. A minimum USF GPA of 2.0

Minimum Continuation Requirements - Environmental Engineering B.S.E.V.

Continuation requires a minimum grade of C-, as well as a 2.5 GPA (based on best attempt), for the following courses:

Departmental Policies

In addition to the College’s graduation requirements, the department has the following policies:

  • All students must participate in mandatory advising prior to each term.
  • All students must participate in department assessment activities and successfully complete an exit interview before graduating.
  • All students must consider the advice of the Department to complete and pass the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (F.E. Exam).
  • All students must periodically provide writing samples as part of the department’s writing assessment program. Students must pass the capstone design course with a grade of C- or better during the calendar year of graduation.
  • All students must pass the capstone design course with a grade of C- or better during the calendar year of graduation.

Required Courses: (108 credit hours)

State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites - Environmental Engineering B.S.E.V. (31 credit hours)*

Following Florida BOG Regulation 8.010, state mandated common course prerequisites are lower-division courses that are required for progression into the upper division of a particular baccalaureate degree program. 

Transfer students should complete the State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites at the lower level prior to entering the university. If these courses are not taken at a Florida College System institution, they must be completed before the degree is granted. Successful completion of the common prerequisites alone does not guarantee a student admission into the degree program.

Unless stated otherwise, a grade of C is the minimum acceptable grade in prerequisite courses.

  • MAC X311 OR MAC X281 - 4 credit hours
  • MAC X312 OR MAC X282 - 4 credit hours
  • MAC X313 OR MAC X283 - 4 credit hours
  • MAP X302 OR MAP X305 - 3 credit hours
  • (CHM X045 AND CHM X045L) OR CHM X045C OR (CHS X440 AND CHS X440L) - 4 credit hours
  • (CHM X046 AND CHM X046L) OR CHM X046C - 4 credit hours
  • (PHY X048 AND PHY X048L) OR PHY X048C - 4 credit hours
  • (PHY X049 AND PHY X049L) OR PHY X049C OR (PHY X044 AND PHY X049L) - 4 credit hours

* All state common prerequisite courses count towards major-required Mathematics and Science courses and are not additional credit hours

FOR ALL MAJORS: Students are strongly encouraged to select required lower division electives that will enhance their general education coursework and that will support their intended baccalaureate degree program. Students should consult with an academic advisor in their major degree area.

State Mathematics Pathway – Environmental Engineering B.S.E.V. (7 Credit Hours)*

The Environmental Engineering B.S.E.V. uses the Algebra through Calculus Mathematics Pathway with the following requirements:

Required Supporting Courses: 4 courses; 10 credit hours

The following courses are supporting courses for this major. They are required for the major, but are not counted in the total major hours but are counted toward the total program hours of 120 credit hours. The degree will not be awarded if these courses have not been taken by the end of the student’s final semester.

Major Core Courses: 34 courses; 89 credit hours

Math and Science Courses: 12 courses; 31 credit hours

Basic Engineering Courses: 6 courses; 15 credit hours

Continuation Courses: 2 courses; 6 credit hours

Specialization Courses: 13 courses; 34 credit hours

Capstone Design Course: 1 course; 3 credit hours

Unrestrictive/General Electives: 9 credit hours

The Department suggests the following list of technical electives student make take to supplement their Environmental Engineering knowledge and meet the credit hour requirements of the degree program. The courses may be utilized to fulfill unrestricted/general electives.

Basic and Environmental Sciences Technical Elective Options

Critical Infrastructure Technical Elective Options

Data Science Technical Elective Options

Health and Safety Technical Elective Options

Energy Technical Elective Options

Global Citizens Technical Elective Options

Education Abroad Technical Elective Option

Students are able to take 3-6 credit hours of their Technical electives through education abroad programs. The specific education abroad course(s) must be approved in advance by the Department.

Additional Information - Environmental Engineering B.S.E.V.

GPA Requirements

Students must have and maintain a minimum 2.0 semester GPA, 2.0 Basic Engineering GPA, 2.0 Specialization GPA, 2.0 USF GPA, 2.0 overall GPA, and 2.5 continuation GPA.

Grading Requirements

Unless otherwise stated, the minimum acceptable grade in all BSENV required courses is a C- or higher.

A total of only two D grades are allowed in all BSENV required Basic Engineering, and most specialization courses.

Residency Requirements

Transfer students must complete a minimum number of approved Specialization courses in the major at USF. The minimum number of USF Specialization credit hours required is established by the respective academic department. In no case will this be less than 18 hours. Basic Engineering courses are not considered Specialization courses. The University residency requirement must also be met.

A dual degree student must meet the requirements of each major and have a minimum of 18 approved Specialization hours taken in the degree-granting department beyond those Specialization hours required for the first degree.

Internship Opportunities

The College of Engineering and USF’s Center for Career and Professional Development Cooperative Education (Co-Op) program provides services for students interested in experiential educational experiences. A wide variety of industries and government agencies offer internships and cooperative education employment opportunities for engineering students. Participants gain valuable expertise in practical applications and other aspects of operations and development in a professional engineering environment. Students normally apply for participation in this program during their first year in the College of Engineering and pursue actual internships during their sophomore, junior and senior years. 

Accreditation Information

The Environmental Engineering (B.S.) program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Environmental Engineering and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Research Opportunities - College of Engineering

Undergraduate students in any degree program are able to participate in undergraduate research. Several options exist to show mentored undergraduate research activity on a student’s official transcript. Those who wish to enroll in an undergraduate research course should consult with their academic advisor to understand how the credit will apply towards the degree requirements. If no credit is needed, students may be eligible to enroll in the 0-credit IDS 4914 - Advanced Undergraduate Research Experience  course. This course will not impact degree credits or GPA but will show on an official transcript and document the experience. The Office of High Impact Practices and Undergraduate Research (HIPUR) is able to assist with further inquiries.

Advising Information - Environmental Engineering B.S.E.V.

All incoming freshman and transfer students must meet with one of the college advisors in the Engineering Student Services (ESS).

Engineering Student Services

Office: Engineering Building III (ENC) 1302
Phone: (813) 974-2684
Email: eng-advisingmail@usf.edu
Website: https://www.usf.edu/engineering/student-services/

Plans of Study - Environmental Engineering B.S.E.V.

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