Area of Specialization Options

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Environmental Option

Chemical engineers are uniquely qualified to contribute to the solution of environmental problems and to design processes and products that minimize environmental hazards.  

Chemical engineers play a pivotal role in developing pollution prevention strategies by improving and replacing current products and processes. Upcoming efforts will focus on integrating the design and production of goods with their ultimate disposal and reuse. Chemical engineers provide the means to not only prevent pollution, but move to the concept of creating a sustainable society where most products are recycled repeatedly.

This option is particularly appropriate for students who plan to work in the application and development of technologies and processes that prevent pollution and eliminate waste.  

Area Elective Courses

Complete at least nine credit hours of specialization courses from one of the following three sub-areas.

Broad Environmental

• ENV4612 Green Engineering, Design, & Sustainability  (3 credits)
• ENV4514C Water & Wastewater Engineering Treatment (3 credits)
• ENV4101 Elements of Atmospheric Pollution (3 credits)

Wastewater Treatment

• ENV4514C Water & Wastewater Engineering Treatment (3 credits)
• ENV4405 Nutrient  Control & Water Reuse (3 credits)
• EES4102 Wastewater Microbiology (2 credits)
• EES4102L Environmental Biology Laboratory (1 credit)

Air Pollution

• ENV4101 Elements of Atmospheric Pollution (3 credits)
• ENV4121 Air Pollution Control Design (3 credits)
• ENV4612 Green Engineering Design & Sustainability (3 credits)

Waste Management

Waste Management provides depth in the vital fundamental areas of Hazardous Waste Materials, Law and Administration, Safety, Toxicology, Statistics, Transportation, and Emergency Spill Response and Control. 

• Pollution Prevention
• Solid Waste Engineering
• Solid and Hazardous Waste Management
• Introduction to Ecosystem Analysis and Environmental Science

Advanced Chemistry Elective Course

Understanding environmental processes often requires biochemistry and environmental monitoring systems typically involve some form of sensing and chemical analysis technology. Complete at least three credit hours from the following advanced chemistry elective courses:

• CHM 4130 Instrumental Analysis (3 credits)
• CHM 4130L Instrumental Analysis Laboratory (2 credits)
• CHM 3218 Bioorganic Chemistry (4 credits)
• CHM 4207 Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (4 credits)
• BCH 4024 Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (4 credits)
• CHM 4302L Laboratory in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2 credits)

Chemical Engineering Elective Course

Complete at least one of the following chemical engineering elective courses:

• ECH 4827 Complex Fluids
• ECH 5938 Topics in Colloid Science
• ECH 4664 Advance Process Design
• a Graduate Chemical Engineering Course (Must satisfy requirements for taking graduate courses as an undergraduate and must have approval of instructor)

Other Courses to Consider

The environmental area is very broad and there are many areas of specialization and sophisticated technologies. Also the discipline requires life-long learning to maintain and develop new capabilities as the technology and environmental systems are better understood.  Several courses are suggested:

• Engineering Control of Industrial Hazards
• Environmental Science and Engineering
• Biochemical Engineering
• Hazardous Waste Management
• Energy and the Environment
• Global Climate Change
• Environmental Statistics

Note that these additional courses are not required and must be taken outside of the degree program.

Certificate of Completion

A Certificate of Completion will be awarded at the exit interview of the graduation term.

The elective courses in the Environmental option also provide a means to obtain a minor (with certificate) in Environmental Studies. 

Employment Opportunities

Chemical engineers with environmental interests and capabilities work in industry as employees or as consultants, in government agencies, in universities and institutes as teachers and researchers.  There are engineers working public policy analysis, law, lobbying and public relations because they have a clear, thorough understanding of the problems and the possibilities for change. During several decades following the 1970s, the government regulations were the leading impetus for companies to develop environmentally responsible processes.  More recently, industry is taking it upon themselves to improve their plants and processes to provide sustainable and environmentally sound processes.

More Information

See Dr. Svoronos for more information about study options in this area and possible careers.