Prepare for the challenges of sustainability and resiliency.
The Bachelor of Science program in Environmental Engineering in the College of Engineering prepares the next generation of leaders in climate solutions, sustainable infrastructure, and environmental protection. Students in the EnvE major gain a rigorous foundation in engineering while exploring the interdisciplinary challenges shaping our planet’s future.
As an environmental engineer, you will conduct cutting-edge research to help support aging infrastructure and develop critical systems that are reliable and resilient in the face of natural disasters such as earthquakes and flooding. The Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering is a worldwide leader in developing engineering solutions to large-scale issues. Our undergraduate major and graduate programs consistently rank in the top-two programs nationwide and attract students from around the world to learn under top-tier faculty.
Highlights
- Get involved with CEE student organizations and competition teams.
- Connect with peers in the ASCE Student Symposium.
- Apply to the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program in CEE.
Curriculum
The Environmental Engineering major curriculum requires students to explore all of the subfields of environmental engineering including water quality engineering, air quality engineering, hydrology, and geoenvironmental engineering. Students are also trained in two critical emergent issues that touch on all aspects of environmental engineering: environmental justice and climate change.
The undergraduate major program offers a rich selection of specialized coursework including technical electives, project management/environmental policy courses, and an environmental humanities class. Students also complete a capstone course in which they apply their environmental engineering training to real-world design problems.
Learn more at ce.berkeley.edu/undergrad/cee-majors
Study Options
The Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering offers undergraduate majors in Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering as well as minors in Environmental Engineering, Geosystems Engineering, and Structural Engineering. A major in Environmental Engineering Science is also offered through the Engineering Science Program. For help deciding between major programs, see the Environmental Engineering Degree Comparison Chart on the CEE website.
Admission to the Major
First-year and transfer students accepted to UC Berkeley and who selected Environmental Engineering on their undergraduate admissions application will be admitted directly to the College of Engineering and the EnvE major.
It is rare but possible for students within the College of Engineering to transfer into the Environmental Engineering program from another Engineering major, or add Environmental Engineering as a second major. For more information on admission to the major, visit ce.berkeley.edu/undergrad/prospective-students.
A degree in Environmental Engineering prepares graduates for professional practice as well as MS and PhD programs. Alumni will work in areas such as air and water quality, waste management, industrial hygiene, radiation protection, public health, and land and wildlife management. Employers include testing laboratories, research firms, consulting companies, industry, local water, sewer, health, and public works departments, public interest organizations, construction companies, and state and federal departments of environment and conservation.
UC Berkeley offers a number of career resources for students studying Environmental Engineering. Engineering Student Services in the College of Engineering assists students with career and job-search planning and advises students interested in applying to graduate school. ESS also connects students with employers as well as graduate and professional schools. Additionally, Berkeley Career Engagement provides career counseling, professional and graduate school advising, job and internship listings, and events such as career and graduate school fairs.
Employment
We expect alumni will find employment in a variety of fields and industries after graduation. Examples include:
- Air Quality Engineer
- Consultant
- Design Engineer
- Planning Officer
- Policy Director
- Project Manager
- Remediation Engineer
- Stormwater Project Manager
- Wastewater Engineer
- Water Infrastructure Planning Engineer
- Water Reuse Engineer
Graduate Study
Alumni pursue graduate education to gain more depth of knowledge in their field as well as prepare for jobs that require advanced degrees. Examples include:
- Architecture
- Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
- City Planning
- Civil Engineering
- Climate Science
- Development Practice
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Geography
- Mechanical Engineering
- Public Policy
- Systems Engineering
Tina Chow, Faculty
Tina Katopodes Chow is the Fred and Claire Sauer Chancellor's Chair professor in Environmental Engineering. Her research focus is numerical modeling of the atmospheric boundary layer, which is used to improve predictions for wildfire smoke transport, urban dispersion, greenhouse gas emissions, and wind energy, among other applications.
Professor Chow leads a community outreach project in the San Joaquin Valley to build low-cost air purifiers and teach families how air purifiers can be used to clean the air we breathe indoors. EnvE majors are welcome to spend Earth Day volunteering with the project!
First Year
Plan Your Studies
- Familiarize yourself with the Undergraduate Guide and EnvE requirements and sample program plans.
- Meet with your ESS advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Begin lower division chemistry, math, physics, biology, and data science.
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar, Berkeley Changemaker, or DeCal course.
- Sign up for the ESS podcast and newsletter, and ENGIN 98 The Insider’s Guide to Berkeley Engineering.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Explore the Grimes Engineering Center.
- Sign up for the Engineering Mentorship Program.
- Join an Engineering student group like the American Society of Civil Engineers or Cal Enviro.
- Find academic support at the CAEE and Student Learning Center.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Check out design programs and resources at the Jacobs Institute.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Engineering and CEE websites.
- Begin making a plan to get career ready.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Start using Handshake to connect with career events and opportunities.
- Look into UC LEADS and the Goldwater Scholarship.
Second Year
Plan Your Studies
- Complete lower division requirements in math and basic science; begin engineering coursework.
- Continue exploring with a Sophomore Seminar or Big Ideas course.
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language; see resources from the department and options for Environmental Engineering abroad.
- Enrich your studies with a certificate or minor such as CalTeach or Global Poverty and Practice.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend Engineering and CEE events like the ENV Seminar.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Explore research opportunities from Engineering, CEE, and OURS; apply to URAP or Bakar Ignite Scholars to work on a faculty project.
- Get involved with a CEE competition team and connect with peers at the ASCE Student Symposium.
- Learn about research and resources at the Berkeley Water Center.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields.
- Browse graduate school resources from the Graduate Division and BCE.
- Sign up for an ESS workshop on grad school preparation, resume review, or other career topics.
Third Year
Plan Your Studies
- Begin upper division coursework in environmental justice, civil engineering, and climate change; enroll in humanities/social science courses and a technical elective.
- Review your degree progress with your ESS advisor.
- Consider applying to the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program; look into Haas Scholars.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Share your voice in an Engineering college committee.
- Help other students as an ESS Peer Advisor or EMP Mentor.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Address real-world problems in the Fung Fellowship or Big Ideas Contest.
- Interested in entrepreneurship? Check out the Sutardja Center, Accel Scholars, and Berkeley SkyDeck.
- Design and manufacture projects at Jacobs Hall makerspaces.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
- Join a professional association such as the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists.
- Interested in public service careers? Look into the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, and Truman Scholarship.
- Connect with alumni groups such as Berkeley Engineering.
Fourth Year
Plan Your Studies
- Lighten your course load as much as possible to allow time for job and graduate school applications.
- Focus on upper division coursework in civil engineering, project management/environmental policy, environmental humanities, and humanities/social science; enroll in a technical elective and your capstone course.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching ENGIN 98 or your own DeCal course.
- Introduce youth to STEM through the Lawrence Hall of Science or student groups BEAM and PiE.
- Volunteer at (CEE)2 events such as Campus Visit Day.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs; consider the Hertz Fellowship or NSF Graduate Research Fellowship.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs such as the CEE Career Fair.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services; check out info for Engineering and CEE alumni.
Summer
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course like CIVENG 93.
- Learn the art of STEM communication in ENGIN 185 Science Writing.
- Get immersed in design innovation with the Berkeley Engineering Design Scholars Program.
- Participate in an NSF research experience or DOE lab internship.
- Consider a summer internship or study abroad; explore scholarships and study trips through the GLOBE Center.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate such as Data Science, Global Public Health, or Sustainability.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
First Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Familiarize yourself with the Undergraduate Guide and EnvE requirements and sample program plans.
- Meet with your ESS advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Work on lower division requirements in civil engineering and data science; begin upper division environmental core coursework.
- Sign up for the ESS podcast and newsletter.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Explore the Grimes Engineering Center and Engineering Transfer Center.
- Sign up for the Engineering Mentorship Program.
- Join an Engineering student group like the American Society of Civil Engineers or Cal Enviro.
- Find academic support at the CAEE and Student Learning Center.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Check out design programs and resources at the Jacobs Institute.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Engineering and CEE websites.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Look into UC LEADS and the Goldwater Scholarship.
Second Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Complete lower division requirements; enroll in upper division environmental core, environmental justice, and environmental humanities courses.
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language; see resources from the department and options for Environmental Engineering abroad.
- Enrich your studies with a certificate or minor such as CalTeach or Global Poverty and Practice.
- Consider applying to the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program; look into Haas Scholars.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend Engineering and CEE events like the ENV Seminar.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Get involved with a CEE competition team and connect with peers at the ASCE Student Symposium.
- Browse research opportunities from Engineering, CEE, and OURS; apply to URAP or Bakar Ignite Scholars to work on a faculty project.
- Learn about research and resources at the Berkeley Water Center.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields.
- Browse graduate school resources from the Graduate Division and BCE.
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
- Sign up for an ESS workshop on grad school preparation, resume review, or other career topics.
Third Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Keep working on upper division requirements including environmental and environmental engineering core courses; enroll in ENGIN 7.
- Review your degree progress with your ESS advisor.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Share your voice in an Engineering college committee.
- Help other students as an ESS Peer Advisor or EMP Mentor.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Address real-world problems in the Fung Fellowship or Big Ideas Contest.
- Interested in entrepreneurship? Check out the Sutardja Center, Accel Scholars, and Berkeley SkyDeck.
- Design and manufacture projects at Jacobs Hall makerspaces.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Join a professional association such as the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists.
- Interested in public service careers? Look into the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, and Truman Scholarship.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs; consider the Hertz Fellowship or NSF Graduate Research Fellowship.
Fourth + Fifth Semesters
Plan Your Studies
- Lighten your course load as much as possible to allow time for job and graduate school applications.
- Enroll in upper division environmental core, climate change, and humanities/social science courses, as well as a technical elective.
- Focus on upper division coursework and your capstone project.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Introduce youth to STEM through the Lawrence Hall of Science or student groups BEAM and PiE.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Volunteer at (CEE)2 events such as Campus Visit Day.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs such as the CEE Career Fair.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Connect with alumni groups such as Berkeley Engineering.
- Learn about alumni career services; check out info for Engineering and CEE alumni.
Summer
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course like CIVENG 93.
- Learn the art of STEM communication in ENGIN 185 Science Writing.
- Get immersed in design innovation with the Berkeley Engineering Design Scholars Program.
- Participate in an NSF research experience or DOE lab internship.
- Consider a summer internship or study abroad; explore scholarships and study trips through the GLOBE Center.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate such as Data Science, Global Public Health, or Sustainability.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
Undergraduate Advising
Have questions about Environmental Engineering or the College of Engineering?
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers undergraduate advising for students interested in the Civil Engineering or Environmental Engineering majors. The Department Advisor can answer questions about programs, facilities, research opportunities, and other department-specific subjects. Your Faculty Advisor helps with technical course selection, course planning, research opportunities, and how to prepare for graduate school or your first job. For advising hours and contacts, visit ce.berkeley.edu/undergrad/advising or email cee-ug@berkeley.edu.
Engineering Student Services in the College of Engineering offers extensive programs and support services to help you navigate your academic path. Your ESS Advisor assists with degree requirements, academic policies and procedures, course selection, enrichment opportunities, and campus resources. ESS Peer Advisors are available to discuss life in the college, navigating the University, and other topics. For additional information, visit engineering.berkeley.edu.
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