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Civil and Environmental Engineering Program Objectives

Photographic Essay on Environmental Engineering

Rountree Branch Watershed Study

The environmental engineering program at UW-Platteville is designed to give students a broad background in environmental engineering as well as civil engineering basics such as surveying, fluid mechanics and geotechnical engineering. Practical applications are emphasized with sufficient theory so that the individual can grow with the future as new materials, methods, and designs develop. Environmental engineering was historically an area of "emphasis", or a sub-discipline of civil engineering, a traditionally strong program at UW-Platteville. The environmental emphasis in civil engineering remains, but a new program offering a degree in Environmental Engineering was recently developed to provide students a more in-depth program of study in the field. While many graduate programs exist, Environmental Engineering at UW-Platteville is the only undergraduate program in the state of Wisconsin, and one of only a few available in the Midwest.

Students must first complete basic courses in mathematics, physics, and chemistry, and must learn to communicate in written, oral, and graphic forms as well as through the use of computers. In addition to many basic engineering courses, students take courses in microbiology, organic chemistry, geology and required and elective courses in several environmental engineering areas. Electives in the social sciences and humanities add perspective, allowing students to recognize and understand some of the non-engineering systems and forces at work in the world.

What is Environmental Engineering?

Environmental engineering has developed from the historical branch of civil engineering known as sanitary engineering involving drinking water and wastewater treatment. Following rapid growth in the 1970s and 1980s, this truly interdisciplinary field involves the application of scientific and engineering principles to improve and maintain the environment for the protection of human health, for the protection of nature's beneficial ecosystems and biodiversity, and for environment-related enhancement of the quality of human life. Through education and experience, environmental engineers develop an understanding of the earth's biological, chemical, physical and geological systems. They use this information to develop engineering plans to design solutions for environmental problems caused by pollution. They are also being increasingly called upon to develop pollution prevention plans to keep environmental problems from occurring in the first place.

Environmental engineers often work with civil engineers as consultants on projects, but may work with engineers and scientists from all disciplines, as well as government regulators and officials, private and municipal agencies, industries, and public-interest groups.

Civil & Environmental Engineering Program Objectives

Our goal is to provide students with a professional practice-oriented educational background that will enable them to enter and succeed in their future careers. Specific objectives for attaining this goal are:

  1. Successfully apply technical knowledge to solve engineering problems.
  2. Effectively and accurately communicate technical information orally and in writing.
  3. Demonstrated progress towards obtaining professional engineering licensure.
Areas of Study in Environmental Engineering
  • Air pollution control
  • Bioassays (biological indicators of pollution)
  • Drinking water treatment
  • Environmental and occupational health
  • Environmental chemistry
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • Groundwater hydrology and remediation
  • Hazardous waste management
  • Solid waste management
  • Surface water quality
  • Wastewater treatment (domestic and industrial)
  • Water and sewer system design (applied hydraulics)
  • Water resources and hydrology