Welcome to the undergraduate environmental engineering degree program (ENVL) at the University of British Columbia.
Environmental engineering is a broad field involving the application of engineering principles to support the health of natural systems, and to provide healthy land, water and air for habitation. It involves soil, water and air pollution control within urban, agricultural, and industrial settings, and ensures effective recycling, waste disposal, and remediation of polluted sites.
Our experienced and esteemed faculty have made significant impact to the field of environmental engineering. They are well-regarded in the community and their research has helped shape public policy. They are dedicated to educating the next generation of environmental engineers.
ENVL’s curriculum’s primary focus is to support the environment at every scale, including:
- Site-specific concerns
- The management of drainage basins
- The design of treatment facilities
- Modelling future impacts
- Informing the development of environmental policies
- And more…
Did you know? The field of environmental engineering dates back to Roman times with the construction of aqueducts to prevent droughts and to provide clean water. In addition to provisioning safe and potable water supply and adequate sanitation, the scope of environmental engineering includes:
- The provisions of a safe and potable water supply and adequate sanitation
- Waste water management
- Air and water pollution control
- Contaminated soil remediation and contaminant transport
- Recycling and resource recovery
- Environmental assessment and environmental law
Environmental engineers use the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, geology, hydraulics, microbiology and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems and issues. Environmental engineers are involved in processes that minimize or eliminate pollution, protect public health, and promote sustainability and improve ecosystem health – all without sacrificing economic viability and efficiency. Specific tasks can include:
- The design of facilities, management systems, and information systems
- The performance of impact assessments (including regulatory, sustainability, environmental, social, and risk)
- Sustainability planning and design
- Environmental policy formulation
An undergraduate degree in environmental engineering from UBC gives you the foundation needed for an incredible array of career choices or research opportunities. If you are interested in learning more about our program, please contact us.