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College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering

Environmental Engineering, Bachelor of Science

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This program provides a strong foundation in engineering and design principles and applies biological, chemical, and physical content to technical problems in water and wastewater engineering, air quality and pollution control, waste management and public health. Students graduating from this program can design solutions to complex environmental problems and are prepared to become registered professional engineers specializing in environmental engineering in their future careers.

This program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org

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Academic Catalog - 2025-2026

College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering

Environmental Engineering, Bachelor of Science

Careers

What Can I Do with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering?

Society's demand for essentials such as clean air, food and water, sustainable land use and consumer products pose large-scale, practical problems. Environmental engineers use engineering, biological and chemical principles to design and operate pollution control and impact mitigation systems. Learn to be part of the solution to some of society's greatest challenges when you study environmental engineering at NAU. Taught by faculty who are also registered professional engineers, you will have multiple opportunities for undergraduate research and hands-on experience, including coursework in our four-year Design4Practice program. This program leads to exciting careers in the public or private sectors where you can make a difference.

Career opportunities that might be pursued:

City or county planning agency
Construction firm
Consulting engineering firm
Federal or state agency

With further education, one of these paths is possible:

Environmental engineer
Researcher Environmental
Policy analyst
University professor

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Academic Catalog - 2025-2026

College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering

Environmental Engineering, Bachelor of Science

University Requirements

To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the general studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
- All of Northern Arizona University's general studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
- All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
- At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
- At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
- A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.
The full policy can be viewed here.

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Academic Catalog - 2025-2026

College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering

Environmental Engineering, Bachelor of Science

Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

55 - 57 units of preprofessional requirements

46 units of major courses

Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy General Studies Requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.

For this major the General studies prefix is CENE

Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion	120
Highest Mathematics Required	MAT 239
University Honors Program	Optional
Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan	Optional
AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-S	Recommended
Progression Plan Link	Not Available

Purpose Statement

Society's demand for essentials such as clean air, food and water, sustainable land use and consumer products pose large-scale, practical problems. Environmental engineers use engineering, biological and chemical principles to design and operate pollution control and impact mitigation systems. Environmental engineering is a newer engineering discipline, growing out of civil and chemical engineering. This exciting engineering field requires a solid understanding of core concepts including mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, statics, thermodynamics, surveying, and fluid hydraulics. These courses serve as a basis for advanced content in:

Air quality, emissions, and pollution control (sampling, modeling, and the design of devices to remove particulate and gaseous pollutants)
Water and wastewater quality and treatment (sampling, modeling, and the design of biological/chemical/physical treatment methods for large and small communities)
Hazardous and solid waste engineering (site assessment, risk assessment, remediation methods, landfill design)
Environmental health (toxicology, industrial hygiene, ecological impacts)

In addition to this content, our environmental engineering curriculum will provide you with a solid foundation in design, project management and preparation for professional licensure.

Student Learning Outcomes

Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
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.
Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
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.
Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

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Academic Catalog - 2025-2026

College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering

Environmental Engineering, Bachelor of Science

Details

Major Requirements

This major requires 101 - 103 units distributed as follows:
- Preprofessional Requirements: 55 - 57 units
  - Mathematics and Science Courses: 39 - 41 units
  - Engineering Science Courses: 13 units
  - Additional Requirements: 3 units
- Major Courses: 40 units
- Technical Coursework: 6 units
Take the following 101 - 103 units:

Preprofessional Requirements (55 - 57 units)

- Mathematics and Science Courses (39 - 41 units)
  - CHM 151*, CHM 151L*, CHM 152* (8 units)
  - MAT 136*, MAT 137*, MAT 238*, MAT 239* (15 units)
  - PHY 161*, PHY 262* (7 units)
  - Select one from the following (3 units)
    - BIO 100*, BIO 181*
  - Select one from the following (3 - 4 units):
    - CHM 230* (3 units)
    - CHM 235* (4 units)
  - Select one from the following (3 - 4 units):
    - ENV 115 (3 units)
    - FOR 213 (3 units)
    - GSP 365 (4 units)

- Engineering Science Courses (13 units)
  - CENE 186*, CENE 225*, CENE 251*, CENE 286*

- Additional Requirements (3 units)
  - Select one from the following (3 units):
    - PHI 105, PHI 331, PHI 334

Major Courses (40 units)
- CENE 150*, CENE 280*, CENE 281L*, CENE 283L*, CENE 330, CENE 332*, CENE 333*, CENE 335*, CENE 336*, CENE 410L, CENE 434, CENE 480 (32 units)
- CENE 386W* which meets the junior-level writing requirement (3 units)
- CENE 476* and CENE 486C together meet the senior capstone requirement (5 units)

Technical Coursework (6 units)
- Select from the following (6 units):
  - CENE 419, CENE 430, CENE 440, CENE 460, CENE 462, CENE 470, CENE 471, CENE 485, CENE 497, CENE 499, CENE 503, CENE 530, CENE 531, CENE 539, CENE 540, CENE 560, CENE 562, CENE 565, CENE 568, CENE 582, CENE 599
  - GLG 451

*Prerequisites to Engineering coursework that must be completed with a Grade of 'C' or better in each course. In addition, ENG 105 must be completed with a Grade of 'C' or better.

You may not have more than one grade of 'D' in your required engineering, mathematics, and science courses.

If you wish to enhance your education in the area of civil engineering, chemistry, mechanical engineering, or mathematics, you can easily pursue a minor in each discipline with the addition of a small number of courses and by consulting with the respective disciplinary advisor.

Program Objectives:

Our overarching learning goals are stated as our Program Objectives; within three to five years of obtaining a bachelor's degree, a graduate is expected to achieve the following:
- Be employed in the engineering field or pursuing a formal academic program of study.
- Have a demonstrated commitment to lifelong learning by participating in professional development activities.
- Be a registered professional engineer or be in the process of becoming a professional engineer.
- Demonstrate leadership through increasing responsibilities.
- Engage in activities that benefit others outside of their employment.

Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program

- This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a master's degree while simultaneously completing their bachelor's degree.

- Students enrolled at the Flagstaff Campus for both undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering and start a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering at NAU

- Students must apply to the master's program by the graduate program's application deadline, meet all admissions requirements listed in the policy Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Programs, as well as the admissions requirements for the specified master's plan to be considered for admission. Admission to programs is competitive and qualified applicants may be denied because of limits on the number of students admitted each year.
  
  Be sure to speak with the Master's Program Director/Coordinator regarding your interest in the accelerated plan.

- Students accepted into the Accelerated Program should complete the following requirements:

- Major Requirements
  
  This major requires 101 - 103 units distributed as follows:
  - Preprofessional Requirements: 55 - 57 units
    - Mathematics and Science Courses: 39 - 41 units
    - Engineering Science Courses: 13 units
    - Additional Requirements: 3 units
  - Major Courses: 40 units
  - Technical Coursework: 6 units
  Take the following 101 - 103 units:

- Preprofessional Requirements (55 - 57 units)

- - Mathematics and Science Courses (39 - 41 units)
    - CHM 151*, CHM 151L*, CHM 152* (8 units)
    - MAT 136*, MAT 137*, MAT 238*, MAT 239* (15 units)
    - PHY 161*, PHY 262* (7 units)
    - Select one from the following (3 units)
      - BIO 100*, BIO 181*
    - Select one from the following (3 - 4 units):
      - CHM 230* (3 units)
      - CHM 235* (4 units)
    - Select one from the following (3 - 4 units):
      - ENV 115 (3 units)
      - FOR 213 (3 units)
      - GSP 365 (4 units)

- - Engineering Science Courses (13 units)
    - CENE 186*, CENE 225*, CENE 251*, CENE 286*

- - Additional Requirements (3 units)
    - Select one from the following (3 units):
      - PHI 105, PHI 331, PHI 334

- Major Courses (40 units):
  - CENE 150*, CENE 280*, CENE 281L*, CENE 283L*, CENE 330, CENE 332*, CENE 333*, CENE 335*, CENE 336*, CENE 410L, CENE 434, CENE 480 (32 units)
  - CENE 386W* which meets the junior-level writing requirement (3 units)
  - CENE 476* and CENE 486C together meet the senior capstone requirement (5 units)

- Technical Coursework (60 units)
  - Select from the following (0 - 3 units):
    - CENE 419, CENE 430, CENE 440, CENE 460, CENE 462, CENE 470, CENE 471, CENE 485, CENE 497, CENE 499
    - GLG 451
  - Select from the following (3 - 6 units):
    - CENE 503, CENE 530, CENE 531, CENE 540, CENE 560, CENE 562, CENE 565, CENE 568, CENE 582, CENE 599

- *Prerequisites to Engineering coursework that must be completed with a Grade of 'C' or better in each course. In addition, ENG 105 must be completed with a Grade of 'C' or better.
  
  You may not have more than one grade of 'D' in your required engineering, mathematics, and science courses.
  
  If you wish to enhance your education in the area of civil engineering, chemistry, mechanical engineering, or mathematics, you can easily pursue a minor in each discipline with the addition of a small number of courses and by consulting with the respective disciplinary advisor.

- Program Objectives:
  
  Our overarching learning goals are stated as our Program Objectives; within three to five years of obtaining a bachelor's degree, a graduate is expected to achieve the following:
  - Be employed in the engineering field or pursuing a formal academic program of study.
  - Have a demonstrated commitment to lifelong learning by participating in professional development activities.
  - Be a registered professional engineer or be in the process of becoming a professional engineer.
  - Demonstrate leadership through increasing responsibilities.
  - Engage in activities that benefit others outside of their employment.

General Electives

Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or General Studies Requirements.

We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

Additional Information

Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

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Academic Catalog - 2025-2026

College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering

Environmental Engineering, Bachelor of Science

Campus Availability

Flagstaff

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College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering

Environmental Engineering, Bachelor of Science

Academic Information

Academic Catalog - 2025-2026

College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering

Environmental Engineering, Bachelor of Science

Careers

What Can I Do with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering?

Career opportunities that might be pursued:

With further education, one of these paths is possible:

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Academic Catalog - 2025-2026

College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering

Environmental Engineering, Bachelor of Science

University Requirements

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Academic Catalog - 2025-2026

College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering

Environmental Engineering, Bachelor of Science

Overview

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Academic Catalog - 2025-2026

College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering

Environmental Engineering, Bachelor of Science

Details

Major Requirements

Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program

General Electives

Additional Information

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Academic Catalog - 2025-2026

College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering

Environmental Engineering, Bachelor of Science

Campus Availability

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