Is environmental engineering a separate field or part of civil and chemical engineering?
Environmental engineering is an interdisciplinary field that is closely related to civil and chemical engineering. At some universities it is offered as a separate department or program, while at others it is covered within civil engineering, chemical engineering, or related departments. It addresses water, air, waste, and environmental protection by combining knowledge from civil engineering, chemistry, biology, and sanitation or public-health engineering.
Key points
- Water treatment and water-supply or sewerage systems overlap with civil engineering.
- Chemical engineering concepts are used in areas such as chemical reactions and separation processes.
- It combines knowledge from multiple fields to address environmental issues across disciplines.
Things to check
- Whether it is a separate department or a field within civil, chemical, or related engineering varies by university, so check the official curriculum of the institution you are considering.