What is Environmental Engineering
Saving the environment is one of the most crucial mottos of the 21st century, with an increasing imbalance between humans and nature, many initiatives are taken at an academic level. Courses like Environmental Engineering are introduced globally for sustainable development and consumption of resources.
The Environmental Engineering course is a branch of engineering that focuses on the issues related to the environment. The course encourages students to find scientific solutions for environmental problems like automobile pollution and finding renewable energy sources.
The course is available in most engineering institutes across India and abroad. The course is multi-disciplinary and combines the knowledge of subjects like soil science, physics, chemistry, engineering, and biology.
The Environmental Engineering course focuses on designing policies and regulating the development of technologies for managing contaminated lands and ensuring the safety of people along with environmental elements.
How to Pursue a Career in Environmental Engineering
| Stream | Graduation | After Graduation | After Post Graduation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Path 1 | Clear Class XII with Science Stream | Pursue B.Tech in Environmental Engineering for 4 years | Pursue M.Tech for 2-3 years | Pursue PhD for 2 years |
| Path 2 | Clear Class XII with Science Stream | Pursue B.Tech + M.Tech (Dual Degree)in Environmental Engineering for 5 years | – | Pursue PhD for 2 years |
Career Opportunities in Environmental Engineering
- Agricultural Engineers
An agricultural engineer makes farming sustainable, safe, and environmentally friendly. They analyze agricultural operations and weigh the use of new technologies and methods to increase yields, improve land use, and conserve resources like seed, water, fertilizers, pesticides and fuel.
- Biologists
Biologists study biotic forms like plants and animals and the world they live in. It is a good field for people interested in the natural world and who enjoy practical science.
- Chemical Engineers
Chemical Engineers work principally in the chemical industry to convert basic raw materials into a variety of products.
- Analytical Chemists
Analytical chemists use a diverse range of methods to investigate the chemical nature of substances. The aim of such work is to identify and understand substances and how they behave in different conditions.
- Recycling Plants
Environmental Engineers develop technologies to recycle waste material and ensure their proper utilization.
- Ecologists
Ecologists are concerned with ecosystems as a whole, the abundance and distribution of organisms (people, plants, animals), and the relationships between organisms and their environment.
- Legal Consultants
Environmental Engineers often work as advisors to legal firms dealing with issues and companies involved in environmental degradation.
- Conservationist
Environmental Engineers work towards innovating processes related to conservation of air, soil and water. They work with Government, NGOs as well as multinationals engaged in this act.
Environmental Engineering Syllabus at the Undergraduate level
The syllabus of Environmental Engineering has been structured to provide in-depth knowledge into the subject along with practical training. Environmental engineering has been considered as a sub-division of Chemical Engineering and Civil Engineering. So the students have to study sections of Civil and Chemical engineering too. Besides, they have to study the principles of Biology, Microbiology, Physics and Organic Chemistry that deals with the theory of biodiversity, climate change, conservation of soil, ground water etc. Here we have attempted to provide a detailed idea about the syllabus in the form of a table:
| Semester 1& 2 | Semester 3 |
|---|---|
| Engineering Maths 1 &2 | Engineering Mathematics 3 |
| Engineering Physics | Environmental Chemistry1 |
| Elements of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics | Strength of Materials |
| Elements of Mechanical Engineering | Surveying 1 |
| Basic Electrical Engineering | Fluid Mechanics |
| Workshop Practice | Environmental Biology |
| Engineering Physics Lab | Environmental Analysis Laboratory 1 |
| Constitution Of India and Professional Ethics | Surveying Practice 1 |
| Semester 4 | Semester 5 |
| Engineering Mathematics 4 | Municipal Solid Waste Management |
| Surveying Construction | Origin and Characterization of Environmental Pollution |
| Environmental Chemistry 2 | Water Supply and Distribution System |
| Elements of Environmental Protection | Geotechnical Engineering 1 |
| Hydraulics and Hydraulic Machines | Hydrology and water Resources Engineering |
| Applied Engineering Geology | Water Treatment Engineering |
| Environmental Analysis Laboratory 2 | Design and Drawing of Environmental System 1 |
| Fluid and Hydraulic Machinery Lab | Environmental Process Laboratory 1 |
| Semester 6 | Semester 7 |
| Management and Entrepreneurship | Computer Application in Environmental Engineering |
| Environmental Transport Processes | Ecology and Environmental Impact Assessment |
| Atmospheric Environmental Engineering | Advanced Waste Water Treatment |
| Waste Water Collection and Drainage System | Estimation, Specification and Financial Aspects of Environmental Facilities |
| Wastewater Treatment Engineering | Elective 2 Group B ( Nuclear, Radioactive and Bio-medical Waste Technology, Occupational Safety and Health, Operation and Maintenance of Environmental Facilities) |
| Elective 1 Group A ( Environmental Biotechnology, Eco-friendly Energy Sources, Environmental System Optimization) | Elective 3 Group C (environmental Aspects of Development Projects, Environmental Applications of Remote Sensing and GIS, Geo Environmental Engineering) |
| Atmospheric Environmental Lab | Design and Drawing of Environmental system II |
| Environmental Process Lab 2 | Computer Application Lab |
Job Profile of Environmental Engineers
At present, there is a huge demand of Environmental Engineers. It is hoped that these engineers would work for the protection of the environment by reducing the pollution, managing the waste materials, utilising the renewable sources of energy etc. After completing the B. E/ B. Tech programmes the candidates may take up jobs in the environment, energy and agricultural sector of the government and no-government organizations. They may work as:
- Air Quality Engineer
- Assistant Policy Specialist
- Environmental Engineer
- Field Chemist
- Hydro-Geologist
- Wasteland Ecologist
- Safety Design Manager
- Waste Resource Manager Etc.
Initially, the Environmental engineers draw a salary of Rs. 3-4 lakhs per annum. But his salary increases with years as he gathers experience. The senior engineers may draw a salary of Rs. 9-10 lakhs per annum.
Environmental Engineering Top Recruiters
Due to the diversity in the field of Environmental Engineering, students can get confused while selecting which domain of the course to choose. With the increasing popularity of the cause of conservation, private industries are stepping up to hire well-qualified engineers. Some of the most popular companies hiring Environmental Engineers are given below. Students can easily take the reference and check job profiles, salary packages for their convenience.
- AECOM
- MACTEC
- UEM GROUP
- Brunel India Pvt Ltd
- Sima Labs Pvt Ltd.
- Dresser-Rand India Pvt Ltd
- Goodrich Corporation
Average Salary
A good salary package plays an important role in the hiring process. Students can take the reference from the given below table to understand the various job profiles and their salary packages.
The given average salary figures are an approximate estimation; actual packages might differ in companies according to the experience, work quality, and additional factors.
| Job Profile | Annual Income |
| Chemical Engineer | Rs. 10- Rs. 15 lakhs p.a. (approx.) |
| Ecologist | Rs. 8- Rs. 9 lakhs p.a. (approx.) |
| Waste Management Officer | Rs. 6.5- Rs. 7 lakhs p.a. (approx.) |
| Public Health Specialist | Rs. 5- Rs. 7 lakhs p.a. (approx.) |
| Geologist | Rs. 6- Rs. 7 lakhs p.a. (approx.) |
| Agricultural Engineer | Rs. 7-Rs. 8 lakhs p.a. (approx.) |
| Biologist | Rs. 10- Rs. 11 lakhs p.a. (approx.) |
Leading Institutes
Top Environmental Engineering Institutes in India
| College | Location | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Technology | Multiple Locations | www.iitd.ac.in |
| Birla Institute of Technology | Pilani, Mesra | www.bits-pilani.ac.in |
| National Institute of Technology, Calicut | Calicut | www.nitc.ac.in |
| National Institute of Technology, Silchar | Silchar | www.nits.ac.in |
| National Institute of Technology, Surathkal | Surathkal | www.nitk.ac.in |
| National Institute of Technology, Bhopal | Bhopal | www.manit.ac.in |
| Vellore Institute of Technology | Chennai | www.vit.ac.in |
| Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad | Dhanbad | www.ism.ac.in |
| Gautam Buddh Technical University | Noida, Uttar Pradesh | www.gbu.ac.in |
| Ch. B.P. Government Engineering College | New Delhi | www.gecdelhi.ac.in |
| Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | www.aktu.ac.in |
| Cochin University of Science & Technology | Kochi | www.cusat.ac.in |
| Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University | New Delhi | www.ipu.ac.in |
| Jagan Nath University | Jaipur, Rajasthan | www.jagannathuniversity.org |
| Manipal University | Manipal, Jaipur | www.manipal.edu |
| Pondicherry University School of Engineering and Technology | Puducherry | www.pec.edu |
| Anna University | Chennai | www.annauniv.edu |
| Tamil Nadu Agricultural University | Coimbatore | www.tnau.ac.in |
| Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology | Karnataka | www.vtu.ac.in |
Top Environmental Engineering Institutes in the World
| Institution | Location | Website |
|---|---|---|
| University of Manchester | Manchester, United Kingdom | www.manchester.ac.uk |
| University of Bristol | City of Bristol, United Kingdom | www.bristol.ac.uk |
| Cornell University | United States | www.cornell.edu |
| University College London | London, United Kingdom | www.ucl.ac.uk |
| Imperial College London | London, United Kingdom | www.imperial.ac.uk |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | United States | www.web.mit.edu |
| Stanford University | United States | www.stanford.edu |
| Harvard University | United States | www.harvard.edu |
| National University of Singapore | Singapore | www.nus.edu.sg |
| California Institute of Technology | United States | www.caltech.edu |
| University of Michigan | United States | www.umich.edu |
| University of Toronto | Canada | www.utoronto.ca |
| University of Queensland | Australia | www.uq.edu.au |
Environmental Engineering Entrance Exams
Undergraduate
| College | Tentative Date | Important Elements | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) | April | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, | www.jeemain.nic.in |
| Joint Entrance Examination Advanced (JEE Advanced) | May/June | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, | www.jeeadv.ac.in |
| Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission (BITSAT) | May | Mathematics/BiologyMathematics/Biology Physics, Chemistry, Logical Reasoning English | www.bitsadmission.com/bitsatmain.aspx |
| Education Promotion Society of India National Admission Test (ENAT) | April/May | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, English | www.epsfi.org |
| Vellore Institute of Technology Engineering Entrance Exam (VITEEE) | April | Mathematics/Biology Physics, Chemistry, English | www.vit.ac.in |
| University of Delhi Combined Entrance Exam (DU-CET) | June | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, | www.dtu.ac.in |
| Consortium Medical, Engineering & Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK) | May | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, | www.comedk.org |
| Admission Test for ICFAI Science & Technology (ATIT) | May | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, English | www.icfaiuniversity.in/atit/btech_program.html |
| Combined Written Admission Test (CWAT) | May/June | Botany Zoology Physics, Chemistry, | www.acds.co.in |
| SRM University Engineering Exam (SRMUEE) | April | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology | www.srmuniv.ac.in |
| Manipal University Online Entrance Exam (MU-OEE) | March/April | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology | www.manipal.edu |
| Indraprastha University Common EntranceTest (IPUCET) | May | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, | www.ipu.ac.in |
| Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test (IMUCET) | June | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, | www.imu.edu.in |
Postgraduate
| Institution | Tentative Date | Important Elements | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) (Postgraduate) | Jan/Feb | All Branches of engineering | www.gate.iisc.ernet.in |
Work Description
- Supervise the design of systems, processes, or equipments for control, management, or remediation of water, air, or soil quality.
- Collaborate with environmental scientists, planners, hazardous waste technicians, engineers, or other specialists to address environmental problems.
- Provide technical support for environmental remediation of projects, including remediation system designing or determination of regulatory applicability.
- Prepare hazardous waste manifests or land disposal restriction notifications.
- Assess the existing or potential environmental impact of projects on air, water, or land.
- Prepare, maintain, or revise quality assurance documentation or procedures.
- Assist in budget implementation, forecasts, or administration.
- Provide environmental engineering assistance in network analysis, regulatory analysis, or planning or reviewing database development.
Pros & Cons of a Career in Environmental Engineering
Pros
- Can work in a number of settings. No need to be restricted to Office.
- Most work is to be done in a team, which is less burdening.
- Satisfaction of helping the environment.
Cons
- Having to deal with deadlines can be stressful.
- Working in polluted or hazardous environment much of the time.
- Salary will only increase with experience and hard-work.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Environmental Engineering
Question: What is the scope of Environmental Engineering Course in India?
Answer :
The scope of the Environmental Engineering Course in India is immense, but as the filed iv very vast, one should be specific about the domain. Students opting for wastewater treatment or hazardous waste management will find ample opportunities in both government and private sectors. Students specialised in conservation, and sustainable resource consumption as their field is one of the highest-paid and recruited professionals, and their job is not only limited to desk work, but they are provided with the opportunity to conduct and give speeches in conferences
Aspirants who wish to learn and leave a positive impact by their work can also get a job in various NGOs which are of national and international level as they often look for environmental engineers to aid public health problems.
Question: Is it possible for a mechanical engineer to become an environmental engineer? If so, how?
Answer :
Shifting to Environmental Engineering from mechanical Engineering is possible. As a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering also qualifies under environmental engineering, students can opt for a post graduation course after clearing the eligibility criteria of the institute. Plus, it is not at all a downfall as the Environmental Engineering field is at a rise, the job packages and profiles offered are good.
Question: what are some of the highest paying job profiles in Environmental Engineering in India?
Answer :
Most of the government generated job profiles pay really well along with job security. Major projects like environmental policy designing or calculating environmental risk factors before large constructions like dams and even natural resource development have a high employment rate with good salary packages.
Question: Students with no mathematics background opt for a graduation course in Environmental Engineering degree?
Answer :
No, having mathematics as one of the major subjects in 10+2 is mandatory, but if students wish, they can prepare and give mathematics examination separately next year, thus becoming eligible for the degree.
