Last Updated on July 28, 2023 by Vishnu Nambiar
In this article, we will have an in-depth analysis of B.E./B.Tech. Environmental Engineering course. It is not a traditional branch of Engineering but is still valuable and promising due to the rising importance of Environmental awareness and Research and Development efforts being put towards it. Here, I will provide useful information about Environmental Engineering such as basic course details, course duration, eligibility criteria, important subjects present & syllabus overview, career scope, salary specifics and job opportunities.
This Engineering branch will suit students who have an interest in renewable energy, preservation of nature and environment and sustainable development. And the good news is that the number of Colleges and Institutes offering this course is increasing each year! The branch is relatively less saturated also.
Let us take a look at the basic course details and course duration-
B.E./B.Tech. Environmental Engineering: Basic course details
It is a 4 years long Undergraduate level Degree program. The 4 years’ duration is divided into 8 semesters, with each semester lasting a period of 6 months. In each semester, a student will have to face different sets of theoretical subjects as well as practical lab sessions related to those subjects.
Environmental Engineering branch is all about using science and technology to work on improvement and uplifting of environment and environmental issues. Basically, it focuses on the scientific study of environment and environmental issues and using technology and Engineering concepts to solve those issues. An Environmental Engineering is responsible for studying Environmental issues. They are also responsible for finding solutions to such problems using concepts of Technology, Biology, Chemistry and other such branches.
Some important topics covered in B.E./B.Tech. Environmental Engineering course are- renewable sources of energy, energy management and conservation, environmental pollution, sustainable development, deforestation, Biology, Chemistry etc.
Also read: Best Engineering Branches (List and description)
To get a better understanding about the course structure and its nature, let us take a look at important subjects present in Environmental Engineering program-
B.E./B.Tech. Environmental Engineering: Syllabus & Important subjects present
I’ve listed just the important subjects. This has been done so that readers will be able to get a general idea about the course structure easily! During the first 2 semesters, students will have to face the general set of Engineering subjects.
- Engineering Mathematics
- Environmental Science
- Communication Skills
- Engineering Physics
- Engineering Graphics
- Mechanics of Solids
- Elements of Mechanical Engineering
- Elements of Electrical Engineering
- Basics of Civil Engineering
- Computer Programming and Utilization
From the 3rd semester onward, subjects focusing on Environmental Engineering and its sub branches are introduced.
- Ecology
- Structural Engineering
- Fluid Mechanics
- Microbiology
- Environmental Structures
- Pollution and Control (Water)
- Chemical Engineering
- Pollution and Control (Air)
- Pollution and Control (Land)
- Environmental Resource Management
- Environmental Instrumentation
- Project Management
- Management Skills
- Waste water Treatment processes and plants
- Chemical treatment
- Solid Waste Management
- Energy sources and management
- Municipal Waste Management
Those were some of the important theoretical subjects present in B.E./B.Tech. Environmental Engineering course. Some subjects are recurring ones, meaning they will appear in more than just one semester. Also, in case of many subjects, along with theoretical classes, practical lab sessions are also present.
Workshops, field trips, Industrial visits and elective subjects also forms an integral part of Environmental Engineering program.
Eligibility Criteria
10+2 Science stream students, with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics subjects (PCM group), who have passed 12th board examination from a recognized board are eligible to pursue this course. In case of some Institutes, minimum marks criteria may exist. It usually varies between 40-50% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics subjects.
Also read: Courses after 12th Science (List and Description)
Students must also have appeared for state level entrance examination to be considered eligible to take part in admission process.
Courses to do after completing Environmental Engineering
Traditional PG course of M.E./M.Tech. Environmental Engineering exists. After Master’s course, one may even go for PhD program!
Other good courses that one may do after Graduation are- MBA, LL.B. etc. Doing specialization in Environmental Law would be a good step.
Also read: LL.B. after 12th and Graduation
Scope and Job opportunities
For B.E./B.Tech. Environmental Engineering graduates, job opportunities are available in Government as well as Private sector. Talking about Government sector, some departments where Environmental Engineers are required are- PWD Department, Town Planning Department, Pollution Control Board, Agriculture Development Boards, Municipal and Public Offices etc. Graduates will be able to land Officer level posts in the above mentioned Departments after completing B.E./B.Tech. Environmental Engineering.
Also read: List of High salary jobs in India
Coming to the private sector, Food Processing and Technology Industry is a good place to find a job for graduates. Also, these days, thanks to strict rules, manufacturing and production units and industries are supposed to take care of waste product processing and management. Thus, they too need qualified Environmental Engineering graduates to take care of these activities.
NGOs, Mining firms and Chemical Industries are also known to recruit B.E./B.Tech. Environmental Engineering graduates.
Students may also go for M.Tech./M.E. and take up teaching job. One may also build a career in the Research and Development sector after taking up PhD course. Starting salary in case of Graduates is between 15-30k Rupees per month. This figure depends on the profile of the Employer. In case of Government jobs, pay will be based on Pay Scale.
Some common job posts available in front of Graduates are-
- Government Engineers (PWD, Town Planning etc)
- Engineers Working for NGOs
- Forest Dept (Engineer/Assistant Engineer)
- Research Engineer (after PG course)
- Lecturer (after PG course)
- Mining Companies (Engineer)
- Chemical Factories (Engineer)
After gaining sufficient work experience, one may also work as a consultant, catering to NGOs and various other Industries mentioned above. Environmental Engineering Branch may be relatively new. But it is full of promise. Environmental issues are treated seriously these days. Just take a look at events like Climate Change discussions, Global Warming related discussions etc. These things indicate that this branch of Engineering will see a rise in its importance. The World needs qualified, skilled and professional Environmental Engineers to combat and solve Environmental issues. For a better tomorrow, we need them! Thus, it is safe to say that in future, this branch will have immense scope.
I am Vishnu Nambiar a career and educational blogger from India. I am also a full time educational consultant having more than 12 years of experience in the educational sector.
I share articles related to courses, colleges, careers, exam tips and more here.