Environmental Engineering, Bachelor of Science

The mission of our undergraduate program is to provide students with a broadly based yet rigorous education in the fundamental subjects central to the field, in a milieu that fosters the development of a spirit of intellectual inquiry and the problem-solving skills required to address the open-ended issues characteristic of the real world.

Our B.S. program provides a strong foundation in the physical, chemical, and biological sciences, as well as in mathematics, engineering science, and engineering design. It is broad and flexible enough to accommodate students with a variety of interests in environmental engineering and management. This training should provide ideal preparation for future employment in business or industry or for subsequent training at the graduate level, either in environmental engineering/science or in a field such as environmental law, public health, or medicine.

The information below describes the academic requirements for students entering JHU as degree-seeking students in Fall 2024.  Students who entered JHU as degree-seeking students prior to Fall 2024 should view the appropriate archived catalogue.

Students must meet the University requirements and the Whiting School of Engineering requirements (see Requirements for a Bachelor's Degree in this catalogue), as well as the departmental major requirements, to complete a bachelor’s degree.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineering requires 125 credits.* 

The EHE department does not award Departmental Honors.

UNIVERSITY AND WSE SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS

These requirements are described in this section of the catalogue. 

First-Year Seminar 

All students entering Hopkins from high school are required to complete a First-Year Seminar with a Satisfactory (S) grade in their first year of study. First-Year Seminars are offered only with the Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading system; they are not offered for letter grades.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
One FYS course. Recommended courses:		2-3
EN.501.124	FYS: Design Cornerstone
EN.501.125	FYS: Envisioning Antarctica: Science, Diplomacy, and the Arts
Total Credits		2-3

Writing Intensive for BS in Environmental Engineering 

A grade of C- or higher is required. No Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grades will be accepted. Courses must be at least 3 credits each. Courses applied here may also be used towards satisfying the Distribution requirement. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
One advisor-approved Writing Intensive course. Recommended courses:		3
AS.220.105	Introduction to Fiction & Poetry I
AS.220.106	Introduction to Fiction & Poetry II
EN.661.110	Professional Writing and Communication
Additional Writing Intensive course		3
Total Credits		6

Distribution for BS in Environmental Engineering 

A grade of C- or higher is required for EN.570.334 Engineering Microeconomics. A grade of D or higher is required for other Humanities or Social Sciences courses. No Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grades will be accepted. Courses must be at least 3 credits each and may overlap with the Writing Intensive requirement. Elementary language courses, which do not carry an area designator, can be used to satisfy the Distribution requirement for engineering students. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
EN.570.334	Engineering Microeconomics	3
Three Humanities or Social Sciences courses at any level 1		9
Two Humanities or Social Sciences courses at 300-level or higher 2		6
Total Credits		18

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

MATHEMATICS

A grade of C- or higher is required. No Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) grade will be accepted. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
AS.110.108	Calculus I (Physical Sciences & Engineering)	4
AS.110.109	Calculus II (For Physical Sciences and Engineering)	4
AS.110.202	Calculus III	4
or AS.110.211	Honors Multivariable Calculus
EN.553.291	Linear Algebra and Differential Equations	4
or AS.110.302	Differential Equations and Applications
EN.553.311	Intermediate Probability and Statistics	4
Total Credits		20

BASIC SCIENCES (BS)

A grade of C- or higher is required. No Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) grade will be accepted. Students receiving chemistry credits via exams should consult their academic advisor to discuss which chemistry course(s) may be appropriate for them.  

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
AS.030.101	Introductory Chemistry I	3
AS.030.102	Introductory Chemistry II 1	3
AS.030.105	Introductory Chemistry Laboratory I	1
AS.030.106	Introductory Chemistry Laboratory II 1	1
AS.171.101	General Physics: Physical Science Major I	4
or AS.171.107	General Physics for Physical Sciences Majors (AL)
AS.173.111	General Physics Laboratory I	1
EN.570.201	Environmental Biology and Ecology 2	3
Total Credits		16

¹

Students who have exam credits for Chemistry I and the lab must take AS.030.103 Applied Chemical Equilibrium and Reactivity w/lab rather than AS.030.102 Introductory Chemistry II and AS.030.106 Introductory Chemistry Laboratory II.  

²

This course is highly recommended, but can be substituted for any Biology or Ecology course on a case-by-case basis. Premedical students should take additional chemistry courses as electives.

GENERAL ENGINEERING (GE)

A grade of C- or higher is required. No Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) grade will be accepted. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
EN.500.113	Gateway Computing: Python	3
or EN.500.114	Gateway Computing: Matlab
EN.560.201	Statics & Mechanics of Materials	3
EN.510.312	Thermodynamics/Materials	3
EN.560.211	Statics and Mechanics of Materials Laboratory	1
EN.570.108	Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Design	3
EN.570.351	Introduction to Fluid Mechanics	3
Total Credits		16

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING REQUIREMENTS (EER)

A grade of C- or higher is required. No Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) grade will be accepted. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
EN.570.100	A Survey of Environmental Health and Engineering: Ask the Lorax	1
EN.570.239	Environmental Engineering Chemistry - Current and Emerging Topics	3
EN.570.303	Environmental Engineering Principles and Applications	3
EN.570.304	Environmental Engineering Laboratory	4
EN.570.350	Environmental Hazards and Health Risks	3
EN.570.353	Hydrology	3
EN.570.420	Air Pollution	3
Total Credits		20

DESIGN EXPERIENCE AND ENGINEERING LABORATORY (D)

A grade of C- or higher is required. No Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) grade will be accepted. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
EN.570.305	Environmental Health and Engineering Systems Design	4
EN.570.419	Environmental Engineering Design I 1	2
EN.570.421	Environmental Engineering Design II 1	3
Total Credits		9

¹

The Design and Synthesis Sequence, EN.570.419 Environmental Engineering Design I (fall semester) and EN.570.421 Environmental Engineering Design II (spring semester), involves a comprehensive study of the engineering design process from problem definition to the final design. Students must be senior standing in the Environmental Engineering major.

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING FOCUS AREA ELECTIVES (EEFA)

A grade of C- or higher is required. No Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) grade will be accepted. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
6 credits of EEFA from one Focus Area of your choice (see below to see the course listings)
Total Credits		6

FOCUS AREAS

Students should work with their advisor to choose Focus Areas and elective courses that best prepare them for their career or research goals.  Exceptions to these Focus area courses will be made in rare circumstances and must receive written approval from the Director of Undergraduate Studies before registering for the class. 

Energy Systems Analysis 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
EN.560.449	Energy Systems	3
EN.520.370	Introduction to Renewable Energy Engineering	3
EN.570.497	Risk and Decision Analysis	3
EN.570.607	Energy Policy and Planning Models	3

Environmental Engineering and Science 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
EN.570.320	Case Studies in Climate Change - A Field Course	4
EN.570.411	Engineering Microbiology	3
EN.570.423	Environmental Impacts of Climate Change	3
EN.570.429	Methods in Microbial Community Analysis	3
EN.570.441	Environmental Inorganic Chemistry	3
EN.570.443	Aquatic and Biofluid Chemistry	3
EN.570.445	Physical and Chemical Processes I	3
EN.570.448	Physical and Chemical Processes II	3
EN.570.490	Solid Waste Engineering and Management	3
EN.570.491	Hazardous Waste Engineering and Management	3
EN.570.456	Environmental Electrochemistry	3
EN.570.446	Biological Process of Wastewater Treatment	3

Environmental Health Engineering 

The following courses are offered at the Bloomberg School of Public Health during 8-week terms. Students must obtain the instructor's permission to take the 600-level courses. Credit conversion consideration: One BSPH credit equals 2/3 of Homewood credit (e.g., 4 credits at BSPH = 2.7 credits at Homewood).

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.182.613	Exposure Assessment Techniques for Health Risk Management	3
PH.182.614	Environmental and Occupational Monitoring	5
PH.182.615	Airborne Particles	4
PH.182.622	Ventilation and Hazard Control	4

Environmental Management and Economics 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
EN.570.416	Data Analytics in Environmental Health and Engineering	3
EN.570.422	Resilience of Ecological Systems	3
EN.570.423	Environmental Impacts of Climate Change	3
EN.570.454	Geostatistics: Understanding Spatial Data	3
EN.570.490	Solid Waste Engineering and Management	3
EN.570.491	Hazardous Waste Engineering and Management	3
EN.570.497	Risk and Decision Analysis	3
EN.570.607	Energy Policy and Planning Models	3

Land, Air, and Water Resources 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
EN.570.320	Case Studies in Climate Change - A Field Course	4
EN.570.349	Water quality of rivers, lakes, and estuaries	3
EN.570.421	Environmental Engineering Design II	3
EN.570.423	Environmental Impacts of Climate Change	3
EN.570.426	Groundwater, Porous Media, and Hydrogeology	3
EN.570.443	Aquatic and Biofluid Chemistry	3
EN.570.454	Geostatistics: Understanding Spatial Data	3
AS.270.618	Remote Sensing of the Environment	3

ADDITIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING OR FREE ELECTIVES

A grade of D or higher is required. No Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) grade will be accepted. 

To reach the 125* credit requirement, at least 18-19 credits of additional environmental engineering or free electives are needed. Additional EHE Focus area courses or other relevant courses (see below for the course listings) are recommended, but not required. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Total Credits		18-19*

OTHER RELEVANT COURSES 

These courses are recommended to reach the 125* credit requirement. They are not required. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
AS.270.323	Ocean Biogeochemical Cycles	3
AS.270.325	Introductory Oceanography	3
AS.270.641	Present and Future Climate	3
AS.270.679	Atmospheric Science	3
AS.271.402	Water, Energy, and Food Nexus	3
EN.553.413	Applied Statistics & Data Analysis I	4
EN.553.433	Monte Carlo Methods	4
EN.570.415	Current Trends in Environmental Microbiology	3
PH.140.615	Statistics for Laboratory Scientists I	4
PH.182.626	Water and Sanitation in Low-Income Communities	2
PH.182.637	Noise and Other Physical Agents in the Environment	4
PH.182.638	Environmental and Health Concerns in Water Use and Reuse	4
PH.182.640	Food- and Water- Borne Diseases	3
PH.187.610	Public Health Toxicology	4
PH.188.680	Fundamentals of Occupational Health	3
PH.317.600	Introduction to the Risk Sciences and Public Policy	4
PH.317.605	Methods in Quantitative Risk Assessment	4

*

125 credits are required for this program.  This is a correction to the program requirements total originally published.  Updated August 13, 2024. 

Sample Program 

This program is based on the assumption that student does not have exam credits for calculus, chemistry, physics, etc.

First Year
First Semester	Credits	Second Semester	Credits
AS.030.101 (BS)	3	AS.030.102 (BS)	3
AS.030.105 (BS)	1	AS.030.106 (BS)	1
AS.110.108 (M)	4	AS.110.109 (M)	4
EN.570.100 (EER)	1	AS.171.101 (BS)	4
EN.570.108 (GE)	3	AS.173.111 (BS)	1
First-Year Seminar	2-3	EN.500.113 or 114 (GE)	3
	14-15		16
Second Year
First Semester	Credits	Second Semester	Credits
EN.553.291 (M)	4	AS.110.202 (M)	4
EN.560.201 (GE)	3	EN.510.312 (GE)	3
EN.560.211 (GE)	1	EN.570.201 (BS)	3
EN.570.239 (EER)	3	EN.570.334 (Humanities/Social Sciences 3)	3
Advisor-approved Writing Intensive course (also counts as Humanities/Social Sciences 1)	3	Humanities/Social Sciences 4	3
Humanities/Social Sciences 2	3
	17		16
Third Year
First Semester	Credits	Second Semester	Credits
EN.553.311	4	EN.570.304 (EER)	4
EN.570.303 (EER)	3	EN.570.353 (EER)	3
EN.570.305 (D)	4	EN.570.420 (EER)	3
EN.570.351 (GE)	3	Environmental Engineering Focus Area Elective 1 (EEFA)	3
Writing Intensive Course (also counts as Humanities/Social Sciences 5)	3	Humanities/Social Sciences 6	3
	17		16
Fourth Year
First Semester	Credits	Second Semester	Credits
EN.570.350 (EER)	3	EN.570.421 (D)	3
EN.570.419 (D)	2	Additional Environmental Engineering or Free Elective	3
Environmental Engineering Focus Area Elective 2 (EEFA)	3	Additional Environmental Engineering or Free Elective	3
Additional Environmental Engineering or Free Elective	3	Additional Environmental Engineering or Free Elective	3
Additional Environmental Engineering or Free Elective	3	Additional Environmental Engineering or Free Elective	3
	14		15
Total Credits 125-126

First Year Seminar (FYS) = 2-3 credits; Math (M) = 20 credits; Humanities and Social Sciences (HS) including 2 Writing Intensive courses = 18 credits; Basic Science (BS) = 16 credits; General Engineering (GE) = 16 credits; Environmental Engineering Requirement (EER) = 20 credits; Environmental Engineering Focus Area Electives (EEFA) = 6 credits; Environmental Engineering or Free Electives = 18- 19* credits; Design (D) = 9 credits. 

Note that Environmental Engineering Focus Area (EEFA) do not strictly need to be taken in the semesters indicated in the sample program of study - this is only for illustration. Students may take courses in any semester that the courses are offered, as long as they meet the relevant prerequisites. 

*

125 credits are required for this program. Free Electives = 18-19 credits This is a correction to the program requirements total originally published.  Updated August 13, 2024. 

Accreditation Statement

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering (BSEE) in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Environmental Engineering and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Program Educational Objectives

The objectives of the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering (BSEE) program are that within three to five years after graduation, our graduates will:

• Achieve initial success in graduation education, engineering, science, or other related professional careers.
• Apply rigorous scientific and engineering principles, understanding of societal and economic factors, critical thinking, and creativity, to implement solutions to open-ended environmental problems that benefit communities, environmental quality, and public health.
• Demonstrate moral, ethical, and professional conduct, and respect for diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in the workplace and in engagement with stakeholders and the public.
• Engage in continued learning to advance knowledge and skills through professional development, licensure, and service to the profession and society.

Student Outcomes

Students graduating with a B.S. in Environmental Engineering will have demonstrated:

1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. An ability to 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.
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. An ability to 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.
5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

Enrollments and Graduates

Enrollment*

EN Enrollment Chart

Term	Total	First-Year	Sophomore	Junior	Senior
Fall 2016	49	11	15	11	12
Fall 2017	49	15	10	13	11
Fall 2018	44	12	11	8	13
Fall 2019	44	12	13	13	6
Fall 2020	43	10	9	12	12
Fall 2021	41	8	12	8	13
Fall 2022	38	12	8	9	9
Fall 2023	32	6	10	5	11

B.S. Degrees Awarded**

EN Degrees Awarded Chart

Academic Year	Total
2016-2017	12
2017-2018	9
2018-2019	12
2019-2020	6
2020-2021	11
2021-2022	14
2022-2023	8

*

Based on Fall census each year 

**

Includes August, December, and May conferrals each academic year