Why Choose Environmental and Ecological Engineering?
Environmental and Ecological Engineering (EEE) offers BS, MS and PhD degrees that train students to approach problems from an integrated perspective, considering both environmental issues and ecological interactions. This high-impact method addresses challenges in the built environment, while also striving to understand interactions between the human and natural worlds.
Of the 14 “Grand Challenges of Engineering” identified by the National Academy of Engineering, 6 are in the environmental and ecological engineering domain. A degree in Purdue EEE teaches graduates to apply their technical expertise in systems engineering, biology, and chemistry to develop holistic strategies to protect human and environmental health, design sustainable systems and technologies, and manage Earth’s limited resources and ecosystems so they will be available for generations to come.
Our program is led by 21 EEE faculty jointly appointed in EEE and 7 schools/departments across Purdue University (Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Agronomy, Civil Engineering, Forestry and Natural Resources, Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering). This interdisciplinary approach is unique to Purdue’s EEE program.
Our curriculum is distinctive in that it focuses on both Classic Environmental Engineering, which develops processes to treat, control, and manage contaminated media, and Industrial Sustainability, which deals with designing and managing engineering systems to avoid waste and preserve natural resources. Purdue EEE was established in 2006 with this two-pronged philosophy in mind. Our students and faculty address the management of industrial waste within water, soil and air, while also identifying its origins to prevent environmental challenges before they start. This is true sustainability.
The passion to save the planet isn’t enough to pay the bills. Thankfully, job prospects for environmental engineers are strong. U.S. News & World Report ranked environmental engineers #2 in their 2024 Best Engineering Jobs list with a median salary of $96,530 in 2022.
Graduates from Purdue EEE are equipped to enter a wide range of employment sectors in environmental and engineering fields, such as consulting and engineering services, manufacturing, industrial and construction, government, municipal and public service, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and academia.
