College of Engineering Announces New BS in Environmental Engineering

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The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at University of Massachusetts Amherst has announced the launch of a new Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineering. While undergraduates could previously focus on Environmental Engineering within the Civil Engineering curriculum, they can now pursue it as a separate degree.

Ten existing faculty members are members of the Environmental Engineering program. These faculty are experts in a wide range of subjects, including hydrology, effects of climate change, biotechnology, drinking water quality and treatment, PFAS removal and destruction, microbial physiology, and environmental sensing.
 
In addition to coursework, Environmental Engineering undergraduate students will have access to numerous experiential learning opportunities, cutting-edge facilities, and research centers that are hosted by UMass Amherst, such as the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center and the Water Innovation Network for Sustainable Small Systems.

This new degree is in line with the College of Engineering’s priorities as exemplified by the construction of the Sustainable Engineering Laboratories (SEL), an approximately 80,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility that will serve as a hub for clean energy research and education, scheduled to open its doors in 2026.

Sergio Breña, Department Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering, commented: “The new BS Degree in Environmental Engineering is an important addition to our department, complementing the BS in Civil Engineering that the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department has historically offered. Our department is now well positioned to better serve those students who, for a number of years, have expressed an interest in Environmental Engineering. The knowledge gained through this program will equip students with the practical engineering tools to develop environmentally conscious solutions to societal problems.” 

The College continues to offer an MS in Environmental Engineering as well as a PhD in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering (EWRE). 

UMass Amherst has a long history of excellence in Environmental Engineering education, beginning with Sanitary Engineering in the 1960s and continuing today with one of the premier water-focused EWRE graduate programs in the country.

Prospective students applying for Fall 2025 should select "Civil Engineering" on the Common Application, and upon acceptance and enrollment you can transfer into this new major. More information is available here.