环境工程师运用科学和数学的基本概念来解决影响生态系统，社会和世界的环境问题。他们参与了与清洁水，废物处理，水和空气污染控制，减少污染物的产生和释放，污染场地的修复，清洁能源，雨水管理和绿色基础设施等相关的工作。环境工程（与环境研究或环境科学相对）的一个显着区别特征是非常实用的性质，并强调设计新技术以减少污染物的产生和释放，或者以新颖的方式来量化复杂世界中的系统可持续性。经常需要工程师运用其科学和设计专业知识来评估并降低污染物暴露于化学和生物污染物，干旱或过多降雨对人-自然系统的影响或量化工业过程对环境的影
Environmental Engineers apply fundamental concepts from science and mathematics to solve environmental problems impacting ecosystems, society and the world. They are involved in efforts related to clean water, waste disposal, water and air pollution control, reducing generation and release of contaminants, remediation of contaminated sites, clean energy, stormwater management and green infrastructure, to name a few. One significant distinguishing feature of Environmental Engineering (as opposed to Environmental Studies or Environmental Science) is the very applied nature and emphasis on design - of new technology to reduce generation and release of contaminants or novel ways to quantify system sustainability in our complex world. Engineers are often called upon to apply their scientific and design expertise to evaluate and then reduce the risk of pollutant exposure to chemical and biological contaminants, the effects of drought or excessive rainfall on human-natural systems or quantify the environmental effects of industrial processes. Environmental engineers may work in the private sector at consulting firms or in the public sector for local, state or federal government in jobs that involve being outside, field monitoring, data analysis and computer-aided analysis and design. An environmental engineering degree also provides a great foundation to build other careers such as management, public administration, teaching, law and medicine. Environmental Engineering students at UVM begin their education by acquiring a common base of knowledge in mathematics, sciences and engineering, and then progressively learn to analyze and design sustainable environmental engineering systems. The degree culminates in a two semester capstone design experience in the senior year, which is typically a service-learning project in collaboration with a community partner. The degree intentionally requires a relatively small number of required courses allowing students to pursue technical electives to their liking in the senior year in environmental and water resources engineering, geoenvironmental engineering, and energy. The environmental engineering degree as a whole has UVM's Sustainability Designation. Students can take courses in arts, languages, community development, business and other areas as part of the general education component. The degree program includes ten courses with hands-on laboratories and most technical electives are project-based. The curriculum allows opportunities for picking up a minor, co-op and/or study abroad experiences, or an accelerated Master's degree.