Environmental Sciences have been a growing knowledge sector for several years now. However, there are other very interesting careers from which to contribute to the conservation and development of the environment, such as Environmental Engineering.
From Ecologist Verde we tell you what is environmental engineering, why be an environmental engineer and where can you study this university degree.
Environmental engineering: what is it
The environmental engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with study environmental problems taking into account the contributions of various fields of knowledge, such as chemistry, physics, biology, geology, sociology or economics. It is based on the design, application and management of technological processes, products and services to propose proposals and solutions for the prevention, control and remedy of problems related to the environment.
To give you an idea of what is studied in this discipline, here we list some of the subjects included in the programs (the most general subjects are studied in the first years of the degree):
- Calculation
- Chemistry
- Computing
- biology
- geology
- Edaphology
- Geotechnics
- Thermodynamics
- Sampling and residue analysis
Where to study environmental engineering - universities
There are some universities that offer the career of Environmental Engineering. With the implementation of the degrees in the Spanish territory, this career or degree may not receive exactly this name, but you can find similar ones.
Before choosing a university, we recommend you follow a few simple steps common to any choice about your professional training:
- Is what I'm going to study interesting for me ?: Studying a career in an area that is not attractive to us can be extremely tedious, and we will probably not obtain very good results.
- Do I like the professional opportunities that this career has ?: If you don't like the potential jobs that you can develop once you graduate from university, it may be better to rethink whether it is really worth choosing that path.
- What are the real possibilities of hiring ?: If you cannot decide between two careers and one of them has a higher job demand and fewer professionals available, perhaps it could become a good option.
- Which university should I choose ?: Many people choose a university based on the cut-off mark of the degree in which they want to enroll, or the displacement to university, etc. While these two facets are very important, we also recommend that you look for different university rankings before applying for a place. Attending a prestigious university can greatly improve your academic resume. In addition, most universities offer research programs, scholarships and / or postgraduate internships; A good program can greatly condition your career possibilities. Finally, and depending to a large extent on your abilities and financial burdens, you can value attending a private or a public university.
Next, we leave you a list of universities that offer Environmental Engineering in Spain:
- University of the Basque Country (Vizcaya).
- Polytechnic University of Madrid (Madrid).
- San Jorge University (Zaragoza).
- Rey Juan Carlos University (Madrid).
Reasons to study environmental engineering
The reasons for studying a degree They are always very varied, and have an unequal weight depending on the person who is nominated, in this case, as a future environmental engineer. However, here are some good reasons to assess if you are thinking about study environmental engineering (or if, in a moment of weakness, you need to remember why you started on this professional path):
Vocation
Studying environmental science is not usually done for the sake of "making a quick buck" or for prestige. If you are interested in these questions, environmental engineering is a good outlet to enjoy the development of your professional career.
Preservation of the environment
Working in environmental engineering you have a direct impact on the sustainable development of the planet. Either improving the design to reduce the environmental impacts of a civil work or carrying out external audits, you will contribute to the conservation of the environment. However, we recommend that you remain vigilant against companies that are embarking on "greenwashing" strategies, which consist of using environmental brands and labels to gain consumer confidence without making a true commitment to conservation and sustainability goals.
Professional sector on the rise
Proposals that impact on sustainability have increasing weight in societies. A clear example is the rise of the Eurogroup Los Verdes in the last European elections, or the also recent FridaysForFuture movement. Faced with an increasingly threatened landscape and an increasingly aware civil society, the demand for workers specialized in environmental issues may increase. These jobs would be framed in the so-called "green jobs". Here we tell you well what a green job is.
Impact on society
Besides thinking professionally, we can think globally. If you participate or want to participate in any organization related to environmental conservation (associations, NGOs, political parties, etc.) you can contribute technical knowledge that, without a doubt, will be very well received.
If you want to read more articles similar to What is environmental engineering, we recommend that you enter our category of Other environment.
