Environmental Engineering

Engineering Disciplines

Environmental Engineering

Introduction -

Environmental Engineering is the branch of engineering which applies the principles of Engineering to improve the environment for the safe and healthy existence of living beings. Environmental Engineering also concerned with the treatment of polluted places and rivers. It involves recycling, air and water pollution control, disposal of waste material and also addresses public health issues.

We have made immense progress in the field of science and technology but little do we realize that it has also played a big role in increasing pollution. Technology has given rise to many industries, factories and mills all round the world. The mills and factories throw out the smoke containing dangerous gases and chemicals continuously which pollute the environment tremendously. Our very own Taj Mahal is a visible victim of pollution.

Regular construction work also causes air and noise pollution. It [m1] is very costly as infinite number of trees is cut to make space and provide material for these building. Needless to say that this way we lose on reservoirs of oxygen and added to this, are the dangers like soil erosion and floods.

We have already witnessed the dangerous effects of unhealthy environment in geological hazards like Tsunami, Earthquakes and Global Warming. And this is also because of unhealthy habits of the people. Especially in India , the rivers are filled with dirt and filth. It is unimaginable but true that the same river water is used for drinking and other purposes. This is highly unsafe as it is gives birth to many diseases and epidemics.

Environment is also polluted by natural calamities like dust and sand storms, floods and animal deaths. It gives rise to epidemics like plaque and bird flu etc and all this result in grave consequences. These are only a few of the many effects of pollution on the environment. But they are extremely threatening for survival of living beings on this earth. And our only hope for resurrection from this dangerous situation is the Environmental Engineers. Environmental Engineering may be a career for the engineers but for mankind, it is an immensely good deed.

Environmental Engineers carry out research for the management of hazardous waste so that they can devise an effective treatment. The Environmental Engineers also have the responsibility of making rules and regulations to prevent any calamity. Municipal Water Supply Systems and Industrial Waste Water Systems are also designed by the Environmental Engineers. The Environmental Engineers are also involved in various environmental issues. The have the responsibility to address issues like water and air pollution from exhaustion of automobiles, acid rain, industrial sources and ozone depletion.

There is a very big responsibility of the Environmental Engineers there they need to possess certain qualities to be successful in this field. They should have technical ability. They need to be interested in environmental issues and be aware of the changes occurring in the environment. Good observation skills and analytical skills are very necessary to prosper in environmental engineering.

Educational Requirement: The basic qualification for becoming an Environmental Engineer is B.E. or P.G. Diploma in Environmental Engineering. The eligibility criteria for B.E. / B. Tech is 50% marks in Class 12^th Board Examination in science stream with Physics, Chemistry and Maths. English is compulsory. If a person wishes for an advanced course, M.E in Environmental Engineering, he must achieve high percentage of marks in Class 12^th Board Examination along with the bachelor’s degree. The students can also opt for Diploma in Environmental Engineering.

Selection: - The admission to the mining engineering course is very competitive. A person has to pass the entrance test – JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) to attain admission to the IIT. For other reputed institutions you have to succeed in AIEEE (All India Engineering/ Pharmacy /Architecture Examination). There are state level and national level examinations also with some institutions opting for their own entrance examinations like BITS, WB-JEE. Selection is done on the basis of marks obtained in board examinations i.e. 10+2 and the marks obtained in Entrance Test.

Duration: - The B.E /B.Tech is a 4 year course and when the student has the bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering in his hand, he can proceed further for an M.E./M.Tech course which is of 2 years. The Diploma course in Environmental Engineering is of 3 years duration.

Different Branches -
There are varied branches of Environmental Engineering and Environmental engineers can attain specialization in any of these fields. This is a good way to become expert and have an edge over others.
Water Supply & Waste Water Treatment Engineering – As the name suggests, Water Supply & Waste Water Treatment Engineering is concerned with the appropriate supply of water and the treatment of waste water. The engineers related with this field are committed to see that people get clean and safe water for various purposes like drinking, agriculture etc. The devise new methods and systems to treat, store and supply water. The Engineers also develop systems for collection and treatment for waste materials and then they release it in the environment. They serve as fertilizers which is beneficial for the environment.

Air Pollution Control Engineering – Air Pollution Control Engineering deals with processes used for reduction of air pollution. Due to factories, mills and distilleries etc. the air is deeply pollution. This can bring about many diseases including breathlessness which can have adverse effects on the health. The Air Pollution Control Engineers are responsible for devising new strategies and developing new systems like scrubbers and catalyst converters for removing pollutants like nitrogen oxide, volatile organic compounds and sulfur oxide from the environment.

Noise Pollution Control Engineering – Noise is invisible but can have harmful effects on the health. It can cause stress and even put a life in danger. The Engineers related with this field design strategies and new devices to calm down the noise effect. They develop noise barriers, create limit for speeding vehicles and heavy vehicles, modification of roadway surface texture and use of traffic control etc. The jet engines also produce lot of noise but it can be controlled by designing quieter engines and the Noise Pollution Control perform this job effectively.

Natural Resources Engineering - Natural Resources Engineering is the discipline of Environmental Engineering which deals with the management of natural resources like water, land, soil, plants and animals. Natural Resources Engineers devise methods and strategies for the conservation of natural resources as well as formulate new processes for the treatment of the damage done to the environment.

Risk Assessment Engineering –The modern lifestyle of the people has brought the environment in grave danger. Global Warming is so threatening and we have lost many lives in the waves of Tsunami. Risk assessment is the discipline which is concerned with this risk factor which has occurred due to carelessness of mankind and other natural disasters. Risk Assessment Engineers identify the hazards and then by various techniques they determine the magnitude of the loss. On this basis the Risk Assessment Engineers develop systems and formulate laws to eliminate the risk factor and prevent further damage to the environment.

Career Options in Environmental Engineering:-

In the wake of the recent disasters, Environmental Engineering has become one of the most sought after careers. People have grown conscious towards the environment and we have so many celebrities promoting the “Save the Environment” campaign. People are desperately seeking solution in this effect. So Environmental Engineers naturally are the most wanted professionals. They can be employed in government departments like Forest and Environment, Urban Planning, Pollution Control Boards, Water resources and Agriculture and other industries. Private industries and firms really need the services of Environmental Engineers for the ongoing procedures. Many refineries, waste treatment industries, distilleries, fertilizer plants, mines, textile mills and various food processing industries also hire environmental engineers. The environmental engineers who may not be interested in technical sector can take up research work. Others may teach in various institutions having Environmental Engineering as a course. Another interesting career can be that of an Environment journalist in different channels like Discovery channel and National Geographic Channel etc. An Environmental Engineer can really enjoy his life while in office.

Salary – Environmental Engineers with a bachelor’s degree receive a salary from the range of Rs.15,000/- to Rs.30,000/- per month. The post graduate Environmental Engineers get a salary range of Rs.35,000/- to 50,000/- per month and with a PhD a person can earn as much as 50,000/- to Rs.75,000/- per month. An Environmental Engineer having a license can earn up to Rs.1 lakhs per month.

International firms in U.S.A. provide a high pay package to their Environmental Engineers. According to a survey conducted in 2002, an environment engineer was given $61,410 annually. The second cadre Environmental Engineers earned in the range of $47,650 and $77,360 annually. The Environmental Engineers with a bachelor’s degree used to get starting salary of $44,702. The technicians were given below $38,640.

Environmental Engineering is indeed a challenging career which can provide a new experience everyday. It can also be very satisfying and immensely fulfilling because an achievement of an environment engineer can help the humanity also. And with a high salary one can really thrive in the field of Environmental Engineering.

The Best Environmental Engineering Colleges in India are: -

1. P.E.S. College of Engineering, Mandya

2. Delhi College of Engineering, New Delhi

3. Gujarat University, L.D. College of Engineering, Ahmedabad

4. Visvesvaraya Technological University, AIT, Chikmagalur

5. Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur.

6. Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad

7. Shaheed Bhagat Singh College of Engineering & Technology, Punjab

The Best Colleges in the USA for Environmental Engineering are -

1. Stanford University, Stanford, CA

2. University of California, Berkeley

3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA