Graduates from both programs earn an accredited Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree, and both programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. By receiving a degree from an accredited institution, civil and environmental engineering students are automatically eligible to take Part A of the New York state professional licensing exam. Graduates are also credited with eight years of education/experience towards the total of 12 years needed to be eligible to sit for the Professional Engineering Exam, which is required in order to register as a professional engineer. Both curriculum choices include opportunities and requirements to take courses outside of engineering. We recognize and support students’ evolving interests in the arts, humanities, social sciences, campus activities, and service opportunities, and urge civil and environmental engineering students to explore these pursuits while studying at Cornell.
Program Educational Objectives:
- Demonstrate in their professional practice strong technical abilities, leadership, communication, and teamwork;
- Engage in lifelong learning through the pursuit of advanced degrees and/or other opportunities for professional development outside of the classroom;
- Contribute to the design, construction, and operation of solutions to societal problems involving environmental systems;
- Demonstrate commitment to professional and ethical norms prioritizing public health and safety, environmental protection, and sustainability.
Student Outcomes:
As a result of their completion of the environmental engineering or civil engineering program, students should have the ability to:
- Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
- Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
- Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.