Environmental Science & Engineering
Bachelor's in Environmental Science and Engineering

Concentration Information

Environmental Science & Engineering is an interdisciplinary field that applies principles from other branches of engineering, the natural sciences, and mathematics to better understand and address environmental challenges. Students interested in environmental science and engineering study the fundamental processes and technologies underlying environmental systems, including natural and polluted waters and soils, the atmosphere, climate, and energy. Students learn to apply these principles to mitigate human impact on the environment by providing technical solutions and advancing innovations in environmental measurement, modeling, and control. 

Students interested in Environmental Science & Engineering have the option to pursue:

  • Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) in Environmental Science and Engineering
  • Bachelor of Science (S.B.) in Engineering Sciences (an ABET accredited program) on the Environmental Science and Engineering Track

Concentrators study the fundamental processes underlying environmental systems, including atmospheric sciences and climate dynamics; pollution of our air, water, and soil; and the development of sustainable energy systems. Throughout their coursework, students learn to apply these principles to understand and model complex environmental problems and to mitigate human impacts on the environment. While students in either degree program take many of the same upper-level ESE courses, the A.B. program offers the opportunity to study complementary disciplines from other natural and social sciences, and the S.B. program provides a broader basis in engineering fundamentals with courses from other engineering areas and design.

The requirements can be found in the Harvard College Handbook for Students for both degrees (Environmental Science and Engineering AB, Engineering Sciences SB).

If you are curious about how ESE differs from other concentrations in Environmental Sciences (e.g., Earth and Planetary Sciences, Environmental Science and Public Policy), please check out the Harvard Green Book.