Environmental Engineering at Penn State Harrisburg

Mission

The mission of the Environmental Engineering Program at Penn State Harrisburg is to be the premier provider for environmental engineering education, training, research, and technology transfer in the south-central Pennsylvania region. The program is proactive in incorporating new and emerging paradigms and technology into all aspects of teaching, research, and service, while maintaining rigorous standards in traditional approaches to engineered solutions of environmental problems. Graduates will possess technical expertise, as well as interpersonal skills, to effectively function in a multicultural, interdisciplinary environment.

Environmental Engineering Program Educational Objectives

1. The Environmental Engineering Program at Penn State Harrisburg will produce environmental engineers especially suited to meet the needs of employers in the south-central Pennsylvania region, while having the ability to work nationally and internationally. These engineers should have the communication skills, computer skills, and technical knowledge necessary to function as competent engineers, and be highly knowledgeable about local and Pennsylvania practices, while maintaining a global perspective of environmental issues.
2. The Environmental Engineering Program at Penn State Harrisburg will produce graduates who can practice environmental engineering in the following application areas: water treatment, wastewater treatment, water resources engineering, solid waste management, and hazardous waste management.
3. Graduates will be able to accept responsibility in several different employment environments, including consulting, government, and industry.
4. Graduates will have the capability to perform well at engineering field work and laboratory work, as well as in the office environment, and be prepared for continued learning and advancement in the environmental engineering profession.
5. Graduates will be prepared to function individually and as part of a team to identify and solve environmental engineering problems, while having an appreciation for social, political, and ethical issues.
6. Faculty will perform research, scholarly activities, and service within the college, the community, nationally, and internationally, consistent with the mission of the College. Faculty will serve as examples, and create positive learning environments, by practicing and promoting diversity, professionalism, ethics, academic excellence, and life-long learning.

These objectives are consistent with the mission of the institution. Both the College Mission Statement and the Program Educational Objectives emphasize academic excellence; student responsibility; ethics; life-long learning; communications skills; local as well as global perspectives of issues; and research, scholarly activities, service, and professional activities by faculty.

Environmental Engineering Program Outcomes

In addition to the Program Education Objectives outlined and discussed above, the Environmental Engineering Program established a set of education outcomes, expected to be met by every student graduating from the program at the time of graduation. These outcomes, listed below, embrace the required outcomes as listed in Criterion 3 of Engineering Criteria 2000.

1. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering;
2. An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;
3. An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs;
4. An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams;
5. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;
6. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;
7. An ability to communicate effectively;
8. The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context;
9. A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning;
10. A knowledge of contemporary issues; and
11. An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

These are the outcomes that are the primary focus of the Outcomes Assessment activities for ABET. In addition to the (a) through (k) criteria, the faculty established an additional set of derivative outcomes, labeled here (l) through (p), that have been used to focus the program coursework to meet the Program Educational Objectives of producing high-quality graduates capable of working in Environmental Engineering in south-central Pennsylvania. These derivative outcomes are assessed by reviewing the students’ transcripts/Degree Audits and ensuring that graduates had fulfilled and met the grade requirements (for those courses requiring a “C” or better) for these courses. These were based on the ABET requirements for programs who achieve accreditation in Environmental Engineering.

12. A graduate from the Environmental Engineering program at Penn State Harrisburg will demonstrate proficiency in mathematics through differential equations, probability and statistics, calculus-based physics, general chemistry, an earth science relevant to the program of study, a biological science relevant to the program of study, and fluid mechanics relevant to the program of study. This derivative outcome will be met through the successful completion of the following coursework: three semesters of calculus (Calculus I, Calculus II and Differential Equations), Statistics, one-year of physics (Physics I and II), three semesters of chemistry (Chemistry I and II, each with lab, and Organic Chemistry), one semester each of environmental biology and chemistry (Environmental Microbiology, Environmental Chemistry), one semester of environmental geoscience and one semester of hydrology, and fluid mechanics.
13. A graduate from the Environmental Engineering program at Penn State Harrisburg will demonstrate knowledge of introductory level fundamentals in the following major focus areas: (1) water supply and resources; (2) environmental systems design and modeling; (3) environmental chemistry; (4) wastewater treatment and management; (5) solid and hazardous waste management; (6) atmospheric systems and air pollution control; and (7) environmental and occupational  health. This derivative outcome will be met through successful completion of the following coursework: Water Supply and Pollution Control, Hydraulic Design, Environmental Chemistry, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Design, Solid Waste Management, Hazardous Waste Management, Hydrology, Air Pollution Control.
14. A graduate from the Environmental Engineering program at Penn State Harrisburg will demonstrate proficiency in advanced principles and practice in a minimum of three of the major focus areas listed above (i.e., water supply and water resources, wastewater management, solid waste management, and to a lesser extent, hazardous waste management). To document the achievement of this derivative outcome, students will successfully complete the following courses (each with at least one documented design project): Hydraulic Design, Hydrology, Water Supply and Pollution Control, Treatment Plant Design, Solid Waste Management, Hazardous Waste Management, and Air Pollution.
15. A graduate from the Environmental Engineering program at Penn State Harrisburg will demonstrate ability to perform environmental engineering design by means of design experiences integrated throughout the professional component of the curriculum. A student will, as part of a team, design or analyze the following environmental engineering systems: Water treatment plant, Wastewater treatment plant, and a Hazardous waste treatment facility. A student will individually design or analyze the following environmental engineering systems: Water distribution system, Sanitary sewage collection system, Stormwater collection system, Air pollution control equipment, and Post-development stormwater controls. Copies of these design projects are maintained as documentation that students met this derivative outcomes, as well as the appropriate (a) through (k) outcomes for which an individual design project applies.
16. A graduate from the Environmental Engineering program at Penn State Harrisburg will demonstrate understanding of the importance of professional licensing and continuing education. Students will take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination and become registered as an Engineer-in-Training.