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What was the hardest part of majoring in Environmental Engineering?
#environmental-engineering #environmental-science
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Donald’s Answer
For me, the hardest part of environmental education was higher math, beyond calculus.
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Ravindra’s Answer
Hi Jamil,
I believe how difficult or easy environmental engineering is, depends on the person pursuing it, and where they do so. The education aspects differ from the professional challenges, and both differ a lot based on who and where you are.
Environmental engineering is interdisciplinary in many ways, and it includes aspects of chemical engineering, mechanical, civil and electrical, so it can be more demanding to learn for some. Because it includes so many different technical components it tends to be more interesting and stimulating for students with broad interests than those who are more focused. It is more comparable with agricultural engineering and manufacturing engineering in terms of university study, compared to civil engineering, electrical or material science.
In practice, it is more comparable with civil engineering than the other fields as environmental engineers spend a lot of time and energy on regulatory compliance. For those who enjoy dealing with bureaucracy, paperwork and other aspects of the regulatory challenge, it may be easier, while for those who have an easier time with technical problem solving it can be tedious and challenging. For those who have trouble with solving problems that require interaction with large governmental organizations, environmental engineering is generally the most challenging engineering specialty. Even so, in some loosely regulated or collaborative jurisdictions, this side of the profession is hardly challenging at all. Like all of the engineering specialties, it is mostly a function of the individual and the requirements of the role she or he fills.
I believe how difficult or easy environmental engineering is, depends on the person pursuing it, and where they do so. The education aspects differ from the professional challenges, and both differ a lot based on who and where you are.
Environmental engineering is interdisciplinary in many ways, and it includes aspects of chemical engineering, mechanical, civil and electrical, so it can be more demanding to learn for some. Because it includes so many different technical components it tends to be more interesting and stimulating for students with broad interests than those who are more focused. It is more comparable with agricultural engineering and manufacturing engineering in terms of university study, compared to civil engineering, electrical or material science.
In practice, it is more comparable with civil engineering than the other fields as environmental engineers spend a lot of time and energy on regulatory compliance. For those who enjoy dealing with bureaucracy, paperwork and other aspects of the regulatory challenge, it may be easier, while for those who have an easier time with technical problem solving it can be tedious and challenging. For those who have trouble with solving problems that require interaction with large governmental organizations, environmental engineering is generally the most challenging engineering specialty. Even so, in some loosely regulated or collaborative jurisdictions, this side of the profession is hardly challenging at all. Like all of the engineering specialties, it is mostly a function of the individual and the requirements of the role she or he fills.
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Jamil’s Answer
Time management. The math and science classes that are required for the major take a lot of practice and dedication. You can definitely do it though if you’re interested. Just don’t be afraid to ask for help when you get stuck.
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