Environmental Science to Engineering ensight

[mobius9]

Hello Everyone! My name is Justin and I'm an Environmental Science student graduating in a year and hoping to pursue a masters in engineering. I'm looking for academic and career guidance in making the transition from a BS in Enviro. Sci to an masters program in environmental engineering.

I know for a fact engineering is the route I want to take, however my previous four years in college has been geared more towards ecology and the environment as opposed to the math and physics I know engineering students require. And unfortunately my university does not offer a pre engineering track. So naturally, it's a little discouraging knowing that I'm a little behind the curve on that but I have a year left to maybe catch up. (Finishing my minor in Geology) So the question I would like to ask is:
What programs should I be looking into if I want to get into Environmental Engineering?
Should I be looking at a post back possibly?
How realistic is it to moving into a master level engineering program with little to no engineering background?
And what should I do with my remaining available course hours in undergrad?

I really appreciate the help and the time to read this! Thanks Everyone!
Cheers!

[Hellfire]

I have done a little research. The links provided should give you some insight and help to answer your questions.

This one is the pre-requisite listing for Environmetal Engineering at Berkely. Keep in mind that some of the requirements will vary from Program to program.

www.ce.berkeley.edu/grad/degrees/requirements/env

www.ce.berkeley.edu/grad/degrees/requirements/env/detailed

The second link is a more detailed view of the requirements. Do you have any idea which institutions you are looking at for your Master's yet? I would check with the institution to find out what their requirements are, and then I would adjust fire accordingly with your remaing available undergrad hours.

That should at a minimum, point you in the right direction. If I can do anything else to help out, just let me know.

Good Luck!!

[engineer4free]

Hi Justin, I was in the same position as you a few years ago.

I decided before entering the last year of my Environmental Science degree that I wanted to pursue engineering. On paper I was eligible for a M.Sc. in Environmental Engineering, but much like you had no math or physics background because almost all my classes were in ecology too. My university said I could apply for a masters after I graduated, but recommended that I have a solid understanding of fluids, math, etc... I looked into upgrading and it would have taken me around 2 years to get to get a basic understanding of those subjects plus 2 years of actually doing the masters. I was concerned that after 4 years I may still not be as proficient as someone who had just taken the 4 years of an engineering undergrad.

I decided to bite the bullet and enroll in a second undergrad in Civil Engineering. I had a few open slots for classes in my last year of Environmental Science, so I took calculus and linear algebra, and luckily I had already completed all of the chemistry and elective requirements that the engineering degree would need.

My first year was pretty slow, because of some prerequisite issues I only took 7 classes between the two semesters, but now for years 2,3,4 I need to take 5-6 classes per semester (with no summer classes) to finish on time. Unfortunately my second degree is scheduled to take the full 4 years.

Its lame that I've been in school for so long and will not receive a masters degree, but I think I will be a better engineer at the end of the day. Honestly I could have went and got a science PhD instead during this time, but I'm not interested in doing that... It's not always about getting the flashiest degree, but more about doing the work that you really want to do.

Not everyone has 4 years to burn, but the undergrad is something you may want to consider, especially if you can do it in less. I'm halfway through it and I still think it was the right decision.

I feel like I have a lot more I can say but I will stop here for now haha... Let me know if you have any more questions!

Braden