Today environmental engineering has become one of the most sought after branch of engineering studies at both undergraduate and the postgraduate levels. During the past few years, India has witnessed tremendous economic strides accompanied with large scale degeneration of environment which created numerous opportunities in environmental engineering. Today, environmental engineers have come to play an important role by being the safe custodian of the environment. According a teaching faculty at one of the country’s leading engineering institutes, “Graduates and postgraduates in environment engineering have a host of options in the form of openings in industries; effluent treatment plants; in environment management planning and public sector undertakings.”
Environmental engineering is a specialized field in the area of engineering studies wherein both science and engineering principles are used to provide a healthy environment and conserve air, water and soil resources. With the government becoming increasingly watchful and aggressive in order to curtail all actions that lead to degeneration of environment the demand of environmental engineers increasing day by day.
Personality Traits-
- Love for nature goes without saying. Environmental engineers are expected to promote energy efficiency through good environmental practices.
- Should be able to enjoy and work in different work areas and profiles.
- Keen interest to apply the workings of science and engineering.
- Good analytical skills.
- Should be very methodical and precise.
Course/Training
Getting in to this area of science is not difficult. Aspirants have to first clear their class XII with science stream with physics, chemistry and maths as compulsory subjects. Students have two options after they complete their class XII. They can either opt for a B.Sc in Environmental Science or they can enroll themselves in to a B.Tech course specializing in Environmental Engineering. They can further pursue a post gradute course in M.Sc in Environmental Science or a M.Tech in Energy & Environment Management.
Career Opportunities-
There is growing concern pertaining to energy and environmental conservation that is making the role of an environmental engineer extremely important. The industry is witnessing a sudden upsurge in demand of qualified and skilled environmental engineers to carry out their environmental protection activities. Skilled environmental engineers can find employment for themselves in government organizations, corporations, NGOs and private institutions.
Also international organizations such as the UN are working extremely hard in the area of world environment protection. As a result they are in constant search for qualified environmental engineers who can carry forth their country specific tasks.
Remunerations-
Competent students who have completed their graduation in B.Tech with a specialization in environmental engineering can earn an initial salary worth Rs.25,000 per month. However postgraduate degree holders can earn salaries that range between Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 50,000. Scientists who are working in government sector can start earning in the range of Rs. 12,000 to Rs 18,000 per month.
List of Institutes for undergrad and post-grad courses in India
Name of Institute Website
Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi www.iitd.ac.in
Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur www.iitk.ac.in
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur www.iitkgp.ac.in
University of Mysore, Mysore www.uni-mysore.ac.in
University of Pune, Pune www.unipune.ac.in
Delhi Technological University, New Delhi www.dtu.ac.in
Jamia Millia Islamia of New Delhi, New Delhi www.jmi.ac.in
