An Introduction to Environmental Engineering

Summary

The video highlights the impact of environmental engineering on understanding the world, integrating civil, chemical, and biological disciplines to address environmental issues like climate change, water quality, and air pollution. Students and professors from the University of British Columbia (UBC) share their passion for protecting natural spaces and working towards sustainable practices. They emphasize hands-on experience through co-op programs, fieldwork, and industry partnerships, fostering a sense of community among peers. The program empowers aspiring environmental engineers to make meaningful changes in society, promoting skills that directly contribute to solving critical environmental challenges.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Environmental engineering has reshaped how individuals perceive their environmental, social, and economic impact.
• 🏞️ A passion for the outdoors often drives individuals towards environmental engineering, fostering a desire to protect natural spaces.
• 💡 Environmental engineering integrates principles from civil, chemical, and biological engineering, focusing on sustainability and environmental issues.
• 👩‍🏫 Professors Greg Lawrence and Majid Mosamir co-direct the program, offering expertise in fields like environmental fluid mechanics.
• 🌱 Many societal challenges, such as climate change, air quality, and clean water, require the specialized skills of environmental engineers.
• 🏢 The program includes a co-op component, providing students with industry experience and networking opportunities with professionals in the field.
• 🌊 Students gain hands-on experience during their co-ops, like working with Environment and Climate Change Canada during natural disasters such as floods.
• 🚁 Field work, such as drone reforestation projects, allows students to apply their knowledge to real-world environmental issues like carbon emissions and sequestration.
• 👥 Small class sizes foster a close-knit community where students form lasting relationships and collaborate effectively on group projects.
• 🎓 The program's community-centric approach helps students build a strong professional network that can support them in their careers long after graduation.

Q & A

What has environmental engineering changed in the perspective of the speaker?

Environmental engineering has changed the speaker's thinking about their impact on the world, particularly in relation to the environment and its interaction with social and economic structures.

Why is the speaker drawn to environmental engineering?

The speaker is drawn to environmental engineering due to their love for the outdoors and a strong desire to protect natural spaces.

How does environmental engineering integrate with other engineering disciplines?

Environmental engineering integrates with other disciplines like civil and chemical engineering by adopting more environmentally friendly practices.

What is the role of Greg Lawrence in the environmental engineering program at UBC?

Greg Lawrence is a professor in the department of civil engineering at UBC, specializing in environmental fluid mechanics, and co-director of the environmental engineering program.

What is the focus of Majid Mosamir's work in the environmental engineering department?

Majid Mosamir is a professor in the department of chemical and biological engineering, focusing on environmental issues and challenges that society faces.

How does the environmental engineering program at UBC prepare students for industry?

The program prepares students through a combination of courses focusing on environmental issues, co-op programs, and maintaining relationships with industry partners who are part of the Advisory Group.

What was Ben's Co-op experience with Environment and Climate Change Canada?

Ben worked on measuring flow rates of rivers during the 2021 November floods in BC, which involved field work in Merit and Princeton to inform decision-makers during the floods.

How did Abby Taylor's Co-op experience contribute to environmental engineering?

Abby worked with a drone reforestation company, conducting plant science experiments and field work, focusing on carbon emissions and sequestration.

What advantages does the small class size in the environmental engineering program offer?

The small class size allows students to build a strong community, know each other well, and effectively work together, which is beneficial for their future industry connections.

Why is it important to build relationships with classmates in the environmental engineering program according to Victor Pham?

Victor Pham believes it's important because classmates not only collaborate on projects but may also become industry colleagues in the future.

How does the environmental engineering program at UBC support students' aspirations to make a change in the world?

The program provides students with the knowledge and skills to address environmental challenges, enabling them to fulfill their dreams of making a positive impact on the world.