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4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
Harvard UniversityOffered by Harvard University's John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), this undergraduate track combines engineering principles with environmental science to prepare students to tackle challenges such as climate change, pollution, water management, and sustainable energy development. Designed for students who enjoy mathematics, science, problem-solving, and practical innovation, the programme combines a strong engineering foundation with specialist study of environmental systems, computational modelling, laboratory investigation, and engineering design.
Curriculum Structure
The S.B. track requires 20 half-courses, combining foundational mathematics and sciences, environmental science and engineering subjects, additional engineering coursework, and two engineering design courses. The sequence below describes a typical progression rather than a fixed year-by-year curriculum; students work with concentration advisers to develop an approved plan of study suited to their preparation and interests.
Year 1: Building the Scientific Foundation
Students begin by developing their mathematical and scientific knowledge through foundational mathematics, physics, and chemistry, while gaining an introduction to environmental engineering through ESE 6: Introduction to Environmental Science and Engineering. Depending on their preparation and course placement, they may also take AM 10: Computing with Python for Scientists and Engineers, building computational skills that support later environmental data analysis and modelling.
Year 2: Strengthening Engineering and Environmental Knowledge
During the second year, students continue developing their understanding of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and engineering fundamentals while preparing to progress into advanced environmental coursework. Subjects such as ESE 109: Earth Resources and the Environment and ESE 115: Ecosystem Patterns and Processes: Parallels in Natural and Built Environments offer routes into understanding resource use, ecosystem behaviour, and the environmental implications of human development; the precise timing depends on prerequisites and the student's study plan.
Year 3: Specialisation and Collaborative Engineering Design
Students typically move into advanced environmental subjects that examine real-world environmental processes and engineering solutions. Options include ESE 162: Hydrology, which explores water movement through environmental systems, and ESE 164: Environmental Chemistry, which examines chemical processes affecting the environment. Students also undertake ES 96, a multidisciplinary, team-based engineering design course in which they analyse a real-world problem and develop a prototype solution.
Year 4: Advanced Application and Capstone Design
In their final year, students deepen their specialist knowledge through advanced electives and complete ES 100hf, a year-long capstone engineering design course. They develop and prototype a solution to an engineering problem of their choice, culminating in an individual senior design thesis that demonstrates their ability to apply engineering analysis, technical knowledge, and design skills to a substantial problem.
Focus Areas
The programme offers opportunities to explore climate science and climate dynamics, environmental chemistry, air and water pollution, hydrology, ecosystem processes, renewable and conventional energy resources, environmental measurement, computational modelling, and sustainable engineering design. Students can shape their studies through approved environmental and engineering electives, gaining both specialist knowledge and a broader understanding of engineering systems.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates develop a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and engineering; learn to analyse environmental processes and human impacts; and build skills in environmental measurement, data analysis, modelling, and pollution control. Through collaborative design and the individual capstone thesis, they also practise evaluating technical challenges, developing prototype solutions, and communicating engineering work.
Professional Alignment and Accreditation
The Engineering Sciences S.B. programme is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. This accreditation provides external recognition that the programme meets established engineering education quality standards and can be valuable preparation for professional engineering pathways. Students should check the requirements of the relevant licensing authority for their intended country or state, as professional licensure requirements vary by jurisdiction.
Reputation and Employability
Harvard SEAS provides an interdisciplinary engineering education supported by faculty research, laboratory learning, and opportunities to work on environmental challenges. The university identifies a range of potential graduate destinations, including technical and management consulting, energy, government, green technology, research, biotechnology, finance, and non-governmental organisations. These are potential career pathways, not guaranteed outcomes for individual graduates.
No programme-specific graduate employment rate, salary figure, or verified QS or Guardian subject-ranking figure is established by the official programme sources cited here, so none is included as a programme outcome.
Harvard SEAS integrates practical learning into the Environmental Science and Engineering track through environmental laboratories, field investigations, computational work, research placements, and engineering design projects. Students can investigate environmental samples, explore pollution and water-treatment processes, analyse environmental data, and collaborate with faculty on research into climate change, sustainable energy, and environmental health. The S.B. track also includes structured team-based design and an individual senior capstone, helping students connect scientific understanding with the development of engineering solutions.
Students can access several programme-specific opportunities and facilities:
- Environmental Engineering Lab: A dedicated teaching and instrumentation facility supporting investigations into air quality, soil and water chemistry, water treatment, environmental data analysis, and thermodynamics. Its equipment supports both laboratory experiments and field sampling.
- Advanced Analytical Instruments: Students can gain experience with equipment including an inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometer, X-ray fluorometer, ion chromatography system, liquid and gas chromatography systems, UV/Vis spectrophotometer, scanning electron microscope, and microfluidics system, as appropriate to their coursework and projects.
- Field Trips and Environmental Investigations: Harvard highlights visits to the Allston District Energy Facility, water-quality sampling in the Charles River, groundwater hydrology investigations at Joint Base Cape Cod, and visits to NOAA's Waquoit Bay Research Reserve. These experiences connect classroom concepts with actual energy, water, and environmental systems.
- Collaborative Engineering Design: In ES 96, students work in multidisciplinary teams to analyse engineering problems and develop prototypes. The senior-year ES 100hf capstone provides an opportunity to design and prototype an individual solution to a selected engineering problem.
- Faculty Research and Undergraduate Research Credit: Students may join SEAS research groups during the academic year and may undertake research for course credit through ES 91r, subject to the applicable requirements and approval. Research topics can include carbon sequestration, air-quality modelling, sustainable materials, and environmental policy.
- Summer Research Funding and Internships: Opportunities include the Program for Research in Science and Engineering (PRISE), Harvard College Research Program (HCRP), and Harvard University Center for the Environment (HUCE). Harvard also identifies research internships at SEAS and national laboratories, along with industry internships accessible through SEAS career fairs and experiential-learning support. Availability and funding depend on the particular opportunity.
- Computational Tools: The curriculum includes opportunities to develop computational skills using tools such as Python and MATLAB in selected courses. For example, the programme's study-plan materials identify Python and/or MATLAB preparation for several environmental engineering subjects, although requirements vary by course.
The Environmental Science and Engineering S.B. track prepares students to apply engineering methods and scientific analysis to environmental challenges across industry, research, government, and the sustainability sector. Its combination of environmental specialisation, quantitative skills, practical laboratory experience, and engineering design can support progression into technical careers or further study. Harvard identifies technical consulting, energy, green technology, government, research, and environmental organisations among the fields its Environmental Science and Engineering graduates may pursue.
Potential Career Opportunities
Graduates may explore roles such as:
Environmental Engineer: Applying engineering principles to pollution prevention, environmental remediation, and water or waste management.
Sustainability and Climate Analyst: Evaluating environmental data, climate risks, energy systems, and sustainability strategies.
Environmental Consultant: Supporting organisations with environmental assessments, technical analysis, and pollution-control solutions.
Environmental Researcher or Research Associate: Investigating environmental chemistry, hydrology, atmospheric processes, or sustainable technologies.
These are potential career directions aligned with the programme's curriculum, not guaranteed job titles or placements.
Career Development and Graduate Outcomes
Students can strengthen their employability through Harvard's career-development resources, research opportunities, and practical engineering projects:
- Career Advising and Employment Support: The Mignone Center for Career Success offers individual advising, resume and cover-letter reviews, interview preparation, and guidance on career planning, internships, and graduate applications. Its climate, sustainability, energy, and environment advising pathway is particularly relevant to this degree.
- Career Fairs and Employer Connections: Harvard FAS career fairs and expos connect students with employers offering job openings, internships, research experiences, and projects. Students can use Crimson Careers to access listings, events, and advising appointments.
- Research and Internship Opportunities: SEAS supports undergraduate participation in faculty research, while opportunities such as PRISE, HCRP, and HUCE can help students pursue summer research. Internships with industry partners, NGOs, government agencies, and research institutes can provide further experience, depending on availability and selection.
- Industry and Research Engagement: The programme describes opportunities to work with industry partners and external research organisations through internships and research experiences. Its practical learning also includes environmental field investigations and collaborative engineering design. The official programme sources do not establish a specific list of guaranteed industry partners for this track.
- Accreditation Value: The Engineering Sciences S.B. programme is ABET-accredited, providing recognised evidence that its engineering education meets established professional quality standards. This can be useful for students considering engineering careers, although any licensing requirements depend on the jurisdiction in which they intend to work.
- Employment Statistics and Salaries: Harvard's official programme page describes a range of graduate career destinations, but the sources reviewed do not provide a verified programme-specific employment rate, average starting salary, or median graduate salary. These figures should be obtained from an applicable official graduate-outcomes report rather than estimated for this degree.
- Graduation Outcomes: Students complete the required engineering curriculum and, in their senior year, the ES 100hf capstone design course, producing an individual senior design thesis. This provides a substantial engineering-design project that students can discuss when applying for employment or further study.
Further Academic Progression: Graduates can consider master's or doctoral study in environmental engineering, environmental science, climate science, energy systems, sustainability, hydrology, or related engineering and applied-science fields. A relevant postgraduate degree can help students develop advanced technical expertise or prepare for research-intensive careers. Harvard also offers an A.B./S.M. pathway for eligible students who are already enrolled at Harvard College; this option is not a general direct-entry master's route for external applicants.
US universities use a holistic admissions review. Beyond grades and standardized test scores, they weigh the strength of your overall profile to understand who you are as a student and a person.
Extracurricular activities: Estimated extracurricular contribution: 20–30%. Harvard values quality over quantity. It considers leadership, community contribution, sustained commitment, exceptional talent and personal responsibilities. Applicants may be well-rounded or demonstrate exceptional achievement in one particular area. Harvard does not expect students to fill every activity slot.Profile Assessment: Science applicants are generally assessed on the rigour of their Mathematics and laboratory-science coursework. Relevant preparation may include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Calculus or Statistics, depending on the intended field. Research, science fairs, Olympiads, laboratory exposure, independent investigation and environmental or community-science projects can demonstrate scientific curiosity and analytical thinking.Advanced Placement(AP) Guidance: AP availability depends on the student's school. Relevant APs can strengthen an application and may earn university credit, but are not compulsory unless the university or programme explicitly requires them.Essays & recommendations: Personal essays and teacher/counselor recommendations give context to your achievements and help demonstrate fit with the program.Environmental EngineerEnvironmental ScientistEnvironmental ConsultantClimate Change AnalystSustainability EngineerRenewable Energy ConsultantEnvironmental ResearcherHydrologistAir Quality EngineerWater Resources EngineerEnvironmental Data AnalystGreen Technology Specialist
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