This program is available at the following location:

• Corvallis

Ecological engineering (EcoE) is the design of sustainable systems consistent with ecological principles that integrate human activities into the natural environment to the benefit of both. Our systems-approach to engineering emphasizes diversity, resilience, and adaptation to maintain sustainability. Ecological engineering deals with both fundamental processes and engineering applications on scales that range from microscopic to watersheds and beyond. This discipline is rapidly developing as an important new area of engineering based on the science of ecological systems, with a number of dedicated journals, national and international professional societies, and new application areas emerging over the last decade. The Biological and Ecological Engineering Department at OSU has considerable expertise in this area and is among the national leaders in this discipline.

The Bachelor of Science and Honors Bachelor of Science degrees in Ecological Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.ABET.org.

The EcoE program is the first of its kind nationally, reflecting Oregon’s leadership in this new and exciting multidisciplinary field. This organization provides students with considerable flexibility in selecting their degree path.

Graduates with an Ecological Engineering degree will work to optimize the interface between humankind and the environment. Example activities undertaken might include river and wetland restoration, optimizing sensor arrays for ecological monitoring, improving productivity at agricultural and aquaculture facilities, managing the quality and quantity of water leaving farms, urban areas, landfills and industrial sites, and projection and adaptation of natural and anthropogenic systems to global climate and land use changes. Oregon State University has strong programs in many of the basic and engineering sciences that underpin the Ecological Engineering degree program. 

Graduates with an ecological engineering skill set may find employment with industrial clients, engineering consulting companies, governmental agencies, and entrepreneurial start-ups.

Program Educational Objectives and Student Outcomes are posted on the BEE website.

Major Code: 450

Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:

• Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
• Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
• Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
• Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
• Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
• Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
• Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

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Baccalaureate Core course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in a catalog year up to 2024-2025

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Core Education course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in catalog year 2025-2026 and beyond

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Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC) course

¹

Students who complete CORE 100 or CORE 300 or a non-ENGR Transitions course and then declare an Engineering major will use an Engineering elective course to substitute for ENGR 115

²

For Ecological Engineering elective choices with fewer than 4 credits, the additional credit should be added to the Engineering Elective category

³

For Ecological Science elective choices with fewer than 4 credits, the additional credit should be added to the Engineering Elective category. For Ecological Science elective choices with greater than 4 credits, the additional credit should be subtracted from the Engineering Elective category

Major Code: 450

Degree plans are subject to change and the following is only an example of how students may complete their degree in four years. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best degree plan for them. Contact details for advisors can be found on the Academic Advising page.

*

Baccalaureate Core course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in a catalog year up to 2024-2025

+

Core Education course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in catalog year 2025-2026 and beyond

^

Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC) course