Environmental engineers need to understand and apply environmental health and safety regulations and concepts. A solid science and health background helps geoengineers comprehend such applications and explain them to workers in various industries. The BLS explains that the shift in focus from just cleaning up environmental issues to prevention requires geoengineering technicians to be versed in current technology and regulations for hazardous situations.
Associate degrees, including those for geoengineering, require general education credits. Courses in writing, speaking, social studies, math and science make up about half of the two-year degree program. Environmental engineering majors also take physics, biology and several chemistry courses along with calculus and a basic computer course. Students who believe they may later pursue a bachelor's degree should work closely with an adviser and choose classes that will transfer for that degree.
Courses within the major include topics such as legal aspects of environmental engineering, computational methods in the major, environmental chemistry, air sampling and analysis, health physics, fluid mechanics, wastewater treatment, analysis of environmental pollutants, instrumentation in environmental analysis, hazardous material handling, environmental bacteriology, and site investigation and monitoring. Some classes require laboratory components for hands-on experience. For instance, an analysis of pollutants lab teaches students to use instruments such as an IR spectrophotometer to analyze water and soil for contaminants.
According to the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), certification helps geoengineers get jobs. The Certified Safety Professional (CSP) credential indicates the holder demonstrates knowledge and skills to work in the field. Applicants must have a minimum of an associate degree in a health, environment or safety major such as environmental engineering. Once candidates achieve three years of appropriate work experience, they can sit for the exam to earn the certification.