High school students interested in environmental engineering should take a rigorous college preparatory course load, including:
- English: 4 years
- Math: 4 years, including Precalculus and Calculus
- Science: 4 years of laboratory-based science courses, such as Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
- Social Studies: 3 years, including U.S. History, World History, and Government/Economics
- Additional Science and Math Courses: 2-3 years, such as Earth Science, Environmental Science, and Statistics
Other important courses for environmental engineering include:
- Computer Science: 2-3 years, including Computer Programming and Data Analysis
- Foreign Language: 2-3 years of a world language, such as Spanish or Chinese
In addition, environmental engineering students should also develop strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills. They should be able to work effectively both independently and in a team environment.