John W. Sutherland

Welcome to Sustainability Engineering and Environmental Engineering (SEE) at Purdue!

The SEE at Purdue pursues a new and unique approach to environmental engineering.  In addition to considering conventional waste emission control and treatment, our students learn to use systems engineering techniques to proactively avoid environmental problems.  Our approach adopts an integrated perspective to ensure that engineering systems are created that can exist in harmony with the natural world and serve society.

SEE has added to an extensive set of sustainability, environmental, and ecologically oriented course offerings within the college of engineering, and builds upon the strong community of faculty and students engaged in environmentally related research at Purdue.  SEE is interdisciplinary, structured to be inclusive of all efforts across the College related to environmental and ecological engineering.

Career opportunities are expanding in the environmental engineering field, and this reflects the reality that SEE issues are embedded in almost every societal challenge. According to a study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for environmental engineers will increase much faster than average. I encourage you to take a look at our programs and think about the opportunities available here to launch a fulfilling and exciting career.

If you have any questions about SEE, please contact our office.

John W. Sutherland, Ph.D.

Fehsenfeld Family Head, Environmental and Ecological Engineering