Ecological Engineering Major

The need for an ecological engineering major stems from several pressing global challenges, including environmental degradation, climate change, and biodiversity loss. Recognizing this need, national and international organizations have recently implemented ecological engineering-focused initiatives, including the Engineering With Nature Initiative by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and nature-based solutions initiatives by the World Resources Institute. Our department created an Ecological Engineering (EcoE) major to meet the growing demand for engineering graduates with a firm foundation in ecological design principles. Faculty in our department have been active in the American Ecological Engineering Society (AEES) since its inception in the late 1990s to provide a venue for integrating ecological principles in engineering design. At Virginia Tech, we hosted the annual AEES national conference in 2008 and 2024. We have faculty members who are past Presidents and Fellows of the AEES, and a faculty member who serves as a board member of the International Ecological Engineering Society.  

The engineering foundational courses during freshman year introduce students to engineering problem solving and design. Beginning in the sophomore year, students will apply this collective knowledge to the ecological engineering discipline, taking a series of courses providing the ability to quantify energy, mass, and water movement throughout living landscapes, from forests and farms to urban areas. Students learn marketable internship skills (GIS, AutoCAD) early in the program and are provided a common Virginia Tech experience in discourse, reasoning, critical thinking, and analysis. Required courses include ecology, soils, green engineering, and environmental life-cycle assessment. Selected electives complement the program, with choices from ecological restoration to field data-collection methods. The major provides hands-on learning experiences integrating our unique outdoor classroom – Virginia Tech’s StREAM Lab. The program culminates in a year-long Capstone Design Experience of real-world design problems with an industry partner.

It’s easy to switch from the ecological engineering (EcoE) major to the biological systems engineering (BSE) major. The courses you’ll take can all be applied to the BSE major.

Our career advisor works with every student to provide guidance, navigate changes like switching majors, and how to incorporate experiences outside the classroom. Every year, we have students who participate in experiences from studying abroad to semester or year-long CEIP.

Both the ecological engineering (EcoE) and biological systems engineering (BSE) majors provide skills and training to solve pressing societal, ecological, and environmental challenges. EcoE majors focus on using a holistic, systems approach to sustainable design. Required courses in the EcoE major that are not required in the BSE major include ecology, soils, green engineering, and environmental life-cycle assessment. While EcoE majors follow a more structured curriculum, students majoring in BSE have the flexibility to choose from a variety of pathways, including environmental health engineering, biotechnology, food engineering, and ecological engineering (differences between the EcoE major and the ecological engineering pathway within a BSE major are described below). The student’s diploma will list either Ecological Engineering (for EcoE majors) or Biological Systems Engineering (for BSE majors, regardless of specified pathway). 

Both environmental engineers and ecological engineers apply scientific and engineering principles to solve environmental problems. Environmental engineers typically focus on providing clean drinking water and treating waste (wastewater, hazardous waste, solid waste (trash), stormwater, and air pollution). While ecological engineers may work on similar problems, they utilize a systems approach to design that incorporates ecological principles. Ecological engineers frequently work in areas such as stream and wetland restoration, regenerative agriculture, and low-impact development. 

Required courses in the EcoE major that are not required in the BSE major include ecology, soils, green engineering, geographic information systems for engineers, and environmental life-cycle assessment. EcoE majors follow a more focused and structured curriculum, while students majoring in BSE on the ecological engineering pathway may choose from a broad range of elective courses. The student’s diploma will list either Ecological Engineering (for EcoE majors) or Biological Systems Engineering (for BSE majors, but pathways will not be listed).   

Yes – students coming into our program can graduate within 4 years regardless of being ready to take Calc 1 fall of their first year. Our advisor works closely with all students on their course plans to ensure a timely graduation and helps maximize their time at Virginia Tech by incorporating additional minors, majors, study abroad, internships, and co-ops as well as providing useful campus resources and instruction on career and professional development.