Environmental Engineering Technology - Associate Degree
This associate degree program is designed to meet the need for environmental engineering technicians in Northeast Wisconsin. As a program grad, you're equipped with skills to analyze and test water, wastewater, air, and solid waste to ensure environmental protection and compliance while maintaining community health and safety. Typical careers include environmental engineering technician, water and waste water treatment plant and system operator, water resource specialist, environmental lab technician, environment compliance officer, water quality sampler, quality control inspector, and recycling coordinator. Program students have the option to be certified in 40 hour HAZWOPER WDNR Wastewater, Water, and/or Landfill Operator with completion of coursework and independent testing. With additional education, you may receive a BS in Environmental Engineering Technology.
Delivery
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Program Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition: $11,101, Books: $876, Supplies: $325
This program is fully eligible for financial aid.
Estimates based on in-state residency. Please visit the following URL to learn more about tuition and fees for this program. https://www.nwtc.edu/admissions-and-aid/paying-for-college/tuition-and-fees?ProgramCode=105062
Requirements for Program Entry
- Apply at www.nwtc.edu/apply.
- Submit the following to transcripts@nwtc.edu: High school transcript (or GED/HSED transcript) College transcript
- If your cumulative GPA is below 2.6, complete or submit a placement evaluation.
- Tip! Our admission advisors will assist you through every step. Have questions? Connect with NWTC Admissions at start@nwtc.edu or 920-498-5444.
Program Outcomes
- Identify, monitor and evaluate environmental hazards
- Examine the effects of pollution
- Determine strategies to minimize or prevent waste in order to reduce impact on the environment
- Create and maintain environmental reports in accordance with applicable standards
- Utilize applied science and mathematical skills to modify test and operate equipment used in the prevention, control and remediation of environmental issues, including waste and water treatment
- Use effective oral and written communication skills
- Utilize problem solving skills for DNR certification
- Perform safe work practices
Curriculum
Students following the study plan below will complete the Environmental Engineering-Waste & Water Technology associate degree in the number of semesters shown.
First Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Full Semester
Second Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Summer Before Third Semester
Third Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Fourth Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
- Curriculum Note: The credit for 10-890-101, College 101 is an institutional requirement for graduation. Consequently, it is not part of the program credit requirements, but must be passed with a "C" or better.
- Students completing General Studies courses at NWTC must earn a "C" or better in English Composition to enroll in Technical Reporting.
- Students completing College Technical Math 1A must earn a "C" or better to enroll in Environmental Chemical Analysis and College Technical Math 1B.
- Students completing General Chemistry must earn a "C" or better to enroll in Environmental Chemical Analysis.
Course Descriptions
Students gain skills that lead to success in college, employment, and life. Students should take this course in their first semester. (Pre-requisite: None.)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringAn introduction to the basic principles of environmental science including ecology, energy, resources, waste management, air, water, and soil pollution.
Course Typically Offered: FallTopics include solving linear equations; graphing; percent; proportions; measurement systems; computational geometry; and right triangle trigonometry. Emphasis will be on the application of skills to technical problems. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Arithmetic score greater/equal to 250 AND Rdg score greater/equal to 250; OR ACT Math score greater/equal to 15 AND ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16; OR preparatory courses-contact an academic advisor 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringCreating worksheets; enter data, make modifications, work with formulas and functions, create and enhance charts, manage data, transform data, conditional formatting, importing/exporting data, introduction to PivotTables and PivotCharts.
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringCovers chemistry fundamentals. Topics: metric system, problem-solving, periodic relationships, chemical reactions, chemical equilibrium, properties of water; acids, bases, and salts; and gas laws. (Prereq: A 2.6 GPA AND Algebra 2 or equivalent w/C or better; OR Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Next Gen Arithmetic score greater/equal to 250; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 15 AND ACT Math score greater/equal to 21; OR prep courses-contact academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringIntroduces general biological concepts/principles. Emphasis is on cell structure/function, genetics, evolution, and taxonomical relationships. Consideration is also given to diversity among the various kingdoms. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Reading score greater/equal to 263; OR ACT Reading score greater/equal to 17; OR preparatory courses-contact an academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringHydrostatic pressure, continuity of flow, conservation of energy, flow in pipes under pressure, open channel flow, sewer design, rainfall, urban and agricultural runoff. (Prerequisite: 10-804-113, College Technical Math 1A with a "C" or better)
Course Typically Offered: SpringTopics include: performing operations on polynomials; solving quadratic and rational equations; formula rearrangement; solving systems of equations; and oblique triangle trigonometry. Emphasis will be on the application of skills to technical problems. (Prerequisite: 10-804-113, Tech Math 1A with grade C or better)
Course Typically Offered: Fall SpringDevelops the knowledge, skills, process, and understanding of AutoCAD by working with templates; creating and manipulating layers; basic drawing, editing, and inquiry commands; and blocks, attributes, and plotting.
Course Typically Offered:Develops the knowledge, skills, process, and understanding of working with survey data, points, alignments, surfaces, and profile in Civil 3D. (Pre-Requisite: 10-607-112, AutoCAD for Civil Engineering.)
Course Typically Offered:Laboratory techniques are performed to determine the suitability of supply sources and purification processes in the water and wastewater industries. (Prerequisite: 10-806-134, General Chemistry with a "C" or better; 10-804-113, College Technical Math 1A with a "C" or better)
Course Typically Offered: Springterminology, software operation and interface, creation and analysis of digital maps, and exploring the data behind the maps in Geographic Information Systems. GIS is used to visualize real-world features, obtain information, and communicate the information to others.
Course Typically Offered: SpringLearners develop knowledge/skills in planning, organizing, writing, editing. Students will also analyze audience/purpose, use elements of research, format documents using standard guidelines, and develop critical reading skills. (Prerequisite: High school GPA greater/equal to 2.6; OR ACT Reading score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 18; OR Next Gen Reading score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 260; OR "preparatory course(s)", contact academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringSupervised on-the-job training in the application of theory, skills, and techniques in the Environmental Engineering profession. The internship earns three Associate Degree credits when 180 hours of work experience has been completed. Minimum instructor approval required.
Course Typically Offered: FallPhysical, chemical, and biological principles associated with treating liquid flow streams in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities. The basic unit processes, control parameters, hydraulics and mathematical problem-solving related to collection systems and treatment facilities are introduced. Laboratory procedures and practices involved with operation of liquid treatment processes. (Prerequisite: 10-506-148, Environmental Chem Analysis)
Course Typically Offered: FallThis course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding of pumps, the different classifications of pumps, the inner workings, general maintenance and pumping theory.
Course Typically Offered: Fall Springair quality problems, federal and state regulatory mechanisms, and the types of emission control technology currently available. Monitoring emissions and ambient air quality are addressed. (Prerequisite: 10-801-136, English Composition 1 with a "C" or better)
Course Typically Offered: SpringPrinciples of report writing and correspondence, proposals, feasibility reports, progress reports, investigation reports, evaluation reports, meeting reports, memos, and correspondence. (Prerequisite: 10-801-136, English Composition I OR 10-801-195, Written Communication with “C” or better)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringState and federal regulations related to worker safety, industrial hygiene, and response to emergency situations. Emphasis is placed on response to releases of hazardous materials.
Course Typically Offered: SpringPhysical, chemical, and biological principles of operation of surface water treatment and distribution systems. The basic unit processes, control parameters, and mathematical problem-solving related to surface water treatment facilities and distribution systems are introduced. Laboratory procedures and practices involved with operation of water analysis and treatment. (Prerequisites: 10-506-148, Environmental Chem Analysis; 10-804-113, College Tech Math 1A. Corequisites: 10-506-166, Ground Water & Distribution)
Course Typically Offered: SpringIdentify the hierarchy of and regulations related to solid and hazardous waste, the waste stream, pollution prevention and disposal strategies. Learn detection techniques and proper transporting and handling methods.
Course Typically Offered: SpringThis course introduces the study of diversity from a local to a global perspective using a holistic, interdisciplinary approach that encourages exploration and prepares students to work in a diverse environment. The course introduces basic diversity concepts, examines the impact of bias and power differentials among groups, explores the use of culturally responsive communication strategies, and compares forces that shape diversity in an international context. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 15; OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing with a B or better.)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringPhysical, chemical, and biological principles of operation of groundwater and distribution systems. The basic unit processes, control parameters, and mathematical problem-solving related to groundwater facilities and distribution systems are introduced. Laboratory procedures and practices involved with operation of water analysis and treatment. (Prerequisites: 10-506-148, Environmental Chem Analysis; 10-804-113, College Technical Math 1A with a "C" or better)
Course Typically Offered: SpringThis science of psychology course is a survey of multiple aspects of behavior and mental processes. It provides an overview of topics such as research methods, theoretical perspectives, learning, cognition, memory, motivation, emotions, personality, abnormal psychology, physiological factors, social influences, and development.. (Prerequisite: Cumulative GPA of 2.6 or greater OR satisfactory reading and writing assessment scores OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing 1 with "B" or better OR Corequisite: 10-831-102, English Comp Prep).
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall Spring