Environmental pollution caused by rapid industrial growth is an issue not just in Korea but across the globe, and low-carbon green growth is the key to tackling global warming and water shortage among various environmental issues today.
To deal with environmental pollution, the Department of Environmental Engineering combines the theoretical basis with technology, and focuses on providing open education based on laboratory and field-based learning and future-oriented education centered on learners. This is to ultimately nurture leaders who can help enhance the quality of life and pursue sustainability amid global environmental changes by providing field-oriented education and training in cooperation with companies.
Established in 1997, the Department of Environmental Engineering aims to train advanced environmental engineers specialized in air pollution and management, water pollution and management, waste management and treatment, and groundwater and soil pollution management. Students learn the theories and technologies required for the basic design, engineering, construction, and operation of environmental infrastructure for water supply, sewage and wastewater treatment, soil and waste treatment, and air pollution prevention. The department also pursues education and research on technologies for efficient treatment of environmental pollutants and restoration of damaged environments using physical, chemical, and biological treatment methods.
Researchers from the department are involved in environmental impact assessment, CO2 reduction planning, water and wastewater treatment, and advanced water and wastewater treatment in connection with environmental projects of Daewoo E&C, Daejeon City Corporation, and Korea Institute of Energy Research, as well as government agencies such as Daejeon Metropolitan City, Chungcheongnam-do, Daejeon Environmental Technology Development Center, and Small and Medium Business Administration. In addition, the department has formed industry-university partnerships with various companies for R&D and technical support.
Humanity, which has relentlessly pursued material abundance in the past, is threatened by natural environmental degradation and global warming caused by mass production and consumption, increasing population density in urban areas, and indiscriminate use of resources since the Industrial Revolution. Air pollution, water pollution, waste pollution, soil pollution, marine pollution, etc. are increasing in severity, on a global scale, and in addition to global warming, acid rain and ozone depletion among various phenomena are jeopardizing the Earth. These environmental problems are now developing into global problems beyond the local level, and with global warming emerging as an international issue, nations around the world are pursuing low-carbon green growth policies. In order to understand and deal with pollution and other environmental issues, the department focuses on equipping students with basic knowledge as well as expertise in air pollution prevention and management technology, water pollution prevention and management technology, waste treatment technology, and environmental pollutant analysis skills for pollution prevention and reduction.