Compare two majors
Pick any two majors to see courses, skills, and typical career roles side by side. Useful if you're weighing two options that sound similar, like Computer Science vs. Data Science, or Biology vs. Biochemistry.
Engineering
Civil Engineering
Designing the infrastructure that cities and communities run on.
Typical courses
- ✓Statics
- ✓Mechanics of Materials
- ✓Fluid Mechanics
- ✓Structural Analysis
- ✓Geotechnical Engineering
- ✓Transportation Engineering
Skills you'll build
Structural analysis and designUnderstanding soil, materials, and load behaviorTechnical drafting and design softwareProject planning for large-scale buildsApplying safety codes and regulationsSite assessment and surveying basicsCollaborating across engineering and construction teams
Good fit if you...
- ★Interested in infrastructure and the built environment
- ★Strong in physics and applied math
- ★Detail-oriented about safety and regulatory standards
- ★Likes seeing projects that have a visible, physical impact
Roles this could lead to
Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Engineering solutions for clean water, air, and waste systems.
Typical courses
- ✓Environmental Chemistry
- ✓Fluid Mechanics
- ✓Water & Wastewater Treatment
- ✓Air Quality Engineering
- ✓Solid & Hazardous Waste Management
- ✓Environmental Microbiology
Skills you'll build
Designing water and waste treatment systemsEnvironmental sampling and lab analysisApplying environmental regulationsModeling pollutant transportSystems thinking about human and environmental impactTechnical writing for regulatory contextsProject design under sustainability constraints
Good fit if you...
- ★Cares about environmental and public health problems
- ★Strong in chemistry and applied math
- ★Interested in both science and hands-on engineering design
- ★Motivated by systems that protect communities
Roles this could lead to
This comparison covers what each field of study typically includes. It's not a ranking, and it isn't a guarantee of course availability or outcomes at any specific school. See our disclaimer.