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1. What is Environmental Engineering, and what does an environmental engineer do?
Environmental engineering is a branch of engineering concerned with the protection of water, air, and soil resources; the prevention and control of pollution; waste management; and the sustainable use of natural resources. Environmental engineers can work in a wide range of areas, including drinking water and wastewater treatment systems, air pollution control, solid and hazardous waste management, environmental impact assessment (EIA), climate change, and sustainability.
2. On which campus is the Department located?
Our Department is located on the 2nd floor of the Earth Sciences Building at Hacettepe University Beytepe Campus. Beytepe Campus is one of Ankara's large and green university campuses.
3. What is the language of instruction in the Department?
The language of instruction in our undergraduate program is English. Students who do not have a sufficient level of English proficiency receive English preparatory education at the University's School of Foreign Languages. The preparatory program is not compulsory for students who successfully pass the English proficiency examination.
4. How long does the undergraduate program take?
Our undergraduate program lasts 4 years (8 semesters). For students who attend the English preparatory program, the total duration of education may extend to 5 years.
5. How are students admitted to the Department? Which score type is required?
Students are admitted to our Department based on the results of the Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS) using the SAY (quantitative) score type. Up-to-date information on minimum admission scores, success rankings, and quotas can be obtained from ÖSYM guides and YÖK Atlas.
6. What is the Department's position in Türkiye, and how strong is its academic profile?
Hacettepe University Department of Environmental Engineering ranks 3rd among environmental engineering departments in Türkiye. Our Department has a strong academic staff consisting of experts in their respective fields and benefits from the University's well-established education and research infrastructure.
7. How many faculty members are there in the Department, and what are their qualifications?
Our Department has a strong academic staff consisting of 12 faculty members who are experts in their fields, 7 of whom are professors. A significant number of our faculty members have completed their doctoral or postdoctoral studies at prestigious universities abroad.
8. Is the Department accredited? Does it have MÜDEK accreditation?
Yes. Our undergraduate program has been accredited by MÜDEK until 2028. MÜDEK accreditation also includes the EUR-ACE label, which is recognized throughout Europe. This accreditation demonstrates that our educational program meets national and international quality standards.
9. What laboratory facilities are available in the Department?
Our Department has Environmental Chemistry and Environmental Microbiology Laboratories, a Unit Operations Practice Laboratory, and Environmental Engineering Research Laboratories. Students can use these laboratories for course-related practical work, graduation projects, and research activities.
10. What subjects are included in the curriculum?
In the first years of the program, students take basic science courses such as mathematics, physics, and chemistry, as well as fundamental engineering courses. In the following years, the curriculum includes water supply and wastewater treatment, air pollution and control, solid waste management, environmental chemistry, environmental microbiology, fluid mechanics, environmental modeling, sustainability, environmental impact assessment (EIA), and research project courses. Students can also take technical elective courses according to their areas of interest.
11. Are internships compulsory? What internship opportunities are available?
Yes. Students are required to complete 2 compulsory internships during their undergraduate education. Internships may be carried out in various professional settings, including treatment plants, municipalities, environmental consultancy firms, industrial facilities, and public institutions. Detailed information about internship rules, procedures, and required forms is available in the Internship Program section of our website.
12. Can I participate in a minor program?
Yes. Students who meet the required academic achievement criteria may apply for a minor program in accordance with the relevant regulations of our University. Detailed information about the minor programs offered by our Department is available in the Minor Programs section of our website.
13. Can I benefit from Erasmus and other exchange programs?
Yes. Through Erasmus+ study and traineeship mobility programs, our students can study at partner universities abroad or complete internships abroad. For up-to-date application requirements and information about partner universities, students should follow the announcements of the relevant international relations units of our University.
14. Can I participate in research projects in the Department?
Yes. Our students can conduct their own research projects through programs such as TÜBİTAK 2209-A or participate in research projects carried out by our faculty members. Students may also have opportunities to present their work at student project exhibitions and similar events.
15. Are scholarship opportunities available?
In addition to KYK scholarships and student loans, our students may benefit from scholarship opportunities provided by the University and various foundations and organizations. Current scholarship announcements are shared on the Department's website and through the relevant units of the University.
16. Do you offer master's and doctoral programs?
Yes. Our Department offers master's and doctoral programs under the Graduate School of Science and Engineering. Our graduate programs provide theoretical and applied courses as well as research opportunities in various areas of specialization. Application periods and admission requirements are announced on our website during the relevant application periods.
17. Are social and professional activities organized in the Department?
Yes. Seminars are organized as part of the Environmental Engineering Career Meetings, where industry professionals, alumni, and academics share their experiences with our students. Technical visits, student project exhibitions, alumni meetings, and environmental-themed activities are also organized.
18. Are technical visits organized?
Yes. As part of various courses, technical visits may be organized to facilities such as treatment plants, industrial facilities, cement plants, and sanitary landfills. These visits allow students to observe the practical applications of the theoretical knowledge they acquire in their courses.
19. In which fields can graduates work?
Our graduates can work in public institutions, municipalities, water and sewerage administrations, environmental consultancy and EIA firms, engineering companies specializing in treatment systems, environmental and sustainability departments of industrial organizations, the energy sector, international organizations, and academia. Fields such as carbon management, climate change, sustainability reporting, and green transformation are also providing an increasing range of career opportunities.
20. Does environmental engineering have a promising future? What are the career opportunities?
Issues such as climate change, water scarcity, waste management, and sustainability are becoming increasingly important in Türkiye and around the world. The growing importance of green transformation, carbon management, and sustainability practices is also diversifying the fields in which environmental engineers can work. Therefore, environmental engineering is one of the important engineering fields of the future.
21. What is the difference between environmental engineering and environmental science?
Environmental science focuses on understanding and investigating environmental processes, whereas environmental engineering uses scientific knowledge together with engineering approaches to develop systems, processes, and technological solutions to environmental problems. Graduates of environmental engineering programs receive the professional title of engineer.
22. Which subjects should I be good at to study Environmental Engineering?
Our program has a strong quantitative focus. A solid foundation in mathematics, physics, and particularly chemistry is beneficial. Since the language of instruction is English, improving your English language skills will also make your academic experience easier.
23. Can I transfer to the Department?
Yes. Internal and inter-institutional transfer opportunities are available in accordance with the relevant regulations of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK). Quotas, application dates, and requirements are announced each year by Hacettepe University Registrar's Office.
24. How can I contact the Department?
Address: Hacettepe University, Department of Environmental Engineering, Earth Sciences Building, 2nd Floor, 06800 Beytepe / Ankara, Türkiye
Phone: (312) 297 78 00
E-mail: cevre@hacettepe.edu.tr
You can also follow our Department on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Note: For information that may change annually, such as minimum admission scores, success rankings, quotas, and application schedules, please refer to ÖSYM guides, YÖK Atlas, and the latest announcements on the Department's website.