The origins of the Faculty of Infrastructure and Environment date back to the year 1975 when he Institute of Civil Engineering, with rights equal to those of a faculty, was established. Then, in 1984 the Institute was replaced by the Faculty of Civil Engineering, with the Institute of Environmental Engineering being its part.
The name of the Faculty was changed again in 1992 into the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Protection. In January 1997 the Institute of Environmental Protection was separated from the Faculty as a basic unit with full academic rights. In August of the same year, the Institute of Environmental Protection was transformed into the Faculty of Environmental Protection and Engineering. The Faculty was given the right to confer the PhD title in the field of Environmental Engineering in 1998. Four years later, the Faculty obtained the right to confer postdoctoral degrees in the same field. In 2002 full-time PhD studies in Environmental Protection were introduced. In 2012 new name was given by the Senate: "Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology". Finally, in 2016 the actual name was given by the Senate: "Faculty of Infrastructure and Environment".
At present, students can choose from Environmental Engineering, Environmental Protection and Power Engineering study modules, which have been offered since 1975, 1999 and 2008 respectively. The Faculty offers a three-tier system of studies:
Undergraduate studies leading to a BSc degree
Graduate studies leading to a MSc degree
PhD studies
The students are supported by a range of state-of-the-art facilities that comprise specialised laboratories with unique scientific equipment as well as modern computer rooms, which enhances the educational process and makes it more effective.
The graduates of the Faculty are well prepared to take up responsible positions in different sectors of the economy, especially in public utilities, (the water board and sewage systems). Opportunities are also available in power industries, construction companies, infrastructure, and environmental protection departments of public institutions.
Within the framework of the disciplines taught at the Faculty, research is conducted on heating, ventilation and atmosphere protection , sewage biotechnology and waste utilization, energy engineering, water supply and sewage engineering.
Within the framework of two main disciplines, research is carried out into effective technologies of energy production, conversion and storage as well as its renewable sources, advanced technologies and other highly effective environmental protection technologies.
Within the main research areas special attention is given to sewage sludge treatment and management, autothermal fuel upgrading as well as water, sewage and soil purification technologies.
The Institute of Environmental Engineering is a member of Advanced Technologies Centre – "Energia-Środowisko-Zdrowie" - whose activities focus on technologies for the power industry (combustion and thermal utilization of waste), environmental protection (biochemical engineering) as well as for health protection (bioengineering, biotechnology).
The Department of Chemistry, Water and Sewage Technology is a member and co-founder of the international scientific net named "Pathways of pollutants and mitigation strategies of their impact on the ecosystems" and it currently has nineteen members from seven countries. In 2008 the Department of Heating, Ventilation and Air Protection joined the EU-supported project in the NORWEGIAN FINANCIAL MECHANISM. There is also a continuous cooperation with Foster Wheller Energia OY (Finland), with whom an earlier project "Leonardo da Vinci – Modern Power Engineering Technologies" was run.
For ten years, under the patronage of Polish Academy of Science, the Faculty has been publishing a well-known and highly valued quarterly of a national range "Engineering and Environmental Protection" It publishes articles in both Polish and English.
In order to meet the demands of the economy, the Faculty offers a wide range of scientific research and services. Professional help includes e.g. opinion and technological consultancy services in functioning and modernization of water and sewage purification plants as well as purification of waste water from refuse dumps. Research studies concerning the evaluation of degraded areas, the influence on the environment and a review of technologies which are used to rehabilitate such areas, are carried out as well.
The faculty staff conduct emission measurements of polluted water and air from industrial plants and public utilities. It also develops programmes of industrial and public utilities management (including dangerous waste) and offers experts' opinions and expertise on ecological issues. Research studies on clean and highly effective combustion technologies, thermal waste utilization as well as integration and utilization of renewable energy (the Sun, biomass) are also conducted. The Faculty offers certification and power engineering audit.