Overview
Environmental engineering is a dynamic field dedicated to protecting human health and the environment by developing sustainable solutions to some of the most pressing challenges of our time. Our multidisciplinary approach integrates principles from engineering, ecology, and social sciences to design systems that enhance quality of life while preserving natural resources for future generations.
Our programs are designed to equip students with the skills needed to address the grand challenges of the 21st century. Through hands-on research, interdisciplinary courses, and real-world projects, students gain the knowledge and experience to become leaders in sustainability. Environmental engineers play a critical role in addressing global issues such as poverty, inequality, and access to clean water and energy. Our work has a profound impact on communities around the world, from developing innovative solutions for underserved areas to advancing sustainable practices in urban settings.
Environmental Engineering for the 21st Century
Environmental engineers are at the forefront of tackling the five Grand Challenges.
From precision agriculture to renewable energy, our field is constantly evolving. We develop advanced technologies for efficient water use, sustainable food production, and innovative waste management. Our solutions are designed to meet the needs of today while safeguarding resources for tomorrow.
Sustainably supply food, water, and energy
Curb climate change and adapt to its impacts
Design a future without pollution or waste
Create efficient, healthy, resilient cities
Foster informed decisions and actions
Faculty
Courses
The field of Environmental Engineering is broad and interdisciplinary. To best meet the educational objectives of students, our graduate program in Environmental Engineering provides a high degree of flexibility in the coursework.
With the assistance of an advisor, students develop a course of study that is technically strong and multi-faceted, concentrating on one or more areas of interest. Each student is assigned a preliminary advisor upon entering the program who will assist with selection of courses, research topics, and a permanent advisor appropriate for the student’s particular interests.
Recommended Core Courses
Students select their courses in consultation with their advisor to match their specific needs and interests. While there are three recommended core courses, no specific courses are required at the master’s or doctoral level, which allows each student maximum flexibility to tailor their education.
Recommended core courses:
- CIVE 538 Aqueous Chemistry
- CIVE 540 Fundamentals of Environmental Biotechnology
- CIVE 541 Physical Chemical Water Treatment Processes
Elective Courses
Water, Wastewater Treatment and Residuals Management
- CHEM 471 Physical Chemistry
- CIVE 537 Residuals Management
- CIVE 539 Water and Wastewater Analysis
- CIVE 541 Physical Chemical Water Treatment Processes
- CIVE 543 Industrial Wastes Management
- MIP 300 General Microbiology
- SOCR 467 Soil and Environmental Chemistry
Groundwater & Geoenvironmental
- CBE 524 Environmental Biotechnology
- CIVE 531 Groundwater Hydrology
- CIVE 558 Containment Systems for Waste Disposal
- CIVE 633 Groundwater Contamination
- CIVE 658 Remediation Systems for Subsurface Contamination
- CIVE 680 Quantitative Eco-Hydrology
- CIVE 733 Flow in Porous Media
Hydraulics & Wind Engineering
- CIVE 413 Environmental River Mechanics
- CIVE 504 Wind Engineering
- CIVE 604 Turbulent Transport & Diffusion
- CIVE 610 Design of Stream Rehabilitation Features
- CIVE 612 Open Channel Hydraulics
- CIVE 716 Erosion & Sedimentation
Atmospheric Science
- ATS 555 Air Pollution
- ATS 556 Air Pollution Measurements
- ATS 716 Air Quality Characterization
Water Resources & Hydrologic Sciences
- CIVE 440 Nonpoint Source Pollution
- CIVE 520 Physical Hydrology
- CIVE 521 Hydrometry
- CIVE 522 Engineering Hydrology
- CIVE 524/ER 524 Modeling Watershed Hydrology
- CIVE 545 Management & Monitoring Water Quality
- CIVE 546 Water Resources Systems Analysis
- CIVE 547 Statistics for Environmental Monitoring
- CIVE 573 Urban Stormwater Management
- CIVE 622 Risk Analysis of Water/Environment
- CIVE 623 Water Quality Hydrology
- CIVE 624 Control of Floods and Drought
- STAR 511 Design and Data Analysis for Researchers I
- STAR 512 Design and Data Analysis for Researchers II
- STAT 420 Probability & Mathematical Statistics I
- STAT 430 Probability & Mathematical Statistics II
- WR 516 Cumulative Effects & Watershed Analysis
Ecology
- BZ 471 Stream Biology & Ecology
- BZ 472 Stream Biology & Ecology Laboratory
- BZ 474 Limnology
The issues addressed every day by Environmental Engineers include:
- Water, wastewater, and hazardous waste treatment
- Contaminant transport
- Environmental regulatory program management
- Environmental impact, statistics, and risk analysis
- Climate variability on the environment
- Groundwater remediation and waste containment
- Industrial ecology
- Non-point source pollution
- Protecting watersheds
- Safe drinking water infrastructure
- Stream habitat and fisheries
- TMDL assessments
- Water quality monitoring
Graduate Admission and Program Details
Prospective students can learn more about our requirements, objectives, and program details.
Apply Now
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Advising and Graduate Student Resources
Current students can schedule an appointment with the graduate advisor and access tools to help plan their academic journey.