Program Overview

Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental and Sustainable Engineering

Program Overview

The PhD in Environmental and Sustainable Engineering (ESE) program at UAlbany is designed to advance your expertise in sustainable engineering solutions. You will learn to conduct and supervise research in one of four concentration areas: water and wastewater, air quality, human health and the environment, and sustainable engineering.

Program of Study

• Core Courses (12 credits)
  • Environmental Physical and Chemical Processes
  • Biological Treatment Processes
  • Nonpoint Source Pollution Engineering
  • Air Pollution Control
• Electives (27 credits)
  • Concentration-area courses (9 credits)
  • Math/Science courses (12 credits)
  • Courses outside your concentration area (6 credits)
• Dissertation Research (36 credits)

Research

You will conduct and supervise research to address problems of societal significance in areas including water and wastewater engineering, air quality and control, energy and environment, human health and the environment, and sustainable engineering. This will lead to advanced expertise in your field of specialization while you find solutions to broad environmental challenges.

Career Outcomes

You will be prepared to become a researcher and instructor in your area of engineering expertise. In addition, you will be equipped to address critical environmental concerns through sustainable approaches on local, national, and global scales.

• Potential job titles for a PhD degree in environmental and sustainable engineering:
  • Professor
  • Postdoctoral Researcher
  • Test Engineer
  • Environmental Scientist
  • Research Engineer
  • Chemical Engineer

Admissions Requirements

• Deadlines:
  • Fall: Rolling
  • Spring: Rolling
  • Summer: Rolling
• Required Application Materials:
  • Transcripts from all schools attended
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Personal statement
  • GRE (Optional)
• Applicant Requirements:
  • Master's degree or an ABET-accredited bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering or a closely related field
  • Applicants from other areas will be considered on a case-by-case basis

Student Learning Objectives

• PhD:
  • Teach to a broad audience on subjects in which you are an expert
  • Educate yourself to expand your knowledge base and deepen your understanding in those fields in which you specialize
  • Conduct and supervise research including forming hypotheses, designing experiments, analyzing data, drawing conclusions, and reporting scientific findings
  • Write technical reports, papers, and proposals
  • Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
  • Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives

Program Educational Objectives

• PhD:
  1. Breadth. Graduates will be able to contribute technically to solving broad environmental problems by applying fundamental scientific concepts and sound engineering principles.
  2. Depth. Graduates are highly knowledgeable and skilled in their chosen field of interest.
  3. Teamwork. Graduates will be able to work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds to solve critical environmental problems through sustainable approaches.
  4. Professionalism. Graduates will maintain high professional and ethical standards and stand out as examples for their peers.
  5. Lifelong Learning. Graduates will excel in their chosen profession through lifelong learning and become leaders in their professional service.