Program Overview

Master of Science in Environmental and Sustainable Engineering

The Master of Science in Environmental and Sustainable Engineering (ESE) program at UAlbany provides advanced skills and technical depth to protect human health and the environment. Students acquire deep knowledge in one of four concentration areas: water and wastewater, air quality, human health and the environment, and sustainable engineering.

Program of Study

The MS ESE program offers both thesis and non-thesis options. The non-thesis option requires a project course or a 3-credit master's project as a culminating experience. The program consists of 30 credits as follows:

• Required Courses (12 credits)
  • Environmental Physical and Chemical Processes
  • Biological Treatment Processes
  • Sustainable Air Pollution Management
  • Nonpoint Source Pollution Engineering
• Thesis Option (18 credits)
  • Elective courses in your concentration area (6 credits)
  • Elective courses outside your concentration area (3 credits)
  • Thesis (9 credits)
• Non-Thesis Option (18 credits)
  • Elective courses in your concentration area (15 credits)
  • Project Course or Master's Project (3 credits)

Research

Students conduct research to address problems of societal significance in areas including water and wastewater, air quality and control, energy and environment, human health and the environment, and sustainable development. Working collaboratively with researchers from diverse backgrounds, students find solutions to broad environmental challenges by applying fundamental scientific concepts and sound engineering principles.

Career Outcomes

Graduates are prepared to address critical environmental concerns through sustainable approaches on local, national, and global scales. The MS ESE provides a clear pathway to advanced studies in the UAlbany PhD ESE program.

• Potential job titles for an MS degree in environmental and sustainable engineering:
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Environmental, Health, Safety and Sustainability Director
  • Green Building Engineer
  • Water Project Manager
  • Environmental Engineering Consultant
  • Global Sustainability Data and Analytics Director

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)
• Applicants are expected to have an ABET-accredited bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering. Applicants from other areas will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• For students entering the MS program without engineering degrees, but from quantitative science backgrounds, they would need to take at least three (3) 400-level ESE courses specifically related to their research projects (for thesis option) or chosen concentration areas (non-thesis option). A grade of B or above for each course is required in order to be fully admitted to the MS program.
• For students entering the MS program without engineering degrees, but from less quantitative backgrounds, they would need to take at least two (2) 300-level ESE courses and at least three (3) 400-level ESE courses specifically related to their research projects (for thesis option) or chosen concentration areas (non-thesis option). A grade of B or above for each course is required in order to be fully admitted to the MS program.

Student Learning Objectives

• Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics
• Apply engineering design to produce creative solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors
• Communicate orally and in writing effectively with a range of audiences
• 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
• Propose transformative ideas and develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, use engineering judgment to draw conclusions and present findings in professional settings
• Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed using appropriate learning strategies

Program Educational Objectives

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