Environmental Engineering (MS) - Environmental Engineering Sciences

Program Overview

The Environmental Engineering Sciences track at UCF's M.S. in Environmental Engineering program focuses on pollution control, prevention, and remediation. It offers both thesis and non-thesis options, equipping students with technical knowledge and professional skills for careers in various sectors, including consulting, industry, and government. The program boasts a strong faculty research emphasis in areas such as water treatment, waste management, and atmospheric pollution control.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Environmental Engineering Sciences track within the Master of Science in Environmental Engineering (M.S.) program at the University of Central Florida (UCF) is designed for students with a background in science, math, or a related field. It typically requires a number of undergraduate engineering courses to prepare students for graduate-level environmental engineering studies. The program's focus is on pollution control, prevention, and remediation of pollution effects on both natural and man-made environments. It boasts a strong faculty research emphasis, with areas of study including:

• Drinking water treatment
• Wastewater treatment
• Solid and hazardous waste management
• Atmospheric pollution control and modeling
• Environmental water resources
• Stormwater management
The program's mission is to prepare students for careers in environmental engineering within various sectors:
• Consulting firms
• Industry
• Federal, state, and local governments
• Higher education
Key objectives of the program include:
• Equipping graduates with technical knowledge in crucial areas of environmental engineering
• Providing a professional engineering education that fosters critical thinking skills
• Cultivating partnerships with industry, government agencies, and professional organizations
• Developing awareness of evolving environmental needs within society and the global environment
The Environmental Engineering Sciences track offers both thesis and non-thesis options, each requiring 30 credit hours of coursework beyond the bachelor's degree.

Outline:

Course Structure:

• Thesis Option:
• 12 credit hours of required courses
• 12 credit hours of electives
• 6 credit hours of thesis
• Non-thesis Option:
• 12 credit hours of required courses
• 18 credit hours of electives
• End-of-program portfolio submission

Required Courses (12 Total Credits):

• ENV6016 - Biological Treatment Systems in Environmental Engineering (3)
• ENV6015 - Physical/Chemical Treatment Systems in Environmental Engineering (3)
• Choose at least 1 of the following:
• ENV6519 - Aquatic Chemical Processes (3)
• ENV6616 - Ecological Engineering and Receiving Water Impacts (3)
• ENV5410 - Water Treatment (3)
• EES5318 - Industrial Ecology (3)
• ENV6558 - Industrial Waste Treatment (3)
• Earn at least 3 credits from the following:
• Any CWR course at the 5000 or 6000 level (3 Credit Hours)

Elective Courses (12 Total Credits):

• All students, both thesis and non-thesis, must take 12 credit hours of elective courses.
• Electives should be chosen from courses with ENV or CWR prefixes, although other appropriate graduate-level courses (5000 or 6000) may be allowed with the consent of the student's advisor.

Thesis/Nonthesis Option (6 Total Credits):

• Thesis Option:
• XXX 6971 - Thesis (6)
• Requires conducting an approved research study, writing a thesis, and successfully defending it.
• Thesis defense announcements must be approved by the student's advisor and posted on the college's website and the College of Graduate Studies Events Calendar at least two weeks prior to the defense date.
• Non-thesis Option:
• Requires 6 additional credit hours of electives beyond the 12 credit hours already mentioned.
• Students must take at least one course that provides an independent learning experience, such as:
• ENV 6016 - Biological Treatment Systems in Environmental Engineering (3)
• ENV 6126 - Design of Air Pollution Controls (3)
• ENV 6106 - Theory and Practice of Atmospheric Dispersion Modeling (3)

Careers:

The program prepares students for careers in environmental engineering within various sectors:

• Consulting firms
• Industry
• Federal, state, and local governments
• Higher education

Other:

• The program may be completed fully online, although not all elective options or program prerequisites may be offered online.
• Newly admitted students choosing to complete the program exclusively online may enroll with a reduction in campus-based fees.
• International students (F or J visa) are required to enroll in a full-time course load of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters.
Only 3 of the 9 credit hours may be taken in a completely online format.
• Students in the Environmental Engineering MS program pay a $16 equipment fee each semester they are enrolled.
Part-time students pay $8 per semester.
• Research studies or projects are required in one or more courses.
These focus on reviewing and analyzing contemporary research or engineering issues in a student's specialization.
• The thesis option is primarily for students who can devote a full-time effort to their research and is required for students supported on contracts and grants, as well as any student receiving department financial support.
• The non-thesis option is strongly recommended for part-time students.
• A research or design project serves as the independent learning experience for thesis students.
• Nonthesis students are required to take at least one of the courses marked with an asterisk ( ), denoting an independent learning experience, and an end-of-program portfolio.