Program Overview
Introduction to the Environmental Engineering Program
The Environmental Engineering Program of the University of Houston is an interdisciplinary graduate engineering program within the Cullen College of Engineering, administratively housed in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The Program and its faculty are internationally known for their research and teaching in climate solutions, water and wastewater, hydrology, microbiology and biotechnology, environmental nanotechnology, and emerging contaminants in the environment.
Program Degrees and Emphasis
The Environmental Engineering program offers the degrees of Master of Science (M.S.), with thesis and non-thesis options, and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). The emphasis of study and research is placed on:
- Water quality and treatment processes
- Contaminant fate and transport
- Engineering hydrology
- Environmental microbiology
- With elective courses in the fields of:
- Air pollution modeling, measurement and control
- Engineering management
- Business and public policy
- Environmental law
- Water resources engineering
- Chemical engineering
- Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Geosciences
- With elective courses in the fields of:
Program Structure and Duration
Courses are scheduled to accommodate both part-time and full-time students. Typically, 24-30 hours of required course work can be completed in:
- Two calendar years of full-time study
- Three years of part-time study Full-time thesis students generally can complete the Master of Science degree in 2 years and a Ph.D. in 3-4 years of consecutive study.
Research Areas
The Environmental Engineering program focuses on research in various areas, including climate solutions, water and wastewater, hydrology, microbiology and biotechnology, environmental nanotechnology, and emerging contaminants in the environment.