Master's Degree in Environmental Engineering
About: This field is rapidly advancing to include many of today’s greatest challenges, such as sustainability, carbon emissions, and limited water resources. Courses in S&T's environmental engineering graduate degree program focus on engineering analysis that incorporates the fundamental physical, biological, and chemical characteristics of natural and engineered environmental systems, while putting these engineering solutions in the context of societal needs and the requirements of environmental laws. roads, bridges, or other infrastructure projects and systems.
Term: Typically about 3 years
Inquire Today
Today's the day to advance your career with our in-person or distance programs, conveniently located in St. Louis.
- Requirements
- Course Information
Requirements
A Master of Science non-thesis program consists of:
- A minimum of 30 credit hours, as long as they are approved by the department advisor.
Course Information
Courses
Description
Students learn the scientific basics of chemical transport in soil and groundwater and learn fundamental plant physiology and processes. Students then learn how these processes are utilized in the design of phytoremediation and natural treatment systems, including the most up-to-date literature and design guidance available.
Learning Objective
- To establish a strong foundation in the scientific principles governing chemical transport in soil and groundwater systems.
- To acquire comprehensive knowledge of fundamental plant physiology and its relevance to environmental remediation processes
- To develop expertise in designing and implementing phytoremediation systems, incorporating the latest research and design guidance.
- To explore the concepts and methodologies involved in natural treatment systems, with a focus on practical application.
- To engage critically with the latest environmental literature, staying informed about emerging trends and best practices.
- To integrate knowledge from soil and groundwater science, plant physiology, and environmental engineering to address complex challenges in environmental remediation.
Course Content
- Fundamentals of Chemical Transport in Soil and Groundwater
- Exploring Plant Physiology in Environmental Remediation
- Designing Effective Phytoremediation Systems
- Natural Treatment Systems and Practical Implementation
- Practical Design Skills for Environmental Solutions
Course Evaluation Criteria
- HWs
- Term Paper
- Exams
Description
Environmental Engineering analytical principles and techniques applied to the quantitative measurement of water, wastewater, and natural characteristics, and application of advanced instrumentation methods in Environmental Engineering.
Learning Objective
- Analytical Proficiency: Develop advanced analytical skills in environmental engineering to quantitatively measure water quality, wastewater properties, and natural characteristics.
- Instrumentation Expertise: Equip students with the knowledge and practical experience required to utilize advanced instrumentation methods for environmental engineering applications.
- Environmental Monitoring: Prepare students to effectively monitor and assess the quality of water, wastewater, and natural environments, contributing to environmental protection and management.
Course Content
- Overview of analytical principles and techniques in environmental engineering.
- Significance of accurate measurement in environmental monitoring.
- Quantitative measurement of physical, chemical, and biological parameters in water bodies.
- Standard methods and instrumentation for water quality assessment.
- Analysis of wastewater composition, pollutants, and treatment efficiency.
- Techniques for measuring wastewater parameters.
- Quantitative measurement of natural characteristics, such as soil properties and air quality.
- Monitoring techniques for assessing environmental conditions.
- Exploration of advanced instrumentation methods used in environmental engineering.
- Examples include spectrophotometry, chromatography, and mass spectrometry.
- Statistical analysis of environmental data.
- Interpretation of analytical results for environmental assessments.
- Design and implementation of environmental monitoring networks.
- Remote sensing and real-time data acquisition.
- Principles of quality assurance and quality control in environmental analysis.
- Ensuring data accuracy and reliability.
Course Evaluation Criteria
- HWs
- Exams
Description
Introductory course in modeling environmental systems. The course will focus on contaminant fate and transport in the environment. Models will be developed that will include physical, chemical, and biological reactions and processes that impact this fate.
Learning Objective
- Provide students with a foundational understanding of modeling techniques used to analyze environmental systems, with a particular emphasis on contaminant fate and transport.
- Equip students with the skills to develop and use models that encompass physical, chemical, and biological reactions and processes affecting contaminant fate in the environment.
- Foster an interdisciplinary perspective by integrating knowledge from various fields to model complex environmental systems accurately.
Course Content
- Fundamentals of Environmental Modeling: Overview of the principles and concepts involved in modeling environmental systems, emphasizing the role of models in predicting contaminant behavior.
- Contaminant Fate and Transport: In-depth exploration of contaminant fate and transport processes, including advection, dispersion, diffusion, and chemical reactions.
- Physical Processes: Analysis of physical processes such as fluid flow, advection, and dispersion, and their influence on contaminant movement in various environmental media.
- Chemical Reactions: Examination of chemical reactions, equilibrium reactions, and kinetic reactions that impact contaminant behavior and transformation.
- Biological Processes: Study of biological processes, including microbial degradation and bioremediation, and their role in contaminant fate and transport.
Course Evaluation Criteria
- HWs
- Projects
Description
The course covers current in-situ and ex-situ remediation technologies. Current literature and case studies are utilized to provide the focus for class discussions and projects.
Learning Objectives
- Equip students with the skills to apply engineering principles in planning and designing multipurpose projects, particularly focusing on water resources development and wastewater systems.
- Enable students to utilize the latest engineering analysis techniques to evaluate various alternative solutions for water resources and wastewater management projects.
Course Content
- Overview of the principles and methodologies used in planning and designing multipurpose projects related to water resources and wastewater systems.
- Introduction to advanced engineering analysis methods for evaluating alternative solutions, incorporating the latest concepts and technologies.
- Study the planning and design aspects of water resources development projects, including reservoirs, dams, and water distribution systems.
- Explore wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal systems, focusing on sustainable and efficient design practices.
- Application of engineering analysis to assess and compare various project alternatives, considering factors such as cost-effectiveness, environmental impact, and long-term sustainability.
Course Evaluation Criteria
- HWs
- Term Paper
- Exams
Description
This course provides comprehensive coverage of environmental laws and regulations dealing with air, water, wastewater, and other media. The primary focus is permitting, reporting, and compliance protocols. The course topics include U.S. and international legal systems and judicial processes, liability, enforcement, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act (NPDES) permitting), Safe Drinking Water Act, OSGA, TSCA, RCRA, AND CERCLA. Case studies will be emphasized.
Learning Objective
- Develop a deep understanding of environmental laws and regulations, both at the national and international levels.
- Equip students with the knowledge and skills required to navigate permitting, reporting, and compliance protocols for various environmental media, including air and water.
- Emphasize the application of legal principles through case studies to enhance practical understanding of environmental law.
Course Content
- Overview of environmental laws and their significance.
- Distinction between U.S. and international legal systems.
- Examination of key U.S. environmental laws and regulations.
- Overview of judicial processes and liability in environmental cases.
- Clean Air Act and its provisions.
- Air quality standards, permitting, and enforcement.
- Detailed exploration of the Clean Water Act, including NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permitting.
- Water quality standards, discharge permitting, and compliance.
- Overview of the Safe Drinking Water Act and its requirements.
- Drinking water quality standards and regulation.
- Comprehensive coverage of OSGA (Oil Pollution Act), TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act), RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act), and CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act).
- Introduction to international environmental agreements and treaties.
- Comparison of U.S. and international environmental regulations.
- Procedures for permitting, reporting, and compliance with environmental laws.
- Strategies for achieving and maintaining compliance.
- Enforcement mechanisms and penalties for non-compliance.
- Liability issues in environmental law.
- In-depth analysis of real-world environmental law cases.
Course Evaluation Criteria
- HWs
Description
A comprehensive course dealing with the environmental aspects of public health.
Learning Objective
- Provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the environmental factors and engineering solutions that impact public health.
- Equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to address environmental factors that contribute to the spread of diseases and develop strategies for prevention.
- Prepare students to design and implement engineering solutions that enhance public health, particularly in the context of water supply, sanitation, and waste management.
Course Content
- Overview of the intersection between engineering and public health.
- Significance of addressing environmental factors for public health.
- Design and management of safe drinking water supply systems.
- Water quality monitoring and treatment methods.
- Sanitary sewer systems and wastewater treatment processes.
- Solid waste management and disposal techniques.
- Identification and mitigation of environmental contaminants that impact public health.
- Sources of pollution and their effects.
- Strategies for controlling disease vectors (e.g., mosquitoes) through engineering interventions.
- Prevention of vector-borne diseases.
- Ensuring food safety through proper storage, handling, and sanitation.
- Prevention of foodborne illnesses.
- Impact of air pollution on public health.
- Engineering solutions to improve indoor and outdoor air quality.
- Methods for assessing and quantifying environmental health risks.
- Risk management and mitigation strategies.
- Understanding disease transmission pathways and epidemiological concepts.
- Engineering approaches to interrupt disease transmission.
- Preparedness and response strategies for environmental health emergencies (e.g., natural disasters, disease outbreaks).
- Role of public health engineers in disaster relief efforts.
Course Evaluation Criteria
- HWs
- Project
- Midterm Exam
Description
Study of the design principles and application of the state-of-the-art control techniques to gaseous and particulate emissions from fossil fuel combustion, industrial, and transportation sources.
Learning Objective
- Enable students to master the design principles relevant to controlling gaseous and particulate emissions from various sources, including fossil fuel combustion, industrial processes, and transportation.
- Equip students with the knowledge and skills to apply state-of-the-art control techniques effectively to mitigate emissions, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and improving air quality.
- Foster an understanding of how advanced control techniques contribute to reducing the environmental impact of emissions from diverse sources.
Course Content
- Emission Sources: Identification and classification of emission sources, with a focus on fossil fuel combustion, industrial processes, and transportation.
- Design Principles: Study of design principles for emission control systems, including the selection of appropriate technologies and equipment.
- Gaseous Emission Control: Exploration of advanced techniques for controlling gaseous emissions, such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
- Particulate Emission Control: Analysis of state-of-the-art methods for controlling particulate emissions, including the use of filters, electrostatic precipitators, and other technologies.
- Environmental Regulations: Understanding of relevant environmental regulations and standards governing emission control, compliance, and reporting.
Course Evaluation Criteria
- HWs
- Exam
Description
A systematic study of the sources, amounts, and characteristics of solid wastes and methods used for their collection, reclamation, and ultimate disposal.
Learning Objective
- Comprehensive Understanding: Develop a deep understanding of solid waste management, including waste sources, characteristics, and disposal methods.
- Practical Application: Equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to implement effective waste collection, reclamation, and disposal strategies.
- Environmental Awareness: Foster an awareness of the environmental impact of solid waste and the importance of sustainable waste management practices.
Course Content
- Solid Waste Sources and Composition: Examination of the origins and composition of solid waste, including industrial, municipal, and hazardous waste streams.
- Waste Collection Systems: Study different waste collection systems, their design, and operational considerations in urban and rural settings.
- Waste Reclamation and Recycling: Exploration of methods and technologies for waste reclamation, recycling, and resource recovery to minimize environmental impact.
- Waste Disposal Practices: Analysis of various waste disposal practices, including landfilling, incineration, and composting, along with their environmental implications.
- Waste Management Policies: Review of waste management policies, regulations, and international best practices to ensure responsible waste management.
Course Evaluation Criteria
- HWs
- Exams
- Project
Description
The course develops fundamental chemical and physical principles underlying environmental engineering systems including drinking water, groundwater, and wastewater treatment; and natural environmental processes. Topics include adsorption, complex formation, acid-base equilibria, solubility, mass transfer and diffusion, electrochemistry, and chemical kinetics.
Learning Objective
- Principles Mastery: Enable students to master the fundamental chemical and physical principles essential for understanding and solving environmental engineering problems.
- Applied Knowledge: Equip students with the knowledge and skills to apply these principles to various environmental systems, including drinking water, groundwater, wastewater treatment, and natural environmental processes.
- Problem-Solving: Foster problem-solving abilities in students by emphasizing the practical application of chemical and physical principles to address real-world environmental challenges.
Course Content
- Adsorption: Exploration of adsorption processes and mechanisms, including adsorbent-adsorbate interactions and their role in environmental remediation.
- Complex Formation and Equilibria: Study the formation of chemical complexes and their relevance to water and wastewater treatment processes.
- Acid-Base Equilibria: Examination of acid-base reactions in environmental systems and their impact on water quality and treatment.
- Mass Transfer and Diffusion: Understanding mass transfer phenomena and diffusion processes in environmental systems, with a focus on the transport of contaminants.
- Electrochemistry and Chemical Kinetics: Delve into electrochemical reactions and chemical kinetics as they relate to environmental engineering, including reaction rates and mechanisms.
Course Evaluation Criteria
- HWs
- Midterm Exams
- Project
- Final Exam
Description
The course covers the fundamental biological and biochemical principles involved in natural and engineered biological systems.
Learning Objective
- Develop students' expertise in environmental engineering analytical principles and techniques for quantitatively measuring water, wastewater, and natural characteristics.
- Equip students with the knowledge and skills to utilize advanced instrumentation methods effectively in environmental engineering applications.
- Provide students with the capability to apply these techniques to measure and assess critical environmental parameters, facilitating informed decision-making in environmental engineering projects.
Course Content
- An introduction to the fundamental analytical principles underpinning environmental engineering measurements, including chemical and physical analysis methods.
- Hands-on experience in quantitatively measuring water quality, wastewater characteristics, and natural environmental parameters using state-of-the-art instrumentation.
- Exploration of advanced instrumentation techniques and devices used in environmental engineering, focusing on their principles of operation and practical applications.
- Techniques for processing, analyzing, and interpreting the data collected through advanced instrumentation, with an emphasis on accuracy and reliability.
- Application of measurement techniques to real-world environmental engineering scenarios, including water quality assessment, pollution control, and environmental monitoring.
Course Evaluation Criteria
- HWs
- Project