Environmental Engineering Science, MS

Department Chair:

Dr. Ossama “Sam” Salem, 151 Link Hall, omsalem@syr.edu, 315-443-2311

Program Director:

Dr. Cliff I. Davidson, 151 Link Hall, davidson@syr.edu, 315-443-2311.

Environmental Engineering Faculty

Douglas F. Call, David G. Chandler, Ruth Chen, Andria Costello Staniec, Cliff I Davidson, Charles T. Driscoll Jr., Chris E. Johnson, Lashun K. Thomas

Program Description

The graduate program in environmental engineering science at Syracuse has earned a reputation for superior quality. Degree recipients working in government, industry, and education have made important contributions to the profession. The environmental engineering faculty provide coursework and research opportunities in environmental chemistry, water and wastewater treatment, applied microbiology, hydrology and water resources, sustainability, groundwater remediation, and green water infrastructure.

In addition to these focus areas, the students and faculty in environmental engineering science engage in interdisciplinary teaching and research, expanding the opportunities available to graduate students. The Department is home to the Center for Environmental Systems Engineering, which serves faculty in environmental, chemical, and mechanical engineering with a shared interest in environmental systems. We also engage in joint teaching with faculty in the School of Architecture and SUNY-ESF.

Admission Requirements

B.S. in engineering, mathematics or a natural science from an accredited institution. Candidates with undergraduate degrees in other fields must have their programs evaluated to determine if additional undergraduate courses are to be included in their program of study.
At least a 3.0 in a 4.0 rating system or equivalent in B.S. program coursework.
Satisfactory scores on all required graduate entrance examinations. A TOEFL score of 80 or higher is required for international students.
Departmental approval.

Program Requirements

The M.S. in environmental engineering science is intended for students with science-based undergraduate degrees in fields other than engineering. Students with undergraduate degrees in other professional and liberal arts disciplines may be required to complete undergraduate courses to prepare themselves for M.S. coursework. These courses will be specified in the student’s letter of admission and may not carry credit toward the M.S. degree.

Programs are planned by the students in consultation with their advisors. At least half of the coursework must be at or above the 600 level. Students who have taken the lower level of a double-numbered course (e.g., a course offered at the 400 and 600 levels) may not take the higher level of the same course for credit.

M.S. candidates may transfer a maximum of 6 credits from other institutions. They are expected to complete their entire program within five calendar years of their admission.

Thesis and non-thesis options are available

Students anticipating further graduate study at the doctoral level should pursue the thesis option.

Requirements with Thesis (30 credits)

1. Completion of

CIE 671 - Environmental Chemistry and Analysis 3 credit(s)
CIE 672 - Applied Env Microbiology 3 credit(s)

2. Elective Coursework Satisfying Distributional Requirements

Elective coursework satisfying distributional requirements, as specified in the Graduate Program Profile, available in the department office.

3. Master’s Thesis for 6 Credits

CIE 997 - Masters Thesis 0-6 credit(s)

4. Defense of thesis

5. Participation in the Faculty/Student Seminar Program

CIE 660 - Seminar Civil Engineering 0 credit(s)

Requirements without Thesis (30 credits)

1. Completion of

CIE 671 - Environmental Chemistry and Analysis 3 credit(s)
CIE 672 - Applied Env Microbiology 3 credit(s)

2. Elective Coursework Satisfying Distributional Requirements

Elective coursework satisfying distributional requirements, as specified in the Graduate Program Profile, available in the department office.

3. Complete one of the following:

CIE 600 - Environmental Assessment (3 credits)
CIE 996 - Master’s Project 3 credit(s) The Master’s project must address a topic in environmental engineering or environmental science and be approved by the advisor and at least one additional reader.
CIE 995 - Master’s Exit Paper 0 credit(s) and
One additional elective course (3 credits)

Additional Information

The exit paper must address a topic in environmental engineering or environmental science. The paper can be original research work or it can be a critical review of a published journal article. The paper has a minimum length of 2000 words and requires approval of the student’s advisor.

4. Participation in the Faculty/Student Seminar Program

CIE 660 - Seminar Civil Engineering 0 credit(s)

Current Research Areas in Environmental Engineering Science

Aquatic chemistry
Biogeochemistry
Soil chemistry
Water quality modeling
Natural organic matter
Environmental geostatistics
Solid-liquid separation processes
Potable water supply
Applied surface chemistry
Applied environmental microbiology
Bioremediation
Global biogeochemical cycles
Changes in microbial communities in response to anthropogenic disturbance
Applications of molecular biology to environmental engineering
Application of geosynthetics in dewatering and containment
Natural and polymeric fibers in soil erosion mitigation
Microstructure of soil and geosynthetics
Slurry wall containment systems and movement of organics in soil/rock systems
Resource recovery from wastewater
Decentralized treatment processes
Microbial fuel cell technologies
Renewable hydrogen production