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Program Details

Graduate Program: Environmental Engineering (PHD)

General Information

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Program/Degree
Environmental Engineering (PHD)  
Program Description

The Environmental Engineering Program is one of the top ranked graduate engineering programs at UA, and highly ranked nationally. The program has long-standing strengths in water and wastewater treatment science and technology as well as technology transfer, hazardous waste treatment, development of environmentally-friendly technologies for industry, and atmospheric research. Owing to the multidisciplinary strengths of Environmental Engineering, students participate in research collaborations with numerous other programs such as Chemical Engineering, Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, Civil Engineering, Mining and Geological Engineering, and Environmental Science.

This department’s environmental research contributes to the UA being one of the top ranked world programs in environmental science research.

Departmental research takes advantage of state-of-the-art facilities such as the Water & Energy Sustainable Technology (WEST) Center (http://west.arizona.edu/), the BIO5 Institute (http://www.bio5.org/), the Micro/Nano Fabrication Center (https://research.arizona.edu/learn-more-micro-nano-fabrication-center), and various facilities associated with the Institute for Energy Solutions (https://energy.arizona.edu/).

Students in this program have a good track record of receiving financial aid from both university and federal fellowships. Environmental Engineering is a rapidly-growing field with promising job prospects in public and private sectors. Graduates of this program most commonly obtain jobs in industry, government organizations, consulting, and continue on to advanced education to enter academia.

 
Department/Academic Unit(s)

Chemical and Environmental Engineering

https://chee.engineering.arizona.edu/about-us

Application information: https://chee.engineering.arizona.edu/grad-programs/admissions

 
College

College of Engineering

 
Campus where offered

University of Arizona - Main - Tucson

 
Contacts
Admissions Contact
Grace Marie Fuller
520-621-9341
Graduate Program Coordinator
Grace Marie Fuller
520-621-9341
Director of Graduate Studies
Reyes Sierra Alvarez
520-626-2896
Graduate College Degree Counselor
Megan Jia Mcnulty-Luoma
520-626-9962
 
Tuition and Fees
Please refer to the UA Bursar's Office Tuition and Fees Calculator for up-to-date information about tuition and fees. 
Please refer to the UA Registrar's's Office Special Course Fees for up-to-date information about special course fees. 

Admissions Information

Admissions Requirements

In order to be academically prepared for graduate-level coursework and research in Environmental Engineering, applicants should have successfully completed the following undergraduate courses when they apply:

  • 4 semesters of math (calculus through differential equations)
  • 2 semesters of chemistry (with labs)
  • 2 semesters of physics (calculus based)
  • 1 semester of fluid mechanics.

Applicants lacking one or two undergraduate courses at the time of application may provide a plan to gain competence in these areas in their Statement of Purpose.

These items must be sent through the Graduate College online application.

  • Statement of purpose—indicating the academic and professional goals you hope to achieve in pursuit of this program of study. This is an essay where you describe your background, research interests and career goals, as well as your reasons for applying to our graduate program. See the application instructions for specific Statement of Purpose prompts.
  • Unofficial electronic copies of transcripts from previous academic work. Official Transcripts will be required prior to matriculation. Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, environmental engineering, civil engineering, environmental science, chemistry or physics, for admission into the program, with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0. Previous coursework should include math through differential equations, two semesters of chemistry (with labs), two semesters of physics (calculus based), and one semester of fluid mechanics. Applicants lacking in some area at the time of application may provide a plan to gain competence in these areas.
  • Resume—publications and time spent in a research lab make a much stronger application.
  • For international applicants, official scores from TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, CEFR or other accepted English Proficiency exam. See below for exemptions to this requirement.
  • GRE is optional and is not required for consideration. Official scores from the GRE (university code is 4832, environmental engineering code is 1103.
  • Minimum of three letters of recommendation.
  • Application processing fee: $85 for degree-seeking domestic students, $95 for international students. (If you have difficulty paying the application fee due to financial hardship, please contact Grace Fuller at gracefuller@arizona.edu).
 
Standardized Tests

GRE: Note that the GRE is optional and your application will still be reviewed if GRE scores are not included. The GRE Institution Code for The University of Arizona is 4832
ETS Major Field Code(s) for this program: 1103 - EEN

Required test:

English Proficiency:
English proficiency is required for all applicants whose native language is not English. Applicants may submit scores from a number of accepted English proficiency tests. A comprehensive list, along with minimum accepted scores, can be found at https://grad.arizona.edu/admissions/requirements/international-applicants#english-proficiency. The Graduate College does not accept Duolingo for University of Arizona graduate applicants. Note that the Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering does not offer conditional admission for applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements of an English Proficiency test.

Exemptions

  • Those exempt from submitting English proficiency scores are:
    • Applicants from countries where English is the official language.
    • Applicants who have completed a bachelors or graduate degree at a regionally accredited institution in the United States, or an approved institution in an official English speaking country. Students eligible for this exemption, who are awarded a graduate teaching assistantship from their department, must complete the mandatory English Speaking Proficiency Evaluation (ESPE.) Refer to the GA Manual for more information: http://grad.arizona.edu/funding/ga.
    • Applicants who have not yet completed a degree at a regionally accredited institution in the United States, or an approved institution in an official English speaking country, but have two years of full-time academic study and have taken 48 upper division, graded undergraduate semester units or 30 graded, graduate semester units. Units must not be older than two years from the term of enrollment. Students eligible for this exemption, who are awarded a graduate teaching assistantship from their department, must complete the mandatory English Speaking Proficiency Evaluation (ESPE.) Refer to the GA Manual for more information: http://grad.arizona.edu/funding/ga.
 
Funding Opportunities

Research and Teaching Assistantships

Most full-time ChE doctoral students in good academic standing are supported financially during their graduate studies. This includes an annual stipend, in-state tuition, out-of-state tuition (if applicable), and health insurance. Support is typically provided by the faculty adviser, using funds from the adviser's research grant or the department wide training grants (see following section), contingent upon the student's satisfactory academic progress and good standing in the ChE program. First-year support may be provided by the college in the form of a fellowship. Students can also apply for teaching assistantships which are offered each semester.

Detailed information about teaching and research assistantships is available in the UA Graduate College GA Manual.

Scholarships and Fellowships

The ChE graduate program encourages all students to seek fellowship and/or scholarship funding. The following resources simplify finding, applying for and managing fellowships and scholarships:

  • Graduate College search for funding
  • UA graduate diversity programs
  • Scholarship Universe, UA scholarship database and search tool
  • UA Office of Fellowships support for finding external funding
  • UA Engineering’s deadline-driven list
 
Admissions Deadlines

Domestic Applicants:

  • Fall: January 15
  • Spring: Applications for spring admission are no longer accepted

International Applicants:

  • Fall: January 15
  • Spring: Applications for spring admission are no longer accepted

After the application deadline passes, the faculty will review all of the applications and make recommendations for admissions. If you are recommended for admission, the Graduate College will email you. At this time, the Graduate College may request original transcripts for verification. They will send you your actual admissions paperwork by post, or contact you by email if you are missing any items such as your degree certificate, original transcripts or financial guarantee. Applications for the fall semester are reviewed in February, March and April.

NOTE: The Graduate College recommends a deadline for applicants; our department reserves the right to extend the deadline as listed above.

Note to applicants: In order to receive priority consideration for fall admission and full consideration for department funding, fall applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their completed applications by December 15. The final deadline for fall applications is January 15. Late applications will be considered if the applicant has the support of a CHEE faculty member. Spring applications are no longer accepted.

 
International Conditional Admission

International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.

Other Information
The GRE Institution Code for The University of Arizona is 4832

NRC Taxon(a) for this program: Chemical Engineering

Completion Requirements

Minimum Credit Units

63 

Core Coursework Requirements

Please find detailed information and updates are located in our Student Handbook:

CHEMICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING GRADUATE STUDENT HANDBOOK: https://chee.engineering.arizona.edu/sites/chee.engineering.arizona.edu/files/2022-23-CHEE-Grad-Student-Handbook_0.pdf

Minumum credits: 63-66 units (depending on requirements of the student's minor department)
Core coursework: 19 units of required courses:

  • CHEE 500R, Water Chemistry for Engineers (3 units)
  • CHEE 500A, Environmental Engineering Laboratory (1 unit)
  • CHEE 574, Environmental Transport Processes (3 units)
  • CHEE 575, Water Treatment System Design (3 units)
  • CHEE 576, Wastewater Treatment System Design (3 units)
  • CHEE 577R, Microbiology for Engineers (3 units)
  • CHEE 676, Advanced Water and Wastewater Treatment (3 units)

Additionally, Environmental Engineering PhD students must complete:

  • 12 units of elective courses in Environmental Engineering or related fields (excluding Minor)
  • 9-12 units of minor courses (depending upon the requirements of the Minor department)
  • 5+ units of seminar (CHEE 696A) - all students must enroll in the Graduate Seminar each semester they are in the program
  • 18 units of Dissertation (CHEE 920)
  • Oral Comprehensive Examination
  • Dissertation defense
 
Elective Coursework

Twelve (12) units of electives are required to complete the program. Elective courses are determined at the discretion of the individual student and the student's faculty advisor, usually relevant to the student's research. CHEE courses that may serve as electives include:

  • CHEE 502—Advanced Engineering Analysis (3 units)
  • CHEE 505—Advanced Chemical Engineering Transport Phenomena (3 units)
  • CHEE 506—Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (3 units)
  • CHEE 512—Electrochemical Engineering (4 units)
  • CHEE 514—Sustainable Water Supplies for Remote Communities (4 units)
  • CHEE 520—Chemical Reaction Engineering (3 units)
  • CHEE 525—Emerging Issues in Water Quality (3 units)
  • CHEE 530—Advanced Chemical Reaction Engineering (3 units)
  • CHEE 537—Surface Science (3 units)
  • CHEE 542—Bioremediation on Inorganic Contaminants (2 units)
  • CHEE/ATMO 569A—Air Pollution I: Gases (3 units)
  • CHEE/ATMO 569B—Air Pollution II: Aerosols (3 units)
  • CHEE 572—Interfacial Chemistry of Biomolecules in Environmental Systems (3 units)
  • CHEE 578—Introduction to Hazardous Waste Management (3 units)
  • CHEE 581A—Engineering of Biological Processes (3 units)
  • CHEE 581B—Cell and Tissue Engineering (3 units)
  • CHEE 582—Analysis of Emerging Environmental Contaminants (3 units)
  • CHEE 583—Intro to Polymeric Materials (3 units)
  • CHEE 587—Topics in Transport Phenomena (3 units)
  • CHEE 589—Trends in Nanomedicine Engineering: Fundamentals of Therapeutics and Drug Delivery Systems (3 units)
 
Additional Requirements

All CHEE graduate students are required to register and attend CHEE 696A, the CHEE Graduate Seminar (1 unit), each semester that they are in the program.

Students with less than a 3.75 GPA in CHEE 500R, CHEE 500A, CHEE 575, CHEE 576B and CHEE 574 must take a written Qualifying Exam the first time it is offered after they complete these core courses. Passage of the Qualifying Exam is required for continuance in the PhD program.

 
Minor Requirements for Doctoral Students in this Program

All PhD students must fulfill the requirements for a minor in a program approved by the candidate and their dissertation advisor. Minor requirements are administered and approved by the minor department. They typically consist of 9 to 12 units of course work.

 
Student Handbook

Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.

 

Program StatisticsInformation about these numbers

Program-level Information
Application Acceptance Rate 34.78%
Avg. Time-to-degree (years) 4.85
 
Department-level Information
Enrollment Percent Male 60%
Enrollment Percent Female 40%
Enrollment Percent International 60%
Enrollment Percent URM 5%

Back to statistics
  • All application, admit, and enrollment data are from Fall 2022.
  • Average Time to Degree calculates how long graduates in the last 5 years (2018-2022) took to complete their degrees, counting back to the first semester entering their program.
  • Underrepresented Minorities (URM) includes domestic students of ethnic groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education: African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders.

Persistent link: https://grad.arizona.edu/catalog/programinfo/EENPHD
Last revised 03 Oct 2022
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