Our Ph.D. program in Environmental Engineering prepares future leaders in research, academia, and environmental management through a flexible curriculum and hands-on research opportunities. Students develop a strong foundation in environmental systems engineering, gaining expertise across eight core areas: air quality, water quality, solid and hazardous waste, ecological engineering, natural resources management, environmental systems, environmental informatics, and environmental biotechnology.

We also offer a new Ph.D. track in Environmental Sustainability and Resilience!

Doctoral candidates benefit from faculty mentorship, state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, and interdisciplinary research collaborations, preparing them to address complex environmental challenges from a holistic perspective. Graduates are well-equipped for impactful careers in academia, industry, consulting, and government agencies, making significant contributions to sustainable development and environmental protection.

Program Milestones

Graduation from the Doctoral Program requires the successful completion of four significant milestones and academic achievement:

• Completion of a minimum of 63 credit hours: 24 to 36 credit hours of classroom graduate-level courses, 6 credit hours of graduate seminar, and 21 to 33 credit hours of research.
• Successful completion of the D. Qualifying Exam. (Link it to a pdf with the PhD qualifying exam procedures).
• Preparation and successful oral defense of a written Ph.D. research proposal, and signed by all committee members.
• Preparation and successful oral defense of a written Ph.D. dissertation, and signed by all committee members.

Check the Graduate Catalog for more information about admission requirements, coursework, research milestones and completion.