Environmental Engineering, M.S.

Field of Study

This rapidly growing interdisciplinary field allows students to pursue their area of environmental interest. Generally, research projects at Montana Tech relate to the environmental challenges facing the minerals industry. However, the research results and course work have general application to the solution of environmental engineering problems worldwide.

There are opportunities for graduate research in the areas of air, water quality and pollution control; hazardous waste minimization, treatment, and control; and waste cleanup. Current students are actively involved in government and industry sponsored projects in air and water quality engineering, biotechnology applied to minerals wastes, and land disposal of waste sludges. Specific areas of current research include the water chemistry of heavy metals, and hazardous organics; ground and surface water modeling; air emission inventories; biosorption of heavy metals; wetland research, land reclamation, atmospheric diffusion processes; and cleanup of “RCRA” and “super-fund” sites.

Degree Program

Option A: Thesis

A research thesis is required. A program of courses is required and is established in consultation among the student, the major advisor and the graduate committee. Depending upon the student’s background, deficiency courses in sciences or engineering may be required as part of the graduate program.

Option B: Non-Thesis

The MS non thesis candidates must complete a total of 36 credits. This includes two credits of graduate seminar, one writing seminar, and three credits of special topics/project. The specifics of the thirty credits of course work will be determined by the student’s graduate committee based on student’s educational goals. The student must complete all thirty credits of course work satisfactorily to earn the degree. The student must also pass an oral and a comprehensive examination.

Admission generally requires a B.S. in an engineering field. Regular admission into the M.S. program requires a 3.0 or higher GPA in undergraduate engineering program. Provisional admission into the M.S. program will be considered on an individual basis. Students from science backgrounds are also encouraged to apply with the understanding that a background “engineering core” will become part of the overall graduate program.

Seminar Requirements: Three credits of Graduate Seminar are required, including T.C. 5150 - Graduate Writing Seminar  or equivalent, ENVE 5940 - Graduate Seminar  (must be taken twice).

Examinations

Option A: Thesis

Candidates for a master’s degree must write or publish a paper and present their thesis and pass an oral examination. The oral examination may also include general questions related to environmental engineering.

Option B: Non-Thesis

Candidates for a master’s degree must present their project work and successfully complete a comprehensive test.