M.S. in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering

Program Overview

The M.S. in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering at UB is a 30-credit hour program, typically completed within 1.5 to 2 years for full-time students. The program offers flexibility through options for a culminating experience: either an all-course option with a comprehensive exam, a project option, or a thesis option requiring original research. This structure allows students to tailor their academic path to align with their career aspirations, whether they seek roles in research, government, consulting, or the private sector. The program emphasizes applying engineering principles to real-world problems.

STEM Designated: Yes, the M.S. in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering program at the University at Buffalo is STEM-designated. This is a significant advantage for international students, as it allows for an Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension of 24 months beyond the initial 12 months, totaling up to 36 months of work authorization in the U.S. after graduation. This designation underscores the program's rigorous scientific, technical, and engineering curriculum, crucial for addressing complex environmental challenges.

Curriculum: The 30-credit curriculum for the M.S. in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering is designed to provide a strong foundation in core competencies and specialized knowledge. Students are expected to have a bachelor's degree in science or engineering with prerequisite courses in physics, statistics, and calculus, as well as fluid mechanics, computing methods, and engineering hydrology. The program mastery courses typically include at least one course in physical hydrology, computational modeling, and water quality. Electives allow for deeper dives into areas like pollutant movement, treating contaminated water and air, environmental monitoring, hydraulic engineering, and brownfield restoration, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of environmental and water resources issues.

Research Focus: The M.S. in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering at UB has a strong research focus, with faculty and students actively engaged in generating knowledge and developing tools to solve society's problems in natural and built environments. Research areas within the department include tracking viruses in water, developing innovative ways to purify water, protecting the Great Lakes, and fighting air and water pollution. Specific faculty research interests include waste management, recycling, plastics and polymers, environmental hydraulics, water quality modeling, sediment transport, and sustainable biological processes for water and wastewater treatment. Students can engage in research projects and work with faculty on topics like developing sustainable water reuse and resource recovery systems.

Industry Engagement: The M.S. in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering program at UB is highly focused on preparing graduates for direct and impactful roles in industry, government agencies, consulting firms, and non-profit organizations. The curriculum is designed to provide practical knowledge and skills that are directly applicable to the challenges faced by environmental and water resource professionals. Graduates are prepared to provide clean drinking water, treat air and wastewater pollutants, and restore aquatic ecosystems. Leading organizations that recruit UB graduates include major consulting firms like AECOM and Arcadis, government agencies such as the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and various municipal water authorities.

Global Perspective: The M.S. in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering at UB inherently fosters a global perspective by addressing universal environmental and water-related challenges that transcend national borders. Issues like water scarcity, pollution of shared water bodies, and the impacts of climate change on hydrological cycles require global understanding and collaborative solutions. The program's research initiatives, such as protecting the Great Lakes, often have broader implications for similar ecosystems worldwide. As a major public research university, UB attracts a diverse international student body and faculty, enriching the learning environment with varied cultural viewpoints and different approaches to solving complex environmental and water resources problems from around the globe. This exposure prepares graduates to work effectively in multinational teams and contribute to global sustainability efforts.