Sustainability vs. EWRE

Sustainability vs. EWRE - Know the difference

Students enrolled in the Environmental and Water Resources Engineering MS (EWRE) and the focused Engineering Sustainability MS develop different skill sets to address environmental protection in different ways. Graduates of the EWRE program focus on regional and global issues associated with pollution, including safe drinking water supplies, public health, and ecosystem viability. Students pursuing a graduate degree in sustainability are prepared to excel in fields like renewable energy systems, “green” consulting, and campus sustainability coordination.

What degree is right for you?

	Environmental and Water Resources Engineering	Engineering Sustainability
Degree Name	Master of Science, Environmental and Water Resources Engineering (Note: PhD available w/o MS)	Master of Science, Engineering Sciences (Focus on Engineering Sustainability) (Note: No PhD currently available)
Home Department	Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering (CSEE)	Degree managed by School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Applicant Information	Engineering BS preferred Undergraduate math through Differential Equations expected GRE required Two letters of recommendation from faculty required	Engineering or Physical Sciences BS preferred Undergraduate math through Calculus II expected; Differential Equations preferred GRE strongly encouraged, but not required Two letters of recommendation from faculty required
Degree Length	16 - 24 months (3-4 spring/fall semesters)	9 - 16 months (2-3 spring/fall semesters)
Degree Focus	Pollution Control Technologies Pollution Monitoring and Tracking Statistics and Environmental Modeling Water Resources Environmental Restoration	Energy Generation; Renewable Energy Environmental Economics and Ethics Environmental Management
Degree Options	Coursework Only; 10 classes (with culminating experience) Project; 9 classes with report and presentation Research Thesis; 8 classes with thesis and defense	Coursework Only; 10 classes (with culminating experience) Project; 9 classes with project report and presentation Research Thesis; 8 classes with thesis and defense
Required Courses	Statistical Methods of Environmental Engineering Environmental Fluid Mechanics OR Environmental Fate and Transport of Pollutants Statistical Methods in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering and one from Environmental Fluid Mechanics, Environmental Fate and Transport of Pollutants, or Physical and Chemical Processes for Water Reuse	Economic Perspectives of Engineering Sustainability Ethics of Engineering Sustainability Renewable and Alternative Energy
Recommended Elective Courses	Physical/Chemical Processes for Water Reuse Air Pollution Brownfield Restoration Water Quality Modeling (Note: >50% of courses must be taught in CSEE department)	Industrial Ecology Emerging Practices in Transportation Energy and the Environment Brownfield Restoration (Note: Limit of 2 non-engineering classes)
Possible Career Paths	Environmental Engineering Consulting Federal and State Regulatory Agencies Environmental Health & Safety	Environmental Management Sustainability Officer/Director Renewable Energy Sector Energy Systems and Efficiency Consulting

For more information, contact the Graduate Studies Director for both programs, associate professor John Atkinson