Engineering Science (Sustainability) MS
Sustainable engineering is the process of designing or operating systems to use energy and natural resources in a cost-effective manner that does not compromise the natural environment, social equity or the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Our Engineering Sciences MS with a course focus in Engineering Sustainability is a multidisciplinary program that trains students in sustainability fundamentals as well as the following core areas:
- Renewable energy
- Economics, environmental quality and engineering practice
- Ethics and manufacturing
Students choose elective courses in topics providing depth in energy systems, environmental quality and engineering management.
This 30-credit-hour program is only offered full-time and usually takes nine months to a year and a half to complete.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects strong job growth in many sustainability careers within traditional engineering disciplines and specialized areas such as sustainability planning and design, operations management, life cycle/footprint analysis and campus sustainability coordination.
The renewable energy sector is expected to see a rise in jobs globally as the world transitions to a more sustainable future. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that renewable power will account for more than 90% of new global electricity capacity additions in 2024. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) also projects that the sector could employ 38 million workers worldwide by the end of 2030. A master’s degree in this growing field provides students with advanced coursework, research opportunities, and management training to succeed in various sustainability-related career opportunities.
Prospective students with a bachelor’s degree in engineering or natural sciences are invited to apply. The GRE is recommended but not required. Applicants must also provide the following materials:
Students can apply online. New applicants must create an account. If you have applied in the past, you will be asked to log in to your existing account to start a new application.
The application includes sections that will ask you to provide us with personal/biographical information, contact information, citizenship details, your past or current college/university, and degree details. You will be able to enter the names and contact information of your recommenders and upload supporting materials to your application. You may upload supporting documents while completing the application form or after you have submitted your application in your Application Status Portal.
You do not need official transcripts or test scores to apply. Unofficial copies are sufficient for application review, but students are encouraged to provide official copies if they have them.
A non-refundable fee of $100 is required to apply for Spring 2025 or later terms. The application fee for Fall 2024 is $85. After you submit your application form, you can pay the application fee online in your Application Status Portal with a credit card or e-check.
GRE scores are optional but recommended for this program. If you would like to take the GRE, you can arrange to take it through the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Official scores should come directly from ETS.
Note: the University at Buffalo Institutional Code is 2925.
Upload a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) to your application. Your resume or CV should include details about your education, employment, and internship history. Pertinent research experience should be included as well.
Please upload a brief personal statement describing your educational objectives, your academic experience, and why you're interested in the program. There is no required length or word limit for the statement.
Two letters of recommendation are required to apply to this program. Letters are automatically requested when you enter recommenders' names and email addresses in your application. While we will accept letters from professional sources, we strongly prefer letters from professors acquainted with your academic interests, achievements, and abilities.
Copies of transcript(s) for all post-secondary schoolwork must be uploaded with your application for initial review. Upon an offer of admission, accepted applicants will be required to submit official transcripts and proof of degree(s).
International applicants are required to provide proof of English proficiency. The chart below outlines acceptable test types and the university's minimum score required for admission. All applicants whose native language is not English will be required to provide proof of English proficiency.
Copies may be submitted for initial review. Official scores must be sent directly to UB from the testing agency.
| Test Type | University Minimum Score | To Order... |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL (IBT) (including MyBest scores) TOEFL Home Edition | 79 | Use Institution Code 2925 |
| TOEFL Essentials | 8.5 | Use Institution Code 2925 |
| TOEFL ITP Plus | 550 | Use Institution Code 2925 |
| IELTS and IELTS Indicator | 6.5 | Select "University at Buffalo, State University of New York (SUNY)" |
| 55 | Select "University at Buffalo, State University of New York (SUNY)" | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE) | 185 | Select "University at Buffalo, State University of New York (SUNY)" |
| Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) | 185 | Select "University at Buffalo, State University of New York (SUNY)" |
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | 120 | ADA Department of Testing will report your official scores to central application services |
Exam results must be dated within two years from your proposed date of admission and remain valid upon entering the term for which you applied.
It is strongly recommended to make test arrangements early in the year so sufficient time can be allowed for the results to be reported before application deadlines.
Exemptions to English Language Proficiency requirements can be found on The Graduate School website.
The Engineering Science (Engineering Sustainability) MS is a course-based 30-credit-hour program (typically ten classes) consisting of three core classes, five to seven electives, and a culminating experience.
- CIE 500 Economics of Engineering Sustainability (Spring Semester)
- CIE 500 Ethics of Engineering Sustainability (Spring Semester) OR DEE 502 Equity and Inclusion in Engineering Education (Fall Semester)
- MAE 530 Sustainable and Alternative Energy (Fall Semester) OR CE 514 Energy and the Environment (Spring Semester)
- CE 514 Energy and the Environment
- CE 505 Six Sigma for Chemical Engineers
- CE 522 Electrochemical Energy and the Environment
- CIE 500 Special Topics
- CIE 511 Mechanics in Solids
- CIE 512 Structural Reliability and Safety
- CIE 541 Groundwater Engineering
- CIE 550 Hydrologic Engineering
- CIE 556 Physical and Chemical Processes for Water Reuse
- CIE 561 Wind Engineering & Turbulent Flow
- CIE 562 Environmental Fate and Transport of Pollutants
- CIE 563 Air Pollution
- CIE 568 Biological Treatment Processes
- CIE 569 Brownfield Restoration
- EE 570 Renewable Distributed Generation and Storage
- EE 582 Power Systems Engineering
- EAS 521 Engineering Management 1
- EAS 522 Engineering Management 2
- EAS 590 Case Studies in Engineering Management
- MAE 510 Wind Energy Conversion
- MAE 530 Renewable & Alternative Energy
- STL 520 Emerging Practices in Transportation, Planning, Technology and Policy
- SSN 501 Fundamentals of Sustainability
- CIE 500 Industrial Economy
- IE 521 Sustainable Manufacturing
- IE 639 Humanistic Engineering
Engineering elective credits can be distributed throughout the fall, winter, spring and summer semesters to support a one-year graduation pathway. If a project or thesis option is followed, then three project credits or six thesis credits can be substituted for course credits.
Director of Graduate Studies
John D. Atkinson
233 Jarvis Hall
atkjdw@buffalo.edu
Students may take two pre-approved, non-SEAS courses as part of their degree. If students feel additional non-engineering courses are necessary to fulfill their Engineering Sustainability academic goals, they should contact the Director of Graduate Studies before registering. Taking additional non-SEAS courses requires advanced approval.
- EVS 509 Advanced Ecology
- EVS 517 Sustainability and American Culture
- EVS 545 Restoration Ecology
- EVS 560 Leadership in Sustainability
- GEO 503 Fundamentals of Climate Science
- GEO 506 Geographical Information Systems
- GEO 546 Global Change Ecology
- GEO 553 Remote Sensing
- GEO 560 Seminar Topic: International Development
- COM 684 Science Communication
- GLY 579 Carbon Reduction Challenge
- URP 544 Strategic Urban Transportation Planning
- URP 562 Transp Land Use & Urb Frm
Culminating Experience
Students may choose between five to seven electives depending on the chosen culminating experience:
- 5 electives if students have a 6-credit thesis
- 6 electives if students opt for the 3-credit project
- 7 electives if students opt for the comprehensive exam or portfolio
Questions?
If you have questions about the Engineering Science (Engineering Sustainability) MS curriculum, contact the Director of Graduate Studies. If you have questions about your application or admissions requirements, contact gradeng@buffalo.edu.