Master's of Science
Environmental Engineering
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 coursework 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
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.
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 or a GRE score of 1150 or higher (analytical + quantitative). 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 ENGR 5150 Graduate Writing Seminar, ENVE 5940 Graduate Seminar (must be taken twice).
Examinations
Candidates for a master’s degree must present their thesis orally and pass an oral examination on the thesis work. The oral examination may also include general questions related to environmental engineering.
Internships
Internships and cooperative education opportunities are available through companies such as Phelps Dodge, Kennecott, Marathon Oil, ARCO, EG&G Idaho, Carter Mining, Envirocon, Special Resource Management, and others hire summer students in Environmental Engineering. In these jobs, students work with professionals to gather and interpret data, obtain permits, and do other environmental assessments. Each student is challenged and stimulated while following an individualized course of study.
Placement
Environmental Engineering majors at Montana Tech generally have the opportunity to obtain work experience prior to graduation. Opportunities are available through summer work and cooperative education programs. Companies such as Phelps Dodge, Kennecott, Marathon Oil, ARCO, EG&G Idaho, Carter Mining, Envirocon, Special Resource Management, and others hire summer students in Environmental Engineering. In these jobs, students work with professionals to gather and interpret data, obtain permits, and do other environmental assessments. Each student is challenged and stimulated while following an individualized course of study.
Career opportunities for graduates in Environmental Engineering are expanding rapidly. National concerns such as cleanup and disposal of hazardous wastes, air toxins, indoor air quality, ground water contamination, and reclamation of disturbed lands are contributing to the growth in environmental engineering careers. Students entering this field are likely to experience ever-expanding employment opportunities. Past placement of graduates has been 100 percent. Employers have included consulting firms, major oil and mining companies and government entities.
Most graduates are located by choice in the Western United States, even though opportunities abound across the U.S. and in foreign countries. The responsibilities of graduates vary greatly. Some are doing research and engineering project design. Others are program managers. Still others are doing sampling, permitting, and report writing. The range of responsibilities and employers reflects the nature of the environmental engineering profession.
Employers have included consulting firms, major oil and mining companies and government entities. Most graduates are located by choice in the Western United States, even though opportunities abound across the U.S. and in foreign countries. The responsibilities of graduates vary greatly. Some are doing research and engineering project design. Others are program managers. Still others are doing sampling, permitting, and report writing. The range of responsibilities and employers reflects the nature of the environmental engineering profession.
See the Graduate School site for information on admissions and applicable forms for Graduate School.
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