Department of Environmental & Sustainable Engineering

Faculty

Professors
Yanna Liang, Ph.D., Utah State University (Chair)
Sukanta Basu, Ph.D., University of Minnesota

Associate Professors
Md Aynul Bari, Ph.D., University of Stuttgart, Germany
Rixiang Huang, Ph.D., Baylor University
Kyoung-Yeol Kim, Ph.D., Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea
Yaoze Liu, Ph.D., Purdue University

Assistant Professors
Lu Li, Ph.D., The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
Weilan Zhang, Ph.D., Texas A & M University
Bu Zhao, Ph.D., University of Michigan

Professor of Practice
Paul Millard, Ph.D., University of Maryland

Adjunct Professors
Jeffrey Goldmeer, Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University
Joseph N. Dana, Ph.D., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Sally Rowland, Ph.D., P.E., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Omar O. Elshafee, Ph.D., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Environmental & Sustainable Engineering is a discipline that builds on knowledge, discovery, and information from math and basic sciences to solve critical environmental problems at the national and global scales. Basic sciences, such as chemistry, biology, physics, atmospheric science, social science, economics, geography, planning, and sustainability, and political science provide a solid foundation for this multidisciplinary engineering program. Standing on this broad foundation, faculty and students in this program are able to tackle traditional environmental problems associated with air pollution and prevention, water and wastewater treatment and reuse, water resource management, soil and groundwater clean-up, and hazardous waste remediation.

In addition, the Environmental & Sustainable Engineering distinguishes itself from conventional Environmental Engineering by having a serious emphasis, long-term vision, and deep commitment to sustainable engineering. In particular, this program aims to address global environmental issues, provide sustainable designs for natural and engineered environments, and promote sustainability in all areas related to the environment and human health.

Students enrolling in this Environmental & Sustainable Engineering program will be equipped with a strong foundation in this broad discipline, state-of-the-art technologies for solving environmental problems using sustainable approaches, and skills for lifelong learning. In addition, this curriculum gives students experiences in teamwork, leadership development, and opportunities to improve their oral, written, and visual skills. Graduates from this program are highly sought after for careers in industry, consulting, and government at local, state and federal levels. Some graduates may enter academia and research organizations if they pursue graduate studies beyond the Bachelor of Science. Prepared and educated by this program, graduates will embark on a journey that solves challenging problems facing the environment, human health, and the society; a career that actively pursues sustainability through critical thinking and innovative solutions; and a life that diligently serves the local community and society through integrity, professional excellence, and humility.

Course Progression Restrictions

Students must complete AMAT 113 with a C or better to register for IESE 201. Students must complete AMAT 112 and ACHM 115 or ACHM 120 with a C or better to register for IESE 221. Students must complete AMAT 113 and ACHM 116 or ACHM 121 with a C or better to register for IESE 301. Students must complete ACHM 115 or ACHM 120 with a C or better to register for IESE 381.

Degree Requirements for the B.S. in Environmental & Sustainable Engineering

General Program B.S.

(combined major and minor sequence) a minimum of 107 credits as follows:

Environmental and Sustainable Engineering Core (44 credits):

  • IESE 110 Introduction to Engineering (2)
  • IESE 201 Statics (3)
  • IESE 202 Strength of Materials (3)
  • IESE 221 Introduction to Sustainable Engineering (3)
  • IESE 301 Introduction to Environmental and Sustainable Engineering (3)
  • IESE 321 Engineering Applications in Sustainable Design (3)
  • IESE 332 Air Quality Modeling (3)
  • IESE 351 Fluid Mechanics (3)
  • IESE 381 Energy Engineering (3)
  • IESE 411 Water and Wastewater Treatment (3)
  • IESE 412 Advanced Wastewater Engineering (3)
  • IESE 431 Air Pollution Control (3)
  • IESE 451 Water Resources Engineering (3)
  • IESE 471 Hazardous Waste Management (3)
  • Choose one of the following options:
    • IESE 497 Senior Capstone Design (3)
    • IESE 497 Senior Capstone Design I (1) and IESE 499 Senior Capstone Design II (2)

Environmental Sciences (6 credits):

  • AATM 210 Atmospheric Structure Thermodynamics, and Circulation (3)
  • AENV 250 Sustainable Development (3)

Environmental Health Sciences (6 credits):

  • HSPH 321 Global Environmental Issues (3)
  • HEHS 560 Sustainability, Green Design and Public Health (3)

Computer Engineering (8 credits):

  • Choose one of the following options:
    • IECE 141 Introduction to Programming
    • ICSI/IECE 201 Introduction to Computer Science (4)
  • ICSI/IECE 210 Discrete Structures (4)

Math and Science (34 credits):

  • AMAT 112 Calculus I (4)
  • AMAT 113 Calculus II (4)
  • AMAT 214 Calculus Several Variables (4)
  • AMAT 215 Ordinary Differential Equations (3)
  • AMAT 370 Probability and Statistics (3)
  • ACHM 120 General Chemistry I (3)
  • ACHM 124 General Chemistry I Lab (1)
  • ACHM 121 General Chemistry II (3)
  • ACHM 125 General Chemistry II Lab (1)
  • ABIO 130 General Biology: Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics (3)
  • ABIO 201 Introduction to Biological Investigations (1)
  • APHY 140 or 142 Physics: 1: Mechanics (3)
  • APHY 145 Physics Lab I (1)

Environmental and Sustainable Engineering Electives (a minimum of 9 credits):

Select a minimum of 9 credits from the following options:

  • AATM 200 Natural Disasters (3)
  • AATM 301 Surface Hydrology and Hydrometeorology (3)
  • AATM 304 Air Quality and Air Pollution Policy (3)
  • AENV/AATM 315 Environmental Statistics and Computation (4)
  • APHY 496/AUSP 456 Geographic Information Systems (3)
  • AUSP 452 CADD in Planning (3)
  • HSPH/HEHS 323 Environmental Laboratory Perspectives in Public Health (3)
  • HEHS 520 Principles of Environmental Chemistry (3)
  • IESE 302 Intro to Engineering Graphics (3)
  • IESE 452 Groundwater Hydrology (3)
  • IESE 498 Independent Research in Environmental and Sustainable Engineering (1-3)