Assistant Professor Haochen Li and students Leila Kelly and Mohamed Shatarah use a flume to study and better predict aerodynamic performance of drones in the Water Infrastructure Lab on July 26, 2023.

Environmental Engineering, MS

Combine your passion for protecting ecosystems and people from adverse environmental effects with your love of science by studying environmental engineering. Come up with innovative solutions to improve the quality of the environment and public health. From reducing pollution to making positive impacts on climate change, becoming an environmental engineer puts you one step further towards your goals.

Program overview

The environmental engineering MS program gives graduate students the ability to address the diverse challenges that arise in the industry. As experts in the field, faculty members provide students with research opportunities to gain real-world experience and the chance to solve complex problems society faces. Student can also choose to pursue a dual MS-MBA program with a major in environmental engineering.

Water Resources Concentration

The Water Resources Concentration within our program provides diverse training. Students will walk away with knowledge on the principles of hydrogeology and open channel hydraulics, and because water resources engineering requires interdisciplinary training, they can also take courses that cover soil erosion, environmental microbiology, and green infrastructure design.

With environmental resources being finite, society needs individuals that want to use their problem solving skills, critical thinking abilities, and passion for protecting the earth to come up with innovative solutions to rising challenges. As a graduate student, you should be looking for an environmental engineering MS program that provides you with the ability to get out in the field, and since Knoxville is known as a nature city, you’re sure to have plenty of opportunities to grow and learn during your time in the program.

What do environmental engineers do?

The main goal for all environmental engineers is the same: work towards protecting the environment and society. However, tasks for individuals vary; some design systems and tools that control pollution. Others provide technical support and advice on environmental protection and cleanup to agencies and businesses. Many engineers also perform research, write reports, design plans, and apply for permits.

What can you do with a MS in Environmental Engineering after graduation?

As you look towards the future and consider your career, you may wonder what an environmental engineering degree can help you do. Many engineers go on to work at private consulting companies, nonprofits, or government agencies. You can work in the field, in an office, or in a lab.

Featured Courses

Below are some of the courses that students in our program can choose to take. For a list of all courses in environmental engineering, visit the Graduate Catalog.

ENVE 511 Environmental Chemistry

A fundamental and quantitative treatment of the chemical processes that govern the formation, fate, and treatment of pollutants in natural and engineered systems. Chemical thermodynamics of pollutants; atmospheric reaction pathways; phase equilibria; aqueous solution equilibria; reduction-oxidation chemistry.

ENVE 513 Environmental Microbiology 

Learn about the fundamental aspects of microbiology through environmental and engineered applications.

ENVE 558 Solid and Hazardous Waste Management 

In this class, students will learn about the characteristics of solid and hazardous waste problems, design of treatment and disposal systems, and more.

ENVE 574 Air Pollution Engineering and Control 

You will be introduced to the fundamentals of air pollution, visibility reduction, air quality laws, and much more in this course.

Related Programs

Contemplating your options? Check out these programs related to an MS in Environmental Engineering:

Admissions and Aid

Choosing the right university to pursue an engineering degree is an important decision—and a significant investment. We want to make sure that you have the information you need to both apply and make attending UT affordable.