The Master of Science in the Environmental Engineering Program focuses on fundamental and applied understanding of the processes that govern our natural and engineered environmental systems. The program of over 35 research and instructional faculty members and about 70 graduate students covers topics ranging from drinking and wastewater treatment, water re-use, ecosystem processes, fate and transport of contaminants, alternative energy, air quality, sustainability and global engineering.

For more information, visit the Environmental Engineering Program website.

Bachelor's–Accelerated Master's Degree Program

Students may earn this degree as part of the Bachelor's–Accelerated Master's (BAM) degree program, which allows currently enrolled CU Boulder undergraduate students the opportunity to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in a shorter period of time.

For more information, see the Accelerated Master's tab for the associated bachelor's degree(s): BSEV in Environmental Engineering

Requirements

General Requirements

The following course requirements are subject to change; for the most current information, visit the Program's Curriculum and Courses webpage.

Students must complete at least 30 credit hours.

For students who have undertaken prior graduate study, up to 9 hours of relevant graduate-level coursework may be transferred to meet the course requirements for the MS degree, following the rules established by the Graduate School for transfer credit.

Degree Plans

Requirements for the Master of Science in environmental engineering can be fulfilled in two ways.

Plan I: Thesis Option

In addition to 24 credit hours of coursework, candidates complete 4–6 credit hours of thesis credit with a sum of course and thesis credit of at least 30 hours. Additionally, the successful completion and defense of an MS thesis is required.

Plan II: Non-Thesis Option

In addition to 24 credit hours of coursework, candidates complete an additional 6 credit hours of elective courses or independent study.

Course Requirements

Required Common Core6
CVEN 5464Environmental Engineering Processes3
CVEN 5404Water Chemistry3
or CHEM 5151 Atmospheric Chemistry
Emphasis Area12-18
See list below
Electives0-9
Elective courses will be determined in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor.
Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar0
Two semesters of Environmental Engineering graduate seminar, a non-credit seminar requiring attendance at 2/3 of the seminars each semester for satisfactory completion.
Plan I: Thesis Option4-6
Thesis Credits
Plan II: Non-Thesis Option6
Additional elective or independent study credits

Requirements for Recommended Emphasis Areas

General Environmental Engineering Emphasis

CVEN 5484Applied Microbiology and Toxicology3
MCEN 5131Air Pollution Control Engineering3
CVEN 5524Drinking Water Treatment3
or CVEN 5534 Wastewater Treatment
Select one of the following:
CVEN 5537Numerical Methods in Civil Engineering3
or CVEN 5454 Statistical Methods for Natural and Engineered Systems
Total Credit Hours12

Drinking Water, Wastewater and Water Reuse Treatment Emphasis

CVEN 5484Applied Microbiology and Toxicology3
CVEN 5524Drinking Water Treatment3
CVEN 5534Wastewater Treatment3
Select one of the following:
CVEN 5537Numerical Methods in Civil Engineering3
or CVEN 5454 Statistical Methods for Natural and Engineered Systems
Total Credit Hours12

Natural Waters Emphasis

CVEN 5424Environmental Organic Chemistry3
CVEN 5353Groundwater Hydrology3
CVEN 5333Physical Hydrology3
CVEN 5323Applied Stream Ecology3
CVEN 5537Numerical Methods in Civil Engineering3
or CVEN 5454 Statistical Methods for Natural and Engineered Systems
Total Credit Hours15

Global Engineering Emphasis

CVEN 5919Global Development for Engineers3
CVEN 5939Global Development Practicum3
CVEN 5969Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene3
CVEN 5484Applied Microbiology and Toxicology3
CVEN 5524Drinking Water Treatment3
or CVEN 5534 Wastewater Treatment
or MCEN 5131 Air Pollution Control Engineering
Total Credit Hours15

Air Quality Emphasis

MCEN 5131Air Pollution Control Engineering3
MCEN 5021Introduction to Fluid Dynamics3
or CVEN 5313 Environmental Fluid Mechanics
Select one of the following:
MCEN 5141Indoor Air Pollution3
or MCEN 5161 Aerosols
or CVEN 5484 Applied Microbiology and Toxicology
Select one of the following:
CVEN 5537Numerical Methods in Civil Engineering3
or CVEN 5454 Statistical Methods for Natural and Engineered Systems
Total Credit Hours12

Water & Engineering Management Emphasis

CVEN 5564Water Profession: Communication and Utility Finance3
CVEN 5574Water Utility Management: Current Issues and Future Challenges3
CVEN 5584Water Profession: Leadership and Management3