Masters in Environmental Engineering

You will notice as you go through the curricula of different colleges that there are myriad streams of specialization offered in MS in Environmental Engineering.  Some of the most popular ones are listed below:

1. Energy Systems 

The world today is facing a crisis in tackling the increasing number of challenges in harnessing energy. Climate change and the ever-increasing costs of the different modes of energy pose a huge threat. This course helps you identify innovative solutions and different perspectives in tackling the sustainable energy challenge. Job opportunities after this specialization are huge. You could be employed as a Solar Design Engineer, Solar Operations Engineer, Energy Analyst, or as a Power Systems Consultant.

2. Energy Management

The declining fossil energy resources, environmental pollution and climate change underscore the importance of this Master’s in Environmental Engineering specialization. The Master’s program in Energy Management helps you understand the different perspectives related to the global energy supply systems and their interrelationship with the environmental problems. This course allows you to understand and master the current technologies used and analyze the economics of converting them into sustainable energy sources. Finishing this course could fetch you jobs as an Operations Project Manager, Risk and Compliance Manager, Energy Process Manager and Energy Storage Developer.

3. Renewable and Clean Energy

The Renewable and Clean Energy program includes courses on the various types of alternative energy systems in addition to courses on fundamental concepts related to energy. Included in this program are courses on fuel cells, solar energy, wind power, hydrogen fuel, energy conversion, energy materials, energy efficiency, thermodynamics, etc. Finishing a major in this subject could get you employed as a Renewable Energy project manager, Energy policy analyst, Renewable energy consultant. 

4. Atmospheric Science

Atmospheric Sciences include the study of the circulation, composition, and physical and chemical processes of the atmosphere. Students pursuing this specialization can study the fundamental processes of the atmosphere as well as its interactions with the oceans, hydrological cycle and the role of the atmosphere in climate change. The program has courses in climate particularly connected to water resources and geochemistry as well as on engineering responses to the climate change problem. This major helps you understand air quality and its impact. Atmospheric scientists also identify patterns to mitigate drought. 
Atmospheric scientists are in a great demand by the US Government, particularly the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Many atmospheric scientists also go for academia. 

5. Energy Resources Engineering

Energy Resources Engineering is concerned with the production, transformation, and impacts of energy resources including renewables and fossil fuels. The course gives you a solid foundation in optimizing energy recovery from petroleum reservoirs, geothermal energy systems, energy storage, and contaminated groundwater systems. Finishing this specialization will get you employment in the automobile sector wherein you may have to help a unit meet the strict exhaust emission laws among many other responsibilities. Energy resource engineers are also employed as Research engineers developing alternative sources of energy and designing and testing energy equipment in large wind turbines and generators. 

6. Environmental Planning and Management

This course teaches you how to plan and implement programs to keep water pure and the air fresh and pollutant free. The environment-based specialization covers matters such as climate action plans, green infrastructure planning, and sustainability issues and plans.  It involves the study, learning and understanding of the environmental planning process; planning for sustainable public health (including air, water, waste, recycling); planning for natural areas (including landscapes, wildlife habitats, natural hazards and disasters); working landscapes (including farmlands, forestry and mining); the built environment (including energy and transport issues, cities and suburbs, green areas); local and international environmental planning.
Jobs associated with this specialization include Urban Planner, Geo environmental consultant, Environmental Manager and Consultant.

7. Renewable Energy Engineering

The demand for renewable energy engineers is expected to continue to grow as governments and companies look to diversify from hydrocarbons and reduce emissions. This programme teaches the advanced skills needed to design, build and optimize renewable energy infrastructure of the future.
With the expected global growth in the renewable energy sector, there will be a crucial need for qualified and skilled engineers with specialist knowledge of the relevant technology. This course focuses on viable, sustainable and renewable sources of energy conversion based on the systems using solar, wind and bio technologies. After graduating with a master’s degree in renewable energy, you will attain the ability to evaluate, appraise and provide solutions to the current energy crisis in the world. Some of the career opportunities in the field that are open to graduates are Energy consultant, Carbon sales adviser, Wind power equipment engineer, Solar panel equipment engineers and Energy auditor.

8. Ocean and Resource Engineering

Ocean and resource engineering considers the engineering systems needed to develop the ocean’s energy, mineral, and living resources, the potential use of the ocean for waste disposal, and the environmental and economic aspects of such activities. The course focuses on the study of coastal marine processes including dispersal of pollutants and nutrients and sediment transport. Job opportunities include careers as Marine Biologists, Marine Architects, Hydrologists, Ocean Engineers, Environmental engineer.

Global Rank

1. Project Engineer

The environmental project engineer’s responsibilities include assisting and interpreting environmental plans and designs of the organization. He/she will be responsible for the required changes and preparing a final draft as per the specifications given. The Project Engineer is the liaison between the company and other environmental agencies to ensure that all plans and designs comply with state and federal laws. He/she oversees the superintendents, his staff and if necessary, subcontractors to ensure that there is proper compliance with all the environmental guidelines.

2. Environmental Engineer

The responsibilities of an Environmental Engineer include designing and providing outlines such that there is a negative impact on the environment. He /She will be a technical advisor to ensure that all policies and environmental standards comply with applicable laws. He should be adept at conducting technical audits, analyzing data and perform quality checks such that all environmental standards are met.

3. Environmental Consultant

Governments and organizations are aware of the growing need for renewable energy and for technologies to provide low emissions. Organizations are investing more and more in these new technologies. Environmental consultants are experts in these technologies and need to have about the environmental laws and regulations. He/ she will be responsible for conducting specific environmental audits and will advise the organization if regulations are being met, and if necessary, what changes will have to be done. For example, an environmental consultant can assist a company desirous of buying land or acquiring another asset if all regulations are being followed scrupulously. As consultants, they often assist organizations in complying with environmental regulations, which minimize health hazards for people and the environment.

4. Water Resources Engineer

There is a growing need in today’s world for the continuous supply of clean drinkable water. A water resources engineer is responsible for the design and maintenance of systems that manage water resources. He/she could be working on water treatment plants and sewage plants which recycle greywater. Desalination plants are a new rage, and a Water Resources Engineer can be employed there overseeing design, construction and maintenance.

5. Air Quality Engineer

An air quality engineer is responsible for assessing the quality of air such that it is safe for the environment and public safety. He/she conducts field studies and surveys to inspect the emission monitoring and ambient air monitoring. An Air quality engineer is responsible for the inspection of facilities which impact air quality. In a government position, he/she will also be responsible for the approval and licensing of the same. The engineer will research and analyze evolving technology and consult with equipment manufacturers, public contractors, Federal, State, and local agencies concerned with air quality.