Graduate Studies in Environmental and Resource Engineering
M.S., M.P.S. & Ph.D.

• Current Graduate Students

The Department of Environmental Resources and Forest Engineering (ERFEG) participates in the graduate program in Environmental and Resource Engineering (ERE) through the ERFEG option and a number of Areas of Study. The ERE graduate program is concerned with the application of science and engineering to the conservation, restoration, holistic development, and improved utilization of the natural environment and its related resources. The ERE graduate program awards the master of professional studies (MPS), master of science (MS) and doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. The MPS degree requires at least 30 graduate credit hours of graduate coursework. The MS degree requires completion of at least 30 graduate credit hours, including at least 24 credit hours of graduate coursework and at least 6 credit hours of thesis or project and defense. The Ph.D. degree requires at least 60 graduate credit hours, to include a minimum of 30 credits of graduate courses, and allows a maximum of 30 credits for dissertation. The Ph.D. degree also includes tool requirements and preliminary and candidacy exams.

Areas of Study

The following Areas of Study are offered through the Environmental Resources and Forest Engineering option of the ERE graduate program. Note that some degrees are not offered for some Areas of Study.

• Ecological Engineering (MS, Ph.D.)
• Environmental Management (MPS)
• Geo-spatial Information Science & Engineering (MS, Ph.D.)
• Mapping Sciences (MPS)
• Water Resources Engineering (MS, Ph.D.)

Support for graduate study and research in these areas is both internal and external. The internal support includes modern laboratory and instrumentation facilities in the engineering departments both at ESF and in the Engineering School at Syracuse University. Exceptional support exists for programs in environmental engineering measurements in the form of remote sensing and photogrammetric laboratories and the extensive properties owned by the College at which research may be conducted. Dedicated laboratories are also available for students working in water resources engineering, solid waste management, and hazardous waste site remediation.

External support comes from several active sources, including industrial, commercial and governmental. Over the past two decades, close cooperation has developed special study and research opportunities with these sources.

Research Topics

For the MS degree, the graduate student must initiate, execute, and conclude a research or project thesis. For the Ph.D. degree, the graduate student must propose, develop, execute, analyze, and conclude a research dissertation. The topics for these graduate exercises are selected by the student in consultation with their major professor and steering committee. The topics range broadly within each of the Areas of Study.