University Catalog 2023-2024

Environmental Engineering (MR)

Master of Environmental Engineering Degree Requirements

Students may choose from the degree tracks below to complete coursework within a focus area:

Degrees earned will be distributed as: "Master of Environmental Engineering" without specialization specifications.

Air Pollution Engineering Specialization

Core Courses
CE 576Engineering Principles Of Air Pollution Control3
CE 579Principles of Air Quality Engineering3
CE 772Environmental Exposure and Risk Analysis3
CE 779Advanced Air Quality3
Core Electives
Technical Electives
Total Hours12

Core Electives

CE 596Special Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering (Energy and Climate)3
CE 775Modeling and Analysis Of Environmental Systems3
CE 776Advanced Water Management Systems3
CHE 575Advances in Pollution Prevention: Environmental Management for the Future3
MEA 510Air Pollution Meteorology3
MEA 580Air Quality Modeling and Forecasting4
MEA 703Atmospheric Aerosols3
MEA 710Atmospheric Dispersion3

Technical Electives

CE 536Introduction to Numerical Methods for Civil Engineers3
CE 537Computer Methods and Applications3
CE 538Information Technology and Modeling3
CE 571Physical Principles of Environmental Engineering3
CE 577Engineering Principles Of Solid Waste Management3
GIS 510Fundamentals of Geospatial Information Science and Technology3
MAE 406Energy Conservation in Industry3
MAE 408Internal Combustion Engine Fundamentals3
MAE 412Design of Thermal System3
PA 550Environmental Policy3
ST 515Experimental Statistics for Engineers I3
ST 516Experimental Statistics For Engineers II3

Engineering: Coastal Engineering Specialization

Typical Course Selections
CE 583Engineering Aspects Of Coastal Processes3
CE 596Special Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering (Introduction to Coastal and Ocean Engineering)1-6
CE 596Special Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering (Coastal Hydrodynamics)1-6
CE 596Special Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering (Coastal Structures)1-6
CE 596Special Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering (Fluid Mechanics in Natural Environments)1-6
MEA 540Principles of Physical Oceanography3
MEA 562Marine Sediment Transport3
MEA/GIS 582Geospatial Modeling3
MEA 792Advanced Special Topics in Earth Sciences (Advanced Geospatial Modeling with Open Source GIS)3
MA 501Advanced Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists I3
MA 534Introduction To Partial Differential Equations3
ST 515Experimental Statistics for Engineers I3
ST 730Applied Time Series Analysis3

Energy Systems Analysis Specialization

Suggested Core Courses
CE 537Computer Methods and Applications3
CE 578Energy and Climate3
CE 775Modeling and Analysis Of Environmental Systems3
CE 796Advanced Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering (Energy Modeling)1-3
Core Electives
Technical Electives
Total Hours10-12

Core Electives

CE 576Engineering Principles Of Air Pollution Control3
CE 579Principles of Air Quality Engineering3
CE 772Environmental Exposure and Risk Analysis3
CE 791Advanced Topics in Civil Engineering Computing (High Performance Computer Modeling)1-3
ECG 515Environmental and Resource Policy3

Technical Electives

Suggested Technical Electives
CE 776Advanced Water Management Systems3
CE 779Advanced Air Quality3
CE 791Advanced Topics in Civil Engineering Computing (Complex Adaptive Systems Analysis)3
CE 796Advanced Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering (Environmental Life-Cycle Analysis)3
CE 796Advanced Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering (Hydroclimatology)3
ECE 550Power System Operation and Control3
ISE 510Applied Engineering Economy3
ISE 519Database Applications in Industrial and Systems Engineering3
ISE 712Bayesian Decision Analysis For Engineers and Managers3
ISE 731Multi-Attribute Decision Analysis3
OR 501Introduction to Operations Research3
OR 504Introduction to Mathematical Programming3
OR 505Linear Programming3
PA 511Public Policy Analysis3
PA 550Environmental Policy3

Environmental Process Engineering Specialization

Core Courses
CE 571Physical Principles of Environmental Engineering3
CE 573Biological Principles of Environmental Engineering3
CE 574Chemical Principles of Environmental Engineering3
Core Electives
Technical Electives
Total Hours9

Core Electives

CE 537Computer Methods and Applications3
CE 576Engineering Principles Of Air Pollution Control3
CE 577Engineering Principles Of Solid Waste Management3
CE 584Hydraulics Of Ground Water3
CE 588Water Resources Engineering3
CE 596Special Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering (Water and Sanitation for Developing Countries)1-6
CE 771Physical-Chemical Water Treatment Processes3
CE 774Environmental Bioprocess Technology3
CE 775Modeling and Analysis Of Environmental Systems3

Technical Electives

Suggested Technical Electives
CE 596Special Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering1-6
CE 772Environmental Exposure and Risk Analysis3
CHE 546Design and Analysis of Chemical Reactors3
CHE 575Advances in Pollution Prevention: Environmental Management for the Future3
MAE 560Computational Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer3
MEA 579Principles of Air Quality Engineering3
PA 550Environmental Policy3
SSC 521Soil Chemistry3
ST 511Statistical Methods For Researchers I3
ST 512Statistical Methods For Researchers II 3

Environmental, Water Resources, and Coastal Engineering Specialization

  • 30 graduate-level credit hours
Required Course
CE 607Water Resource and Environmental Engineering Seminar1
Total Hours1

Modeling and Systems Analysis Specialization

Core Courses
CE 775Modeling and Analysis Of Environmental Systems3
CE 776Advanced Water Management Systems3
CE 791Advanced Topics in Civil Engineering Computing (Complex Adaptive Systems Analysis)1-3
Core Electives
Technical Electives
Total Hours7-9

Core Electives

CE 536Introduction to Numerical Methods for Civil Engineers3
CE 537Computer Methods and Applications3
CE 737Computer-Aided Engineering Systems3
CE 772Environmental Exposure and Risk Analysis3
CE 791Advanced Topics in Civil Engineering Computing (Evolutionary Computation)1-3
CE 791Advanced Topics in Civil Engineering Computing (High Performance Computer Modeling)1-3
CE 796Advanced Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering (Statistical Methods)1-3

Technical Electives

CE 538Information Technology and Modeling3
CE 573Biological Principles of Environmental Engineering3
CE 574Chemical Principles of Environmental Engineering3
CE 576Engineering Principles Of Air Pollution Control3
CE 577Engineering Principles Of Solid Waste Management3
CE 579Principles of Air Quality Engineering3
CE 582Coastal Hydrodynamics3
CE 584Hydraulics Of Ground Water3
CE 586Engineering Hydrology3
CE 588Water Resources Engineering3
CE 596Special Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering (Fluid Mechanics in Natural Environments)1-6
CE 596Special Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering (Introduction to Coastal and Ocean Engineering)1-6
CE 596Special Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering (Coastal Hydrodynamics)1-6
CE 596Special Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering (Energy and Climate)1-6
CE 784Ground Water Contaminant Transport3
CE 796Advanced Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering (Hydroclimatology)1-3
ECG 515Environmental and Resource Policy3
ECG 715Environmental and Resource Economics3
ECG 716Topics In Environmental and Resource Economics3
FOR 734Advanced Forest Management Planning3
OR 501Introduction to Operations Research3
OR 504Introduction to Mathematical Programming3
OR 505Linear Programming3
OR 506Algorithmic Methods in Nonlinear Programming3
OR 565Graph Theory3
OR 706Nonlinear Programming3
OR 708Integer Programming3
OR 709Dynamic Programming3
ST 515Experimental Statistics for Engineers I3
PA 550Environmental Policy3
MEA/GIS 582Geospatial Modeling3

Water Resources Engineering Specialization

CE 584Hydraulics Of Ground Water3
CE 586Engineering Hydrology3
CE 588Water Resources Engineering3
CE 596Special Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering (Fluid Mechanics in Natural Environments)1-6
Core Electives
Technical Electives
Total Hours10-15

Core Electives

CE 583Engineering Aspects Of Coastal Processes3
CE 596Special Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering (Coastal Hydrodynamics)1-6
CE 772Environmental Exposure and Risk Analysis3
CE 776Advanced Water Management Systems3
CE 784Ground Water Contaminant Transport3
CE 791Advanced Topics in Civil Engineering Computing (Complex Adaptive Systems Analysis)1-3
CE 796Advanced Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering (Statistical Methods)1-3

Technical Electives

CE 536Introduction to Numerical Methods for Civil Engineers3
CE 537Computer Methods and Applications3
CE 571Physical Principles of Environmental Engineering3
CE 574Chemical Principles of Environmental Engineering3
CE 583Engineering Aspects Of Coastal Processes3
CE 596Special Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering (Introduction to Coastal and Ocean Engineering)1-6
BAE 573Introduction to Hydrologic and Water Quality Modeling3
BAE 574DRAINMOD: Theory and Application3
BAE 575Design of Structural Stormwater Best Management Practices3
BAE 576Watershed Monitoring and Assessment3
BAE 581Open Channel Hydraulics for Natural Systems3
BAE 584Introduction to Fluvial Geomorphology3
BAE/SSC 771Theory Of Drainage--Saturated Flow3
FOR 784The Practice Of Environmental Impact Assessment4
MEA 540Principles of Physical Oceanography3
MEA/GIS 582Geospatial Modeling3
MEA 700Environmental Fluid Mechanics3
NR 500Natural Resource Management4

Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degree Requirements

The Accelerated Bachelors/Master’s (ABM) degree program allows exceptional undergraduate students at NC State an opportunity to complete the requirements for both the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at an accelerated pace. These undergraduate students may double count up to 12 credits and obtain a non-thesis Master’s degree in the same field within 12 months of completing the Bachelor’s degree, or obtain a thesis-based Master’s degree in the same field within 18 months of completing the Bachelor’s degree.

This degree program also provides an opportunity for the Directors of Graduate Programs (DGPs) at NC State to recruit rising juniors in their major to their graduate programs. However, permission to pursue an ABM degree program does not guarantee admission to the Graduate School. Admission is contingent on meeting eligibility requirements at the time of entering the graduate program.

CCEE Department ABM Admission

The CCEE department encourages excellent undergraduate students to obtain a master’s degree in their chosen field of specialization within 2 to 3 semesters past BS graduation, through double counting up to 9 credit hours towards both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. This is referred to as the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s (ABM) degree program. Following is the pathway for the ABM program.

Step 1 – Verify your eligibility for applying to the ABM program

  • You must have completed at least 75 credit hours (this typically means junior standing)
    • If you are a transfer student, you must have completed at least two semesters at NCSU, earning a minimum of 24 credit hours
  • You must not have already received a BS degree
  • You must have an overall GPA ≥ 3.5 and major GPA ≥ 3.25

Step 2 – Apply for ABM by following the steps below

  • Determine your area of interest from the list of graduate specialty areas on the next page.
  • Talk to the ABM advisor in the specialty area (provided below), and agree on a tentative ABM Plan of Work (POW) that would suit your interests and satisfy the ABM requirements. A finalized ABM POW must be in place before completion of the BS degree.
  • Submit an application at go.ncsu.edu/ccee-abm, which includes the tentative ABM POW.
    • The application will first be reviewed by the ABM advisor and a recommendation will be made to the department. The final determination will be made after a joint review by the directors of undergraduate and graduate programs, after which you will be notified.

Step 3 – While in the ABM program, maintain status by following the steps below:

  • With the specialty area ABM advisor’s help, prepare a tentative Graduate POW, that complements the Undergraduate POW.
    • Up to 9 credit hours can be double counted, they must be at the 500 level, and they must be selected from the approved list of courses in the specialty area (provided in the subsequent pages).
    • The (tentative) Graduate POW must be formally approved by the ABM advisor.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure that both the Graduate POW and Undergraduate POW satisfy the respective master’s and undergraduate degree requirements
  • You must maintain an overall GPA ≥ 3.5 and a major GPA ≥ 3.25 until you enter the master’s program.
  • Only graduate courses with a grade ≥ B can be double counted. Courses with a grade ≤ B- cannot be counted towards the master’s degree.
  • Towards the end of your bachelor’s program, you must formally apply to the master’s program, per deadlines published by the graduate school. Note that the GRE may be waived for ABM students – consult with your ABM advisor. The application must include to include a completed and signed ABM Plan of Work.
  • You must complete the master’s degree within a time limit (12 months if MCE/MENE, 18 months if MSCE/MSENE), to take advantage of the double counting associated with the ABM. If you do not graduate within this time, you will be considered a regular master’s student needing to take the full 30/31 graduate credits solely towards your master’s degree.

Graduate Specialty Areas for ABM

Degrees earned will be distributed as: "Master of Civil Engineering" without  specialization specifications.

  • Computing and Systems
  • Construction Engineering
  • EWC – Air
  • EWC – Environmental Process Engineering
  • EWC – Water Resource and Coastal Engineering
  • Geotechnical Engineering
  • Structural Engineering and Mechanics
  • Transportation Materials
  • Transportation Systems

Allowable Courses by Specialty Area

COMPUTING SYSTEMS

CE 536Introduction to Numerical Methods for Civil Engineers
CE 537Computer Methods and Applications
CE 538Information Technology and Modeling
CE 590Special Topics In Civil Engineering (Civil Engineering Systems)

CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING

CE 561Construction Project Management
CE 562Lean Construction Concepts and Methods
CE 564Legal Aspects of Contracting
CE 565Construction Safety Management
CE 567Risk and Financial Management in Construction
CE 592Special Topics in Construction Engineering
Other courses may selected and approved in conjunction with the academic committee, examples include but are not subject to:
Advanced Strength of Materials
Theory and Design Of Prestressed Concrete
Theory and Behavior Of Steel Structures
Analysis and Design Of Masonry Structures
Engineering Properties Of Soils I

EWC – AIR

CE 576Engineering Principles Of Air Pollution Control *
CE 578Energy and Climate *
CE 579Principles of Air Quality Engineering *

EWC – ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESS ENGINEERING

CE 571Physical Principles of Environmental Engineering
CE 573Biological Principles of Environmental Engineering
CE 574Chemical Principles of Environmental Engineering
CE 577Engineering Principles Of Solid Waste Management *
CE 578Energy and Climate *
CE 596Special Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering (Global Sanitation) *

EWC – WATER RESOURCES, COASTAL

CE 581Fluid Mechanics in Natural Environments
CE 583Engineering Aspects Of Coastal Processes
CE 584Hydraulics Of Ground Water
CE 586Engineering Hydrology
CE 588Water Resources Engineering *
CE 596Special Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering (Coastal Hydrodynamics) *
CE 596Special Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering (Coastal Modeling)
CE 596Special Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering (Surface Water Quality Modeling)

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

CE 548Engineering Properties Of Soils I
CE 584Hydraulics Of Ground Water
CE 593Special Topics in Geotechnical Engineering (Dynamics of Soils and Foundations)
Other courses may selected and approved in conjunction with the academic committee, examples include but are not subject to:
Advanced Strength of Materials
Finite Element Method in Structural Engineering
Engineering Principles Of Solid Waste Management

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING AND MECHANICS

CE 515Advanced Strength of Materials
CE 522Theory and Design Of Prestressed Concrete
CE 523Theory and Behavior Of Steel Structures
CE 524Analysis and Design Of Masonry Structures
CE 525Advanced Structural Analysis
CE 526Finite Element Method in Structural Engineering
CE 527Structural Dynamics
CE 528Structural Design in Wood
CE 529FRP Strengthening and Repair of Concrete Structures
CE 530Properties of Concrete and Advanced Cement-Based Composites

TRANSPORTATION MATERIALS

CE 515Advanced Strength of Materials
CE 530Properties of Concrete and Advanced Cement-Based Composites
CE 548Engineering Properties Of Soils I
CE 595Special Topics in Transportation Engineering (A - Asphalt and Bituminous Materials)

TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS

CE 501Transportation Systems Engineering *
CE 502Traffic Operations *
CE 503Highway Design *
CE 504Airport Planning and Design
CE 505Railroad System Planning, Design, and Operation
CE 509Highway Safety

Full Professors

  • Sankarasubramanian Arumugam
  • Morton A. Barlaz
  • Emily Zechman Berglund
  • Joseph F. DeCarolis
    Area of Research: Environmental Engineering & Energy Policy
  • Francis Lajara De Los Reyes III
  • Joel Ducoste
  • Henry C. Frey
  • Mohammed Awad Gabr
  • Detlef R. Knappe
  • Gnanamanikam Mahinthakumar
  • Margery Frances Overton
  • Ranji Ranjithan

Associate Professors

  • Douglas F. Call
    Area of Research: Environmental Engineering & Water Resources
  • Joel Casey Dietrich
  • Andrew P. Grieshop
  • Brina Mortensen Montoya
  • Daniel R. Obenour
    Area of Research: Environmental & Coastal Engineering
  • Benjamin Shane Underwood

Assistant Professors

  • Katherine Anarde
  • Tarek Aziz
  • Jorge Emilio San Juan Blanco
  • Fernando Garcia Menendez
  • Angela Rose Harris
  • Jordan Kern
  • Jacelyn Jaunice Rice-Boayue

Practice/Research/Teaching Professors

  • Florentino Banaag De La Cruz
  • Meagan Kittle Autry
  • James William Levis
  • Gregory W. Lucier
  • Elizabeth J. Sciaudone

Emeritus Faculty

  • Robert C. Borden
  • Earl Downey Brill Jr.

Adjunct Faculty

  • Michael Scott Breen
  • Anderson Rodrigo de Queiroz
  • Daniel J. Findley
  • Alejandra C. Geiger-Ortiz

Assistant Research Professor

  • Tongchuan Wei