PhD in Sustainable Environment

Graduates of the program are expected to master several core competencies essential for careers in science, technology, and policymaking:

Advanced Research Mastery: Graduates develop the ability to conduct original and scientifically significant environmental research. This includes mastery of research methods, ethics, data analytics, and advanced computing techniques.

Human-Environment Interaction: Students gain a deep understanding of how human activities—such as industrial development, transportation, and food production—impact land, water, and air. They learn to analyze these interactions through the lenses of policy, engineering, and social science.

Pollution & Resource Management: Outcomes include the ability to identify air emission sources and their health impacts, as well as designing treatment processes for water demand and solid or hazardous waste.

Sustainability Literacy: Graduates can evaluate the social and economic drivers of sustainability, including demand-side management, sustainable financing, and efficiency policymaking.

Climate Resilience: A primary focus is understanding climate change-driven risks on both natural and built environments to develop innovative mitigation and resilience strategies.

Applicants to the PhD programs should have a master’s degree.

Applicants should check the program they are applying for in order to make sure that they have majored in one of the disciplines mentioned under “required field of study :Engineering and science disciplines preferred. Students from architecture, urban planning, business, economics, policy, and social sciences demonstrating strong analytical skills will also be considered.”

Applicants are required to submit a valid IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 79 to demonstrate their proficiency in English.

First Year – First Semester

SENS601 – Research Methods & Ethics – 3 Credit Hours
SENS611 – Sustainability Fundamentals – 3 Credit Hours
SENS701 – Research Seminars – 1 Credit Hour
ELEC601 – Elective Course I – 3 Credit Hours

First Year – Second Semester

CORE601 – Graduate Core (Math/Statistics) – 3 Credit Hours
SENS701 – Research Seminars – 1 Credit Hour
ELEC602 – Elective Course II – 3 Credit Hours
ELEC603 – Elective Course III – 3 Credit Hours

Second Year – First Semester

SENS890 – Dissertation Research – 6 Credit Hours
QUAL001 – Qualifying Exam – 0 Credit Hours

Second Year – Second Semester

SENS890 – Dissertation Research – 6 Credit Hours

Third Year – First Semester

SENS890 – Dissertation Research – 6 Credit Hours
CAND001 – Candidacy Exam – 0 Credit Hours

Third Year – Second Semester

SENS890 – Dissertation Research – 6 Credit Hours

Fourth Year – First Semester

SENS890 – Dissertation Research – 6 Credit Hours

Fourth Year – Second Semester

SENS890 – Final Dissertation Research & Thesis Defense – 6 Credit Hours

Curriculum Components

Core Courses (9 Credit Hours)
SENS601 – Research Methods & Ethics – 3 Credit Hours
SENS611 – Sustainability Fundamentals – 3 Credit Hours
CSE607 / CSE605 – Advanced Math or Statistics Course – 3 Credit Hours

Elective Courses (9 Credit Hours)
SENS715 – Life Cycle Assessment – 3 Credit Hours
SENS719 – Energy Water Food Nexus – 3 Credit Hours
SENV760 – Air Quality and Climate Change – 3 Credit Hours

Research Thesis (36 Credit Hours)
SENS890 – Dissertation Research – 36 Credit Hours

Program Requirements

PhD in Sustainable Environment is a 60-credit program taught in English and typically completed over three years. It requires:

• Three core courses
• Three elective courses
• Three semesters of research seminars
• A 36-credit dissertation

Students must also pass:

• Qualifying Exam (Third Semester)
• Candidacy Exam (Fifth Semester)
• Final Thesis Defense (Public + Committee)