Overview
The
Environmental and Water Studies Program in the Department of Civil and
Environmental Engineering at Stanford University specializes in studies
of environmental chemistry and microbiology, water pollution control,
groundwater pollution, water resources engineering, hydrology, environmental
fluid mechanics, environmental and water resources planning, indoor and
outdoor urban air pollution, global air pollution, weather, and climate.
The program consists of 14 faculty and approximately 100 graduate students.
The program offers a healthy balance between research and practical application.
Three graduate degrees are offered: Master of Science (M.S.), Engineer
(Eng.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). The M.S. degree is oriented
toward professional practice, whereas at the post-M.S. level (Eng. and
Ph.D.) activities are more heavily weighted toward research. Classroom
teaching aims to build an understanding of fundamental physical, chemical,
and biological processes, employing mathematics and computational tools
where relevant. Our research strives for appropriate balance between theory,
computation, and experimental observation, including both laboratory and
field-scale experiments. Multidisciplinary cooperation is a major feature
of our approaches in teaching as well as in research.
Organizationally, the Environmental and Water Studies Program consists
of two main subprograms.
Environmental Engineering and Science
(EES) Subprogram
Environmental Fluid Mechanics and Hydrology
(EFMH) Subprogram
A particular
strength of these programs is their flexibility. Broad, multidisciplinary
programs are easily constructed, as are more focused, intensive programs
in a particular area.The breadth of the program provides a strong basis
for multi-disciplinary learning. Both teaching and research emphasize
applying fundamental principles to analyze complex environmental problems
and to devise effective solutions. This flexible approach allows one
to deal effectively with new environmental challenges such as hazardous
wastes. The Western Region Hazardous Substances
Research Center (WRHSRC), with Oregon State as lead university and
Stanford University as partner, supports research and education in this
important area. Applicants with backgrounds in all areas of engineering
and science who are interested in applying their specialized talents
to the solution of water and air resource problems are welcome. Comprehensive
introductory courses in each area of study are given to provide a common
basis of understanding among those with dissimilar backgrounds.
Each of these programs is described below in the following
paragraphs:
EES Subprogram
Within the Environmental Engineering & Science Program, the focus
is on surface and groundwater quality and, jointly with EFMH, atmospheric-related
topics (discussed below). In addition, environmental aspects of energy
generation and human exposure to pollutants are covered. The physico-chemical,
biological, and engineering aspects of water quality and water pollution
control, including ground water remediation and hazardous chemical treatment,
can be studied in depth. Related programs afford a broad range of offerings
in the earth sciences, fluid mechanics, and environmental and water resources
planning and risk assessment.
Click here for EES Website and Newsletter
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EFMH
Subprogram
Within the Environmental Fluid Mechanics & Hydrology Program, the
focus is on the movement of surface and groundwater and, jointly with
EES, atmospheric related topics (discussed below). With respect to water,
attention is given to the environmental and economic factors important
in planning water resources. Environmental fluid mechanics courses address
fluid and sediment transport and mixing processes, turbulence and its
modeling, the fluid mechanics of stratified flows, natural flows in coastal
waters, estuaries, lakes and open channels, atmospheric flows and experimental
methods. Hydrology courses consider stochastic methods in both surface
and subsurface hydrology, watershed hydrology and modeling, and flow
and transport in porous media. Planning courses highlight issues related
to sustainable water resources development, both in the U.S. and in developing
countries. Degree programs can be developed by combining environmental
fluid mechanics and hydrology classes with courses from programs and
departments which both complement and supplement the Environmental Fluid
Mechanics and Hydrology Program offerings. Some examples include Environmental
Engineering and Science, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Earth Sciences,
Computer Science, Petroleum Engineering, Biological Sciences and Statistics.
The EFMH subprogram has opportunities for students interested in pursuing
Ph.D. level research concerned with environmental policy design and implementation
with respect to water, air, and land. These research activities are summarized
in the section entitled "Environmental Planning and Management",
in the Facilities section.
Joint
EES, EFMH Subprogram on Atmospheric Topics
Jointly, EES and EFMH offer coursework and research opportunities on atmospheric
topics, including indoor air pollution, outdoor urban air pollution, global
air pollution, weather, and climate. Depending on the topic, the students
in the program often take courses in atmospheric chemistry, meteorology,
atmospheric physics, fluid dynamics, statistics, radiative transfer, and/or
computer programming. Students are also encouraged to develop collaborations
with and take courses in other programs where complimentary courses are
offered, such as in Applied Earth Sciences, Biological Sciences, Aerospace
Engineering, Computer Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical
Engineering, and Statistics. Seminars on atmospheric related topics are
offered in the EWS program and in other departments throughout the University.
Atmospheric research may focus on laboratory experimentation, computational
analysis, or field measurements.
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Singapore
Stanford Partnership
The
Singapore
Stanford Partnership (SSP)in Environmental Engineering &
Science is a joint effort between Nanyang Technological University's
School of Civil & Environmental
Engineering and Stanford University's Department of Civil & Environmental
Engineering to establish a Singapore-based premier graduate education
and research program in Environmental Engineering.
Distance
Learning Options
About 8-9
of the EWS graduate-level classes offered each year (~25-30 units)
will be accessible for those students interested in pursuing a Master's
degree via distance learning. Students interested in pursuing studies
via distance learning should be aware that Stanford University requires
a minimum enrollment in 8 units/quarter for graduate students (except
for the very last quarter of study). Experience has shown us that
it is not feasible for students to work full-time while taking this
amount of coursework -- we strongly advise students with outside
jobs to limit their working time commitment to <20 hrs/week while
taking 8-10 units of coursework. Students must enroll during autumn,
winter and spring of each academic year -- those wanting to take
one or more quarters off must file for a leave of absence. The
EWS program requires MS students to spend at least 1 quarter on campus
enrolled in at least 8 units of coursework. This time on-campus
is considered essential for several reasons: (1) Ability to take classes
not available on-line, including laboratory classes; (2) Chance
to meet classmates and work with them on coursework; and (3) Opportunity
to meet the EWS faculty, and allow them to get to know you well
enough to be able to write effective recommendation letters for you.
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Student
Affairs and Community Activities
Stanford University is located about 35 miles south of San Francisco.
The amenities in the Bay Area are innumerable. An hour's drive will take
one to the beach, the Redwoods, or to San Francisco. The climate is ideal
- not too hot, not too cold. Stanford University has approximately 7000
graduate students and 6500 undergraduate students. Numerous opportunities
exist for extra-curricular activities. There is a very active intra-mural
sports program in which many of the students participate. On campus and
in town, hiking clubs, choral groups, religious services, and most forms
of entertainment are available. The Student Information section and the
Visitor Information page of the Stanford University web site provide details
on amenities available to students, as well as guidance on student housing.
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