Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, PhD

Program Description

Our complex world faces many challenges, including contaminated water supplies, hazardous wastes, an increasing population and limited resources. The PhD program in Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences provides students with a comprehensive background in one or more fundamental aspects of environmental engineering, environmental science and/or the earth sciences. The major field of study is generally interdisciplinary in nature, consisting of coursework in several areas of the basic and applied sciences, as well as the engineering sciences, so that a better understanding of our earth and environment is obtained and to develop better solutions for the critical problems that we face now and in the future. Using principles of biology, chemistry, physics, geology, mathematics and engineering, PhD program graduates work to:

• improve and protect air, water and soil quality,
• ensure public safety and health,
• evaluate and design products and processes for a more sustainable future,
• develop sustainable approaches to energy and resource management, and
• better understand the natural processes and human influences that shape our planet.

For additional information, please visit https://www.clemson.edu/cecas/departments/eees/academics/gradprog/eees-phd.html.

Summary of Degree Requirements

This degree requires a minimum of 30 credits beyond the master’s degree, and at least 60 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree. A minimum of 12 credit hours of non-research coursework and a minimum of 18 hours of dissertation research are required. All resident PhD students must register for EES 9610 - Environmental Engineering and Science Doctoral Student Seminar  each term that it is offered. Each student’s PhD curriculum and research program is tailored to suit his/her personal and professional goals.

The PhD in Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences is not awarded solely on the basis of coursework completed, residence, completion of qualifying, comprehensive or final examinations, or other routine requirements. The final basis for granting this degree is the student’s grasp of the subject matter, competence in planning and conducting research, and the ability to express themselves adequately and professionally both orally and in writing. Ultimately, only the student’s advisory committee can certify that the student has earned this degree.