Future Concerns in Environmental Engineering Graduate Education

Abstract

Directions for enhancing graduate education in environmental engineering to meet the challenges of the future must consider: (1) Education for versatility and perspective; (2) programmatic issues on research and graduate education; (3) relations between the environmental industry and graduate education; (4) a philosophy of graduate education; and (5) the role of the citizen engineer. Versatility and perspective requires expansion in the scope of graduate programs, and is dependent in part on enhancing undergraduate environmental engineering education. Relying on research grants for funding master’s study is an inefficient use of resources; traineeships awarded on a competitive basis are needed. Undergraduate majors in the sciences are entering the profession and require exposure to engineering through the combination of relevant science, selected makeup, and graduate-level courses. There is opportunity to take advantage of public interest in environmental issues to recruit minority graduate students. Environmental engineering education and the profession will benefit from improved communication and productive partnerships. Faculty may become more effective educators by recognizing the learning styles among students of different backgrounds, and by appreciating the progression in cognitive development during graduate education. We must educate environmental engineers in their responsibilities to help formulate and implement environmental policy.