Environmental Engineering and Management (EEM)

Environmental Engineering at AIT began in 1964 with the need for sanitary engineering to address the problems of providing adequate water supplies and sanitation facilities. This pioneering environmental engineering program has grown into a range of fields needed to tackle the emerging environmental issues facing Asia today.

The current Environmental Engineering and Management Program seeks solutions for a range of environmental challenges, such as air pollution, solid and hazardous waste, wastewater treatment and disposal systems, water treatment, life cycle assessment, environmental impact assessment, engineering in climate change mitigation and more. The program, which was developed in cooperation with environmental specialists from public and private sectors, offers an integrated approach towards the pressing and long-term environmental issues, planning, design and management for the long-term sustainability of industrial output.

The Environmental Engineering and Management program offers 3 Areas of Specializations.

Environmental Technology and Management: This area of specialization takes a system approach to managing the environment and includes the interrelated roles of industry and government agencies. Environmental engineers and scientists enrolled in this field study the environmental impacts of development projects. The reckless exploitation of natural resources in lower and middle-income countries has been at the cost of severe environmental pollution and subsequent impacts on a global scale. Understanding and management of air, water and land resource deterioration requires that a wide range of interdisciplinary perspectives be included in the updated curriculum.

Water and Wastewater Engineering: This program is for engineers and scientists specializing in planning, design, operation and management of water supply, wastewater treatment and disposal systems. Specializations include water supply and sewerage system engineering, water quality management, water and wastewater treatment systems, groundwater contamination, waste recycling/ and resource recovery.

Inclusive Sanitation: The Inclusive Sanitation specialization provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to design and implement sustainable sanitation systems, engage with local communities, and address the social and public health challenges associated with inclusive sanitation. It focuses on the delivery of Non-sewered Sanitation services in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The course seeks women and men from diverse backgrounds in acknowledgement of the diversity and complexity of challenges in urban and rural sanitation worldwide.

FOCUS AREAS

• PM2.5 and other air pollution problems
• Short-lived climate pollutants
• Greenhouse gas mitigation biotechnologies
• Solid (including plastic) and hazardous waste
• Inclusive sanitation
• Life cycle assessment
• Water treatment
• Waste water treatment
• Resource recovery, including microbial biotechnologies

• Have strong academic records (both undergraduate and graduate) and normally hold a four-year bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree*, preferably with a combination of course and thesis work, from an institution of good standing, acceptable to AIT. The minimum cGPA requirement for admission to the doctoral program is 3.50 or equivalent, at the Master’s degree level.
• English Proficiency Requirement: AIT-EET: 6; IELTS Academic: overall 6 (writing 6); TOEFL iBT: overall 80 (writing 21-23); & PTE Academic: overall 52 (writing 62-73)
• Submit a brief outline of dissertation research proposal (5-10 pages) including the required research facilities, if necessary.
• Two recommendation letters.

*Applicants with a one-year master’s degree, a one-year professional master’s degree, or a one-year postgraduate diploma can enroll in the doctoral program by completing an additional 12-24 credits in addition to the required 84 credits for the doctoral program.

PREFERRED BACKGROUND

What are the backgrounds a student must have to attend the program?

Environmental Engineering and Management Program is intended for professionals from government and international agencies, environment ministries, pollution control authorities, private companies, academia, NGOs, city, and municipal authorities dealing with or interested in the environment, water and wastewater treatment, and sanitation, policy, planning, and management.

Candidates with degree from an institution with recognised standing preferably in biochemical or chemical engineering, civil engineering, environmental engineering or related applied sciences, or health science and biomedical science are eligible to apply.

Graduates of the Environmental Engineering and Management (EEM) program can pursue a variety of career pathways in both the public and private sectors. They may work as Environmental Engineers, focusing on designing and implementing solutions for pollution control, waste management, and water treatment. Additionally, they can become Environmental Consultants, advising organizations on regulatory compliance and sustainable practices. Other potential roles include Environmental Managers, leading corporate sustainability initiatives, or working in government agencies to develop and enforce environmental policies. Opportunities also exist in research and academia, where graduates can contribute to advancing environmental technologies and methodologies.