Chemical and Life Science Engineering
Master of Science in Engineering with a concentration in environmental and sustainable engineering
A master’s degree with a concentration in environmental and sustainable engineering from the VCU College of Engineering will show you new engineering techniques, like reusing waste to create energy, identifying new materials for chemical processes, and making more efficient use of materials in products while minimizing resource consumption through process intensification.
Utilize green chemistry techniques to reimagine the way products are made. You’ll learn how to maximize returns on materials and energy while preserving our environment by creating more sustainable workflows. This knowledge could impact thousands of products we rely on everyday, from personal care products and pharmaceuticals to biosensors and smart clothing to electronics and batteries.
The VCU College of Engineering is among the best graduate programs in the nation as ranked by U.S. News and World Report. Combined with our industry connections and access to Richmond-area businesses, VCU Engineering is a solid choice for your continuing education.
What you’ll learn
Our 30-credit program can be completed in about two years by full time students. You will develop a foundation of engineering skills that includes knowledge of business, manufacturing and research. These skills will help advance your career and provide a mechanism for lifelong learning and professional development.
Learning through hands-on opportunities, the advanced research skills you master will be complimented by an ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders and apply advanced problem solving to engineering challenges in cross-disciplinary teams to meet the needs of our changing society and advance the quality of human life.
Focus areas include:
- Biomanufacturing
- Circular Economy
- Green Chemistry
- Process Intensification
Engage in interesting coursework defined by the groundbreaking research of the VCU College of Engineering’s award-winning faculty in areas like catalysis, pharmaceutical manufacturing, material design and more. Etched into the landscape of Richmond, VCU Engineering gives students access to a culturally vibrant and diverse city full of potential. We focus on developing close partnerships with public institutions and private businesses in order to give you access to unique learning and job opportunities.
Master’s program students also have access to benefits like:
- Proximity to policymakers in Richmond, Virginia’s capital, and Washington D.C.
- Connections to public and private institutions that improve the quality of life for communities and individuals, like Afton, ChemTreat and Veolia, offering students opportunities to make significant contributions to environmental and sustainable engineering.
- Faculty who are industry experts, finding innovative solutions to sustainability problems as respected leaders in their fields with well-funded labs and industry partnerships.
- Design your own path to education with flexible electives and focus on environmental and sustainable engineering topics you are passionate about.
- Dedicated Career Services department that provides internship and employment opportunities
- Industry connections through college partnerships with public and private industry
- Interdisciplinary education to teach collaboration with engineering practitioners outside your field of study
Reference the VCU Bulletin for a full list of chemical and life science engineering classes. Master’s program courses are 500 level and above (for example, CLSE 580). Below are a few signature courses from the program:
- Water Essentials Course (CLSE 545): You will learn important applications of water, including the outlining of water chemistry details, for critical industrial processes like steam generation, heat exchanger and steam condenser cooling, high-purity water production, and wastewater treatment. This course also covers impurities produced by fossil fuel combustion. Practical information for engineers, chemists and other technical specialists preparing to enter industries like refining, biofuels, power, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, electronics, and environmental sustainability will be discussed.
- Sustainable Chemical Engineering (CLSE 580): Gain awareness of sustainability, green chemistry and green engineering considerations in chemical processing. Topics include quantitative analysis of green chemistry metrics, process intensification, renewable resources and waste valorization. Science communication and science policy will also be discussed.
- Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering (CLSE 650): Learn about the quantitative descriptions of chemical and biological processes required for engineering analysis, including prediction and design. These approaches are necessary to simplify and provide limits for complex behavior.Topics include perturbation theory and scaling, density functional formulations, control theory, and stability theory. This course represents the applied mathematical foundations on equilibrium and nonequilibrium analysis of chemical and biological systems.
- Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering (CLSE 655): You will gain understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of biological systems, which is key to many cellular events including cell signaling processes, second messenger systems, positive and negative feedback control, transcription, translation, and more. This course introduces nonequilibrium (dynamic) analysis as applied to biological and chemical systems.
A graduate degree in environmental and sustainable engineering can facilitate career advancement in a number jobs with titles like:
- Environmental Engineer: Designs systems for solving environmental problems as well as managing and cleaning natural resources such as air, land and water.
- Sustainability Director: Coordinates and monitors health, safety and sustainability activities throughout the manufacturing and production process.
- Water Project Manager: Oversees the technical management of water resources, water supplies and/or water treatment projects.
- Environmental Engineering Consultant: Identifies environmental concerns, such as inefficiencies or chemical releases, and assesses their impact on air, land and water for their clients.
- Public Service Engineer: Inspects and investigates facilities used by companies for producing and distributing public utilities such as energy and water.
With the help of our Career Services team, VCU College of Engineering graduates have many opportunities to network with alumni and industry professionals. Our students work at companies like:
- Dominion Energy
- Evonik
- Idaho National Laboratory
- Orano Federal Services
- Pine Gate Renewables
- Veolia Water Technologies
Application Requirements
VCU offers an online self-managed application process. This information outlines items needed to apply for a graduate program with the VCU College of Engineering. Additional information is listed on the Office of Admissions and International Admissions webpages.
Program-specific information can be found in the University Bulletin and additional inquiries can be made to the respective Graduate Program Directors listed below, or to the Office of Graduate Studies gradengr@vcu.edu.
Application materials include:
- Statement of intent
- Transcripts
- English proficiency test scores (if applicable)
- Application fee