A couple of people that are standing in the water.

Environmental Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy

Delivery Options

Campus

Fall 2026 Deadline

Priority: December 15th
Domestic: July 1st
International: March 1st

Apply Now Contact Admissions Team

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Why study this degree at Mines?

Environmental engineering science is about protecting public health and managing natural and engineered systems with precision and accountability. From water and wastewater treatment to environmental monitoring and remediation, the field relies on scientists who can quantify risk and evaluate performance using real data. As regulatory expectations and technical complexity increase, organizations need experts who can move beyond standard solutions and develop new approaches grounded in strong environmental science.

A PhD in Environmental Engineering Science from Colorado School of Mines prepares you to create new knowledge that informs how environmental systems are designed, operated and evaluated. Your research will emphasize measurable outcomes, defensible methods and relevance to real environmental challenges. You will develop deep technical expertise while learning how to frame problems clearly and communicate results to both technical and general audiences.

Program Overview

The Environmental Engineering Science PhD is an on-campus doctoral program housed in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. It is designed for you if you want to pursue original research that advances environmental science and informs practice.

You will gain advanced training in environmental processes, system modeling and data analysis while tailoring coursework to support your dissertation research.

What you’ll study and do

Your coursework will include advanced classes in environmental chemistry, fate and transport and microbial processes, as well as specialized electives aligned with your research focus. Topics may include water and wastewater treatment, environmental chemistry, environmental microbiology, fate and transport, and system modeling. Coursework is structured to support your research rather than compete with it.

The core of the program is independent research. You will define a research problem, design a rigorous approach and generate results that make an original contribution to the field. Research methods may include laboratory experimentation, field measurements, computational modeling or data-driven analysis. Throughout the program, you will work closely with a faculty advisor and committee and complete proposal, candidacy and dissertation defense milestones.

What it takes to complete the PhD at Mines

Completion of the PhD requires advanced coursework, successful completion of qualifying and candidacy requirements and a defended dissertation. As an on-campus program, the experience emphasizes immersion in research groups, collaboration across disciplines and active participation in seminars. Mines’ applied science environment ensures your work stays connected to real environmental systems and practical engineering constraints.

You and Mines PhD: A right fit?

You may be a strong fit for this program if you:

Enjoy solving complex, open-ended environmental problems
Want your research to influence real systems and decisions
Have strong preparation in biology, chemistry, math, physics, geology, engineering or related fields

Key Program Research Groups

Environmental engineering science research at Mines spans physical, chemical and biological processes that govern environmental systems.

Water and wastewater treatment processes

This area focuses on designing and improving treatment systems that protect public health. Research examines physical, chemical and biological processes that remove contaminants. Coursework builds advanced process understanding, while research methods include laboratory experiments and system modeling. Careers include process development, utility research and technical leadership roles.

Environmental chemistry and contaminant fate

Research here studies how contaminants move, transform and persist in environmental systems. Topics include reaction mechanisms and transport processes. Methods blend laboratory analysis and modeling. Graduates pursue roles in environmental analysis, research organizations and regulatory support.

Environmental microbiology and biological systems

This field examines the role of microorganisms in engineered and natural systems. Research may focus on treatment performance or system stability. Coursework supports biological fundamentals, while research methods include laboratory studies and data analysis. Career paths include research and applied science roles.

Modeling and data-driven environmental systems

Research in this area develops models to predict system behavior and guide design decisions. Work often integrates data analysis with physical and chemical understanding. Graduates move into roles that require system-level evaluation and decision support.

Other Options

World-Class Labs, Centers and Facilities

PFAS@Mines

The PFAS@Mines Initiative adopts an interdisciplinary, solutions-based approach to the challenge of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances. Led by Professor Chris Higgins, the initiative is at the forefront of charactering environmental behavior, studying human exposure and developing treatment technologies for PFAS-impacted soils and drinking water.

A large machine that is inside of a building.

Center for Underground Construction and Tunneling

The Center for Underground Construction and Tunneling (UC&T) advances knowledge and state-of-the-art practice in underground construction and tunneling. Led by Professor Mike Mooney, the center’s research includes soil conditioning, tunnel boring machine techniques and cross passage design and construction.

Two men in lab coats working in a factory.

Colorado Center for a Sustainable WE2ST Water Technology Hub

The WE2ST Water Technology Hub promotes academic-industry collaboration to solve municipal and industrial water problems across scales. Led by Professor Tzahi Cath, the hub provides an environment to develop, test and validate technologies for global water challenges.

Faculty Expertise

Shiling Pei

Professor

Reza Hedayat

Associate Professor

Christopher Bellona

Associate Professor

Application Requirements

Bachelor's degree
GRE: Not Required
Letters of Recommendations (3 letters).
Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Statement of Purpose
Transcripts
International students please review the English proficiency requirements

Program Curriculum

View Academic Catalog

Career Outlook

Median salary for recent graduates of this program is $85,500. Learn more about Mines' comprehensive career development resources and this degree's salary potential.

Explore Mines Career Center

Employers who seek Mines graduates include

Engineering and environmental consulting firms

Companies such as WSP (formerly Golder Associates), Stantec, Arcadis, AECOM, Jacobs, Tetra Tech, Brown and Caldwell, Carollo Engineers, Burns & McDonnell, Kimley-Horn, CDM Smith

Industrial and technology organizations

Companies such as 3M, DOW, DuPont, Honeywell

Public agencies and utilities

Organizations such as U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, State and local environmental agencies, Municipal water and wastewater utilities

Research organizations and national laboratories

National Laboratory of the Rockies, Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Mines student placing post-it notes on whiteboard

Frequently Asked Questions

Why pursue a PhD in Environmental Engineering Science?

A PhD prepares you to generate new knowledge and guide complex environmental decisions. You learn how to design rigorous studies, analyze results critically and defend conclusions with evidence.

How research-focused is this program?

Research is the core of the degree. Coursework supports your dissertation, but most of your time is dedicated to developing and executing original research.

What career paths are available after graduation?

Graduates pursue roles in research and development, consulting, public agencies, utilities and academia. Many move into technical leadership positions.

Do you need a master’s degree to apply?

A master’s degree is helpful but not required. Strong preparation in biology, chemistry, math, physics, geology, engineering or related fields is essential.

How does Mines’ applied focus shape the PhD experience?

Mines emphasizes engineering that works in practice. Research is often tied to real systems, performance data and practical constraints, helping your work translate beyond academic settings.

Featured Alumni

Meet Jennie Callahan, MS ’19, PhD ’23

After 22 years of service in the U.S. Army, Jennie Callahan pursued environmental engineering at Colorado School of Mines to focus on sustainable infrastructure and community impact. A 2018 Pat Tillman Scholar, her work in anaerobic wastewater treatment reflects the leadership and real-world problem-solving Mines graduates bring to global water and sanitation challenges.