 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Environmental and Energy Engineering
Chair Don Steiner The Department of Environmental and Energy Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate programs in environmental engineering, nuclear engineering, and engineering physics, characterized by great breadth and interdisciplinary applications, leading to B.S., M.S., M.Eng., Ph.D., and D.Eng. degrees. This department prepares students for a wide variety of career opportunities (in consulting engineering, industry, national research laboratories, government agencies, academia, etc.) in traditional environmental and energy power technology areas as well as in many cross-disciplinary areas of engineering and applied physics embracing new and emerging technologies. Students’ needs and career objectives are met through course work stressing a particular area of concentration and associated research programs. The department maintains close interaction with government research agencies, national laboratories, consulting engineering firms, and private industry, and its program is monitored by an advisory committee made up of executives from many fields. The department’s strength lies in scholarly pursuits and in programs designed for practical solutions to significant engineering and technical problems. The department consists of three distinct programs: The Environmental Engineering Program Our long-standing tradition of education in environmental problem-solving at Rensselaer spans from the early water analysis work of William Pitt Mason (the pioneer of such activities in the United States) in the late 1800s to the visionary environmental engineering concepts of Edward J. Kilcawley who introduced environmental engineering as an option in the mid-1940s and as a degree program in the mid-1950s. In addition to the Department of Environmental and Energy Engineering, there are faculty members with teaching and research interests in environmental problem-solving in the Departments of Civil Engineering and Chemical Engineering, as well as in the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Mathematical Sciences in the School of Science. The Nuclear Engineering Program Our focus is on the methods, devices, and systems required for the peaceful use of nuclear technology with particular emphasis on nuclear power generation and applications of radiation. Nuclear energy can be obtained from both fission and fusion processes. Within the past four decades a highly developed fission industry has grown up to make this source available to meet the electrical energy needs of mankind. Fusion energy generation is still in the developmental phase. Applied radiation spans a broad range of applications from medicine to manufacturing. The nuclear engineer must be both a specialist in his or her area of concentration and a generalist in interaction with others. The Engineering Physics Program An interdisciplinary program at Rensselaer that is concerned with the applications of fundamental concepts in applied physics to engineering problems, with particular relevance to developments at the cutting edge of new technologies. The graduate program draws students from a variety of backgrounds and technical disciplines and provides them with a broad education, preparatory to a wide diversity of career opportunities in national research laboratories, numerous high-tech industries, government agencies, and academia. The research programs and associated areas of concentration are especially geared to the interests of the students and faculty involved, and utilize the many unique facilities of the department and the various interdisciplinary centers at Rensselaer. The Environmental and Energy Engineering Department is engaged in both basic and applied research. Faculty and student involvement in state-of-the-art problems assures that curricula are up-to-date and provide excellent educational opportunities and financial support possibilities for students of all levels. Areas of Advanced Research and Study Environmental Engineering Research is being conducted in:
A major upgrade in lab equipment and space for Environmental Engineering research and teaching has occurred. Analytical equipment provides the capability for analysis and investigation of a wide variety of industrial processes, treatment processes, and polluted environments. This equipment gives students experience and expertise in treatability and toxicity studies, design and operation of bench-scale treatment systems, and investigation of a wide range of water quality parameters. Also, BOD, COD, and TOC measurements of waste strength, oxygen uptake rates, biochemical methane potential, and Microtox® toxicity can be performed in state-of-the-art instrumentation. The fate of specific compounds in the environment and in treatment processes can be analyzed by UV-VIS spectrophotometry, high pressure liquid chromatography, gas-liquid and gas chromatography with a number of specific and sensitive detectors, including electron capture, photoionization, flame ionization, and thermal conductivity. Metals analyses by atomic absorption spectrophotometry is also available. Computational capabilities are widely accessible not only throughout the campus, but also in research laboratories, as well. The recent award by the National Science Foundation for major research instrumentation will be used to equip a laboratory dedicated to the study and characterization of the continuum of environmental colloids and particles in natural and engineered aqueous systems. Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics Research is being conducted in:
Among the major facilities of the department is a powerful 100 MeV electron linear accelerator used to produce neutrons and high-intensity electron and gamma radiation. A three-dimensional laser doppler anemometer (LDA) system for the measurement of single and multiphase flows. A critical reactor facility for operational training and core physics studies is also available for student use in conjunction with modern nuclear radiation detection and characterization systems. Within the health physics laboratory are a whole-body counter and systems for the analysis of beta, gamma, and alpha spectra from radionuclides. Also included are a calibration laboratory, a radiochemistry laboratory, and a computer laboratory. Available for use in research are various two-phase flow loops and associated instrumentation, laser Doppler and anemometer systems, optical void probes, probes to determine radiation damage in biological materials and semiconductors, state-of-the-art digitizing oscilloscopes, departmental computers, and computer terminals linked to the campus and national networks. Faculty Professors Altwicker, E.R. Ph.D. (Ohio State University); atmospheric pollution, air pollution control, heterogeneous combustion (jointly with Chemical Engineering). Associate Professors Embrechts, M.J. Ph.D. (Virginia Polytechnic Institute); fusion engineering, applied chaos theory, neural networks (jointly with Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems). Assistant Professors Danon, Y. Ph.D., (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute); nuclear instrumentation and data, accelerator technology and radiation applications, nondestructive testing, neural networks applications. Clinical Associate Professor Komisar, S.J. Ph.D. (University of Washington); wastewater treatment, biological processes (jointly with Civil Engineering). Research Professor Slovacek, R.E. Ph.D. (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute); neutron physics, reactor physics. Research Assistant Professor Antal, S. Ph.D. (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute); computational fluid dynamics, numerical methods in multiphase flows, and heat transfer. Adjunct Faculty Anderson, T. Ph.D. (New York University); plasma physics, fluid dynamics, reactor physics and radwaste management and environmental engineering. Emeritus Professors Aulenbach, D.B. Ph.D., P.E. (Rutgers University); water chemistry, radioactive waste management. Undergraduate Curricula and Professional Programs At an appropriate time in the core engineering program, a student may start taking courses in the environmental engineering, nuclear engineering, or the engineering physics curriculum and either follow a program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree or be admitted to the professional program leading to the Master of Engineering degree. Students in all of the three curricula must satisfy the following requirements: Minimum Credit Hours Each curriculum requires a minimum of 128 credit hours for the B.S. degree. Electives The electives fall into two categories:
Selection of the technical electives must be done in consultation with the student’s adviser to constitute a coherent program in the chosen curriculum. Pass/No Credit Option The Pass/No Credit option can be used for the three free electives. In addition, the pass/no credit option requires only 6 credit hours in the Humanities or Social Sciences core requirement. Humanities or Social Sciences Requirements The humanities and social sciences electives are based on the Institute and School of Engineering requirements for these electives. It is recommended that the student elect sequences in appropriate departments in order to provide adequate breadth and depth in subject areas. Students desiring minors must consult the department in which these courses are offered for specific requirements. Two of the humanities and social sciences electives and all other courses used to satisfy the degree requirements must be taken on a graded basis. Professional Program (M.Eng.) The professional program is intended primarily as preparation for professional practice. Qualified Rensselaer undergraduates may enter this program after core engineering study and follow a coherent program integrating advanced undergraduate and graduate study that leads to the Bachelor of Science and the Master of Engineering degrees. This will require 30 credit hours of study beyond the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree. Cooperative Education A number of students receive study-work experience through the Cooperative Education Program. Studies and work assignments are scheduled after consultation with their curriculum adviser. Although many co-op students complete their academic program in four years, some delay graduation for a year to obtain additional work experience. Environmental Engineering Rensselaer’s curriculum in environmental engineering builds upon a broad base of studies in chemistry, life sciences, and engineering sciences culminating in a uniquely structured course sequence. This sequence of courses is designed around the unit operations and transport processes concepts, together with integrated laboratory theory courses, culminates in senior design courses. This presents a unified educational experience in environmental engineering.
* This course will be fulfilled from a published list at the start of each semester and can be taken either semester. Total Credits: 128 Areas of Concentration Four areas of concentration are offered, emphasizing water quality control, air resources, environmental systems, and solid and hazardous wastes, in consultation with the program adviser. Minor in Environmental Engineering Students not majoring in Environmental Engineering may receive a minor in this discipline by completing 15-16 credit hours of study selected in consultation with the Environmental Engineering program adviser. Nuclear Engineering Individual baccalaureate programs can be arranged to suit the particular needs and career objectives of the student. In lieu of the general core engineering program, students who have reached an early decision in favor of nuclear engineering, as their choice of discipline, may follow the core engineering program contained in the typical baccalaureate programs shown below.
*This course will be fulfilled from a published list at the start of each semester. Total Credits: 128 Areas of Concentration Six options are offered emphasizing reactor physics, reactor engineering, health physics, nuclear thermal hydraulics, nuclear plant operations and management, and fusion reactor engineering in consultation with the program adviser. Program for Graduates of U.S. Navy Nuclear Power Training School The School of Engineering and the Department of Environmental and Energy Engineering at Rensselaer, in cooperation with the Office of Professional and Distance Education and the U.S. Navy, have developed a program to deliver undergraduate degree programs in Nuclear Engineering, Engineering Physics, and Engineering Science to graduates of the Navy Nuclear Power Training School. Currently, we are offering our programs to personnel stationed at the Kesselring site in West Milton, New York. Using distance education technologies, such as videoconferencing and the World Wide Web, our goal is to eventually deliver the program to other Navy sites such as the site in Charleston, South Carolina. These academic programs are the same programs that are offered on-campus including: the same courses and labs; the same homework, exams, projects, etc. The degree awarded is the same degree that is awarded to on-campus students. This program is designed to meet the needs of Navy personnel by delivering courses and degree programs at a time and place that is convenient to students. Student Services are designed to accommodate the needs of working professionals—they are easy to use and flexible. Services such as Undergraduate Admissions and Registration are handled entirely by mail, phone, fax , or e-mail. Programs and classes are delivered to our Malta Commons campus, a convenient location for Navy students, just 10 minutes from the Kesselring Site. The course schedule developed for the program has been coordinated with the shift work schedule of the Navy personnel. The total number of credit hours required for the B.S. Degree in either Engineering Science or Nuclear Engineering is 128. The curriculum is comprised of 104 engineering and science credits, and 20 Humanities and Social Sciences credits, and 4 Professional Development credits. Navy students receive up to 31 credit hours of transfer credits for their Navy Nuclear Power Training School course work, leaving 97 credit hours to be completed at Rensselaer. Courses from other accredited universities may also be considered for transfer. The following is a list of credit transfer courses for graduates of the U.S. Navy Nuclear Power Training School. Toward a degree in Engineering Physics:
Toward a degree in Nuclear Engineering or in Engineering Science: All the courses listed above, and, in addition
The program has been divided into three trimesters (Fall, Spring, and Summer) each calendar year. Students normally take 3 courses or 12 credit hours per trimester. Each trimester consists of approximately 15 weeks, with an average of 2 weeks of break between any two consecutive trimesters. The total number of 98 credits can normally be completed in 2 years and 7-8 months. Students with prior credits from other academic institutions may be eligible for transferring them to the present program. The review and approval of such transfers is normally performed by designated academic units at Rensselaer. In addition, students may take a validation exam in selected subject in place of taking a regular course. Academic advisers provide advice and assistance in this regard. Students must be in residence (i.e., enrolled as full-time students with a minimum of 12 credits per semester) for at least four semesters of their curriculum. Academic program director is Michael Z. Podowski. The program is administered through the Office of Professional and Distance Education. Minor in Nuclear Engineering Students not majoring in Nuclear Engineering may receive a minor in this discipline by completing 15-16 credit hours of study selected in consultation with the program adviser. Engineering Physics Individual baccalaureate programs can be arranged to suit the particular needs and career objectives of the student. In lieu of the general core engineering program shown previously, students who have reached an early decision in favor of engineering physics as their choice of discipline may follow the core engineering program contained in the typical baccalaureate programs shown below.
* This course will be fulfilled from a published list at the start of each semester and can be taken either semester. Total Credits:128 Areas of Concentration Four options are offered emphasizing radiation applications, radiation effects on electronics, multiphase science and technology, and fusion applications in consultation with the program adviser. Minor in Engineering Physics Students not majoring in Engineering Physics may receive a minor in this discipline by completing 15-16 credit hours of courses selected in consultation with the program adviser. Graduate Programs Graduate programs leading to the Master of Engineering, Master of Science, Doctor of Engineering, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees are available for all three curricula. The selection of a graduate program and degree is based on student interest, area of graduate concentration, and satisfaction of prerequisites as indicated below. Graduate Degree Requirements In addition to the Institute requirements for master and doctoral programs, given in the section on Graduate School Information and Regulations, students obtaining graduate degrees in environmental engineering, nuclear engineering, or engineering physics must satisfy the additional requirements given below. Master’s Programs Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) This is a structured program of advanced professional study aimed at preparing students for professional practice. Candidates for this degree must have an accredited bachelor’s degree in engineering, or the physical or natural sciences, and must complete 30 credit hours as determined in consultation with a program adviser. Master of Science (M.S.) This is a research degree open to students with undergraduate degrees in engineering or the physical or natural sciences. In addition to the satisfactory completion of an approved set of advanced courses, candidates for this degree must complete a six-credit thesis. This thesis must provide documentation of an independent research-related effort and be approved by the student’s faculty adviser. In addition to approval of the written thesis, students are required to give an oral presentation of the thesis work. Doctoral Programs Advanced study and research are conducted under the guidance of an adviser. Usually 45 to 60 course credits beyond the bachelor’s degree are required in addition to the residency and thesis requirements. Each doctoral candidate must have at least 90 credits (course work plus thesis/project) beyond the bachelor’s degree. The candidate is required to submit a draft of a journal article prior to graduation. Doctor of Philosophy Under the auspices of the Graduate School, the degree is awarded when the thesis is directed toward making an original contribution to fundamental knowledge in a particular field or in an interdisciplinary field. A dissertation that is scholarly, creative, original, and publishable may deal also with the relation of a discipline to educational problems and objectives within the field. Doctor of Engineering Under the auspices of the Professional School of the School of Engineering, the degree is awarded when the student proposes an engineering problem of substance and develops a solution to it in a creative and distinguished manner. Preliminary Examination A student wishing to be admitted into the Doctoral Program must successfully pass a preliminary examination. This examination will consist of both a written and an oral component. The Examining Committee will be appointed by the department chair. Students will be given two attempts to pass the preliminary examination. For students entering the department with a bachelor’s degree, the preliminary examination must be taken within the first three semesters of graduate study. For a student entering the department with a master’s degree, the preliminary examination must be taken within the first two semesters. Should a student desire additional preparation time for the preliminary examination, the student must submit a formal request to the department chair outlining the reasons for the delay. This request will be reviewed by a departmental committee and the student will be informed of the committee’s decision. Candidacy Examination A student will be required to take a Candidacy Examination within two semesters after passing the preliminary examination. This examination will be an oral examination based on a thesis proposal submitted by the student at least two weeks prior to the examination. The Candidacy Examination will be administered by the student’s Thesis Committee. Final Examination for the doctoral degree will be an oral defense of the thesis. Courses directly related to these curricula are described in this catalog under the designation ENVE. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 110 8th St., Troy, NY 12180. (518) 276-6000 Page designed by Marketing and Media Relations. |