Prospective Graduate Students

Meet a Purdue EEE Graduate Student:

Thomas Maani

"While many environmental engineering programs focus on addressing problems when they appear, such as cleaning up or reducing the impact of waste, Purdue EEE combines this with preventing problems before they arise through strategies such as circular materials economy and sustainable manufacturing. I am currently focused on the recovery of rare-earth permanent magnets (REPM), which are used in the motors that power electric vehicles (EVs)."

Amanda Lopez

I chose EEE because it's a department that aligns with my goals and values. Its philosophy, classes, and expert professors have equipped me with the tools I need to make a meaningful impact in my community, particularly in building resilience in the face of the imminent effects of climate change. ~ Amanda Lopez (EEE PhD Student)

Nafissa Maiga

I always knew that I wanted to do a job that related to the environment. EEE was the perfect place for me to reinforce that interest and make that goal possible. EEE just felt like home to me. It was the first place where I was given such eye-opening experiences and one-of-a-kind courses. The program allowed me to explore so many different aspects of environmental engineering, and I know that I am prepared for the journey that I am about to start." ~ Nafissa Mäiga (BSEEE 2021 / MSEEE 2023), Water Resource Engineer, Jacobs (Philadelphia, PA)

John Pieper

EEE is unique because it includes Environmental and Ecological Engineering. Ecology brings in human factors. I want to see the real-world implications of my research, not work in a theoretical vacuum. EEE provides flexible degrees that I can tailor to my interests. I also love its interdisciplinary nature. Environmental challenges are complex. Adding the perspective of another discipline, such as ME, makes it far more likely I’ll find a workable solution. ~ John Paul Pieper (MSEEE 2023 / BSEEE 2022)
(Photo: Pieper receives his degree from Purdue University President Mung Chiang.)

Ehsan Vahidi

As the first PhD graduate from EEE, I was impressed by the breadth and depth of interdisciplinary research areas. I was surprised to see how collaborative the EEE community is; nobody hides their project from the lab next door. The exceptional facilities and world-renowned faculty members provided me with a firm academic foundation that will support my future endeavors.” ~ Dr. Ehsan Vahidi (PhD in EEE 2018), Assistant Professor and John N. Butler Endowed Professor; in Extractive Metallurgy, University of Nevada (Reno, NV)

Purdue Engineering Virtual Graduate Showcase

Learn about the many graduate offerings available through Purdue University’s College of Engineering. As the largest engineering college in the Top Ten, our highly ranked programs offer versatile options including:

  • Research-intensive master’s and PhD degrees
  • Flexible online master’s degrees
  • Elite professional master’s programs

Live, interactive sessions will introduce you to our many degree programs and allow you to network with graduate students, faculty, and staff. Workshops will provide important information regarding the application process and funding opportunities. For our international guests, unique sessions will be devoted to immigration processes, international student life, and more.

WHY DO GRADUATE STUDENTS CHOOSE PURDUE EEE?

Through the Graduate School at Purdue University, Environmental and Ecological Engineering (EEE) offers MS (thesis and non-thesis), PhD (doctoral), and combined degrees.

Flexible Plans of Study
MS and PhD degrees have very few core requirements. This factor enables students to create highly-individualized degree experiences with no disciplinary constraints – broadening research, collaborative, and career opportunities.

Research Interests
Prospective graduate students are interested in topics including the environmental fate of air, water and soil contaminants; wastewater treatment; industrial sustainability; environmental chemistry; pollution control; life-cycle engineering; water quality; urban/forest ecology; sustainable urban systems; infrastructure risk assessment; sustainable materials; sustainable manufacturing; circular economy; renewable energy; and mitigating climate change.

Funding
EEE commits to funding PhD students for the duration of their degree (5 years) through teaching and research assistantships, scholarships, and internal and external fellowships. MS degrees typically are self-funded.

Diverse Backgrounds
Our graduate students come from diverse educational backgrounds in engineering, agriculture, and other STEM fields.

Strong Career Opportunities
MS graduates enter Purdue EEE’s PhD program; pursue other advanced degrees; or directly join such fields as industry, government, or consulting. Career choices are similar to those for a BS in EEE but MS graduates typically earn higher salaries due to their advanced expertise. While some PhD graduates choose careers in academia, the majority of doctorate recipients are actively recruited into research positions in industry, technology, or government with generous compensation packages.


EEE Graduate Office

Potter Engineering Center, Room 364
500 Central Drive
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2022
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Contact EEE Grad

Phone: (765) 496-0545
Email: eeegrad@purdue.edu
Web: www.purdue.edu/eee
EEE Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn

Questions? Please contact the EEE Graduate Office via email (eeegrad@purdue.edu) or phone (765-496-0545).