Research & Financial Support Opportunities in Graduate Environmental Engineering

An outstanding feature of the environmental engineering program is the enthusiastic, involved faculty and the low-student/faculty ratio. There is an average of 5-10 Ph.D. and 15-25 Masters level students in the environmental program. There are currently four faculty members whose principal expertise is in the area of environmental engineering and three faculty members in water resources that teach and direct research in surface and groundwater hydrology, groundwater modeling, design of hydraulic structures and various agricultural engineering topics. Departmental faculty members direct research projects of varying size and scope that provide a source of support for students.

In September of 1989, NMSU entered into an agreement with the Department of Energy (DOE) to undertake research and educational programs associated with the treatment and disposal of radioactive and/or hazardous waste associated with energy production. This agreement developed into the Waste Management Education and Research Consortium (WERC) composed of New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, the University of New Mexico, Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratories and Navajo Community College. The consortium is funded by the United States Department of Energy and will provide a continuing source of funds for graduate students in the environmental engineering graduate program. WERC's goals are to perform fundamental research in hazardous and radioactive waste management and to educate professionals who can work effectively in environmental maintenance and enhancement, and waste management, reduction and remediation.

Courses related to environmental management are offered at NMSU every semester and many are available on NMSU's ITV (Interactive Television) instructional system. In addition, selected courses from the University of New Mexico and New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology are available on television for NMSU students.

Other current funding agencies include NSF, NASA, Texaco, the New Mexico Water Resources Institute (WRRI), WERC, the U.S. Air Force, Los Alamos National Laboratories, Sandia National Laboratories, the State of New Mexico, White Sands Missile Range, Argon National Laboratory and the EPA.

Funding for graduate students is available through research and teaching assistantships. Research assistantships are associated with specific on-going research projects. Assistantships are usually awarded on either a full-time (20 hours per week), or half time (10 hours per week) basis. Graduate students with half time assistantships are regarded as in-state students for tuition purposes. The Department also has scholarships, fellowships and hourly employment funds available.