Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences PhDPhD
In our Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering program, you will learn by doing, gaining hands-on experience with technology and software used by professional engineers. Civil engineers are the backbone of our modern infrastructure. Become a builder, a problem-solver, and a visionary for the future of our roads, bridges, waterways, and more.
Why Mines?
Take advantage of award-winning instructors, small class sizes, and ready access to
undergraduate research opportunities, co-ops and internships, and activities and organizations.
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Requirements
Admission RequirementsRequirements
- 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- 3 letters of recommendation
- GRE Test Scores
Bachelor’s Degree
- civil engineering
- environmental engineering
- closely related engineering field
Application Deadline
Fall / August
February 15
Spring / January
August 15
Thesis
The thesis option focuses on graduate coursework and independent research. By the
end of the program, you will have a written thesis and an oral presentation that defends
your original work and contribution to the field of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Non-Thesis
The non-thesis option focuses on graduate coursework. There is no requirement for
a thesis, project paper, or final exam. Learn the latest in CENE and apply it to your
work in the field.
Reach Out to Us
If you're not sure this is the right program for you or you have questions about the
admissions requirements, consult with the program coordinator before you apply.
Additional Opportunities
Distinguished Faculty
Faculty & StaffPrepare to be inspired by the cutting-edge research, practical applications, and visionary
thinking that these esteemed professors bring to the field. Get ready to embark on
a journey of discovery and advancement as you learn from the pioneers shaping the
future of civil engineering.
Christopher Shearer
My research investigates the chemical, physical, mechanical, and durability properties
of infrastructure materials. A primary focus is on characterizing and developing innovative,
but practical, cement-based and alternative materials for a future sustainable infrastructure
that reduces the global footprint of the construction materials industry.
Mengistu Geza Nisrani
My research focuses on improving prediction of hydrologic and contaminant fluxes for
better management of water resources using combination of field, laboratory, and modeling
approaches.
Expand Your Horizons
Career ServicesFind jobs in civil engineering, resource management, renewable energy, environmental
remediation, and more! Work with a career specialist to explore your options.
Possible Industries
- Construction
- Renewable Energy
- Transportation
Career Outcomes
- Civil Engineer
- Environmental Engineer
- Urban Planner
Average Starting Salary
- $55k - $78k per year
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Work with our renowned faculty and collaborate on groundbreaking projects that address
real-world challenges. The hands-on experience and expertise you will acquire here
will not only contribute to your academic growth but also prepare you for successful
careers in academia, industry, or government agencies.
Clean Energy
Researching the Cutting Edge of Geoscience to Revolutionize Clean Energy
Entrepreneurship
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sed suscipit.utionize
Industry Partners
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The atmospheric and environmental sciences (AES) program links expertise in atmospheric sciences, biogeochemistry, geology, and hydrology to address regional and local issues that may also be nationally or globally significant. AES includes the atmospheric sciences, geology and geological engineering, and civil and environmental engineering departments on campus.
Objectives
- Enhance interdisciplinary research at South Dakota Mines in atmospheric and environmental topics
- Combine theory, experiment, and applications to address regional and local issues (that may be globally significant)
- Link field and laboratory research with larger-scale observations, such as remote sensing
- Build predictive capabilities, useful in regional resource management and climate-sensitive economic development
- Generate marketable applications of regional and global significance
- Create a nationally- and internationally-recognized research program that produces cutting-edge research
- Prepare students for a lifetime of scholarly and/or entrepreneurial activity with particular emphasis on building teams to solve complex problems
Outcomes
- Students demonstrate a broad understanding of general scientific knowledge in physics, chemistry, and the geosciences.
- Students can utilize tools available for measuring, monitoring, visualizing, modeling, and analyzing environmental systems.
- Students demonstrate specialized, advanced knowledge in atmospheric and/or environmental studies.
- Students work effectively with teams to identify and develop solutions to problems requiring multidisciplinary approaches.
- Students achieve familiarity with scientific literature in their area of specialization, including an understanding of the main issues and advances under development.
- Students demonstrate a scholarly understanding of the milestones and of the key contributors whose work marks the progression of knowledge in their area of focus.
- Students can frame a fundamental research problem and develop a technically sound research plan to address it.
- Students can communicate effectively in written standard scientific English.
- Students can communicate effectively in oral presentations.
- Students can identify weaknesses of written and oral presentations, and provide tactful, constructive criticism.
- Students demonstrate intellectual honesty when working with data and ideas. They understand the concepts of attribution and plagiarism, as well as the differences between opinion, consensus, hypothesis, theory, and fact.
- Students have made an original contribution to science or engineering.
- Students can define the scope of their contribution and defend the methodology employed based on an understanding of the underlying fundamental concepts.
- Students demonstrate critical thinking skills: to sift through vast quantities of information, to assimilate knowledge and to identify errors, and to develop logical plans to solve problems.
- Students demonstrate good work habits, including setting short-term and long-term
goals, evaluating their own progress, organizing critical information, and meeting
deadlines. Students must be able to discern critical from non-essential tasks and
organize their time effectively.
Graduate Assistantships
For additional information about the AES program, you may contact the program coordinator:
Dr. William Capehart
Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences Program
MI 213
(605) 394-1994
E-mail:
William.Capehart@sdsmt.edu