Academic Programs

ENVIRONMENTAL AND EARTH SCIENCES (PH.D)

The Doctoral Program in Environmental and Earth Sciences provides students with the interdisciplinary knowledge and skills to conduct independent research. Dissertation research is the heart of the program, and it is supported carefully selected coursework and development of competency in specific research skills. The student’s coursework is designed to support the student‘s dissertation research, taking into account their previous background and the need for interdisciplinary training to solve environmental problems. http://catalog.uta.edu/aboututa/programs/

CIVIL ENGINEERING (SPECIALIZATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING; PH.D)

The Department of Civil Engineering offers a Ph.D. degree in Civil Engineering. Specialization is available in the area of environmental engineering, including: water quality control and modeling, water supply and wastewater treatment, air pollution control, solid waste management, and sustainable energy (biogas). The Ph.D. degree is a research degree and, as such, requires the candidate to successfully carry out original, independent research in their area of specialization. Normally, this will require a minimum of one year of advanced course work beyond the Master’s degree in addition to the research.

INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES (INTS)

The Interdisciplinary Studies (INTS) is a program within the Honors College that allows intellectually curious students to create a degree specifically tailored to the fields of study that interest them.

Graduating with a customized major from an Honors College is a prestigious endeavor and helps program graduates stand out to admissions committees at graduate schools, law schools, and medical schools.

INTS students build a major out of multiple minors/certificate programs for a highly specialized experience. Previous degree combinations include:

• African American Studies Minor + Disability Studies Minor
• Astrophysics Minor + French Minor
• Business Minor + Political Science Minor
• Classical Studies Minor + Biology Minor
• Classical Studies Minor + Military History Minor
• Diversity Studies Minor + Anthropology Minor
• Environmental and Sustainability Studies Minor
• Sustainable Engineering Minor
• German Minor + Philosophy Minor
• Leadership Studies Minor + Certificate of Entrepreneurship
• Linguistics Minor + Business Minor
• Psychology Minor + Business Minor
• Women & Gender Studies Minor + Spanish Minor
• And many others!

Application Procedure: Students interested in an Interdisciplinary Studies major must meet the eligibility requirements set by the Honors College. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to apply to the Honors College as soon as possible, and they should also meet early on with an academic advisor in the program to begin developing a tentative degree plan. All students admitted to INTS are required to also become members of the Honors College, and as such will enjoy all benefits and be expected to meet all requirements of the College. Please contact INTS Academic Advisor Dr. Rebekah Chojnacki for more information: rebekah.chojnacki@uta.edu.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND EARTH SCIENCES (MS)

The Master‘s degree in Environmental and Earth Sciences is designed to prepare the graduate for applied work in the private sector and governmental positions. The program offers non-thesis option (full or part time), thesis option (usually full time), and a professional option (full time, with professional mentoring and internship). The degree usually requires completing 4-5 core courses, 5-7 elective courses, and additional seminars, internships or research experiences depending on the option chosen. The student’s core and elective courses are chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor, taking into account their previous background and the need for interdisciplinary training to solve environmental problems. http://catalog.uta.edu/aboututa/programs/

CITY AND REGIONAL PLANNING (EMPHASIS IN GREEN CITIES & TRANSPORTATION; MCRP)

The MCRP program prepares students for careers as professional planners with public, private and nonprofit organizations, and to make a contribution to society through basic and applied research into metropolitan planning and sustainability. The application of planning theory, knowledge, techniques, and skills to “real world” planning problems provides students with practical experience for guiding the future city, region, and nation. The application of theory and research is facilitated by research activities and centers within the School, including the Institute of Urban Studies. For more information visit https://www.uta.edu/academics/schools-colleges/cappa.

CIVIL ENGINEERING (SPECIALIZATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING;, MS, ME)

The Department of Civil Engineering offers Master’s degrees in Civil Engineering. Specialization is available in the area of environmental engineering, including: water quality control and modeling, water supply and wastewater treatment, air pollutie area of specialization. The Master of Engineering degree is an engineering practice-oriented program involving coursework and smaller research projects depending on specialization.

PUBLIC POLICY (CONCENTRATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY; MPP)

The Master of Public Policy degree is designed for students interested in analyzing and evaluating information to solve policy problems. The MPP at UTA prepares students for challenging careers in the development, implementation and evaluation of policies critical to 21st Century metropolitan regions. It provides a stimulating and inclusive environment for intellectual curiosity, rigorous inquiry and creativity. Its multidisciplinary focus distinguishes it from other MPP programs, and fosters a learning environment composed of students from a variety of academic backgrounds. Students select one of three policy emphasis areas: economic and community development policy, healthcare policy or environmental policy.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (BS)

The BS degree in Environmental Science provides interdisciplinary training in the sciences to prepare students for careers in the private sector and in government agencies concerned with environmental management and policy.

CIVIL ENGINEERING (SPECIALIZATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING; BS)

The CE undergraduate program leading to a B.S. degree consists of a total of 130 credit hours. The program typically spans over a period of four years for full-time students. Specialization is available in the area of environmental engineering, including: water quality control and modeling, water supply and wastewater treatment, air pollution control, and solid waste management.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAON CONTROL, SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT, AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY (BIOGAS). THE MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IS A RESEARCH-ORIENTED PROGRAM REQUIRING COMPLETION OF A RESEARCH THESIS IN THINABILITY STUDIES

The ESS Minor offers undergraduates across the campus–from Liberal Arts and Architecture to Science and Interdisciplinary Studies–a set of tools for understanding the social, political, humanistic, and scientific dimensions of environmental problems. Taking advantage of courses offered throughout the university, this interdisciplinary program provides students a powerful way to enrich their education and apply their major fields of study to the complex problems of the new millennium. Unlike a typical minor, ESS often can be added to a student’s degree plan without adding significantly to the number of credit hours needed to graduate.

The minor provides an interdisciplinary focus on the social, political, and economic aspects of the urban experience. It allows students to explore urban environmental issues in this context and orients students toward career opportunities in urban planning and environmental policy.

SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING MINOR

The Sustainable Engineering Minor prepares students in all engineering disciplines to ask questions and analyze problems from a sustainable engineering perspective, and develop sustainable solutions. Students seeking the minor must successfully complete the following courses with a grade of C or better and two electives from the civil, electrical, mechanical and aerospace, or material sciences engineering departments

• Introduction to Sustainable Engineering,
• Operations Research
• Sustainable Engineering Design Project
• Principles of Macroeconomics or Economics for Engineers

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABLE STUDIES MINOR

Taking advantage of the many courses on sustainability and the environment offered throughout the university, this broadly interdisciplinary program provides students a powerful way to enrich their education and effectively apply their major field of study to some of the most complex and crucial problems of the new millennium.The 18 credit hour Environmental and Sustainable Studies Minor offered through the College of Architecture, Planning, and Public Affairs can be combined with most majors, and in some cases completed coursework will qualify for credit.

The sustainability minor requires 18 credit hours. In addition to the core course, the minor requires 15 hours of approved courses taken in each of three areas, liberal arts; natural sciences and engineering; and urban and public affairs and architecture. In geology, for example, sustainability related courses deal with climate change and global warming. In English there are special topics classes that address environmental literature.

The requirements for the minor are straightforward:

1. Take the core course, ESST 2300.
2. Take 15 more hours of courses approved for the ESS Minor, including at least one course from Group One (Liberal Arts, Social Science, and Business) and at least one course from Group Two (Natural Sciences and Engineering).
3. At least 6 hours must be taken in 3000 or 4000 level courses.

(See below for approved courses for the ESS minor. Also note that Independent studies, Honors theses, capstone courses with senior projects, studio or design courses, internships, may all be eligible for the ESS minor if the student concentrates on topics related to environmental or sustainability studies.

Independent studies, honors theses, capstone courses with senior projects, studio or design courses, internships, or service learning courses may all be eligible for the ESS minor if the student concentrates on topics related to environmental or sustainability studies. List of approved Courses for the Sustainability Minor

ENGINEERING COLLABORATION

Beginning in Fall 2009, three engineering departments-civil, electrical, and industrial-began collaborating to infuse their curricula with sustainability concepts from the freshman through the senior year. These concepts will be integrated via one-class modules into 12 core engineering courses, spanning from the “Introduction to Engineering” course that is required of all freshmen all the way up through senior design projects.

As part of the program, senior civil, electrical, and industrial engineering students will have the opportunity to participate in a multi-disciplinary sustainable engineering senior design project. Seniors will collaborate to design, fabricate and assemble a portable biodiesel production refinery for the UT Arlington campus.

To learn more, read the press release.

GLOBAL STUDIES MINOR AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

UTA’s global studies curriculum offers a unique opportunity to engage your major field of study within a global context. This interdisciplinary program combines courses from across the College of Liberal Arts and the University, including Economics, Health, and Environmental Studies, with a focus on those courses that offer global perspectives on modern and contemporary issues. The flexible minor and certificate allow you to choose from over eighty courses as you customize a degree plan that complements your interests and career goals. Students in the global studies program graduate with a competitive skill set that transfers to careers across a range of industries.

UNIV 1131-STUDENT SUCCESS COURSE

Starting in Spring 2024, incoming students now have the opportunity to take a Sustainability module as part of their UNIV-Student success courses. The course goes over sustainable initiatives on campus, various regional partnerships and gives an introduction to global sustainability. This allows students a chance to understand how they can be involved in making UTA a more sustainable campus. It also gives them a background in recycling, composting and the UN Sustainable Developmental Goals.