Program Structure

The programs are designed to prepare students to be at the forefront of Environmental Engineering and Science with a combination of coursework and project/research components.

Graduating students receive NTU’s MS or PhD degree in Environmental Science & Engineering with additional SSP certification co-awarded by NTU and Stanford University.

MS Program

The MS program requires four consecutive quarters (12 months) and includes coursework and a project for a total of approximately 48 credits.

Students begin the program by spending the summer (June to August) academic quarter at Stanford. Students return to NTU where they attend classes taught by either

• visiting Stanford instructors in a quarter-term residence, or
• live video conference of regular Stanford classes providing real-time interaction with the instructor and Stanford students, or
• watching recorded sessions of regular Stanford classes followed by video conference Q&A with the Stanford instructor

Students also have the option of taking NTU courses as electives.

The project spanning the latter two quarters, has an industry or research focus.

PhD Program

The PhD program requires approximately four years and 24 credits of coursework beyond the Masters degree.

Students typically spend three quarters in residence at Stanford, two during their first year (coursework and research) and one in later years (research). Students also undertake a rigorous and innovative research project leading to the submission and defense of a thesis. The PhD research is supervised jointly by Stanford and NTU faculty.

All PhD students must pass an oral qualifying examination before the end of their first 18 months of study and may be required to serve as teaching assistants.