MSc (Environmental Engineering)

The Master of Science (Environmental Engineering) Programme is targeted at graduates who are either working, or considering a career, in environmental engineering, and wish to be part of the global effort to incorporate environmental considerations in all human activities. Its curriculum is sufficiently flexible to accommodate students from different science and technology backgrounds as well as provide practicing engineers an opportunity to enhance their technical competence.

This Programme is also suitable for graduates who wish to build on their prior educational background and professional experience in the field of environmental science and technology, and to acquire new skills for solving advanced environmental engineering problems, thus enabling them to contribute in greater measure to Singapore’s push to develop its environmental technology industry. It will prepare students to contribute to the environmental protection efforts spearheaded by the countries in the region. In addition, this broad-based educational Programme would be of relevant interest to professionals in the government’s regulatory and statutory bodies, as well as in institutes of higher learning.

The Programme accepts both full-time and part-time students to provide flexibility for students in the choice of courses to suit their ability, interests, and career advancement.

Admission

Eligibility

Admission requires a good bachelor's degree with honours (at least Second Class) or its equivalent from institutions of recognised standing. Although candidates with good first degrees and practical working experience after obtaining their first degrees are admitted, meeting the admission requirements does not guarantee admission. Selection is on a competitive basis.

Click here for General Information and Application Information

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Programme Structure for MSc (Environmental Engineering)

To complete the following 1 core course ESE5001 Environmental Engineering Principles
Select the elective course from:

ESE5XXX Any ESE5000-level series graduate elective course;
ESE6XXX Any ESE6000-level series graduate elective course (must not be cross-listed for PhD students e.g. ESE6003)

In total, to complete 40 Units

Students admitted prior to Aug AY2022 may refer here for the requirements.

Tuition Fees for AY2025/2026 – August 2025 Intake

The fees listed are in Singapore Dollars and inclusive of Goods and Services Tax (GST).

The full tuition fee for this Programme in Academic Year 2025/26 is $49,461.15 (incl. 9% GST).
Programme fees are reviewed yearly, and thus, subject to revisions.

Candidature Matters

Candidature Status	Minimum	Maximum	Average	Full Programme fee (incl. 9% GST)
Full-time	1 year*	2 years	1.5 years	$49,461.15
Part-time	2 years*	4 years	2.5 years	$49,461.15

*Based on a maximum load of 20 units and 12 units per semester for Full-time and Part-time students respectively.

The payment schedule (please check the due dates for every semester here) is as follows (Student Bill may reflect rounded decimals).

Candidature Status	Acceptance Fee (incl. 9% GST)	1^st Semester (incl. 9% GST)	2^nd Semester (incl. 9% GST)	3^rd Semester (incl. 9% GST)	4^th Semester (incl. 9% GST)
Full-time	$5,450	$22,005.58	$22,005.58	N.A.	N.A.
Part-time	$5,450	$14,670.38	$14,670.38	$14,670.38	N.A.

A non-refundable application fee of $109 (incl. 9% GST) must accompany your online application.

Programme fee is for 40 Units only. To graduate, a student must successfully complete 40 Units and all other graduation requirements. If a student is approved** to read more than 40 Units, additional prorated Programme fees apply at the prevailing rate of the Academic Year in which the course is read. Tuition fee paid is non-refundable.

**Upon successfully completing 40 Units and all other graduation requirements, a student will automatically be registered for graduation. Request to read more courses beyond 40 Units is considered strictly on a case-by-case basis.

An Acceptance Fee of S$5,450 (incl. of 9% GST) – which will be credited towards your Programme fees – is payable upon acceptance into the Programme. Acceptance fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Students are also required to pay a Miscellaneous Student Fee (MSF) to the University on a semester basis. Fees are reviewed annually. For the latest rates, please refer to Office of the University Registrar’s website here.
The cost for travel, accommodation and personal expenses are not included in the Programme fee. For an estimated cost of living, please click here.

Fee Rebate for AY2025/2026 – August 2025 Cohort

For AY2025/2026, all Singapore Citizens / Singapore Permanent Residents, as well as international students who are NUS alumni, are eligible to receive a fee rebate upon acceptance into the MSc (Environmental Engineering) Programme. Successful applicants will be notified of their awarded fee rebate quantum following their offer letter.

Nationality	Fee Rebate based on full Programme Fee (incl. 9% GST)	Nett Programme Fee Payable (incl. 9% GST) after Fee Rebate
Singapore Citizen (SC)	$24,730.58	$24,730.58
Singapore Permanent Residents (SPR)	$21,460.57	$28,000.58
International Students (Only for NUS Alumni)	$21,460.57	$28,000.58

Fee rebates are reviewed yearly, and thus, subject to revisions and may differ from one cohort to another.

As an illustration, a Singapore Citizen receiving rebate of $24,730.58 (incl. 9% GST) would see a nett Programme fee payable of $24,730.58 (incl. 9% GST), with payment schedule as follows (Student Bill may reflect rounded decimals).

Example:	Acceptance Fee (incl. 9% GST)	1^st Semester (incl. 9% GST)	2^nd Semester (incl. 9% GST)	3^rd Semester (incl. 9% GST)	4^th Semester (incl. 9% GST)
Full-time Students	$5,450	$9,640.29	$9,640.29	N.A.	N.A.
Part-time Students	$5,450	$6,426.86	$6,426.86	$6,426.86	N.A.

Tuition Fees for AY2024/2025 - August 2024 and January 2025 Intake

The fees listed are in Singapore Dollars and inclusive of Goods and Services Tax (GST).

The full tuition fee for this Programme in Academic Year 2024/25 is $49,461.15 (incl. 9% GST).
Programme fees are reviewed yearly, and thus, subject to revisions. The payment schedule, due on the first week of every semester, is as follows (Student Bill may reflect rounded decimals).

Note:
All fees are subjected to 8% GST in calendar year 2023 (Jan 2023 – Dec 2023).
All fees are subjected to 9% GST from calendar year 2024 (from Jan 2024).

Candidature Matters

Candidature Status	Minimum	Maximum	Average	Full Programme fee (incl. 9% GST)
Full-time	1 year*	2 years	1.5 years	$49,461.15
Part-time	2 years*	4 years	2.5 years	$49,461.15

*Based on a maximum load of 20 units and 12 units per semester for Full-Time and Part-Time students respectively.

For Aug 2024 Early Admission (Application submitted 1 Oct – 31 Dec 2023)

Candidature Status	Acceptance Fee (incl. 8% GST)	1^st Semester (incl. 9% GST)	2^nd Semester (incl. 9% GST)	3^rd Semester (incl. 9% GST)	4^th Semester (incl. 9% GST)
Full-time	$5,400	$22,005.58	$22,005.58	N.A.	N.A.
Part-Time	$5,400	$14,670.38	$14,670.38	$14,670.38	N.A.

For Aug 2024 Normal Admission (Application submitted 1 Jan – 31 Mar 2024) and Jan 2025 Admission

Candidature Status	Acceptance Fee (incl. 9% GST)	1^st Semester (incl. 9% GST)	2^nd Semester (incl. 9% GST)	3^rd Semester (incl. 9% GST)	4^th Semester (incl. 9% GST)
Full-time	$5,450	$22,005.58	$22,005.58	N.A.	N.A.
Part-Time	$5,450	$14,670.38	$14,670.38	$14,670.38	N.A.

A non-refundable application fee of $108 (incl. 8% GST) or $109 (incl. 9% GST), depending on when your application is submitted, must accompany your online application.

Programme fee is for 40 Units only. To graduate, a student must successfully complete 40 Units. If a student is approved** to read more than 40 Units, additional prorated Programme fees apply at the prevailing rate of the Academic Year in which the course is read. Tuition fee paid is non-refundable.

An acceptance Fee of S$5,400 (incl. 8% GST) or S$5,450 (incl. of 9% GST) – which will be credited towards Programme fees – is payable upon acceptance into the Programme. Acceptance fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Students are also required to pay a Miscellaneous Student Fee (MSF) to the University on a semester basis. Fees are reviewed annually. For the latest rate, please refer to Office of the University Registrar website here.
The cost for travel, accommodation and personal expenses are not included in the Programme fee. For an estimated cost of living, please click here.

Fee Rebate for AY2024/2025 – August 2024 Cohort and January 2025 Cohort

For AY2024/2025, all Singapore Citizens / Singapore Permanent Residents, as well as international students who are NUS alumni, are eligible to receive a fee rebate upon acceptance into the MSc (Environmental Engineering) Programme. Successful applicants will be notified of their awarded fee rebate quantum following their offer letter.

Nationality	Fee Rebate Based on full Programme Fee (incl. 9% GST)	Nett Programme Fee Payable (incl. 9% GST) after Fee Rebate
Singapore Citizen (SC)	$24,730.58	$24,730.58
Singapore Permanent Residents (SPR)	$21,460.57	$28,000.58
International Students (Only for NUS Alumni)	$21,460.57	$28,000.58

Fee rebates are reviewed yearly, and thus, subject to revisions and may differ from one cohort to another.

As an illustration, a Singapore Citizen (from Aug 2024 Normal Admission) receiving rebate of $24,730.58 (incl. 9% GST) would see a nett Programme fee payable of $24,730.58 (incl. 9% GST), with payment schedule as follows (Student Bill may reflect rounded decimals).

Note:
All fees are subjected to 8% GST in calendar year 2023 (Jan 2023 – Dec 2023).
All fees are subjected to 9% GST from calendar year 2024 (From Jan 2024).

Example:	Acceptance Fee (incl. 9% GST)	1^st Semester (incl. 9% GST)	2^nd Semester (incl. 9% GST)	3^rd Semester (incl. 9% GST)	4^th Semester (incl. 9% GST)
Full-time Students	$5,450	$9,640.29	$9,640.29	N.A.	N.A.
Part-Time Students	$5,450	$6,426.86	$6,426.86	$6,426.86	N.A.

Tuition Fees for AY2023/2024 – January 2024 Intake

The fees listed are in Singapore Dollars and inclusive of Goods and Services Tax (GST).

The full tuition fee for this programme in Academic Year 2023/24 is $44,944.68 (incl. 9% GST).
Programme fees are reviewed yearly, and thus, subject to revisions. The payment schedule, due on the first week of every semester, is as follows (Student Bill may reflect rounded decimals).

Candidature Matters

Candidature Status	Minimum	Maximum	Average	Full programme fee (incl. 9% GST)
Full-time	1 year*	2 years	1.5 years	$44,944.68
Part-time	2 years*	4 years	2.5 years	$44,944.68

*Based on a maximum load of 20 units and 12 units per semester for Full-Time and Part-Time students respectively.

Note:
All fees are subject to 8% GST in calendar year 2023 (Jan 2023 – Dec 2023).
All fees are subject to 9% GST from calendar year 2024 (from Jan 2024).

Candidature Status	Acceptance Fee (incl. 8% GST)	1^st Semester (incl. 9% GST)	2^nd Semester (incl. 9% GST)	3^rd Semester (incl. 9% GST)	4^th Semester (incl. 9% GST)
Full-time	$2,160	$21,392.34	$21,392.34	N.A.	N.A.
Part-Time	$2,160	$14,261.56	$14,261.56	$14,261.56	N.A.

A non-refundable application fee of $60 (incl. 8% GST) must accompany your online application.

Programme fee is for 40 Units only. To graduate, a student must successfully complete 40 Units. If a student is approved** to read more than 40 Units, additional prorated programme fees apply at the prevailing rate of the Academic Year in which the course is read. Tuition fee paid is non-refundable.

**Upon completing 40 Units and all other graduation requirements, a student will automatically be registered for graduation. Request to read more courses beyond 40 Units is considered strictly on a case-by-case basis.

An acceptance Fee of S$2,160 (incl. 8% GST) – which will be credited towards your programme fees – is payable upon acceptance into the programme. Acceptance fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Students are also required to pay a Miscellaneous Student Fee (MSF) to the University on a semester basis. Fees are reviewed annually. For the latest rate, please refer to Office of the University Registrar website here.

The cost for travel, accommodation and personal expenses are not included in the programme fee. For an estimated cost of living, please click here.

Fee Rebate for AY2023/2024 – January 2024 Cohort

For AY2023/2024, all Singapore Citizens / Singapore Permanent Residents, as well as international students who are NUS alumni, are eligible to receive a fee rebate upon acceptance into the MSc (Civil Engineering) programme. Successful applicants will be notified of their awarded fee rebate quantum following their offer letter.

Nationality	Fee Rebate Based on full Programme Fee (incl. 9% GST)	Nett Programme Fee Payable (incl. 9% GST) after Fee Rebate
Singapore Citizen (SC)	$16,350 - $21,800	$23,144.68 - $28,594.68
Singapore Permanent Residents (SPR)	$7,085 - $10,900	$34,044.68 - $37,859.68
International Students (Only for NUS Alumni)	$7,085	$37,859.68

Fee rebates are reviewed yearly, and thus, subject to revisions and may differ from one cohort to another.

As an illustration, a Singapore Citizen receiving rebate of $21,800 (incl. 9% GST) would see a nett programme fee payable of $23,144.68 (incl. 9% GST), with payment schedule as follows (Student Bill may reflect rounded decimals).

Note:
All fees are subject to 8% GST in calendar year 2023 (Jan 2023 – Dec 2023).
All fees are subject to 9% GST from calendar year 2024 (From Jan 2024).

Example:	Acceptance Fee (incl. 8% GST)	1^st Semester (incl. 9% GST)	2^nd Semester (incl. 9% GST)	3^rd Semester (incl. 9% GST)	4^th Semester (incl. 9% GST)
Full-time Students	$2,160	$10,492.34	$10,492.34	N.A.	N.A.
Part-Time Students	$2,160	$6,994.90	$6,994.89	$6994.89	N.A.

Tuition Fees for AY2023/2024 - August 2023 Intake

The fees listed are in Singapore Dollars and inclusive of Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Full programme fee for Academic Year 2023/24 is $44,552.16 (incl. 8% GST).
Programme fees are reviewed yearly, and thus, subject to revisions.

The payment schedule, due on the first week of every semester, is as follows (Student Bill may reflect rounded decimals).

Note:
All fees are subject to 8% GST in calendar year 2023 (Jan 2023 – Dec 2023).
All fees are subject to 9% GST from calendar year 2024 (from Jan 2024).

Candidature Status	Acceptance Fee (incl. 8% GST)	1^st Semester (incl. 8% GST)	2^nd Semester (incl. 9% GST)	3^rd Semester (incl. 9% GST)	4^th Semester (Subject to 9% GST)
Full-time (Max. candidature: 2 years)	$2,160	$21,196.08	$21,392.34	N.A.	N.A.
Part-Time (Max. candidature: 4 years	$2,160	$14,130.72	$14,261.56	$14,261.56	N.A.

Programme fee is for 40 Units only. To graduate, a student must successfully complete 40 Units. If a student is approved** to read more than 40 Units, additional prorated programme fees apply at the prevailing rate of the Academic Year in which the course is read. Tuition fee paid is non-refundable.

An acceptance Fee of S$2,160 (incl. of 8% GST) – which will be credited towards programme fees – is payable upon acceptance into the programme. Acceptance fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Students are also required to pay a Miscellaneous Student Fee (MSF) to the University on a semester basis. Fees are reviewed annually. For the latest rate, please refer to Office of the University Registrar website here.
The cost for travel, accommodation and personal expenses are not included in the programme fee. For an estimated cost of living, please click here.

Fee Rebate for AY2023/2024 – August 2023 Cohort

Nationality	Fee Rebate Based on full Programme Fee (incl. 8% GST)	Nett Programme Fee Payable (incl. 8% GST) after Fee Rebate
Singapore Citizen (SC)	$16,200 – $21,600	$22,952.16 – $28,352.16
Singapore Permanent Residents (SPR)	$7,020 – $10,800	$33,752.16 – $37,532.16
International Students (Only for NUS Alumni)	$7,020	$37,532.16

Fee rebates are reviewed yearly, and thus, subject to revisions and may differ from one cohort to another.

As an illustration, a Singapore Citizen receiving rebate of $21,600 (incl. 8% GST) would see a nett programme fee payable of $22,952.16 (incl. 8% GST), with payment schedule as follows (Student Bill may reflect rounded decimals).

Note:
All fees are subject to 8% GST in calendar year 2023 (Jan 2023 – Dec 2023).
All fees are subject to 9% GST from calendar year 2024 (From Jan 2024).

Example:	Acceptance Fee (incl. 8% GST)	1^st Semester (incl. 8% GST)	2^nd Semester (incl. 9% GST)	3^rd Semester (incl. 9% GST)	4^th Semester (Subject to 9% GST)
Full-time Students	$2,160	$10,396.08	$10,492.34	N.A.	N.A.
Part-Time Students	$2,160	$6,930.72	$6,994.89	$6,994.89	N.A.

Tuition Fees for AY2022/2023 - January 2023 Intake

The fees listed are in Singapore Dollars and inclusive of Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Full programme fee for Academic Year 2022/23, January 2023 cohort is $43,254 (incl. 8% GST).
Programme fees are reviewed yearly, and thus, subject to revisions.

The payment schedule, due on the first week of every semester, is as follows (Student Bill may reflect rounded decimals).

Note:
All fees are subject to 8% GST in calendar year 2023 (Jan 2023 – Dec 2023).
All fees are subject to 9% GST from calendar year 2024 (from Jan 2024).

Candidature Status	Acceptance Fee (incl. 7% GST)	1^st Semester (incl. 8% GST)	2^nd Semester (incl. 8% GST)	3^rd Semester (incl. 9% GST)	4^th Semester (Subject to 9% GST)
Full-time (Max. candidature: 2 years)	$2,140	$20,557	$20,557	N.A.	N.A.
Part-Time (Max. candidature: 4 years	$2,140	$13,704.67	$13,704.67	$13,831.57	N.A.

Programme fee is for 40 Units only. To graduate, a student must successfully complete 40 Units. If a student is approved** to read more than 40 Units, additional prorated programme fees apply at the prevailing rate of the Academic Year in which the course is read.

An acceptance Fee of S$2,140 (incl. 7% GST) – which is credited towards programme fees – is payable upon acceptance into the programme. Acceptance fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Students are also required to pay a Miscellaneous Student Fee (MSF) to the University on a semester basis. Fees are reviewed annually. For the latest rate, please refer to Office of the University Registrar website here.
The cost for travel, accommodation and personal expenses are not included in the programme fee. For an estimated cost of living, please click here.

Fee Rebate for AY2022/2023 – January 2023 Cohort

For AY2022/2023, all Singapore Citizens / Singapore Permanent Residents are eligible to receive a fee rebate upon acceptance into the MSc (Environmental Engineering) programme.

Nationality	Fee Rebate Based on full Programme Fee (incl. 8% GST)	Nett Programme Fee Payable (incl. 8% GST) after Fee Rebate
Singapore Citizen (SC)	$21,600	$21,654
Singapore Permanent Residents (SPR)	$10,800	$32,454

Fee rebates are reviewed yearly, and thus, subject to revisions and may differ from one cohort to another.

As an illustration, a Singapore Citizen receiving rebate of $21,600 (incl. 8% GST) would see a nett programme fee payable of $21,654 (incl. 8% GST), with payment schedule as follows (Student Bill may reflect rounded decimals).

Note:
All fees are subject to 8% GST in calendar year 2023 (Jan 2023 – Dec 2023).
All fees are subject to 9% GST from calendar year 2024 (from Jan 2024).

Example:	Acceptance Fee (incl. 7% GST)	1^st Semester (incl. 8% GST)	2^nd Semester (incl. 8% GST)	3^rd Semester (incl. 9% GST)	4^th Semester (Subject to 9% GST)
Full-time Students	$2,140	$9,757	$9,757	N.A.	N.A.
Part-Time Students	$2,140	$6,504.67	$6,504.67	$6,564.90	N.A.

Course Information

Not all courses are offered every year.

Courses for MSc (Environmental Engineering) See timetable for schedule of courses. Timetable is updated prior to start of each semester.
Course Code & Title	Units	Brief Description
ESE5001 Environmental Engineering Principles	4	This course is to allow MSc students from non-environmental engineering background to gain basic knowledge in environmental science and engineering. Acquisition of this basic knowledge will prepare them for advanced courses in environmental science and engineering. This course provides a systematic introduction to water and air quality and their engineering control, quantitative overview of the properties of environmental contaminants, and the transport and transformation processes that govern their concentrations in air and water. Topics include environmental chemical equilibriums and kinetics, elementary transport phenomena, biological processes, introduction to water quality engineering, air quality engineering, and solid waste treatment and management.
ESE5002 (for MSc Students) Physical and Process Principles	4	This course introduces the fundamental principles that can be used in the analysis and modelling of basic environmental engineering processes and systems. Specifically, it will examine the material conservation law and its applications, including material balance, mass transfer, reaction kinetics (rate and mechanism) and reaction engineering (reactor performance), etc. Through the discussion, students can better understand why physical processes are expected to function or behave in certain ways and how process performance may be implemented.
ESE6002 (for PhD Students) Advanced Environmental Physical Process Analysis	4	This course introduces the fundamental principles that can be used in the analysis and modelling of basic environmental engineering processes and systems. Specifically, it will examine the material conservation law and its applications, including material balance, mass transfer, reaction kinetics (rate and mechanism) and reaction engineering (reactor performance), etc. Through the discussion, students can better understand why physical processes are expected to function or behave in certain ways and how process performance may be implemented. Note: As this is a course to help research-based graduate students in their research topics, the exact scopes are subject to change depending on the need of the class and lecturers’ emphasis.
ESE5003 (for MSc Students) Environmental Chemical Principles	4	This course is designed to provide students with the chemical basis for understanding our surroundings, the global environment. Emphasis will be on the composition of the natural environment, the processes that take place within it, and the kind of changes which come about as a result of human activities. The students, upon completion of this course, should have a comprehensive knowledge of the fundamentals of chemistry of components and contaminants in aquatic, atmospheric and terrestrial environments.
ESE6003 (for PhD Students) Advanced Environmental Chemical Process Analysis	4	This course provides students with a strong foundation in environmental chemical principles for environmental engineering and science, with primary focus on natural and engineered processes and systems. The topics include chemical background, properties of soils, chemical equilibrium and thermodynamics, acid/base reaction, CO2 system, coordination chemistry, metal-ligand interaction, precipitation, adsorption, ion exchange, colloid, and organic geochemistry. MINEQL, a chemical equilibrium software, will be taught in this course. Additional advanced theories in water chemistry will be taught. Upon the completion, students will be better equipped with knowledge in environmental chemistry to quantitatively understand from more fundamental standpoints and solve various environmental problems.
ESE5202 Air Pollution Control Technology	4	This course covers several topics in air pollution control including the nature and sources of air pollutants in the indoor and outdoor environments, air pollution models, regulations, technical methods and measures to remove/suppress the emissions of air pollutants. The physical, chemical and physico-chemical characteristics of pollutants in the atmosphere are described. The principal industrial sources of atmospheric pollution and the technological conditions for the formation of solid and gaseous substances in emissions are defined. Technical principles, basic processes, and equipment employed to limit and eliminate particulates, volatile organic compounds, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides are discussed in detail.
ESE5203 Aerosol Science and Technology	4	This course aims to equip students with fundamental knowledge of aerosol science and technology, dealing with behaviour of particles in fluid media, applicable to areas such as air pollution control, ultra-cleaning manufacturing processes, monitoring strategies, and advanced material synthesis. In this course, basic principles of aerosol science and corresponding industrial applications will be covered. Topics include physical behaviours, thermodynamic properties, mechanisms and transport of particles, as well as relevant applications in measurements of nanoparticle and various industries.
ESE5204 Toxic & Hazardous Waste Management	4	This course introduces the advanced concepts of toxic and hazardous waste management issues. Major issues are quantification and characterisation, toxicity, impact on human health, state-of-the-art reduction technologies and ultimate disposal. This course will expose students to the risks faced by urban environmental ecosystems and human beings exposed to toxic and hazardous wastes generated through various human activities and the selection of treatment and disposal facilities, their design, construction, operation and maintenance principles.
ESE5205 Sludge and Solid Waste Management	4	This course introduces the advanced concept of sludge and solid waste management. It covers collection, quantification, characterisation, processing, treatment, disposal and resource recovery in relation to sludge and solid waste. It will equip students with in-depth knowledge on principles of various treatment and disposal facilities along with engineering, institutional, legal and financial infrastructures.
ESE5301 (for MSc Students) Environmental Biological Principles	4	This course provides students with a strong foundation in biological principles for environmental engineering, with primary focus on natural biological processes. After an overview of biological principles and classification, the course emphasizes on microbial nutrition and growth, inhibition and control of growth, growth energetics, metabolic pathways, biochemistry of key enzymes, wastewater microbiology, microbial genetics. Through the discussion, students can better understand why biological processes are expected to function in biologically related processes and how their performance may be implemented.
ESE6301 (for PhD Students) Advanced Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology	4	This course provides students with a strong foundation in biological principles for environmental engineering, with primary focus on natural biological processes. After an overview of biological principles and classification, the course emphasizes on microbial nutrition and growth, inhibition and control of growth, growth energetics, metabolic pathways, biochemistry of key enzymes, wastewater microbiology, microbial genetics. Through the discussion, students can better understand why biological processes are expected to function in biologically related processes and how their performance may be implemented.
ESE5401 Water quality management	4	This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of environmental modeling, i.e. mass balance, reaction kinetics and transfer mechanisms. Mathematical models are used to deal with water quality problems in natural and man-made systems. These include eutrophication, dissolved oxygen imbalance, the fate and transport of contaminants, and treatment system capacity planning. The course will enable students to appreciate the problems associated with water quality and provide them with the basic skills to predict impacts associated with the pollution of the environment. In this way, students can assess the feasibility of projects which are potential sources of contaminants to the environment.
ESE5404 Biological treatment process	4	This course introduces the theories as well as practises of biological wastewater treatment processes. Students will learn to understand the fundamental principles of biological treatment systems. The applications (design and operation) of biological treatment systems will be emphasized. This course will facilitate students to acquire in-depth knowledge of biological treatment systems.
ESE5405 Water Treatment Processes	4	This course introduces the fundamental principles of water treatment processes. Students will be able to understand water treatment in relation to chemical equilibrium and kinetics, unit processes and their integration. The applications of these fundamental principles for formulating design and operation for water treatment systems will also be addressed. This course will facilitate students to acquire in-depth knowledge of water treatment systems.
ESE5407 Membrane technology for water treatment	4	Membrane technology has been widely adopted for water reclamation and seawater desalination. It shall continue to be a key technology for resolving the problem of water scarcity in the near future. This course shall focus on the design and operational consideration of membrane processes for water reclamation and seawater desalination, Topics covered in this course include water quality standards relevant to reclaimed and desalinated water, filtrate quality consideration, membrane filtration system, design and operation of MF/UF filtration system, membrane bioreactor, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis system, examples of commercial plants and economics of membrane system.
ESE5602 Environmental management system	4	This course covers historical perspective of environmental management and the basics of environmental management systems (EMS), including an introduction to environmental management, EMS models and key elements, environmental review, environmental policy, identifying and evaluating environmental aspects and impacts, legal requirements, objectives, targets and management programmes, implementation of EMS requirements, monitoring and measurement, EMS audits, management review and continual improvement. Practical sessions will be included covering identifying and evaluating environmental aspects and impacts.
ESE5607 Green Catalysis	4	This course covers the recent applications of environmentally friendly catalysis for pollutant detoxification, such as indoor air pollutant degradation, water pollutant degradation and self cleaning surfaces. The course also covers examples of catalytical reactions in industry that are environmentally sustainable and produce the least amount of toxic by-products or processes that use advanced, novel processes to reduce unwanted products. The course will briefly review catalysis principles, then follows up by discussing the industrial limitations of using catalysts, slurry systems vs. catalyst immobilisation, catalyst deactivation and their minimisation, mass transfer limitations, water vs. solvent based catalysts, etc.
ESE5880A Topics in Environmental Engineering: Chem. & Lab Safety	4	This course covers the legal requirements, professional and scientific practices in chemical hazards management.
ESE5880B Topics in Env. Eng. – Climate Change & Urban Ecosystem	4	This course is concerned with the challenges of protecting urban and ecosystem environments in the face of climate change. The vulnerabilities of these systems are discussed in the context of changing weather patterns and extreme weather. The interactions and links between fragile ecosystems and urban cities will be examined through analysis of coastal cities and sea level rise, water security, food security, urban heat-island effect and spread of infectious diseases. The course will enable students to appreciate the issues associated with climate change and how they impact urban-ecosystem environments in terms of biodiversity, water and air quality and public health.
ESE5880C Topics in Env. Eng. – Environ Sys Planning & Analysis	4	This course introduces students to the planning and evaluation of environmental protection systems, which are typically capital intensive and require high operational and maintenance costs. The impact associated with uncertainty of environmental inputs and variability in operating conditions (which will inevitably occur) on environmental protection systems, approaches to manage such uncertainty/variability, engineering tools for planning environmental protection systems and evaluating the effectiveness of these systems along with capacity management will be discussed. This course will enable students to acquire skills useful for planning, analysing, designing and managing capital intensive environmental protection systems.