Master of Environmental Engineering

Learn how to resolve complex environmental issues with the Masters of Environmental Engineering

Can we resolve complex environmental problems and issues, while preserving our ecosystems and the sustainability of future generations? What are the short, medium and long-term solutions that will contribute to the green evolution of humanity? The ÉTS Master of Environmental Engineering will help you to find answers that reconcile the activities of the anthroposystem with those of the ecosystems.

By doing your environmental studies at ÉTS, you will have the chance to rub shoulders with professors from various engineering disciplines who share your environmental concerns.  You will interact with a broad network of researchers in engineering, natural sciences, humanities and social sciences, both in Québec and across the world. You can test your hypotheses, not only in the lab but in real life, with our industrial, municipal, government and non-governmental partners.

What topics will be covered in the master's program?

Besides acquiring advanced knowledge in environmental engineering, you will be able to:  

• Analyze the technical, economic, social and environmental issues of a complex situation;
• Respond to environmental issues and design preventive, corrective or curative solutions;
• Validate the compliance of solutions and their implementations, based on the requirements of industries, municipalities and government agencies;
• Assess the long-term socio-economic and environmental impacts at the time of selecting a solution.
   

What degrees provide admission to the Master’s in Environmental Engineering?

Environmental engineering is an area that must take into account all dimensions of a project. This makes it fundamentally multidisciplinary. Any holder of an engineering degree or a B. Sc. degree in the natural or social and human sciences can enrol.

Research in environmental engineering at ÉTS 

ÉTS has six research units linked to the environment in varying degrees. More than a dozen professors are carrying out research activities in environmental engineering. 

This being said, all ÉTS teachers are empowered to direct students in the environmental engineering program. Of all research projects in Environmental Engineering, 80% are carried out in collaboration with industry, government bodies or socio-economic actors. In addition, most of the professors who will teach you in the master's program have acquired practical experience, so they will be able to present you with concrete cases as part of their courses. 

What’s the Difference between the Project Profile and the Research Profile?

Our master's program in environmental engineering includes two profiles: one with a thesis and the other with a project. The thesis profile contains fewer courses than the project profile. By choosing the thesis profile, you will be called upon to resolve issues and to present your solutions to experts. This profile leads to the degree of Master of Applied Sciences (M.A.Sc.).  

As for the project profile, it will allow you to specialize in a particular area of environmental engineering and to acquire new knowledge in management. To obtain the degree of Master of Engineering (M.Eng.), you will need to carry out an environmental engineering project.   

Master's degree in environmental engineering with thesis (research profile)

This profile is for you if you want to continue into doctoral studies or work in industry doing research and development or leading teams.

This profile totals 45 credits, including 15 credits of courses and 30 credits for the research project.

Master's degree in environmental engineering with project (project profile)

Would you like to specialize and become responsible for environmental issues within a project team? The practical and theoretical courses in the project profile will help you deepen your knowledge. 

This profile totals 45 credits: 30 or 39 credits of courses plus 15 or 6 credits for the project.

The Master's Degree with Projet is available in French only.

Would you like to proceed in French?

Degree

Master of Applied Science (M.A.Sc.)

Objective

This program trains specialists in the development of clean technologies and the procedures, methods and tools for sustaining them in order to resolve environmental problems caused by human activity.

Students learn a systemic approach to resolving environmental problems and acquire advanced knowledge in the field of environmental engineering related to ecosystems, analysis techniques, purification and treatment technologies, and other areas.

Students also develop the skills necessary to do the following:

• Analyze the technical, economic, social and environmental issues associated with complex situations;
• Design solutions from a preventive, corrective or curative perspective;
• Validate the compliance of the solution and its implementation with the requirements of industries, municipalities and government institutions; • Evaluate the long-term socio-economic and environmental impacts when choosing a solution.

Admission requirements

Hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in engineering, pure science or applied science in an appropriate field, with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (out of 4.3) or equivalent;

or have acquired the required knowledge, appropriate training and experience that is deemed to be relevant.

A candidate who is deemed to be inadequately prepared may be required to take upgrading courses or a preparatory course.

The candidate can be admitted on the basis of sufficient knowledge of English. In addition to the requirements of the program, the candidate must also successfully complete an out-of-program French course, appropriate to his or her level, to obtain a diploma.

Candidates admitted on the basis of English must also provide proof that a faculty member has agreed to act as their thesis supervisor.

Program Structure

• 2 mandatory activities (6 credits)
• 3 optional activities (totalling at least 9 credits)
• 1 thesis (30 credits)

List of activities

2 mandatory activities (6 credits):

3 optional activities (at least 9 credits) from the corresponding program:

• undertaken in French at ÉTS (see "Liste des activités");
• OR undertaken in English at a partner university.

If you choose to take courses at a partner university, you must obtain prior approval from your supervisor.

The student must successfully complete the following activity near the end of the program (30 credits):

What are my Career Prospects in Environmental Engineering? 

According to Enviro Compétences, the Québec sectoral council for careers in the environment, more than 14 per cent of the labour force in this sector, which includes engineers, project managers and environmental consultants, will retire by 2020.

This includes governmental bodies, municipalities, consulting firms, agencies and international organizations as well as any economic sector looking for a specialized workforce that can respond to environmental issues.

With a graduate education in environmental engineering, you will acquire expertise that is highly sought after in the job market. You will be able to work in domains that want to improve their environmental performance… you just have to demonstrate that your solutions bring more benefits than they cost!  

According to the Survey on the Remuneration of Engineering Professionals in Québec (in French), graduates with a Master of Engineering earn, on average, 10% more than bachelor graduates.  

Some M.A.Sc. graduates choose to continue into doctoral studies to earn a position with significant responsibilities or to work in a university.  

Professional Recognition 

Even if it does not earn you membership in the Québec order of engineers (the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec or OIQ), the Master's in Engineering can provide you up to 12 months of experience credits with the Order for those who have an undergraduate degree in engineering. To learn more, we invite you to consult the Regulation respecting other terms and conditions for the issuance of permits by the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec.

Are You Looking for a Project for Your Master’s Program?

Are you looking for a research project?  See the page Research Projects for Students. Faculty recruiting master's students display their postings there. 

Have you found a thesis supervisor?

You must have chosen your thesis supervisor before the end of your first semester of master’s studies, because this is a condition of registration for the second semester. We strongly recommend you begin your search before your first semester of master’s studies. For more information, see Find a Thesis Supervisor.