Students in Environmental Science and Engineering study the fundamental processes underlying environmental systems and explore the nexus between scientific knowledge, regulatory frameworks, and engineering solutions for some of the world’s most pressing environmental problems. This program is structured around the view that the environmental system is comprised of a complex set of chemical, physical, and biological processes, made even more complicated by the various activities of human society. Throughout their coursework, students learn to understand complex environmental problems in an integrated fashion through a range of approaches from theory and modeling to experiments and observations. As part of the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), students in ESE are encouraged to participate in experiential learning and state-of-the-art research with faculty. ESE is uniquely positioned to serve as a point of convergence for science and engineering, and exemplifies the pursuit of a technical liberal arts degree. Students interested in ESE may also pursue the Engineering Sciences SB concentration with a specialization in environmental science and engineering through the ESE Track.
Environmental Science and Engineering (ESE) is an interdisciplinary program with the goal of understanding, predicting, and responding to natural and human-induced environmental change. Through exploration of the underlying processes and feedbacks within the Earth system the program trains students to think about environmental processes in an integrated fashion, preparing them to manage the environmental challenges we face. Harvard College students are eligible to apply for an AB/SM degree program. Information on the requirements for the SM degree can be found on the S.M. requirements page. Each applicant must submit a complete application to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS).