Program Mission Statement

Advancing sustainable development through environmental science, engineering, and systems thinking.

 

Program Overview

CSE’s Sustainable Environment Master’s program provides students with extensive knowledge in topics related to sustainable environment issues. These include the effect of human development on the environment; the causes, impact and control of pollution; and the demands of a growing global and regional population and economic development on natural resources and the environment.

 

Program Objectives

The program aims to:

  • Provide students with advanced multidisciplinary knowledge of sustainable environment issues, including pollution control, natural resource management, and human–environment interactions.
  • Develop graduates who can assess and respond to environmental challenges arising from population growth, economic development, industrial activity, and urbanization.
  • Build strong scientific, engineering, analytical, and research capabilities through training in sustainability fundamentals, research methods, ethics, data analytics, and technical electives.
  • Enable students to conduct original and guided research that supports sustainable development and addresses local, regional, and global environmental priorities.
  • Prepare graduates for impactful careers in academia, industry, government, consulting, and technology-driven sectors related to environmental sustainability.

Language

English

Program Duration

2 Years

Certification

Masters

Program Structure

The Sustainable Environment Master’s program is structured as a 33-credit, two-year degree combining core training, electives, seminars, and either a thesis or industrial/applied project. Students complete foundational courses in research methods and ethics, sustainability fundamentals, and one quantitative or computational core course, such as statistics, data analytics, numerical methods, or systems optimization. They then select five electives from a broad multidisciplinary portfolio covering environmental quality and health, life cycle assessment, resource efficiency, water and wastewater treatment, desalination, air quality, climate change, hydrogeology, solid and hazardous waste management, sustainable cities, and the energy-water-food nexus. Students also complete a research seminar requirement and choose between a thesis pathway or an applied project pathway, allowing them to tailor the program toward academic research, professional practice, or industry-focused sustainability challenges.

Curriculum Overview

The Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs in Sustainable Environment provide students with extensive knowledge in topics related to sustainability within the natural and built environment. This includes an understanding of the causes of pollution to land, air, and water, the corresponding impacts, and the development of mitigation strategies. The program considers the need to enhance resilience against climate change-driven risks. In addition, resource management in terms of water, food, and waste are an integral component of the program.

Course Categories 

  • Core Courses
    Research methods and ethics, sustainability fundamentals, and quantitative or computational methods.
  • Elective Courses
    Specialized courses across environmental quality, water and wastewater treatment, desalination, air quality, climate change, hydrogeology, solid and hazardous waste, sustainable cities, resource efficiency, and the energy-water-food nexus.
  • Graduate Research Seminars 
    Seminar-based exposure to current research, academic discussion, and emerging sustainability topics.
  • Thesis / Industrial-Applied Project 
    A culminating research thesis or applied project that allows students to address real-world environmental and sustainability challenges.
  • Free Elective 
    An optional course from any HBKU program, enabling broader interdisciplinary learning.
Study Plan

Number of Career Pathways

1

Pathway Title

Sustainable Environment

Pathway Description

A multidisciplinary pathway that prepares students to analyze environmental systems, manage natural resources, and develop sustainable solutions across water, air, land, waste, climate, and urban-environment challenges through core training, electives, seminars, and a thesis or applied project.

Program Educational Objectives

  • Prepare graduates with advanced knowledge of sustainable environment principles, environmental processes, pollution control, and natural resource management.
  • Develop graduates who can apply scientific, engineering, analytical, and computational methods to assess and address environmental sustainability challenges.
  • Equip graduates to conduct independent or applied research that supports sustainable development at local, regional, and global scales.
  • Prepare graduates for professional careers in industry, government, consulting, research, and technology-driven environmental sectors.
  • Foster ethical, multidisciplinary, and systems-based thinking for decision-making in areas such as water, air, land, waste, climate, and resource management.

Student Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

  • Apply advanced knowledge of science, engineering, sustainability, and environmental systems to identify, formulate, and solve complex environmental problems.
  • Analyze and interpret data using appropriate experimental, analytical, computational, and statistical methods to support evidence-based environmental decision-making.
  • Design and evaluate sustainable solutions that consider public health, environmental protection, resource efficiency, social responsibility, and economic feasibility.
  • Conduct independent or guided research using appropriate methodologies, ethical practices, and critical analysis to generate new knowledge or applied environmental solutions.
  • Communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences through written, oral, and visual formats.
  • Recognize professional and ethical responsibilities in environmental research and practice, including sustainability, societal impact, and responsible resource management.
  • Function effectively in multidisciplinary settings, demonstrating collaboration, leadership, and the ability to integrate perspectives from science, engineering, policy, and society.
  • Engage in lifelong learning by identifying emerging environmental challenges, technologies, regulations, and research developments relevant to sustainable development.

Academic Requirements

Applicants to the Master of Science in Sustainable Environment should have a strong academic record, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 from a recognized university. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.

Preferred fields of study include engineering and science disciplines. Applicants from architecture, urban planning, business, economics, policy, and social sciences may also be considered, provided they demonstrate strong analytical skills.

English Language Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English by submitting a valid IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 79. Further details on English language proficiency requirements, including possible exemption criteria, are available through CSE Admissions.

Standardized Tests

The GRE is required where applicable for admission to the Master of Science in Sustainable Environment program.

Required Documents

  • Academic transcripts for all previous university studies, including final transcripts and graduation statements where applicable.
  • Official translation of transcripts, if the original documents are not in English or Arabic.
  • Standardized test results, where required, including GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, or IELTS scores.
  • Two letters of recommendation, including at least one from an academic referee.
  • Personal statement of interest, 300–500 words, explaining the applicant’s motivation, personal objectives, research interests, and achievements.
  • Current résumé or curriculum vitae, including academic qualifications, professional experience, publications, research projects, awards, and conference presentations.
  • Copy of passport; Qatar nationals and residents must also submit a valid Qatari ID.

Program Coordinator Name

Dr Yusuf Bicer

Coordinator Email

ybicer@hbku.edu.qa