Fresh from their win at the Millard Chan Tech Challenge, the team behind MilkShaker demonstrated a practical and science-backed solution to prevent mastitis, providing professional level care without sacrificing time or requiring special training. Another group of seniors in the Department of Mechanical Engineering showcased a prototype for the CareCruiser, a wheelchair-to-stroller attachment designed to give wheelchair-using parents and caregivers greater independence when navigating with strollers and carseats.
Several projects also tackled infrastructure design, including a civil engineering and engineering mechanics team that unveiled Rethinking Resilience. The project envisions a new sustainable, flood-resilient train station to replace the existing Ardsley-on-Hudson station along the MTA’s Metro-North Hudson Line.
And in the gaming arena, a team from the Department of Electrical Engineering demonstrated their physical tank game using modified remote-controlled cars. By reconfiguring the electronics of remote-controlled cars, the team enabled Bluetooth-based control of both the motors and onboard lasers. Players score by hitting opposing cars with laser pulses, while any car that gets hit is temporarily disabled with a five-second freeze penalty.
Dean Shih-Fu Chang greeted the students and commended them on their year-long efforts. “You all have started with an idea and brought it to life. That’s what engineers do! We bring ideas to life . . . Today’s showcase truly represents our Engineering for Humanity vision. This is a milestone in your Columbia experience and one I hope you remember for years to come.”
Each year, Columbia Engineering seniors work on a capstone project, aka Senior Design. They are challenged to solve real-world problems with innovative solutions, rooted in their foundational math, science and engineering courses.
Here’s a look at some of the students and their innovations at Senior Design Expo 2025.
Scenes from Senior Design Expo ‘25
Credit: Timothy Lee/Columbia Engineering
Masthead Caption: A student tries on LenScribe, a compact set of 3D-printed glasses designed for audio input, speech processing, and visual display
Masthead Credit: Timothy Lee/Columbia Engineering
Event highlights
Credit: Diane Bondareff/Columbia University
Recognizing the importance of open conversations about career journeys, Columbia Engineering Dean Shih-Fu Chang and Columbia University Interim President Katrina Armstrong, both joined the event; Dean Chang gave introductory remarks and President Armstrong kicked off the discussion and shared her own experience as a woman in STEM.
Armstrong talked about her unconventional career path– from studying architecture as an undergraduate to completing medical school and ultimately rising through the ranks in higher education in leadership roles at the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard, and now, at Columbia. She encouraged attendees to regularly check in with themselves, emphasizing the importance of making changes before reaching burnout. She also highlighted the value of finding what works for each individual. She shared a personal anecdote about how she became known for letting her kids sleep in their school clothes instead of pajamas—a simple adjustment that made hectic mornings a little easier.
“The best advice I ever received was to be yourself because you're not going to change who you are,” Armstrong said. “And if you try to be somebody else, you're going to be so much less effective than just being who you are.”
Building connections
The second half of the event consisted of breakout sessions between small groups of students and women faculty members from across Columbia. With cups of coffee in hand, students and professors–women in STEM– exchanged stories, laughter, and insights.
A common theme professors shared with students was the importance of advocating for yourself and pursuing what you're passionate about. University Professor and Mikati Foundation Professor of Biomedical Engineering Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic emphasized that when you truly love what you do, it never feels like work—even when challenges arise. Christine Hendon, associate professor of electrical engineering, encouraged students to believe in themselves, even when others doubt their ideas.
"If someone says it won’t work, figure it out, run some simulations, test for tolerance analysis, and if it looks feasible—go for it," Hendon said. "When you finally get to the point where it works, it’s the best feeling ever.”
In this relaxed setting, conversations flowed and what started as casual chats soon turned into meaningful discussions about careers, research, and personal experiences.
“This event showcases the magic of Columbia,” said Githika, “and how there is a community that wants to not just collaborate with each other, but grow with each other.”
Lead Photo Caption: Columbia faculty, students and staff gathered in Carleton Commons March 7 for a special networking opportunity for women in STEM.
Lead Photo Credit: Diane Bondareff/Columbia University
Requirements
-
Application Requirements
Mandatory requirements:
- Online application form
- MS and BS degrees from accredited institutions in engineering or a related science discipline, such as earth, climate, environmental science, chemistry, biology, physics, or hydrology.
- Transcripts from every post-secondary institution attended
- Three letters of recommendation
- Resumé or CV
- Personal statement
- $85 non-refundable application fee
- International applicants, or applicants whose undergraduate and/or master’s degree was received in a country in which English is not the official spoken language, must submit:
- Results of an English language test. Accepted tests include the Test of English as a Foreign Language iBT (TOEFL) - including TOEFL iBT Home Edition, International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS), Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic), or Duolingo English Test (DET). The ETS School Code for the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science is 2111.
- Translation of the official transcript(s) and degree/diploma certificate(s) if the institution(s) attended does not issue transcripts in English. The translation must be conducted by a reputable service provider.
Optional Requirements
- Any publications that you have written. Whilst this is not mandatory research, this experience is valued.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test Scores (School Code: 2111)
- You may be invited to an interview
-
Degree Requirements
To earn your PhD, you must:
- Complete 60 credits, with up to 30 credits transferable from previous graduate coursework
- Pass a qualifying examination
- Successfully defend your research proposal
Department Faculty
Image
Daniel Steingart | Image
Ngai Yin Yip | Image
Shaina Kelly |
Why Get your Master's in Carbon Management at Columbia?
As a student here, you'l benefit from:
-
Impactful Career Opportunities
This program will provide you with the engineering expertise and strategic vision needed to drive sustainable solutions that tackle the global energy crisis, cut carbon emissions, and ensure long-term ecological stability.
-
Additional Certificate in Carbon Management
You will receive a Certificate in Carbon Management as well as an MS degree from the Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering.
-
Research Opportunities
You’ll undertake hands-on research and collaborate with faculty to help develop solutions and technologies that address multiscale carbon capture, conversion, utilization, and storage research.
-
Access to the Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy
The MS program is part of the Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy. As well as access to pioneering research, you’ll have opportunities to attend specialist carbon management events held by the Center, including colloquiums, research conferences and guest lectures.
-
Problem-Solving Skills
Our classes will teach you to critically examine challenging industrial problems and proposed solutions through the application of numerical, experimental, and theoretical frameworks.
-
Multidisciplinary and Diverse Cohort
You will be learning with peers from a wide range of disciplines, professional experiences, and geographic locations. This exposure will help you develop a broad and interdisciplinary understanding of carbon management and its extensive societal implications.
-
Comprehensive Career Support
Our dedicated Assistant Director of Graduate Career Placement can provide you with expert advice both during your studies and after graduation. You’ll receive personalized career guidance, application support, tailored workshops, and access to exclusive job opportunities within the earth and environmental engineering sector and beyond.
What will I learn?
The MS Carbon Management curriculum has been designed to reflect the core research areas of the Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy. As well as core courses, you will choose a combination of elective courses to ensure your degree aligns with your career goals - whether that’s in industry or in preparation for further education.
Course List
-
Core Courses
- A Better Planet by Design
- Carbon Capture
- Carbon Storage
- CO2 Utilization and Conversion
- Introduction to Carbon Management
-
Electives
- Alternative Energy Resources
- Closing the Carbon Cycle
- Earth and Environmental Engineering Research
- Earth and Environmental Engineering Thesis
- Earth Resources and Sustainable Development
- Energy Sources and Conversion
- Energy System Economics and Optimization
- Humans and the Carbon Cycle
- Industrial Ecology of Manufacturing
- Machine Learning for Environmental Engineering
- Solar Fuels
- Solid and Hazardous Waste Management
- Uncertainty/Risk – Civil Infrastructure Systems
Requirements
-
Application Requirements
Mandatory requirements:
- Online application form
- A bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field from an accredited institution
- Transcripts from every post-secondary institution attended
- Three letters of recommendation
- Resumé or CV
- Personal statement
- $85 non-refundable application fee
- International applicants, or applicants whose undergraduate degree was received in a country in which English is not the official spoken language, must submit:
- Results of an English language test. Accepted tests include the Test of English as a Foreign Language iBT (TOEFL) - including TOEFL iBT Home Edition, International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS), Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic), or Duolingo English Test (DET). The ETS School Code for the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science is 2111.
- Translation of the official transcript(s) and degree/diploma certificate(s) if the institution(s) attended does not issue transcripts in English. The translation must be conducted by a reputable service provider.
Optional requirements:
- Any publications that you have written
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test Scores (School Code: 2111)
- You may be invited to an interview
-
Degree Requirements
To graduate from our MS Carbon Management program, you must complete:
- 30 credits of graduate coursework
- Additional undergraduate level science courses depending on your academic background
- The combination of credits can either be:
- 24 credits of lecture courses and 6 credits of research culminating in a Master’s Thesis.
- 27 credits of lecture courses, 3 credits of research which involves assisting a faculty member with ongoing analytical or experimental research, and a term paper describing your part in that research.
- 30 credits of lecture courses approved by the Advisor. However, a thesis is strongly recommended.
Your academic plan of studies must be approved by the faculty by the second month of your first semester at Columbia.
Graduate Funding
What matters most to us is your ability to thrive at Columbia.
We offer plenty of financial options to support you through your journey with us. Learn more about the graduate funding opportunities available at Columbia, including fellowships, part-time academic positions, loans, and more.
Careers & Outcomes
As a Carbon Management graduate, you’ll be part of a new generation of engineering and geoscience professionals who are working together to address pressing carbon management challenges. You will be well-equipped to pursue careers in the energy industry, decarbonization and environmental consulting firms, technology startups, environmental and energy NGOs, as well as local, national, and international government agencies.
Our alumni have found positions with top employers including:
- 350Solutions
- Patch
- Carbonvert
- Zachry Group
The MS program is also an excellent springboard for further graduate studies. The curriculum allows you to take independent research in preparation for our doctoral program.
Department Faculty
Image
Shaina Kelly | Image
Ngai Yin Yip | Image
Daniel Steingart |
Student Research Opportunities
At Columbia, you don’t have to wait until you graduate to start making a contribution. There are lots of opportunities to gain hands-on experience through research projects and summer internships.
Our faculty-run laboratories always need students to support them with their cutting-edge research spanning across areas such as electrochemical energy, carbon capture, climate modeling, materials recycling, and more.
See Student Research Opportunities
Entrepreneurship Opportunities
Considering launching a startup during your studies or after you graduate? Columbia Engineering Innovation, Design & Entrepreneurship team can help you develop the business acumen to successfully launch your venture.
The team offers specialist entrepreneurship courses, bootcamps, networking opportunities and spaces for prototyping and testing. They also organize competitions with opportunities to win seed funding.
Related Programs
Dual MS in Climate and MS in Carbon Management
The Climate School offers interdisciplinary dual degree programs with the MS in Climate. Dual programs award two degrees in less time than pursuing the degrees separately.
PhD in Earth and Environmental Engineering
Our PhD opportunities enable you to work together with our leading faculty to solve some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Why Get your Master's in Earth and Environmental Engineering at Columbia?
As a student here, you’ll benefit from:
-
Research Opportunities
Engage in research that drives real change and addresses global environmental challenges. You’ll have the chance to assist faculty with their research projects and gain firsthand insight into the vital role of earth and environmental engineering.
-
Faculty Who Are Leaders in the Field
Join a department full of active scholars who are pioneering research in areas like energy-efficient desalination, resource recovery from waste materials, and AI-empowered climate modeling.
-
Flexible Program Options
Don’t interrupt your career. We offer full-time and part-time options so you can fit your MS studies around your professional and personal commitments.
-
Career-focused Electives
Focus your studies in one of three elective specializations including Sustainable Energy, Sustainable Mining and Materials, and Water Resources and Climate Risks. You also have the option to design your own elective specialization to reflect your personal interests and career goals.
-
Comprehensive Career Support
Our dedicated Assistant Director of Graduate Career Placement can provide you with expert advice both during your studies and after graduation. You’ll receive personalized career guidance, application support, tailored workshops, and access to exclusive job opportunities within the earth and environmental engineering sector and beyond.
-
MS/PhD Track Option
If you hold an appropriate bachelor’s degree in Engineering and already know you want to undertake a PhD, you can apply to our MS/PhD Track. You will be considered a doctoral student and will be eligible to receive equivalent funding. If you are not successful, you could still be offered a place on our MS program.
What will I learn?
-
Sustainable Energy Elective Specialization
Explore, design and test energy technologies and infrastructure to address environmental and resource challenges.
Structure:
- Core courses:
- A Better Planet by Design
- Energy Sources and Conversion
- Energy System Economics and Optimization
- Introduction to Carbon Management
- Three-credit research course or six-credit thesis
- Specialized electives
- Core courses:
-
Sustainable Mining and Materials Elective Specialization
Learn how to develop innovative engineering solutions to ensure the sustainable use and transformation of the Earth’s resources.
Structure:
- Core courses:
- A Better Planet by Design
- Industrial Ecology of Manufacturing
- Introduction to Surface and Colloid Chemistry
- Introduction to Sustainable Production of Earth Mineral and Metal Resources
- Three-credit research course or six-credit thesis
- Specialized electives
- Core courses:
-
Water Resources and Climate Risks Elective Specialization
Tackle the urgent challenges of water quality management on this climate-focused elective specialization.
Structure:
- Core courses:
- A Better Planet by Design
- Environmental Data Analysis and Modeling
- Hydrosystems
- Machine Learning for Environmental Engineering and Science
- Management of Water Systems
- Sustainable Water Treatment and Reuse
- Specialized electives
- Core courses:
-
Design your own elective specialization
You also have the option to design your own elective specialization in consultation with your supervisor. This enables you to focus your studies to reflect your individual research and career interests.
Requirements
-
Application Requirements
Mandatory requirements:
- Online application form
- A bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field from an accredited institution
- Transcripts from every post-secondary institution attended
- Three letters of recommendation
- Résumé or CV
- Personal statement
- $85 non-refundable application fee
- International applicants, or applicants whose undergraduate degree was received in a country in which English is not the official spoken language, must submit:
- Results of an English language test. Accepted tests include the Test of English as a Foreign Language iBT (TOEFL) — including TOEFL iBT Home Edition, International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS), Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic), or Duolingo English Test (DET). The ETS School Code for the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science is 2111.
- Translation of the official transcript(s) and degree/diploma certificate(s) if the institution(s) attended does not issue transcripts in English. The translation must be conducted by a reputable service provider.
Optional requirements:
- Any publications that you have written
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test Scores (School Code: 2111)
- You may be invited to an interview
-
Degree Requirements
To graduate from our MS in Earth and Environmental Engineering program, you must complete:
- 30 credits of graduate coursework
- Some undergraduate level science courses depending on your academic background
- The combination of credits can either be:
- 24 credits of lecture courses and 6 credits of research culminating in a Master’s Thesis.
- 27 credits of lecture courses, 3 credits of research which involves assisting a faculty member with ongoing analytical or experimental research, and a term paper describing your part in that research.
- 30 credits of lecture courses approved by the Advisor. However, a thesis is strongly recommended.
Your academic plan of studies must be approved by the faculty by the second month of your first semester at Columbia.
Graduate Funding
What matters most to us is your ability to thrive at Columbia.
We offer plenty of financial options to support you through your journey with us. Learn more about the graduate funding opportunities available at Columbia, including fellowships, part-time academic positions, loans, and more.
Careers & Outcomes
The U.S. environmental industry comprises nearly 30,000 businesses with total revenues exceeding $150 billion. As a graduate, you’ll be well placed to pursue environmental and climate-facing careers in industry, government, start-ups, finance, and operations. Potential pathways for earth and environmental engineering graduates include:
- Consultant
- Environmental Engineer
- Environmental Scientist
- Geotechnical Engineer
- Hydrologist
- Natural Resource Specialist
Our alumni have found positions with top employers including:
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Equinor
- NYC Department of Environmental Protection
- AECOM
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
The MS program is also an excellent springboard for further graduate studies. The curriculum allows you to take independent research in preparation for our doctoral program.
Department Faculty
Image
Daniel Steingart | Image
Ngai Yin Yip | Image
Shaina Kelly |
Student Research Opportunities
At Columbia, you don’t have to wait until you graduate to start making a contribution. There are lots of opportunities to gain hands-on experience through research projects and summer internships.
Our faculty-run laboratories always need students to support them with their cutting-edge research spanning across areas such as electrochemical energy, carbon capture, climate modeling, materials recycling, and more.
See Student Research Opportunities
Entrepreneurship Opportunities
Considering launching a startup during your studies or after you graduate? Columbia Engineering Innovation, Design & Entrepreneurship team can help you develop the business acumen to successfully launch your venture.
The team offers specialist entrepreneurship courses, bootcamps, networking opportunities and spaces for prototyping and testing. They also organize competitions with opportunities to win seed funding.
Related Programs
MS in Carbon Management
Our MS in Carbon Management program equips future environmental engineers with the tools to balance carbon management and sustainable resource production.
PhD in Earth and Environmental Engineering
Our PhD opportunities enable you to work together with our leading faculty to solve some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Why Study Earth and Environmental Engineering at Columbia?
As a student here, you’ll benefit from:
-
Field-Leading Faculty
Join a department full of active scholars publishing pioneering research in areas like energy-efficient desalination, resource recovery from waste materials, and AI-empowered climate modeling.
-
Research Opportunities & Project-Based Learning
Our curriculum offers the perfect balance of theory and practice.
From the Art of Engineering course in your first semester to your year-long senior design project, you'll learn how to apply engineering principles to solve real-world problems.
Opportunities to support faculty with external research projects will complement your studies and expand your theoretical understanding of this diverse and far-reaching field.
-
New York City
Studying in NYC will exposure you to diverse urban and natural environments, offering a perfect living laboratory to engage with issues like urban pollution and coastal management. A hub for research and industry, the city is an ideal place to find internships and make connections for your future.
-
Focus on Sustainability
Engage in problem solving at the intersection of natural and engineered systems by applying technical skills to critical water, energy, minerals, and decarbonization challenges.
-
ABET Accreditation
The BS in Earth and Environmental Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Environmental Engineering and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
ABET is a nonprofit organization that draws on industry experts to develop standards for education programs in science, computing, and engineering. Accreditation indicates that our program has met its rigorous standards for equipping engineering professionals for the field. -
Comprehensive Career Support
Our dedicated Assistant Director of Graduate Career Placement can provide you with expert advice both during your studies and after graduation. You’ll receive personalized career guidance, application support, tailored workshops, and access to exclusive job opportunities within the earth and environmental engineering sector and beyond.
With strong industry connections, we also facilitate networking events and internships that give you the experience and confidence to stand out in the competitive job market.
-
Major or Minor in Earth and Environmental Engineering
If you are interested in our department but want to major in another field, you can still minor in Earth and Environmental Engineering. Due to our broad and multidisciplinary scope, a number of our courses are already required across other engineering departments. As well as developing interdisciplinary knowledge, this structure will ensure your workload is manageable.
What Will I Learn?
Our curriculum is rooted in basic math, sciences and liberal arts. With a diverse selection of interdisciplinary courses to choose from, you’ll be able to tailor your studies to reflect your interests and career goals. These fundamentals will train you to address the technical and socio-economic challenges related to environmental problems.
Requirements
-
Application Requirements
What we look for:
- Transcripts and school reports. We accept all secondary school qualifications (AP, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge A Levels, National School curricula, etc.). We do not have standardized requirements or “cut-off” test scores for first-year admission but we do expect to see coursework in physics and calculus.
- Teacher recommendations. We would like to learn more about your contributions in the classroom and at school, as well as what you might offer to your Columbia classmates.
- Responses to our Columbia-specific application questions. Your answers will provide us with insight into your intellectual interests and the way in which your curiosity and sense of community might translate to Columbia’s campus.
- A personal statement. We review applications in context, taking into account the multiple, intersecting ways that you have been shaped by your family circumstances. Understanding who you are, what your home responsibilities are, whether you have experienced any systemic and situational barriers and advantages will ensure we can review your application fairly and accurately.
- English language proficiency. If your home language is not English or if your secondary school studies were predominantly in another language, you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. Visit our English Proficiency Requirements for accepted exams and minimum score requirements.
-
Degree Requirements
BS in Earth and Environmental Engineering
To graduate from our BS program you must complete:
- 18 credits (approximately six courses) of technical Earth and Environmental Engineering electives during your final two years.
- The Columbia liberal arts core. This is typically satisfied during the first two years, although you can undertake non-technical electives during your final two years.
Minor in Earth and Environmental Engineering
To earn a minor in Earth and Environmental Engineering, you must complete:
- Six courses selected from a specified list approved by your undergraduate advisor.
Undergraduate Financial Aid
What matters most to us is your ability to thrive at Columbia.
We offer plenty of financial options to support you through your journey with us. Learn more about the types of aid that are available.
Combined Plan
Find out how you can earn a Liberal Arts degree at your current university and also a BS in Earth and Environmental Engineering from Columbia University.
Careers & Outcomes
With your multi-disciplinary training in earth and environmental engineering, you'll be well qualified to pursue careers in industry, government agencies, and organizations specializing in the environment and the provision of basic materials. As well as engineering, you can easily pivot into careers across law, policy, finance, consulting, and even medicine. Your training also provides a strong foundation for graduate studies, with many graduates advancing to MS and PhD programs across chemical, computer, climate, mechanical, materials, and environmental engineering.
Our graduates have found positions with employers including:
- STV
- U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center
- AECOM
- The Port Authority of New York
- ARUP
- NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Department Faculty
Image
Daniel Steingart | Image
Bolun Xu |
Research and Work Experience Opportunities
Hands-on experience
At Columbia, you don’t have to wait until you graduate to start making a contribution. There are lots of opportunities to gain hands-on experience through research projects and summer internships.
Our faculty-run laboratories always need students to support them with their cutting-edge research spanning across areas such as electrochemical energy, carbon capture, climate modeling, materials recycling, and more.
Student Research Opportunities
Entrepreneurship
Considering launching a startup during your studies or after you graduate? Columbia Engineering Innovation, Design & Entrepreneurship team can help you develop the business acumen to successfully launch your venture.
The team offers specialist entrepreneurship courses, bootcamps, networking opportunities and spaces for prototyping and testing. They also organize competitions with opportunities to win seed funding. This community of talented professors, students and alumni will give you the network of support needed to achieve your entrepreneurial goals.
Entrepreneurship Opportunities
Related Programs
MS in Earth and Environmental Engineering
This MS program explores the most imminent challenges of our time - from sustainable energy and carbon management to safe and secure water and responsible resource management.
MS in Carbon Management
Master the mechanisms. technologies, and processes to sustainable resolve the global energy crisis.