Civil Engineering (Environmental)

Environmental engineering uses science and engineering principles to assess and mitigate pollution for the benefit of human health and the environment. This research programme requires an understanding of biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, socio-economics and legislation to develop solutions for the sustainable provision of clean air, land and water for humankind.

By pursuing research in the School of Engineering you will join an extremely successful research group focussing on environmental civil engineering. Our mission is to foster, promote and conduct research of international quality. This means that we attract high quality graduates and researchers and train them to international standards.

This research programme is ideal if you are enthusiastic about environmental engineering research. Our main research themes in environmental engineering are:
•engineered biological systems
•mining and metals in the environment
•biochemical processes in contaminated water, soils and sediments
•safe water and sanitation in developing countries.

We offer MPhil and PhD supervision in the following research areas:
•anaerobic digestion
•manipulation of the fate of micro-pollutants
•pollutant sequestration
•bioremediation
•risk assessment
•sanitation and low-cost water supplies for developing countries
•waste stabilisation ponds
•constructed wetlands
•minewater treatment
•carbon neutral initiatives
•geothermal energy.

Our microbiological research has a strong emphasis on understanding and engineering biological processes using ecological theory, underpinned by exploration of molecular techniques, eg fluorescent in situ hybridisation, quantitative PCR, and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis.

We have extensive contacts in the UK and overseas to enable research to be carried out in collaboration with industry and government agencies. Research projects are supervised by staff with a wide range of industrial and academic experience.

Facilities:

The School of Engineering has an exceptional range of laboratories equipped with a wide range of analytical instrumentation supporting our research, teaching and contract research projects.