Rochester Institute of Technology

What you'll study

The programme emphasises practical and systems‑level understanding of technologies used to control environmental quality in built and industrial environments. Core topic areas include air quality and emissions control, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, refrigeration and thermal systems, environmental monitoring and instrumentation, and pollution prevention technologies.

• Air quality and emissions control — sources and transport of contaminants, particulate and gaseous removal technologies, scrubbers, filters and catalytic systems.
• HVAC and thermal systems — system design principles, psychrometrics, energy efficiency, control strategies and refrigeration cycles.
• Environmental sensing and instrumentation — sensor technologies, data acquisition, calibration, and environmental monitoring methods.
• Modelling and simulation — airflow modelling, computational tools for performance prediction and building energy simulation.
• Regulation, standards and life cycle perspectives — compliance frameworks, risk assessment, sustainability assessment and lifecycle thinking for technology selection.
• Laboratory, fieldwork and capstone — applied lab experiments, pilot‑scale system testing, and a culminating project or thesis that integrates design, testing and evaluation.

Students typically progress through a mix of advanced coursework, laboratory practicum and a capstone design project or research thesis. Electives often let students specialise in areas such as industrial ventilation, cleanroom and contamination control, building systems integration, or renewable energy integration with environmental control.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering, applied science, environmental science, heating/ventilation/refrigeration technology, or a closely related discipline. Applications generally require transcripts, a statement of purpose describing technical interests and goals, and letters of recommendation.

Relevant professional or laboratory experience strengthens an application; candidates with limited directly related academic preparation may be asked to complete prerequisite undergraduate coursework. International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through accepted tests or institutional pathways. Specific requirements and documentation vary, so consult the university's graduate admissions information for the programme.

Career prospects

Graduates gain technical and practical skills sought by employers in manufacturing, building services, environmental consulting, healthcare facilities, pharmaceuticals, and utilities. Typical roles include:

• Environmental control engineer or specialist
• HVAC and building systems engineer
• Air quality and emissions control engineer
• Energy and sustainability manager
• Contamination control engineer for cleanrooms and labs
• Regulatory compliance and environmental health specialist
• Research and development engineer in environmental technologies

Alumni work for engineering consultancies, equipment manufacturers, facility operators, government environmental agencies and research organisations. The programme also prepares students for continued study at the doctoral level or professional certification pathways relevant to building and environmental control disciplines.

Why study at Rochester Institute of Technology

RIT is known for its applied, career‑oriented approach and strong industry connections. The programme leverages hands‑on laboratories, pilot‑scale systems and interdisciplinary collaboration across engineering and environmental science departments. Students benefit from RIT’s cooperative education and industry partnership opportunities, which help bridge classroom learning with workplace experience.

Faculty bring applied research and industry experience in areas such as indoor environmental quality, energy systems integration and pollution control technologies. The campus environment supports access to technical facilities, dedicated career services and an active network of alumni and regional employers in manufacturing, healthcare and technology sectors.