2008-2009 Bulletin – PDF - SEAS Bulletin - Columbia University

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phere. GC/MS capability is being added
to the spectrum of analytical capabilities.
For more information: www.ldeo.columbia.
edu/~noblegas/.
International Research Institute for
Climate Prediction (IRI). The IRI
(iri.columbia.edu) is the world’s leading
institute for the development and application
of seasonal to interannual climate
forecasts. The mission of the IRI is to
enhance society’s capability to understand,
anticipate, and manage the
impacts of seasonal climate fluctuations,
in order to improve human welfare and
the environment, especially in developing
countries. This mission is to be conducted
through strategic and applied
research, education and capacity building,
and provision of forecast and information
products, with an emphasis on
practical and verifiable utility and partnerships.
Langmuir Center for Colloids and
Interfaces (LCCI). This Center brings
together experts from mineral engineering,
applied chemistry, chemical engineering,
biological sciences, and chemistry to
probe complex interactions of colloids
and interfaces with surfactants and
macromolecules. LCCI activities involve
significant interaction with industrial
sponsors and adopt an interdisciplinary
approach toward state-of-the-art research
on interfacial phenomena. Major areas of
research at LCCI are thin films, surfactant
and polymer adsorption, environmental
problems, enhanced oil recovery,
computer tomography, corrosion and
catalysis mechanisms, membrane technology,
novel separations of minerals,
biocolloids, microbial surfaces, and
interfacial spectroscopy.
Lenfest Center for Sustainable
Energy. The mission of the Lenfest
Center for Sustainable Energy is to
develop technologies and institutions to
ensure a sufficient supply of environmentally
sustainable energy for all
humanity. To meet this goal, the Center
supports research programs in energy
science, engineering, and policy across
Columbia University to develop technical
and policy solutions that will satisfy the
world’s future energy needs without
threatening to destabilize the Earth’s
natural systems.
The mission of the Lenfest Center is
shaped by two global challenges. First,
the Center seeks to reduce the emission
of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
and to forestall a disruption of global climate
systems that would impose negative
consequences for human welfare.
Second, the Center seeks to create
energy options that will meet the legitimate
energy demands of a larger and
increasingly wealthy world population. In
order to meet these two challenges, the
Center seeks to develop new sources,
technologies, and infrastructures.
The Lenfest Center focuses primarily
on the technological and institutional
development of the three energy resources
sufficient to support the world’s projected
population in 2100 without increased
carbon emissions: solar, nuclear, and
fossil fuels combined with carbon capture
and storage. Although each of
these options can, in theory, be developed
on a scale to satisfy global
demand, they each face a combination
of technological and institutional obstacles
that demand research and development
before they can be deployed.
The Center’s main activities are
based within the range of natural science
and engineering disciplines. At the
same time, it integrates technological
research with analysis of the institutional,
economic, and political context within
which energy technologies are commercialized
and deployed.
NSF Industry/University Cooperative
Center for Surfactants (IUCRC). This
Center is sponsored by fifteen companies
and has as its aim to develop and characterize
novel surfactants for industrial
applications, such as coatings, dispersions,
personal car products, soil decontamination,
and waste treatment. For
more information: www.columbia.edu/
cu/iucrc.
SCHOLARSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS,
AND INTERNSHIPS
The department arranges for undergraduate
Earth engineering summer internships
after the sophomore and junior
years. Undergraduates can also participate
in graduate research projects under
the work-study program. Graduate
research and teaching assistantships,
as well as fellowships funded by the
Department, are available to qualified
graduate students. GRE scores are
required of all applicants for graduate
studies.
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree
in Earth and environmental engineering
prepares students for careers in the
public and private sector concerned
with primary materials (minerals, fuels,
water) and the environment. Graduates
are also prepared to continue with further
studies in Earth/environmental sciences
and engineering, business, public
policy, international studies, law, and
medicine. The EEE program is accredited
as an environmental engineering program
by the Accreditation Board for Engineering
and Technology (ABET).
What Is Earth and Environmental
Engineering
It is now recognized by the U.S. and
other nations that continuing economic
development must be accompanied by
intelligent use of Earth’s resources and
that engineers can contribute much to
the global efforts for sustainable development.
The technologies that have
been developed for identifying, extracting,
and processing primary materials
are also being applied to the twentyfirst-century
problems of resource recovery
from used materials, pollution prevention,
and environmental remediation.
The EEE undergraduate program
encompasses these technologies.
Undergraduate Program Objectives
1.Graduates equipped with the necessary
tools (mathematics, chemistry,
physics, Earth sciences, and engineering
science) will understand and
implement the underlying principles
used in the engineering of processes
and systems.
2.Graduates will be able to pursue
careers in industry, government agencies,
and other organizations concerned
with the environment and the
provision of primary and secondary
materials and energy, as well as continue
their education as graduate students
in related disciplines.
3.Graduates will possess the basic skills
needed for the practice of Earth and
SEAS 2008–2009