Solutions Course
Master problem solvers
The next generation of master environmental problem solvers are trained here. Our academically diverse, practice-intensive method prepares graduates to take on today’s most complex environmental problems. The Environmental Science and Engineering professional doctorate was founded by Nobel laureate Willard Libby in 1973. Since then, more than 260 graduates have gone on to take senior leadership positions at places such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Walt Disney Company, the Army Corps of Engineers and AECOM.
ESE Residency
The residency embeds students with public agencies, businesses and environmental groups to provide practical experience in environmental analysis and management. While students work, they conduct applied dissertation research under the supervision of UCLA faculty.
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alumni spotlight
Chris Hsu, D.Env. 2012 Technical Manager, Michael Baker International
Chris Hsu is a civil and environmental engineer committed to advancing sustainable water management and green infrastructure. His work focuses on stormwater engineering, water quality treatment, and the fate and transport of emerging contaminants. He specializes in permitting under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and compliance with the Clean Water Act (CWA), supporting transportation systems, commercial and industrial facilities, and municipal programs in reducing pollution and protecting watersheds. Chris has contributed to statewide and regional Best Management Practice (BMP) strategies, advanced treatment systems, and rainwater harvesting projects to promote water reuse and climate resilience. Chris is a licensed Professional Civil Engineer in California and holds certifications from the State and Regional Water Quality Control Boards.
How UCLA ESE shaped my career
The UCLA Environmental Science and Engineering (ESE) program gave me a systems-based perspective on water resources and sustainability. It strengthened my ability to integrate science, engineering, and policy to design solutions that protect water quality and support climate-resilient communities
Getting down to business on offshore oil drilling
“As an ecologist with ties from farmlands in El Salvador to L.A.’s large urban ecosystem, the best way to protect habitats I love is integrating science and policy”
Jenny Aleman-Zometa
D. Env. 2024