Graduate Studies in the Strathmann Research Group at CSM
Engineering programs at the Colorado School of Mines have been highly rated in recent years for quality research, education, strong ties to industry, and employer hiring (Article 1, Article 2, Article 3). Many opportunities for research experience and multi-disciplinary collaboration are available to graduate students at Mines. The school has strong ties to the nearby National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) where Prof. Strathmann has a collaborative researcher appointment. Professor Strathmann and colleagues in the environmental engineering program at Mines are also partners in the National Science Foundation’s Center for Re-Inventing the Nation’s Urban Water Infrastructure (ReNUWIt). The Center is a collaboration between Mines, Stanford, UC Berkeley, and New Mexico State University.
Potential graduate students interested in joining the Strathmann research group apply for graduate degree programs in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. The links above provide information on degree programs and requirements. Students in the Strathmann research group take a combination of classes in environmental engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, and materials science which varies depending on the student’s interests and research focus.
Strong applicants will be considered for funded Graduate Fellowships and Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs), which provide full tuition, fees, health insurance, and a monthly stipend to support your living expenses during your graduate studies. Eligible students are also strongly encouraged to apply for outside fellowships, like those awarded by the National Science Foundation (applications typically due late October) and the Department of Defense (applications typically due in December). Being awarded these fellowships is prestigious and provides the winners with a high degree of flexibility when deciding on research directions to pursue.
In addition to requisite coursework requirements, graduate students are expected to work with Prof. Strathmann to prepare a thesis based on the results of their research findings. Group members will also have the opportunity to travel and present their findings at professional conferences around the country, and it is expected that research results will be published in peer reviewed journals. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of professional development opportunities available to graduate students, including participating in workshops on professional development, teaching effectiveness, proposal writing, and entrepreneurship. Graduates from Prof. Strathmann’s group are employed in academia, engineering consulting firms, industry, and government labs and agencies.
Colorado School of Mines is also situated perfectly to balance work and personal life. The school is located in Golden, Colorado at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, providing easy access to world-class hiking, climbing, mountain biking, winter sports, and much more. The school is also situated less than 15 miles from all the sites in downtown Denver, and can be reached by light rail from the Golden station. But you don’t have to leave Golden for great socializing opportunities, with six local breweries (seven if you count Coors) open every day. It’s always interesting to see what new food trucks are showing up each night.
Students with questions are encouraged to contact Prof. Strathmann.