Virginia
Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, Virginia-24060
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, popularly known as Virginia Tech, is amongst the top thirty Public universities (US News ranking) in the United States. Virginia Tech traces its history to 1872, when the Virginia legislature passed a bill establishing the then nomenclatured, Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical Institute, which was in 1896 re-christened as Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The students, faculty and alumnae in all their activities either in academic or professional work imbibe the University motto “UT PROSIM” (That I may Serve).
The well-designed and functional campus immediately strikes a visitor to the campus. The Virginia Tech campus has been rated to be amongst the best in the United States. The Drillfield is the heart of the campus with all academic buildings, library and the administrative blocks located around it.
Presently Virginia. Tech has Eight Graduate Colleges offering 77 Graduate programs, with both MS and Ph.D. Options. Some of the Graduate Programs in Engineering, Economics, Urban Affairs and Planning and Natural Resources are rated amongst top fifteen Graduate Programs in the United States.
Environmental Engineering: The environmental engineering program is concerned primarily with the areas of water and wastewater treatment, water quality modeling and assessment, soil and groundwater pollution, air resources engineering, and solid and hazardous waste management. The Environmental Science and Engineering (ESEN) program is designed for students with undergraduate degrees in one of the natural sciences.
College of Natural Resource: The College of Natural Resources provides the education necessary for professional careers in conserving, using, and sustaining renewable resources. Within the college, the students prepare for a career that is personally gratifying, environmentally responsible, and of direct benefit to society.
Specializations offered
1. Natural Resources Recreation: Meeting the varied demand for nature-based recreation while still protecting recreation lands requires highly skilled managers, planners, and educators. Natural Resource Recreation (NRR) professionals are equipped with the skills to manage and protect the land, water, wildlife, forests, and other natural systems as well as the recreation experience of solitude, freedom, companionship, and excitement these settings generate. Courses in the curriculum emphasize ecological and natural sciences as well as planning, tourism, business, psychology, and social sciences. The program is accredited by the Society of America Foresters. (http://www.fw.vt.edu/nrr.htm)
2. Wood Sciences and Forest Products: Students receive extensive training in the basic sciences, business administration, and marketing while acquiring a thorough knowledge of the properties of wood and manufacturing. Graduates have careers in technical and managerial positions in sales, marketing, and distribution of forest products worldwide. Recent graduates work as marketing analysts, product engineers, plant purchasing engineers, manufacturing managers, and sales managers. (http://www.fw.vt.edu/woodproducts.htm)
3. Forest Resources: This option emphasizes the biology and economics needed to make sound management decisions about renewable forest resources. Emphasis is placed on the regeneration, growth, protection, management, and sustainability of forest ecosystems. Efficient management of forest resources is stressed throughout the curriculum. Students are well prepared for jobs in the forest industry, public agencies, tree care companies, and a wide range of other forestland-owning companies. (http://www.fw.vt.edu/forestry.htm)
4. Fisheries Science: The fisheries science program is for students interested in research and management of aquatic animals and ecosystems, including wild fish and shellfish, endangered species, and hatchery-raised fish. ( http://www.fw.vt.edu/fisheries.htm)
5. Wildlife Sciences: The wildlife science program is for students interested in research and management of terrestrial animals and ecosystems, including game birds and mammals, non-game animals, and endangered species. Many students also qualify for a minor in biology. (http://www.fw.vt.edu/wildlife.htm)
Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics: The mission of the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at Virginia Tech is to provide students, public officials, and private sector leaders with the education and knowledge necessary to make sound economic decisions about the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural products, the development of rural communities, and the use of natural resources. To achieve this mission, the Department will deliver an integrated program of teaching, research, and extension that considers the state, national, and international dimensions of these decisions.
College of Architecture and Urban Studies
1. Urban Affairs and Planning: The Department of Urban Affairs and Planning offers two master's degrees (Master of Urban & Regional Planning, Master of Public & International Affairs). In addition, the program is involved in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies' Ph.D. program in Environmental Design and Planning.
2. Center for Public
Administration and Policy: The
Virginia Tech Center for Public Administration and Policy provides a focal
point for applying the university's intellectual resources to the amelioration
of public sector problems and the enhancement of public service at the local,
state, and national levels. The programs consist of master's and doctoral
graduate studies, basic and applied research, and a broad range of public
service outreach and continuing education activities designed to meet the needs
of Virginia and its citizens.
For students interested in
interested in applying to Virginia Tech it is advisable to apply by January for
Fall admission. For those seeking financial aid, a GRE score of 2000 is
desirable with a TOEFL score of 600(not the minimum required). For those
without work experience a score of 2100 is the minimum. However there can be
exceptions and the information given here is the general trend. For more
information on admission process and application online click to the following
links.
Research and Graduate Study
website: http://www.rgs.vt.edu/prospective/cometovt.html
Application online:
http://www.rgs.vt.edu/prospective/apply.html
Here is some information for those of you who are interested in remote sensing and GIS….
Courses in remote sensing and GIS are taught in the departments of forestry, fisheries and wildlife, geography, civil and environmental engineering, and the University can boast of some the best infrastructure and faculty in this field. A comparative recent addition to the teaching and research facilities in this field is the Center for Environmental Applications of Remote Sensing (CEARS). It is a state of the art research facility developed by several Virginia Tech researchers from with affiliation to various academic departments in the campus, who have formed partnerships with other industries, institutions, and governments to solve a wide array of environmental problems.
Here is the contact information for some of the professors in this field at Virginia Tech:
Assistant Professor of Forestry
Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems. Department of Forestry
http://www.fw.vt.edu/forestry/faculty/wynne.html
Email: wynne@vt.edu
Associate Professor, Geographic Information Systems. Department of Forestry
http://www.fw.vt.edu/forestry/faculty/prisley.html
Email: prisley@vt.edu
Professor and Department Head. Department of Geography
http://www.majbill.vt.edu/geog/faculty/campb/jbc.html
Email: jayhawk@vt.edu
Lawrence W. Carstensen
Associate Professor. Department of Geography
Office of GIS and Remote Sensing
Center for Wireless Telecommunications
GIS Career Advisor
http://www.majbill.vt.edu/geog/faculty/carst/lwc.html
Email: carstens@vt.edu
Write-up :
Soumitri Das sodas@vt.edu and Sudipto Sengupta at Virginia Tech