Dr. Maria Chu

Associate Professor

Build a Statement of Purpose

Generate a tailored SOP for Dr. Maria Chu. Improve your application with a focused, well-structured draft.

Biography

Maria L. Chu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her research primarily focuses on watershed and hydrologic modeling, specifically concerning climate impacts on water quantity and quality. With a strong emphasis on sustainable agro-ecosystem practices, her studies explore hydrologic time series analysis, soil-water interactions, streambank erosion processes, and integrated watershed modeling in the face of climate change. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, a Master’s in College Teaching, an MSc in Hydrology and Water Resources, and a PhD in Biosystems Engineering. Throughout her career, Dr. Chu has engaged in extensive academic and professional service within various committees and organizations, contributing to the development of standards and guidelines in her field. She also teaches courses related to nonpoint source pollution and environmental soil physics.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Professor

2020-08-16 — Present

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign • Urbana, IL

Engaged in teaching and research within the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.

Assistant Professor

2014-08-16 — 2020-08-15

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign • Urbana, IL

Developed undergraduate and graduate courses, focusing on environmental soil physics and nonpoint source pollution.

Senior Engineer

2014-04-16 — 2014-08-15

Waterborne Environmental Inc. • Champaign, IL

Worked on environmental engineering projects related to water quality and watershed management.

Postdoctoral Fellow

2012-02-01 — 2014-01-31

Saint Louis University • St. Louis, MO

Conducted research in hydrology and environmental sciences.

Postdoctoral Associate

2009-09-01 — 2011-12-31

University of Florida • Gainesville, FL

Focused on hydrologic modeling and its application to understanding water resources.

Graduate Research Associate

2006-08-01 — 2009-07-31

Oklahoma State University • Stillwater, OK

Performed research in biosystems engineering related to hydrology.

Awards

#

Boyd-Scott Graduate Student Research Award

#

Boyd-Scott Graduate Student Research Award

Courses

ABE 458 Nonpoint Source Pollution Modeling ABE 454 Environmental Soil Physics TSM 352 Land Water Management Systems TSM 100 Technical System Management ABE 598 Environmental Contaminant Transport

Requirements for University of Illinois

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:17
Reading
Required:19
Writing
Required:21
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:103
GRE General
Prerequisites
Mathematical background Linear Algebra Calculus
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

GRE is optional for admission to all graduate programs in Statistics. Full status admission requires higher language scores than limited status.