OVERVIEW

M.S. students in our department gain advanced knowledge in civil engineering and can specialize in environmental, geotechnical, structural, and transportation fields. Most students doing research are involved in computational work. Some students, mainly in environmental area are involved laboratory and field research.  The department faculty conduct both applied and fundamental research and tailor the research project to students’ interests and skill sets. Most of our students present their work in local and national conferences. Students work closely with their research advisor to make timely progress towards completing their degree. Our department has an excellent track record with our MS students finding an industry or consulting job prior to or shortly after they graduate. MS students interested in an academic career often publish their research before continuing on to obtain a PhD degree either in our department or at another institution.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Most students admitted have a strong GPA from a civil, environmental, or chemical engineering department. Students with non-engineering backgrounds can be admitted provisionally until they demonstrate proficiency in key engineering skills. See College of Engineering admissions information for details.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

For the master of science in civil engineering (M.S.C.E.) degree, a minimum of 30 credit hours is required – 21 hours of graduate course work (a minimum of nine credit hours should be at the 6000 level or above) and nine hours of thesis research (CIVE 6960) performed under the supervision of a full-time faculty member of the department of civil engineering. The department also offers a M.S.C.E. degree with a project or course work option with the written approval of the department chair or graduate program director. In the project option, a minimum of 30 credit hours is required – 24 hours of graduate course work (a minimum of 12 credit hours should be 6000 level or above) and six hours for the project report. In a course work option, a minimum of 30 credit hours in graduate course work is required, of which a minimum of 9 credit hours should be at the 6000 level or above. Courses taken on an audit basis do not count toward the degree. Additional requirements include:

• A maximum of six hours of independent study are allowed toward the degree.
• Students must prepare a plan of study in conjunction with the adviser (graduate program director for the first semester) with a concentration of required and elective courses in one of the department’s research focus areas of graduate study and receive approval from the graduate program director. Required core courses in each area are determined by the faculty comprising that research area in conjunction with the graduate program director.
• No more than nine credit hours toward the M.S.C.E. may be earned at another university, and in no case may the thesis or project be satisfied by work completed at another institution.