Civil Engineering, M.S.

The Civil Engineering Department has excellent facilities and equipment for laboratory, numerical, and field investigations leading to a master’s degree. Opportunities for applied research projects are plentiful.

Graduates from the Civil Engineering Masters of Science Program will:

Demonstrate mastery of advanced civil engineering principles and apply analytical, computational, and experimental methods to solve complex engineering problems.
Be able to formulate and execute original research or applied engineering investigations, including experimental design, modeling, data analysis, and interpretation of results, culminating in a thesis or applied project.
Be able to communicate complex engineering concepts, research findings, and technical analyses effectively through professional-quality written documents and oral presentations.
Evaluate and apply ethical principles and professional standards in civil engineering practice, considering impacts on safety, society, and the environment.
Demonstrate the ability to independently acquire and apply new knowledge, tools, and technologies necessary for continued professional development.
Be able to work effectively both independently and as a member or leader of multidisciplinary teams in advanced engineering or research settings.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Civil Engineering requires that the admitted student have a degree in civil engineering or a related field. Math through differential equations and an introductory course in structural engineering are required, along with a set of classes that demonstrate breadth in fundamentals of engineering.

Admission Requirements:

B.S. in Civil Engineering or related field.

Math through Differential Equations.

An introductory course in structural engineering

Demonstrated breadth in fundamentals of engineering

(at least 3 of the following: fluid mechanics, dynamics

thermodynamics, engineering economics, surveying)

Options:

Thesis (30 credits), Publishable Paper (30 credits),

or Non-Thesis (36 credits)

Seminar Requirements (2 credits):

T.C. 5150 Graduate Writing Seminar or equivalent (1 cr)

ENGR 5940 Engineering Seminar (1 cr)

Two credits of seminar (TC 5150 and ENGR 5940, minimum 1 credit each) are required for all students pursuing the M.S. Civil Engineering degree.

Coursework Requirements:

(20 credits for thesis or publishable paper)

(34 credits for non-thesis project)

Core Courses:

As the field of civil engineering is very broad and interdisciplinary, there are no predetermined core courses that are required for all students pursuing the M.S. Civil Engineering degree.

Students who select the non-thesis option are required to take ECIV 590W Graduate Research or Design Project (3 credits minimum) as part of their coursework.

Electives:

400 and 500-level engineering courses approved by the student’s advisor and graduate committee. A minimum of 9 credits must be ECIV courses. Courses outside of engineering (6 credits maximum) may be included if approved by the student’s advisor and graduate committee.

At least half of the minimum course credits for either option must be at the 500 level.

Thesis (8 credits)

ECIV 599W Thesis Research (8 credits minimum)

Students who select the thesis option are required to take ECIV 599W Thesis Research (8 credits minimum). Under special circumstances, thesis credits in another department may be considered.

Examinations:

The final examination for thesis and publishable paper-option students will consist of an oral presentation and defense of the thesis, or publishable paper. Questions may be asked on any topic related to the thesis/paper or coursework taken as part of the graduate program. The presentation will be open to all interested parties, but the defense following the presentation will be open only to the student’s graduate committee.

The final examination for non-thesis option students will consist of one of the following:

A written and/or oral examination formulated by the student’s graduate committee. The oral examination will draw questions from the written examination plus any coursework undertaken as part of the graduate program.
An oral presentation and defense, similar to the thesis or publishable paper option.

Students who have not taken the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination will be required to do so.