2011-2012 University Catalog 
  
2011-2012 University Catalog

Geotechnical, Construction, and Structural Engineering, MEng (pending SCHEV approval)


Banner Code: VS-ME-GCS


School: Volgenau School of Engineering 

Department: Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering

Note: As of catalog publication in April, the program described below has been approved by the Board of Visitors and sent to the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia for consideration as a new degree program. The university cannot accept applications or enroll students in this program until SCHEV approval has been granted. Check the college/school web site for current program status.

The Master of Engineering (MEng) program was designed in collaboration with leading practicing engineers to develop a course of study that recognizes that geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, and construction engineering are practiced together, and should be taught together in an integrated manner.  Its purpose is to educate engineers for practice, for excellence in design and execution now, laying the groundwork for the practice demands of twenty-five years from now.  It is a program that balances theory and practice, building on the foundation of an undergraduate degree in civil engineering.

Admission Requirements


All general George Mason University and specific Volgenau School admission requirements (including admissions deadlines) apply. In addition, all applicants, including George Mason undergraduates, must submit the following: 

  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
  • For applicants whose undergraduate degree was obtained outside the United States, official TOEFL results
  •  Three letters of recommendation from individuals knowledgeable about the applicant’s academic or professional work
  •  Current résumé

The MEng is designed based on the assumption that all applicants hold an undergraduate degree in civil engineering. Applicants with other closely aligned undergraduate degrees, such as geology, should inquire with the Department before applying. Provisional admission may be possible based on the completion of prescribed articulation courses, which will not count towards the degree, but will prepare the student for study in the program. Applicants should have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0, although students with GPAs between 2.7 and 3.0 may be admitted on a provisional basis.


Research Assistantships are typically not awarded to students pursuing the MEng Program because it is entirely a course-based degree, rather than a research degree.  Students interested in Teaching Assistantships (usually reserved for full-time graduate study) should indicate their interest on their application and also contact the Department after an admissions decision is made.

Degree Requirements


The program requires the completion of ten 3 credit graduate courses.  Those ten courses include five core courses required of all students in the program, and five elective courses.  There is no project or thesis requirement for the MEng degree.

Elective Courses: 15 Credits


For the five elective courses, at least four must be selected from those listed below.  The fifth elective may also be selected from this list, or, with approval from the program advisor, may be another CEIE graduate course numbered 500 or greater or another GMU graduate course numbered 600 or greater.

The available program electives are:

Total: 30 Credits