2016-2017 University Catalog
Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, MS
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Banner Code: VS-MS-CEIE
School: Volgenau School of Engineering
Department: Sid and Reva Dewberry Department of Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering
The Master of Science (MS) degree is designed for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, although students with related undergraduate degrees may be considered for provisional admission. The MS educates students in the theory and practice of civil engineering science and design, with a technical concentration. The master’s degree is increasingly expected for high level practice in civil engineering, and prepares graduates to practice in civil engineering for: federal, state, or local government; engineering design firms; construction firms; public utilities; non-governmental organizations; and local and regional planning firms, among others. The MS degree serves as a foundation for subsequent study in a doctoral program in civil engineering, as well as for graduate studies in architecture, law, business, economics, finance, and public policy and administration.
Full-time students typically complete the degree in one and a half, to two years.
An accelerated master’s option is available to students in the bachelor’s program. See Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, BS/Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, Accelerated MS for specific requirements.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the program, a candidate must:
- Satisfy general University and Volgenau School requirements for admission to a graduate program,
- Have earned a baccalaureate degree in engineering or a related science,
- Provide three letters of reference, submitted by former professors or supervisors,
- Provide a professional résumé.
Acceptance to the degree program is based on an assessment of the applicant’s capacity to pursue graduate studies successfully. Consideration is given to the undergraduate record, any previous graduate work, professional work experience, and reference letters. Students with minor admission deficiencies may be provisionally admitted subject to completing an articulation program. Prescribed courses taken in the articulation program are not creditable toward the MS degree.
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Plan of Study
Students are responsible for developing and receiving advisor approval on a plan of study no later than the end of their second semester of study. Courses taken without prior approval by the faculty advisor may not be accepted for credit toward the degree. No more than three courses used for credit toward the MS may be cross-listed as undergraduate courses. None may repeat material completed as part of the student’s previous studies. Most MS courses are offered on a three-semester rotation. Core Courses (6 credits)
All MS students must complete the following two core courses within the first 12 credit hours of their MS studies. These courses provide a common background for understanding the breadth and complexity of civil and infrastructure engineering and for analyzing and solving engineering problems. Concentration Requirements (24 credits)
Students must declare one of the five available concentration areas. These concentration areas are:
▲Concentration in Construction Project Management (CPM)
Choose at least three of the following five construction project management core courses:
Electives
The remaining elective credits depend on whether the student is pursuing research credits or not. Students choose one of the following options (also outlined in the Notes section below).
- Thesis: 6 credits of and at least 9 credits of electives
- Project: 3 credits of and at least 12 credits of electives
- All coursework: at least 15 credits of electives
A list of approved electives for the construction project management concentration is provided below. Note that the remaining construction project management core courses can also be selected as electives.
▲Concentration in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering (EWRE)
Choose at least three of the following five environmental and water resources engineering core courses:
Electives
The remaining elective credits depend on whether the student is pursuing research credits or not. Students choose one of the following options (also outlined in the Notes section below).
- Thesis: 6 credits of and at least 9 credits of electives
- Project: 3 credits of and at least 12 credits of electives
- All coursework: at least 15 credits of electives
A list of approved electives for the environmental and water resources engineering concentration is provided below. Note that the remaining environmental and water resources engineering core courses can also be selected as electives.
▲Concentration in Geotechnical Engineering (GEOE)
Choose at least three of the following five geotechnical engineering core courses:
Electives
The remaining elective credits depend on whether the student is pursuing research credits or not. Students choose one of the following options (also outlined in the Notes section below).
- Thesis: 6 credits of and at least 9 credits of electives
- Project: 3 credits of and at least 12 credits of electives
- All coursework: at least 15 credits of electives
A list of approved electives for the geotechnical engineering concentration is provided below. Note that the remaining geotechnical engineering core courses can also be selected as electives.
▲Concentration in Structural Engineering (STRE)
Choose at least three of the following five structural engineering core courses:
Electives
The remaining elective credits depend on whether the student is pursuing research credits or not. Students choose one of the following options (also outlined in the Notes section below).
- Thesis: 6 credits of and at least 9 credits of electives
- Project: 3 credits of and at least 12 credits of electives
- All coursework: at least 15 credits of electives
A list of approved electives for the structural engineering concentration is provided below. Note that the remaining structural engineering core courses can also be selected as electives.
▲Concentration in Transportation Engineering (TRNE)
Choose at least three of the following five transportation engineering core courses:
Electives
The remaining elective credits depend on whether the student is pursuing research credits or not. Students choose one of the following options (also outlined in the Notes section below).
- Thesis: 6 credits of and at least 9 credits of electives
- Project: 3 credits of and at least 12 credits of electives
- All coursework: at least 15 credits of electives
A list of approved electives for the transportation engineering concentration is provided below. Note that the remaining transportation engineering core courses can also be selected as electives.
Note:
Electives outside of the chosen concentration can only be taken or substituted with the approval of the faculty advisor.
Additional Notes on MS Project and MS Thesis
As part of the plan of study, students may elect to pursue research credits. MS Project
Students complete CEIE 798, during which they prepare and present a scholarly paper. The scholarly paper is a technical report on an independent study, laboratory or computer experimentation, or literature search on a current civil and infrastructure engineering topic selected under the guidance of a faculty advisor. CEIE 798 credits count toward the 30 credit hours required for the MS degree. MS Thesis
Students complete CEIE 799, which counts toward the 30 credit hours required for the MS degree. The MS thesis should reflect a significant, independent research effort that advances engineering science, and is worthy of publication. The work is conducted under the guidance of a faculty thesis advisor, and the final written thesis and oral defense are defended before a three-member faculty committee. In addition, students must make a satisfactory presentation of the thesis in the CEIE graduate seminar. The thesis is recommended for those students who wish to develop and document their research skills, or contemplate subsequent enrollment in a PhD program. Students are advised of the university’s continuous registration requirement for thesis and dissertation research credits. Upon first enrolling in CEIE 799, the student must continue registration for each fall and spring semester until the thesis is successfully completed. CEIE 799 credits count toward the 30 credit hours required for the MS degree.
Seminar Requirement
All degree candidates must attend a minimum of five graduate seminars approved by the CEIE Department for the degree program. Students must enroll in CEIE 795 each semester (fall and spring) for the duration of their MS studies until they receive a satisfactory (S) grade. This course is used to verify the seminar attendance requirement and is repeatable.
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