Graduate Programs

An undergraduate degree in engineering or related disciplines with a "B" average from an accredited college or university is generally required for graduate study in civil, environmental and ocean engineering. It is required that any applicants requesting assistantship appointments, and applicants to the Ph.D. program, provide GRE scores as well as evidence of ability to carry out independent work. Examples of such evidence include a description of master?s degree thesis work and/or completed work-related projects. GRE scores are not otherwise required but may be submitted in support of the application. International students must demonstrate their proficiency in the English language prior to admission by scoring at least 550 (213 computer based) on the TOEFL examination. Applications for admission from qualified students are accepted at any time. Major areas of current faculty research include hazard mitigation and infrastructure rehabilitation, computational mechanics, solid and structural mechanics, structural dynamics, marine structures and probabilistic modeling.

Master's Programs

The Master of Engineering degree is offered in two specific programs. The programs normally require 30 credit hours of course work. A thesis is optional and may be substituted for five to ten credit hours of course work. The thesis option is strongly recommended for full-time students, those receiving financial support or those planning to pursue doctoral studies.

Master of Engineering - Civil Engineering

 For a concentrations in the area of structural engineering, the student must complete core courses as follows:

• CE 519 Advanced Structural Analysis

  Close Advanced Structural Analysis Analysis of structures using methods of work, slope deflection and moment distribution; force acceleration and energy methods; variable moments of inertia; continuous beams, trusses and frames; arch analysis; plasticity and limit design; slab and shell structures.

• CE 579 Advanced Reinforced Concrete Structures

  Close Advanced Reinforced Concrete Structures Ultimate Strength Design of beams, deep beams, slender columns, walls, two-way and plate slabs.  Study of bending, shear, torsion, deflections, shrinkage, creep and temperature effects.  Code Requirements.

• CE 595 Geotechnical Design

  Close Geotechnical Design .   A design oriented course in which geotechnical engineering principles are applied to the computer-aided design of shallow and pile foundations, bulkheads and retaining walls.  The course also deals with advanced soil mechanics concepts as applied to the determination of lateral earth pressures needed for the design of retaining walls.

• CE 660 Advanced Steel Structures

  Close Advanced Steel Structures Ultimate Strength Design, deep beams, torsion, deflections, shrinkage, creep and temperature effects, biaxially loaded columns, slender columns, walls, two-way and plate slabs.

• CE 681 Introduction to Finite Element Methods

  Close Introduction to Finite Element Methods A concise introduction for advanced undergraduate and graduate engineering students.  Includes numerical discretization, finite-differences, variational principle, weighted residual method, Galerkin approximations, continuous and piecewise-defined basis functions, finite-element methods, computer coding of one-dimensional problems, triangular elements - coding of two-dimensional problems, time-dependent problems.

Master of Science - Maritime Systems

This concentration provides knowledge of the specific structure types and design analyses associated with port systems. Students are given instruction in the various design and maintenance considerations unique to the marine and inland waterway environments. Students acquire skill in using state-of-the-art design tools, including computer and physical models of maritime structures. The Davidson Laboratory?s internationally known wave and towing tank facilities are utilized in the delivery of this instruction. All students in the program must complete ten courses comprised of five core courses and five elective courses selected from the list below. Up to six elective credits may be taken in lieu of course credits towards a relevant project.

• OE 622 Design of Port Structures I

  Close Design of Port Structures I This course introduces students to the fundamentals of port structures design, including design codes, guidelines, and functional requirements. Students are instructed in optimization procedures for port and marine terminal layout, including issues related to navigation channels and dredging, shore infrastructure and utilities, land reclamation, and environmental and economic considerations. Structural, geotechnical, and materials considerations are discussed for a variety of environmental conditions, including extreme wave and current environments, ice, and seismic loading. Examples and case studies from actual port design projects are utilized to a great extent in the delivery of the course material.

• OE 623 Design of Port Structures II

  Close Design of Port Structures II This course instructs students in the functional design of the various components of ports and marine terminals, including steel, concrete, timber, and stone structures. Students are introduced to the detailed design procedures for a variety of structure types, including bulkheads and piers, fender and mooring systems, and breakwaters and revetments. Special considerations such as sedimentation/dredging, structure inspection and rehabilitation, vessel motions, and port downtime are discussed. Students receive instruction in the use of computer and physical model studies in support of structure design. Environmental and permitting issues are discussed.

• OE 589 Coastal Engineering

  Close Coastal Engineering An introductory course covering the fundamental principles of coastal engineering. The initial stages of the course are intended to provide an understanding of the physics of the coastal environment. Topics will include basic wave theory (wave generation, refraction, diffraction, and shoaling), wave prediction techniques, tides and coastal circulatio, and sediment transport. The latter stages of the course will be devoted to the application of these basic principles, such as stabilization and harbor development. The course will culminate in a substantial design project, which will incorporate all aspects of the course material, ranging from the estimation of design wave conditions to the actual design of a shore protection structure. Prerequisite: MA 227 or the equivalent, Fluid Mechanics.

• MT 533 Environmental Degradation of Materials

  Close Environmental Degradation of Materials The thermodynamics and kinetics of electrochemical cells, voltage-current relationships during corrosion and passivation. Stress corrosion, degradation of ceramics, polymers and composites, high-temperature corrosion and wear of materials.

• CE 530 Nondestructive Evaluation

  Close Nondestructive Evaluation This course will introduce principles and applications of Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) techniques, which are important in design, manufacturing, and maintenance.  Most commonly used methods such as ultrasonic, magnetic, radiography, penetrates, and eddy currents will be discussed.  Physical concepts behind each of these methods as well as practical examples of their applications will be emphasized.

• CE 519 Advanced Structural Analysis

  Close Advanced Structural Analysis Analysis of structures using methods of work, slope deflection and moment distribution; force acceleration and energy methods; variable moments of inertia; continuous beams, trusses and frames; arch analysis; plasticity and limit design; slab and shell structures.

• CE 681 Introduction to Finite Element Methods

  Close Introduction to Finite Element Methods A concise introduction for advanced undergraduate and graduate engineering students.  Includes numerical discretization, finite-differences, variational principle, weighted residual method, Galerkin approximations, continuous and piecewise-defined basis functions, finite-element methods, computer coding of one-dimensional problems, triangular elements - coding of two-dimensional problems, time-dependent problems.

Doctoral Program

The program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree is designed to develop the student's capability to perform research or high-level design in civil, environmental or ocean engineering. Admission to the doctoral program is made through the departmental graduate admissions committee, based on review of the applicant's scholastic record. A master?s degree is required before a student is admitted to the doctoral program. One master?s level academic performance must reflect your capability to pursue advanced studies and perform independent research.  Ninety credits of graduate work in an approved program of study beyond the bachelor?s degree are required for completion of the doctoral program. Up to 30 credits obtained in a master?s program can be included in this program. Of the remaining 60 credits, 15 to 30 credit hours of course work as well as 30 to 45 credit hours of dissertation work are required. Within two years from time of admission, a student must take a qualifying examination that tests his/her ability to critically analyze the research literature. Upon satisfactory performance in the qualifying examination, and completion of the required course work, (s)he must take an oral preliminary examination. This examination is primarily intended to evaluate the student's aptitude for advanced research and examine his/her understanding of the subjects associated specifically with the dissertation topics. Upon satisfactory completion of the preliminary examination and all course work, a student will become a doctoral candidate and start his/her dissertation research. Doctoral research work must be based on an original investigation and the results must make a significant, state-of-the-art contribution to the field, and must be worthy of publication in current professional literature. At the completion of the research, a student must defend his/her thesis in a public presentation.

Civil Engineer Degree

To be qualified to enter the civil engineer degree program, a student must have completed a master?s degree in engineering. The degree candidate must also demonstrate professional competence by having at least two years of responsible industrial experience in one of the areas of civil engineering. The industrial experience is to be completed prior to entering the program or in the process of being satisfied upon entering the program. Thirty credits beyond the master?s degree are required for the degree of civil engineer. Eight to 15 of those credits must be on a design project. A student will be assigned an advisor who will help him/her develop a study plan and who will supervise his/her design project. The study plan, which should include details of the professional experience and of the design project, must be submitted to the departmental committee on the civil engineer degree for approval. Upon completion of the design project, (s)he will submit a written report to the departmental committee for approval, and the student will be required to take an oral examination on the substance of the design project.