Civil Engineering Doctoral Program draft

Program Overview

Stevens Institute of Technology's Civil Engineering Doctoral Program equips students with expertise in smart structural systems, sustainable construction, hazard mitigation, and infrastructure rehabilitation. The program's interdisciplinary approach and strong faculty mentorship foster innovation and prepare graduates for leadership roles in addressing global infrastructure challenges.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Civil Engineering Doctoral Program at Stevens Institute of Technology is a research-focused program designed to equip students with the specialized expertise needed to address major infrastructure and geotechnical challenges worldwide. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary research, offering students the opportunity to collaborate with renowned faculty and fellow scholars to develop innovations in various areas of civil engineering, including:

• Smart structural systems
• Sustainable and resilient construction materials
• Hazard mitigation
• Infrastructure rehabilitation
The program provides a strong foundation in structural engineering, construction materials, and geotechnical engineering, integrating the latest knowledge in these fields. It fosters a collegial atmosphere for research and encourages national and international collaboration with other universities and research centers. The program requires 84 credits of graduate work beyond the bachelor's degree, with up to 30 credits from a master's program transferable. The remaining 54 credits include:
• 15 to 30 credit hours of coursework
• 30 to 45 credit hours of dissertation work

Coursework:

The program offers a wide range of courses covering various aspects of civil engineering, including:

• Advanced Construction Materials
• Structural Health Monitoring
• Structure Design and Analysis
• Geotechnical Engineering

Dissertation:

The dissertation is a significant component of the program, requiring students to conduct original research and make a significant contribution to the field. The dissertation must be worthy of publication in current professional literature.

Qualifying Examination:

Within two years of admission, students must take a qualifying examination to assess their basic knowledge and ability to critically analyze research literature.

Preliminary Examination:

Upon successful completion of the qualifying examination and required coursework, students must take an oral preliminary examination to evaluate their aptitude for advanced research and understanding of dissertation topics.

Doctoral Dissertation and Advisory Committee:

After successfully completing the preliminary examination and coursework, students become doctoral candidates and begin their dissertation research. A dissertation advisory committee guides and supports students throughout the research process.

Other:

Stevens Advantage:

The program's location in the heart of the New York City metropolitan area provides students with unparalleled insight into the role of civil engineers in shaping urban environments. Graduates routinely receive job offers before graduation due to the high demand for their knowledge and experience.

Faculty:

The program boasts a strong faculty of renowned researchers, including:

• Yi Bao: Developing LEGO®-inspired, cement-based, modular building bricks to improve construction project structure, safety, and sustainability.
• Weina Meng: Transforming calcium-silicate-hydrate to achieve unprecedented mechanical properties in cement.
• Kaijian Liu: Researching resilient and equitable civil infrastructure systems and communities, developing dynamic and machine learning models of flooding to protect vulnerable populations.

Assessment:

Qualifying Examination:

• Assesses basic knowledge and critical analysis of research literature.

Preliminary Examination:

• Evaluates aptitude for advanced research and understanding of dissertation topics.

Dissertation Defense:

• Public presentation and defense of original research findings.

Teaching:

Faculty Mentorship:

• Students receive strong mentorship from renowned faculty members who are major grant recipients, patent holders, and editors of prestigious journals.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration:

• The program fosters a collaborative research environment, encouraging students to work with faculty and fellow scholars across disciplines.

Careers:

Career Opportunities:

• Graduates are highly sought after by companies in the metropolitan area and beyond.
• Potential career paths include:
• Structural Engineer
• Construction Materials Engineer
• Geotechnical Engineer
• Research Scientist
• Consultant

Outcomes:

• Graduates are well-prepared to make significant contributions to the field of civil engineering.
• They possess the knowledge, skills, and experience to address complex infrastructure and geotechnical challenges.