Program Overview

Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy in Civil and Infrastructure Engineering was created to prepare students for advanced leadership positions in research and development in the public or private sector, academics, or government. Students may elect to study in the areas of: construction engineering and management, environmental and water resources engineering, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, or transportation engineering.

Admissions

Requirements

• Official transcript of undergraduate and graduate course work
• For applicants whose official language is not English, official TOEFL scores which meet the minimum requirements set by the College of Engineering and Computing
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals knowledgeable about the applicant's professional or academic work (at least two of the letters should be from individuals with doctorates)
• Recent professional résumé
• Substantial statement of interest that includes a description of the specific area of proposed dissertation research, contacts the student has made with potential faculty advisors, and an explanation of career and research goals

Admission decisions will be based on the student's qualifications, the availability of a faculty advisor, and the faculty advisor's approval in their proposed area of research.

Policies

Transfer of Credit

Students must complete a minimum of 72 graduate credits. A maximum of 30 credits from a completed master's degree in civil engineering or other related fields may be applied to this program. Transfer of credit requires the approval of the program director or designee and the dean or designee of the school.

Program Requirements

The PhD in Civil and Infrastructure Engineering requires 72 graduate credits. Admitted students are expected to hold at a minimum a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering or a degree in a closely-related engineering or science field.

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 72

Doctoral Coursework

A minimum GPA of 3.50 is required and no C grades are allowed for the coursework earned beyond the MS. A detailed plan of study will be prepared for each student upon acceptance into the program and in consultation with the faculty advisor.

Required Courses

• CEIE 800: Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering Colloquium (must be taken at least twice)
• CEIE 990: Civil and Infrastructure Dissertation Topic Presentation
• Select one from the following:
  • CEIE 603: Research Methods in Civil Engineering
  • CEIE 796: Directed Reading

Courses Chosen with Advisor

• Courses, especially in the student's technical interest area, chosen in consultation with his or her advisor (minimum) 1
• Total Credits: 12

Qualifying Exam

The PhD qualifying exam is offered twice a year prior to the start of the fall and spring semesters. The qualifying exam is intended to test students' breadth of knowledge at the MS level in their research area and to evaluate readiness for research.

Dissertation Research

Students become eligible for CEIE 998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal upon passing the qualifying exam. Upon admission to candidacy, which requires satisfactory preparation and defense of a dissertation proposal, students may register for CEIE 999 Doctoral Dissertation.

Dissertation Committee

A dissertation committee is formed upon successful completion of the qualifying exams. The dissertation committee is composed of at least four members, including the student’s advisor.

Dissertation Proposal Preparation and Advancement to Candidacy

After successfully passing the qualifying exams and forming of a dissertation committee, the student may register for CEIE 998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal research credits and begin preparation of the dissertation research proposal.

Dissertation Research and Defense

On successful completion of the dissertation proposal, students are to conduct original research under the guidance of their dissertation director and dissertation committee members.

Teaching Opportunities

All PhD students are encouraged to participate in teaching activities in consultation with their major advisors. Teaching opportunities include presenting lectures, conducting recitation sessions, serving as a teaching assistant, working as a laboratory assistant, participating in teaching workshops, preparing course materials, and other related activities approved by the student’s advisor.