Program Overview

Civil Engineering, PhD

The Civil Engineering PhD program at the University of Tennessee offers students the opportunity to become experts in a subdiscipline of civil engineering. This program allows students to delve into cutting-edge research and practical application of studies that fascinate them. Whether students want to improve roadways for the masses or design drainage systems for cities, they will be innovators of the future.

Program Overview

Civil engineering is a varied discipline, offering opportunities in a number of areas. Through the PhD program, students will focus their research in a specialized field, ranging from construction to environment to public works. During their time in the program, students will have access to state-of-the-art research centers and institutes, internationally-renowned faculty members, and a flourishing professional network.

Concentrations

Students must declare a concentration when acquiring a PhD in civil engineering. The options include:

• Climate Impacts Engineering
• Construction Engineering
• Energy Science and Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Geotechnical/Materials Engineering
• Public Works Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Transportation Engineering
• Water Resources Engineering

Why Study Civil Engineering at UT?

Without civil engineering, mankind wouldn’t be as advanced as we are. We wouldn’t have structured roadways, sturdy bridges, waste systems, or any of the other modern structures society uses on a daily basis. When students join the PhD program, they will become part of a leading research program that strives to expand the possibilities for future generations.

What can you do with a PhD in Civil Engineering after graduation?

After graduating with a PhD, students may wonder what comes next. Depending on what subdiscipline of civil engineering they studied, they could go on to work for a utility company, consulting firm, or telecommunication business. They could also work for manufacturers, governments, or in academia.

Featured Courses

Below are some of the courses that students in the program can choose to take.

• CE 521 Pavement Design: In this class, students will learn about empirical and theoretical based methods of pavement design and analysis, strengthening existing pavements, pavement distress, and economical design alternatives.
• CE 548 Sustainable Transportation: Sustainability in the context of the transportation system including all aspects of sustainability that focus on environment, equity, and economy.
• CE 551 Traffic Engineering Characteristics: This course covers the characteristics of human, vehicle, and roadway in transportation systems.
• ENVE 511 Environmental Chemistry: Learn about the fundamental and quantitative treatment of chemical processes that govern the formation, fate, and treatment of pollutants in natural and engineered systems.

Related Programs

Check out a list of related programs to look into based on interest in aerospace engineering:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Materials Science and Engineering

Admissions and Aid

Choosing the right university to pursue an engineering degree is an important decision—and a significant investment. The university wants to make sure that students have the information they need to both apply and make attending UT affordable.

• Explore tuition and cost
• Financial aid opportunities