Program Overview

Master of Science in Civil Engineering

The Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE) program at the University of Sharjah is designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in civil engineering. The program is officially accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

Introduction

Civil Engineering is a vital profession in the development of cities and societies. Civil Engineers are involved in the planning, analysis, design, and problem-solving of a variety of projects that directly serve the needs of societies for buildings, bridges, roads, water supply systems, dams, canals, sanitation systems, environmental protection systems, and risk management systems.

Program Objectives

The overall objective of the Master's Program is to provide the opportunity for qualified engineers to advance their knowledge and knowledge discovery skills in the modern civil engineering specializations. The program supports the development of quality and relevant research, especially applied research. In addition, the program aims to satisfy the demand for highly educated professionals who can contribute to and lead the scientific and technological development of the UAE and the region.

Program Structure

The MSCE Program requires completion of 33 credit hours, which consists of 24 credit hours of course work in addition to 9 credit hours of thesis. The courses in the curricula are distributed among three sets of requirements:

• Compulsory General Courses Requirements (courses taken by all students in the program)
• Compulsory Specialized Courses Requirements (courses taken by students in their respective stream/area of specialization in the program)
• Elective Courses Requirements (courses taken by students from a list/basket of courses)

Specialization Streams

The MSCE Program offers two broad specialization streams (areas) with optional concentration areas within the streams:

1. Structural Systems Engineering Stream, with the following concentration areas:

• Structural Engineering
• Materials & Construction Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering

2. Infrastructure Systems Engineering Stream, with the following concentration areas:

• Environmental Engineering
• Water Resources Engineering
• Transportation Engineering

Course Requirements

The minimum degree requirement is 33 credit hours distributed as follows:

• Compulsory General Courses: 9 credits
• Compulsory Specialized Courses: 9 credits
• Elective Courses: 6 credits
• Graduate Seminar: 0 credits
• Thesis: 9 credits

Course Descriptions

The course descriptions are grouped in relation to the discipline and area of specialization. Some of the courses include:

• Advanced Applied Engineering Mathematics
• Applied Engineering Statistics
• Buildings, Energy and Health
• Finite Element Methods
• Advanced Numerical Methods
• Advanced Structural Mechanics
• Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering
• Advanced Behavior & Design of Concrete Structures
• Advanced Structural Steel Design
• Advanced Topics in Structural Engineering
• Traffic Flow Theory
• Applied Traffic Operations
• Urban Transportation Planning
• Intelligent Transportation Systems
• Advanced Topics in Transportation Engineering
• Advanced Concrete Technology
• Advanced Materials in Construction
• Cost Analysis for Construction Projects
• Management of Construction Projects
• Advanced Topics in Construction and Materials
• Fluvial Hydraulics
• Mathematical Hydrology
• Water Resources Planning & Management
• Hydraulic Structures
• Advanced Topics in Environmental & Water Resources Engineering
• Environmental Geotechnology
• Advanced Geotechnical Engineering
• Soil Improvement
• Soil Dynamics
• Advanced Topics in Geotechnical Engineering
• Water Quality Engineering
• Wastewater Treatment and Reuse
• Unit Operations in Environmental Engineering
• Environmental Impact Assessment and Risk Analysis
• Advanced Topics in Environmental Engineering
• Independent Studies in Civil Engineering
• Highway Safety Analysis
• Advanced Pavement Analysis and Design
• Infrastructure Planning & Management
• Graduate Seminar
• Master Thesis

Admission Requirements

To check admission requirements, please refer to the University's admission policies.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the MSCE Program will be able to fulfill the following educational objectives:

• Successfully assume leading roles in professional practice, and research and development.
• Contribute to fulfilling the specialized needs of the civil engineering and related industries in the UAE and the region using their acquired advanced knowledge and skills.
• Pursue scientific inquiry and lifelong learning opportunities, actively participate in scientific and professional activities, and undertake further research and doctoral studies in civil engineering or related areas.
• Embrace the principles of professional ethics, environmental consciousness and sustainability, personal responsibility, and service to the community.

Upon successful completion of the MSc in Civil and Environmental Engineering, the student will have developed:

• Ability to apply advanced mathematical, analytical and numerical techniques to formulate and solve complex civil engineering problems.
• Ability to conduct independent research to solve challenging problems and contribute to the body of knowledge in a specialized area of civil engineering.
• Ability to synthesize and integrate advanced technical knowledge from various civil engineering and related disciplines including traditional and emerging knowledge.
• Ability to evaluate and design complex systems, components or processes to meet desired needs that appropriately accounts for the global, environmental, and socio-economical aspects.
• Ability to lead teams and work on the planning, management, analysis, and design of related civil engineering projects.
• Ability to integrate environmental and sustainability factors with management concepts and leadership principles for effective and professional practice of civil engineering.
• Ability to effectively communicate technically complex ideas, concepts, and research findings orally and in writing to the professional and scientific community.
• Ability to value the principles of professional ethics and practices, contemporary issues, and personal responsibility in serving the community and the profession.
• Ability to adopt the latest relevant knowledge through life-long learning process.