find a phd civil engineering

Civil & Environmental Engineering PhD

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at Berkeley is a place of intellectual vitality. This vitality is evident in its creative and forward-looking curricula and classroom teaching, its attentive academic mentoring, and the innovative research conducted by students and faculty.

CEE focuses on developing future leaders for the engineering profession, for academia, and for applying engineering methods in the broader societal context. CEE conducts cutting-edge research, defining what constitutes the evolving domain of civil and environmental engineering.

We offer both Master's (the Master of Science and the Master of Engineering ) and Doctoral degree programs. We support seven programs of study for the MS and the PhD, each of which has its own prerequisites for admission and degree requirements. CEE offers two programs of study for the MEng. CEE also offers three concurrent degree programs and two certificate programs.

Master of Engineering (MEng)

This professional degree emphasizes solving technical, sociological, environmental, and economic problems involved in the design, construction, and operation of engineering structures, processes, and equipment. Studies include courses in the engineering sciences necessary to the engineering interpretation of the latest scientific developments. Courses in design, operation, humanities, and economics provide a basis for the analysis and solution of problems in professional engineering.

Students in this degree program select either a concentration in Systems (Civil Systems) or Transportation Engineering (see above descriptions). There are options for either full-time or part-time enrollment.

CEEs MEng program is offered in conjunction with the Fung Institute for Engineering Leadership .

Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

These degrees emphasize the application of the natural sciences to the analysis and solution of engineering problems. Advanced courses in mathematics, chemistry, physics, and the life sciences are normally included in a program that incorporates the engineering systems approach for analysis of problems.

Students in these degree programs select one of the following seven concentrations:

1. Construction Systems: Construction is a large, vital, and exciting field now disrupted by deep technology like AI, robotics, embedded sensors and nano-materials. The industry is reshaping itself for example by increased use of modular and off-site production with radically new supply chains, virtualization and development of digital twins, and innovative management thinking such as Lean Construction.This program will educate you to lead tomorrows automation of the construction industry.

You will learn to leverage these disruptions to realize the next generation of adaptable, resilient, sustainable smart buildings and infrastructure. We teach construction systems as a computational and management science, integrating technology with applications for example to realize state-of-the-art structural and geotechnical designs, to launch you as a technologist, entrepreneur, researcher, academic, or management professional geared to drive construction industry transformation.

Our curriculum includes:

Construction viewed as a socio-technical system including its data science, optimization, and simulation aspects,

Construction viewed as a project-based production system including its organizational, financial, planning, control, legal, and contractual aspects,

Integration with structural and geotechnical design,

Technology including the use of robots, cloud computing, machine learning, sensing, scanning, and information modeling such as BIM and VDC,

Large-scale systems thinking including societal-scale mobility, energy flows, and urban forms,

The freedom to take courses in other disciplines.

Our graduates find a wide range of employment opportunities in private industry and in the public sector, for example in tech companies, consulting, design, building, transportation, and industrial construction firms, as well as in public- and private owner organizations, both domestically as well as internationally.

As we are located in the San Francisco Bay Area the center of major local, national, and international construction activity our Program is strongly interlinked with industry. Our class projects and research leverage the ability to go observe as well as study specific local and international projects. We draw on examples from residential-, commercial building-, industrial-, and heavy/civil construction throughout our curriculum. We also invite industry practitioners to present guest lectures describing industry challenges and solutions.

2. Energy, Civil Infrastructure and Climate: Energy, climate, and infrastructure systems are closely tied together, and these connections manifest in many forms. Our society cannot function without energy and infrastructure systems. Energy systems with the lowest possible greenhouse gas footprint are a key to mitigating climate change. Civil infrastructure systems are a backbone of society, and they are also major users of energy that needs to be reduced for a more sustainable development.

The objective of the Energy, Civil Infrastructure and Climate (ECIC) Program is to educate a cadre of professionals who will be able to analyze from engineering, environmental, economic, and management perspectives complex problems such as energy efficiency of buildings, environmentally informed design of transportation systems, embodied energy of construction materials, electricity from renewable sources, and biofuels, and address such overarching societal problems as mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation of infrastructure to a changing climate. ECIC also promotes research at the intersection of energy, infrastructure and climate science.

3. Engineering and Project Management: The Engineering and Project Management (E&PM) Program educates professionals to become leaders in managing projects and companies in Architecture-Engineering-Construction (AEC) and in other industries. E&PM graduates find a wide range of employment opportunities in private industry and in the public sector, for example in engineering consulting-, building-, transportation-, and industrial construction firms, as well as in public- and private owner organizations, both domestically as well as internationally.

As infrastructure systems become more complex, tomorrow's industry leaders must add innovative management thinking to a solid foundation in design and construction. The E&PM Program is uniquely specialized in teaching and researching such new management concepts as Lean Construction, Cost and Schedule Forensics, and Sustainability Engineering. Our teaching and research emphasizes new concepts, technologies, developments, and techniques applicable to both domestic and international project and corporate management. The Program emphasizes the interrelationships of all life-cycle components: planning, design,manufacturing, construction, operation, maintenance, and re-purposing/decommissioning.

As we are located in the San Francisco Bay Area-the center of major local, national, and international project management and construction activity-our Program is strongly interlinked with industry. Our class projects and research leverage the ability to go observe as well as study specific local and international projects. We draw on examples from commercial building-, industrial-, and heavy/civil construction throughout our curriculum. We also invite industry practitioners to present guest lectures describing industry challenges and solutions.

4. Environmental Engineering: Management of environmental resources to protect human health and the systems that support life is one of the biggest challenges facing modern society. In recognition of the interdisciplinary nature of these challenges, Berkeley's Environmental Engineering Program provides you with the education needed to address current and future environmental issues. Graduate coursework and research is focused in three Areas of Emphasis :

• Air Quality Engineering (AQE)
• Environmental Fluid Mechanics and Hydrology (EFMH)
• Water Quality Engineering (WQE)

You are encouraged to develop a broad set of problem-solving skills through courses and research in related fields such as:

• Berkeley Atmospheric Sciences Center
• Earth and Planetary Sciences
• Energy & Resources Group
• Environmental Science, Policy & Management
• Integrative Biology
• Mechanical Engineering
• Plant & Microbial Biology
• School of Public Health

5. GeoSystems : The GeoSystems Program encompasses a broad area of teaching and research in geotechnical and geological engineering, environmental geotechnics, and applied geophysics. The focus is on the evaluation of engineering properties of geologic materials and on providing engineering solutions for dealing with geologic environment and processes, and natural hazards.

To this end we pursue studies of the mechanical behavior of soil and rock masses, laboratory and field characterization of material properties, development and application of geophysical techniques for site and subsurface characterization, development of advanced analysis methods, and evaluation of static and dynamic (seismic) performance of soil deposits, earth structures, and underground space.

The GeoSystems graduate program has a long tradition of excellence and its graduates are leaders in the industry and academia. The strength and breadth of Berkeley's GeoSystems is enhanced by close ties with faculty in other areas of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences. Close interaction of the faculty with consulting companies and practitioners also provides opportunity for exposure to the state-of-the-art practice through invited lectures and site visits to ongoing engineering projects in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Due to the broad interdisciplinary nature of the field we welcome students with a wide range of backgrounds in Engineering and Earth Sciences.

6. Structural Engineering, Mechanics, and Materials: CEE's Structural Engineering, Mechanics, and Materials (SEMM) Program has an international reputation for excellence. Many of the fundamental developments underlying the state-of-the-art in structural engineering, mechanics, and materials were pioneered by SEMM faculty and students. This tradition of excellence continues today through vigorous programs of basic and applied research, and careful attention to instruction.

The active involvement of SEMM faculty in the forefront of research projects and in the solution of challenging real world engineering problems results in an instructional program that is up-to-date and relevant. SEMM offers excellent opportunities for study and research leading to advanced degrees in the areas of structural analysis and design, mechanics of structures and solids, and materials in structures and construction.

The curriculum provides a strong basis for advanced professional practice, research, or teaching. Programs of study can be tailored easily to fit individual needs and interests, whether broad-based and multidisciplinary, or narrowly focused and highly technical. Graduates from the SEMM Program have gone on to become world leaders in private practice, government service, education, and research.

7. Systems (Civil Systems): The focus of the Systems Engineering Program (Systems) is understanding complex large-scale systems and developing tools for their design and operation. Such systems encompass built elements in the broad sense (infrastructures transportation, structures, etc.), societal systems (social networks, populations enterprises), and natural systems (land water, air). These systems are at the core of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the 21st Century.

The understanding of how such systems work requires knowledge about the constitutive laws that govern them, such as traffic flow, fluid mechanics, structural mechanics, and smart networks. It also requires an understanding of the theoretical paradigms that are used to model, control and optimize such systems. These include the theories of computation, control theory, optimization, behavioral economics, sensor networks, statistics, and signal processing.

In response to these challenges, the Systems Program provides courses that cover both field knowledge and technical/theoretical tools. This is reflected in the curriculum. We offer masters and doctoral degree programs providing the key skills, e.g., technological, mathematical, or social scientific, as well as the knowledge for a broad range of engineering domains. Our graduates lead the next generation of research, start-ups, industrial corporations, and public-sector organizations.

8. Transportation Engineering: Graduate study in transportation at the University of California, Berkeley prepares you for a professional, teaching, and research career. Emphasis is on the acquisition of advanced knowledge concerning planning, design, operations, maintenance, rehabilitation, performance, and evaluation of transportation systems, including their economic and public policy aspects. The program stresses development of analytic, problem-solving, design, and management skills suitable for public and private sector professional work.

Transportation Engineering faculty with diverse backgrounds and research interests, including emeriti professors, teach transportation courses. In addition, faculty from City and Regional Planning , Economics , Industrial Engineering and Operations Research , Business Administration , Political Science , and other departments offer courses related to transportation.

Students also have the opportunity to work and interact with research staff at the Institute of Transportation Studies .

Students in the PhD program have the option of pursuing a designated emphasis (DE) to supplement their study.

Concurrent Degrees

The concurrent degree program is a formal arrangement of two existing, but separate, master's degree programs, which result in the students earning two masters degrees. CEE offers the following concurrent degree programs:

• Program in Structural Engineering and Architecture (MArch/MS)
• Program in Transportation Engineering and City and Regional Planning (MCP/MS)
• Any CEE graduate program and Public Policy (MPP/MS)

For further information regarding these programs, please see the department's website .

Certificates

Certificate in Engineering and Business for Sustainability: The Engineering and Business for Sustainability (EBS) Certificate Program trains UC Berkeley graduate students to understand the complexity and urgency of their role in engineering, business, and environmental management, and to work across boundaries to achieve sustainable solutions to pressing societal problems. This program allows students to tap into multidisciplinary educational resources from the College of Engineering , Haas School of Business , Energy and Resources Group , Goldman School of Public Policy , College of Natural Resources , and the School of Public Health , to learn how to have a lasting beneficial impact on the global environment. This program is open to all Berkeley graduate students who meet the EBS Certificate course requirements. For further information regarding this program, see the department's website .

Certificate in Intelligent Transportation Systems: Jointly sponsored by CEE, the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering, this program is designed to assist students in studying ITS in a systematic and focused way. Faculty advisers help students design a personalized study program to meet their goals. For more information regarding this program, see the department's website .

Designated Emphasis

Berkeley Ph.D. students are eligible to pursue a Designated Emphasis as part of their doctoral studies. Common Designated Emphases for CEE doctoral students include:

• Computational and Data Science and Engineering
• Global Metropolitan Studies
• Development Engineering

A designated emphasis is a specialization, such as a new method of inquiry or an important field of application, which is relevant to two or more existing doctoral degree programs. You are required to complete the academic work in the area of specialization and all the requirements of the doctoral program. You must be admitted to the DE before taking the qualifying examination. A complete list of Designated Emphases is here .

Contact Info

[email protected]

760 Davis Hall

Berkeley, CA 94720

At a Glance

Department(s)

Civil & Environmental Engineering

Admit Term(s)

Application Deadline

December 11, 2023

Degree Type(s)

Doctoral / PhD

Degree Awarded

GRE Requirements

PhD Program

Main navigation, phd program in cee.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is offered under the general regulations of the University as set forth in the Stanford Bulletin. This degree is recommended for those who expect to engage in a professional career in research, teaching, or technical work of an advanced nature in civil or environmental engineering.

A PhD at Stanford requires a minimum of 90 units of graduate study beyond the Masters degree. PhD students who arrive at Stanford with a Masters degree that did not provide adequate background in their area of specialization may be required take additional units beyond this minimum as part of their PhD studies. Students who are directly admitted to the PhD without a Masters degree are required to take a total of 135 units of graduate study. The department requires CEE PhD students arriving without a Masters degree to take sufficient coursework each quarter, until the GQE is completed, to satisfy the requirements for a CEE Masters degree by the end of their 6th non-summer quarter of PhD studies. Once the GQE is completed, steady progress towards the MS is no longer required. PhD candidates should develop individually tailored study plans and expected-progress timetables in consultation with their thesis advisors. 

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering

Lead the way in ideating, designing and building tomorrow’s infrastructure, or educating future engineers.

Infrastructure has reached a tipping point where aging buildings, bridges, highways, waterways and other structures urgently need technical civil engineering expertise and new ideas to solve today’s challenges. A doctoral degree from UND offers the knowledge and skills you need to elevate your civil engineering skills and knowledge for greater opportunities in private and public sectors, or education.

Why earn a Ph.D. in civil engineering?

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

Civil engineers experience no shortage of exciting challenges, growth prospects and a wide range of fascinating specialties to choose from. For those pursuing academia, the opportunity to shape and mold future engineering minds will have an enormous impact on tomorrow's infrastructure designs and structures.

This UND graduate program offers the highest advanced study in civil engineering with opportunities to either choose a career path aimed at a senior-level manager or research leader position, or as an educator in higher education. You'll gain the highest level of skills and expertise related to your chosen specialty or area. Most Civil Engineering Ph.D. students are funded by GRA/GTA and provided with tuition waivers.

UND's Ph.D. in Civil Engineering

Elevate your skills with specialized training customized to meet your interests and goals.

Gain a broad-based education with a curriculum that includes traditional study, multidisciplinary exposure and high-quality research.

Work with a committed faculty team to discover the area of most interest, and explore research and opportunities.

Study at a Carnegie Doctoral Research Institution ranked #151 by the NSF. Students are an integral part of UND research.

Enhance your professional skills at 60+ free workshops offered through the UND School of Graduate Studies. Our goal is to provide you with the workforce skills and job search strategies to succeed.

Gain a competitive edge through UND's Accelerate to Industry (A2i) ™ program. This workforce readiness program provides immersive job training for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. It is one of only 30 programs nationwide.

What can you do with a Ph.D. in civil engineering?

Students gain the fullest understanding of engineering design with the advanced skills that many global companies in the public and private sector value in their search for top civil engineering talent. For those seeking a career in academia, a Ph.D. offers the ideal path to success.

UND graduates can expect a range of opportunities in many specialties such as:

• Project Management
• Construction
• Environmental
• Transportation
• Geotechnical

UND Civil Engineering alumni have gone on to a variety of successful careers with:

• Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson, Inc.
• WSB & Associates, Inc.
• Bolton & Menk, Inc.
• Burns & McDonnell, Inc.

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering Courses

CE 502. Structural Stability. 3 Credits.

Concept of stability; equilibrium and energy methods; stability of columns, beam columns, and frames; inelastic buckling; stability by slope deflection and matrix methods; use of codes for the stability design of aluminum and steel columns and frames; torsional and lateral torsional buckling of beams and beam columns. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of mechanics of materials; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and the CE graduate student blackboard site. On demand.

CE 503. Structural Dynamics. 3 Credits.

Single-degree and multi-degree of freedom systems; continuous systems; free and forced vibrations; harmonic and periodic excitations; viscous and non-viscous damping; pulse excitations; numerical methods for dynamic response; earthquake response of linear elastic buildings; structural dynamics in building codes. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of mechanics of materials and dynamics; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and the CE graduate student blackboard site. On demand.

CE 517. Transportation Asset Management. 3 Credits.

Course focused on the principles of transportation asset management with an emphasis on pavement management system (PMS). Network- and project-level pavement management processes will be discussed, but the emphasis will be on network-level. Bridge management system will also be covered. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of mechanics of materials and statistics; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and the CE graduate student blackboard site. F, even years.

CE 518. Pavement Engineering. 3 Credits.

Structural pavement design concepts for flexible and rigid pavements; traffic and environmental loading factors; material characterization; hot mix asphalt design and analysis concepts, SuperPave mix design method, stresses and strains in flexible and rigid pavements, joints and load transfer of rigid pavements, fast track concrete, and construction issues. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of soil mechanics; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and graduate student blackboard site; consent of instructor for undergraduate students. F.

CE 524. Open Channel Hydraulics. 3 Credits.

Study of advanced topics in open channel hydraulics. Computer applications. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of hydraulic engineering; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and the CE graduate student blackboard site. F.

CE 536. Environmental Chemistry. 3 Credits.

Water chemistry in unit Operation and process design for water and wastewater treatment; physical, chemical, and biological systems; plant design project, computer-assigned design analysis. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of introductory environmental engineering; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and the CE graduate student blackboard site. F.

Online Civil Engineering Ph.D.

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Intelligent

Flexible Online Civil Engineering Ph.D. Courses

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family, and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

• Lesson modules
• Streaming video content
• Virtual libraries
• Posted lectures
• Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls, and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Civil Engineering Ph.D. Research for Online Students

Online Civil Engineering Ph.D. candidates are expected to perform cutting edge research. You must be selected by a research faculty member to join their research group or act as advisor. You will be required to complete research work in person. The research facility could be at your own location depending on the project and thesis topic. You'll work with your faculty advisor to determine how much of the program can be completed online.

Top-Tier Civil Engineering Ph.D. Online

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs. No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

• Same degree:  All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) . Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
• Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
• Real interaction:  You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
• Your own academic advisor:  As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
• Free online tutoring:  We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
• Unlimited academic coaching:  Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
• Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
• 24/7 technical support:  UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
• Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

• Affordability
• Student satisfaction (retention rate)
• Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
• Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

Check out the faculty you'll work with at UND or discover additional education opportunities.

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Ph.D. Program

The doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) program is an intensive research where each student plans an individualized course of study with the assistance of a special committee made up of faculty members representing major and minor areas of study.

Candidates for the Ph.D. degree are expected to demonstrate mastery of knowledge in a specific subject area in Civil and Environmental engineering and to synthesize and create new knowledge, making original and substantial contributions to their discipline in a timely fashion. Please see the  Assessment page  for further details. Program standards are set by the Graduate School and can be found within the Code of Legislation.

The application requirements, tuition rates, and deadline for the Ph.D. programs are listed on the Graduate School's website . We will start to accept applications for the Spring 2024 and Fall 2024 term in September. Applicants applying for Spring 2024 may be deferred to the Fall 2024 term.  Connect with us  to receive more information about future application deadlines.

Research Areas

Research in Civil & Environmental Engineering covers an extremely broad range of topics.

Environmental Fluid Mechanics and Hydrology M.S. & Ph.D.

Environmental processes m.s. & ph.d., environmental and water resource engineering m.s. & ph.d..

• Complex Systems Engineering M.S. & Ph.D.

Structural Engineering (Ph.D. only)

• Transportation Systems Engineering M.S. & Ph.D
• Financial Aid

All Ph.D. students are fully funded (tuition, stipend, and health insurance). The funding comes from a variety of sources including graduate research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and external and internal fellowships. All students are encouraged to apply for external fellowships where eligible . For policy and tax information, please visit the Graduate School financial aid page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

CEE FAQ Graduate School admissions FAQ Office of Global Learning (for international students) FAQ  

• Civil and Environmental Graduate Field Handbook

This handbook is intended as a guide for current and prospective CEE graduate students to map the procedures and forms necessary for successful completion of graduate research degree requirements. 

• Cornell Engineering Ph.D. Resources

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Engineers solve the world's most pressing problems and make an impact on people's life. It was my dream to contribute to the solution of the environmental problems all over the world, so I opted to become an environmental engineer as I entered college

Transportation Systems Engineering M.S. & Ph.D.

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Civil Engineering, Ph.D.

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Growing and established cities are continually meeting new infrastructure needs and maintaining older systems, such as highways, bridges, and airports. The School of Engineering's Ph.D. in Civil Engineering program produces graduates dedicated to enriching the field. Research-oriented and focused on the latest developments in the discipline, our program readies you for civil engineering research careers in the private sector. It also prepares you to teach at the university level, ensuring the most recent advancements in the field are shared with a new generation of civil engineers.

Concentrations

As a Ph.D. candidate, you will choose to concentrate in 1 of these sub-disciplines:

• structural materials and engineering
• geotechnical and geo-environmental engineering
• environmental and water resources engineering
• construction management and engineering
• highway and traffic engineering
• urban infrastructure systems

Other focus areas are possible and can be developed with the assistance of faculty advisers. All subject areas must be relevant to the degree sought, and a faculty member must be willing and able to guide your research.

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Urban Science Doctoral Track

• Admission to this program requires an MS in Civil Engineering or equivalent with a GPA of 3.5 or better (on a 0-4 scale).
• GRE scores are required for all full-time Ph.D. applicants.
• Foreign applicants must take the TOEFL examination and submit the results for consideration.

In criteria 1 and 2 above, the “equivalent" can be achieved in several ways. You may have an MS degree with a different title that covers substantially the same material. In more general terms, you must demonstrate that you have the equivalent of all undergraduate and masters-level coursework to be able to pursue doctoral-level work in the chosen major area, as well as in a minor area within the umbrella of civil engineering. Further, “equivalence” is evaluated based on the totality of your undergraduate and graduate record, not course-by-course. Thus, if you wish to pursue doctoral work in Environmental Engineering, for example, you must have the entire undergraduate and masters-level course background expected in Environmental Engineering, but you do not need to demonstrate such a background in structures.

Because admission to a Ph.D. program requires a relevant MS (or equivalent), applicants who have not yet achieved a master’s degree would normally be admitted as MS students. They are expected to earn an MS degree while completing their major and minor course requirements. In rare cases, an applicant with only a BS degree may be directly admitted into the Ph.D. program with the written approval of the department head.

Find out more about  Admission Requirements .

A maximum of 48 credits of approved graduate work may be transferred and applied to your degree requirements. They would be awarded on a course-by-course basis or by the transfer of an MS degree from another institution in satisfaction of 30 graduate credits. The latter requires a recommendation from the department’s Graduate Committee and the approval of the department head. Transfer credits must be approved by the academic adviser, the graduate coordinator, and the department head.

Every Ph.D. student upon admission is assigned an academic adviser, who is designated by the department head. Any member of the civil engineering faculty may be an academic adviser to a Ph.D. student. The first meeting should take place shortly after receiving an acceptance letter from the Admissions Office. During this first meeting the student’s Program of Study should be established. The Program of Study should include a list of the fundamental and advanced topics that will comprise the specific courses, the subject matter for the qualifying exam and possible research areas.

Program Requirements

Before becoming a candidate for the Ph.D., you must pass a qualifying examination. 

Immediately after you pass your qualifying exam, a Dissertation Committee will be formed. This panel of experts will guide your course of study and research work. You are required to submit and present a dissertation proposal. The culmination of your Ph.D. work will be the defense of the final draft of your dissertation. There are important requirements involved in the qualifying examination and dissertation processes.  One of these requirements is that your defense of the final draft of your dissertation must take place in-person at the Brooklyn Campus.

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• Doing a PhD in Civil Engineering

What Does a PhD in Civil Engineering Focus On?

If you wish to conduct research into something which has real impact and could directly benefit society on a daily basis, a PhD in Civil Engineering could be for you. Civil Engineering is a broad field that encompasses the design, construction and operation of the built environment which shapes our lives. From designing highways and building bridges to maintaining sewer systems and assessing flood risk, the work of civil engineers is fundamental to allowing cities to work the way they do.

A PhD in Civil Engineering provides you with the opportunity to work with emerging technology and industrial partners, and engage in research that has a direct impact on society. From assessing the accuracy of engineering codes and standards to developing novel approaches to the computational modelling of flood events, each Civil Engineering research project has a real-life application. Beyond this, doctoral study in Civil Engineering could allow you to operate in interdisciplinary research, work with a university’s industry partners, gain expertise and build a foundation for your career as an industry professional.

There are many branches of Civil Engineering, and graduates who wish to pursue doctorate study will have to choose a civil engineering specialization. Examples of popular civil engineering topics include:

• Structural Engineering – A PhD in structural engineering could look at how we can manage the impact of earthquakes on skyscrapers in areas of seismic activity to contribute to the development of resilient structures. Alternatively, this could be a local investigation into a single RC beam, and how reinforcement layout affects material behaviour.
• Geotechnical Engineering – Postgraduate research programmes here could involve assessing the accuracy of ground modelling techniques in different environments, or looking at how vibrations in the ground affect soil properties.
• Hydraulic and Fluid Dynamics – Doctoral research in fluid flow could revolve around coastal engineering or instead could focus on using computational software to model water flows associated with a hydroelectric dam. Other PhD students could focus on wind engineering and involve monitoring fluid flow in small scale wind tunnels built in a laboratory.
• Sustainability – A research project in sustainability could study sustainable design or the reliability of renewable energy sources and how they can be retrofitted into existing systems. Alternatively, a sustainability PhD research degree could look at the growing population and how this may affect city planning or urban development in the near and distant future.
• Environmental Engineering – Postgraduate study in this field could look at identifying potential effects of extreme weather events associated with climate change, such as flooding, and how we can prepare for them.
• Transportation Engineering – A doctoral degree in this branch may involve understanding traffic behaviour in different population densities, or evaluating the effectiveness of public transportation networks.
• Construction Engineering and Management – A PhD in construction management could involve a review of the effectiveness of UK legislation such as CDM 2015.

Browse Civil Engineering PhD Opportunities

From text to tech: shaping the future of physics-based simulations with ai-driven generative models, coventry university postgraduate research studentships, aerodynamics and noise of next-generation distributed propulsion system, high speed photography to investigate surface wear and fatigue in railway rail and wheel steels, improved understanding of the vaiont landslide based on refined modelling using updated geological information, minimum entry requirements for a phd in civil engineering.

The minimum academic entry requirements for a Civil Engineering doctorate programme are usually either a relevant first class honours degree, or a second class honours degree (undergraduate) with a relevant Master’s degree.

It is important that the applicant has a degree in a subject directly relevant to the PhD project. Typically, a Civil Engineering degree is preferred, however, the particular field of study often dictates this, for example: A research project studying geotechnical behaviour could accept degrees in Geography, Environmental Science, and Earth Science. Similarly, a research project modelling structural properties could accept degrees in Maths , Computing, and Physics . Universities also consider applicants with international equivalent qualifications.

Relevant work experience can improve your application. It is therefore advisable for current students, who are considering PhD study to complete internships or summer placements during their graduate study.

Beyond any degree requirement, prospective students also need to provide proof of their English Language ability. Universities will expect international students to have English Language Qualifications, for example, IELTS, TOEFL (iBT) or Pearson PTE scores. The exact score requirements of these exams will vary depending on the university, however typical requirements for a doctoral candidate are stated below:

How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD in Civil Engineering?

Full time Civil Engineering PhD programmes in the UK usually have a duration of 3 years, with part time programmes lasting 6 years. For a full time programme, the first year is normally a probationary year, where the PhD student is required to propose a PhD thesis in Civil Engineering. Upon acceptance, the research phase begins, which typically involves laboratory work, but due to the different civil engineering branches may involve the research students undertaking numerical modelling, programming/computation, or fieldwork. After submission of the PhD thesis, doctoral researchers are required to undergo an oral examination (Viva Voce) before being awarded their PhD degree.

During your project, your supervisor or relevant academic staff for your department may encourage you to present findings and produce papers. You are also likely to be required to attend training courses to progress your transferable skills development for your future career.

Costs and Funding

Annual tuition fees for a UK doctoral student applying to a 2021/22 PhD programme in Civil Engineering are around £4,000 to £5,000. For EU and overseas students, these tuition fees increase to around £20,000 to £24,000 per academic year. Part-time tuition fees are normally proportioned according to the research programme length.

There are many funding opportunities available for Civil Engineering PhDs. Most institutions have Centres for Doctoral Training in Civil Engineering, which offer a number of Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council ( EPSRC ) studentships to eligible applicants. These studentships and grants cover tuition fees and can provide a maintenance stipend and research travel expenses.

The British Federation of Women Graduates offers a number of scholarships to eligible female postgraduate students. There are also many scholarships for international Civil Engineering students, for example, doctoral candidates from the US can apply to scholarships such as the British Marshall Scholarship or the Fulbright student scholarships which cover the costs of studying a doctoral degree in the UK.

Postgraduate research students may also be eligible for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan overseen by the UK Government which can provide up to £25,000 for course fees and living costs associated with your research project.

PhD in Civil Engineering Salary and Career Paths

One of the main benefits of Civil Engineering is that the wide applications open up many varied career opportunities. PhD holders have problem solving skills that allow them to transfer into different industries, and it is not uncommon to see Civil Engineering doctorates working in finance, consultancy, engineering research careers and management.

Typical Civil Engineering jobs include:

• CAD Technicians
• Contractors
• Consultants
• Quantity Surveyors
• Project management

Within each of these jobs, there is a wide range of sub disciplines. For example, one contractor may work on the maintenance of wind turbines, whilst another may focus on excavations in marine environments. The typical starting salary for a graduate Civil Engineering role is around £25,000. With experience, this can increase to over £50,000. It should be noted that holding a PhD degree often allows for greater career progression and opens doors to unique and diverse opportunities, with greater levels of responsibility and innovation. Consequently, PhD applicants can expect a more lucrative salary to reflect their expertise.

Typical employers include civil engineering consultancies and contractors, gas and utility companies, government bodies (e.g. Network Rail or Highways England) and research institutes. Universities and other academic institutions are also common employers, as some doctoral students transition from their postgraduate research programme to a teaching role.

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Best Civil Engineering Programs

Ranked in 2023, part of Best Engineering Schools

For full rankings, GRE scores and student debt data,

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Here are the Best Civil Engineering Programs

University of california, berkeley, university of illinois urbana-champaign (grainger), georgia institute of technology, university of texas--austin (cockrell), stanford university, university of michigan--ann arbor, purdue university--main campus, virginia tech, carnegie mellon university (carnegie).

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Berkeley , CA

• # 1 in Civil Engineering
• # 3 in Best Engineering Schools

$11,700 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$26,802 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

2,673 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $135 for U.S. residents and $155 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $11,700... Read More »

Engineering school

Tuition and fees (master's).

$11,700 per year (in-state, full-time)

$26,802 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

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Urbana , IL

• # 2 in Civil Engineering
• # 11 in Best Engineering Schools

$19,320 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$36,798 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

3,812 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $70 for U.S. residents and $90 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $19,320 per... Read More »

$19,320 per year (in-state, full-time)

$36,798 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

Atlanta , GA

• # 3 in Civil Engineering
• # 5 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$14,064 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$29,140 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

4,784 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $75 for U.S. residents and $85 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $14,064 per... Read More »

$14,064 per year (in-state, full-time)

$29,140 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

Austin , TX

• # 4 in Civil Engineering
• # 7 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$10,554 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$19,320 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

2,395 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The Cockrell School of Engineering at University of Texas--Austin (Cockrell) has a rolling application deadline. The... Read More »

$10,554 per year (in-state, full-time)

$19,320 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

Stanford , CA

• # 5 in Civil Engineering  (tie)
• # 2 in Best Engineering Schools

$66,297 per year (full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

3,469 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $125 for U.S. residents and $125 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $66,29... Read More »

$66,297 per year (full-time)

Ann Arbor , MI

$29,466 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$55,276 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

3,800 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The College of Engineering at University of Michigan--Ann Arbor has a rolling application deadline. The application fee... Read More »

$29,466 per year (in-state, full-time)

$55,276 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

West Lafayette , IN

• # 7 in Civil Engineering  (tie)
• # 4 in Best Engineering Schools

$10,842 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$29,644 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

3,495 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The College of Engineering at Purdue University--Main Campus has a rolling application deadline. The application fee is... Read More »

$10,842 per year (in-state, full-time)

$29,644 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

Blacksburg , VA

• # 30 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$14,506 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$29,238 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

2,411 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $75 for U.S. residents and $75 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $14,506 per... Read More »

$14,506 per year (in-state, full-time)

$29,238 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

Pittsburgh , PA

• # 9 in Civil Engineering  (tie)

$52,100 per year (full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$2,172 per credit (part-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

4,843 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The Carnegie Institute of Technology at Carnegie Mellon University (Carnegie) has a rolling application deadline. The... Read More »

$52,100 per year (full-time)

$2,172 per credit (part-time)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge , MA

• # 1 in Best Engineering Schools

$57,590 per year (full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

3,222 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $75 for U.S. residents and $75 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $57,590 per... Read More »

$57,590 per year (full-time)

University of California--Davis

• # 34 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$13,915 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$29,017 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

1,266 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $135 for U.S. residents and $155 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $13,91... Read More »

$13,915 per year (in-state, full-time)

$29,017 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

Cornell University

Ithaca , NY

• # 12 in Civil Engineering  (tie)
• # 13 in Best Engineering Schools

$29,500 per year (full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$2,602 per credit (part-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

2,617 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The College of Engineering at Cornell University has a rolling application deadline. The application fee is $105 for... Read More »

$29,500 per year (full-time)

$2,602 per credit (part-time)

Northwestern University (McCormick)

Evanston , IL

• # 17 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$62,163 per year (full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$7,372 per credit (part-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

2,188 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $95 for U.S. residents and $95 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $62,163 per... Read More »

$62,163 per year (full-time)

$7,372 per credit (part-time)

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More Schools in this List (Alphabetical)

Arizona State University (Fulton)

• in Civil Engineering
• # 41 in Best Engineering Schools

$12,014 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$32,656 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

4,464 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $70 for U.S. residents and $115 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $12,01... Read More »

$12,014 per year (in-state, full-time)

$32,656 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

Auburn University (Ginn)

Auburn , AL

• # 55 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$10,386 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$31,158 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

636 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering at Auburn University (Ginn) has a rolling application deadline. The application... Read More »

$10,386 per year (in-state, full-time)

$31,158 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

Brigham Young University (Fulton)

• # 127 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$7,932 per year (LDS member, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$15,864 per year (Non-LDS member, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

424 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $50 for U.S. residents and $50 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $7,932 per... Read More »

$7,932 per year (LDS member, full-time)

$15,864 per year (Non-LDS member, full-time)

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena , CA

N/A TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

548 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $75 for U.S. residents and $100 for international students. The 2022 Ph.D. student-faculty ratio... Read More »

Case Western Reserve University (Case)

Cleveland , OH

• # 53 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$50,838 per year (full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$2,119 per credit (part-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

659 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The Case School of Engineering at Case Western Reserve University (Case) has a rolling application deadline. The... Read More »

$50,838 per year (full-time)

$2,119 per credit (part-time)

Clarkson University (Coulter)

Potsdam , NY

• # 168 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

198 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The Wallace H. Coulter School of Engineering at Clarkson University (Coulter) has a rolling application deadline. The... Read More »

Clemson University

Clemson , SC

• # 77 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$10,858 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$22,566 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

1,339 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences at Clemson University has a rolling application deadline... Read More »

$10,858 per year (in-state, full-time)

$22,566 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

Cleveland State University (Washkewicz)

• # 183-202 in Best Engineering Schools

$590 per credit (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$1,011 per credit (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

960 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The Washkewicz College of Engineering at Cleveland State University (Washkewicz) has a rolling application deadline... Read More »

$590 per credit (in-state, full-time)

$1,011 per credit (out-of-state, full-time)

Colorado School of Mines

Golden , CO

• # 52 in Best Engineering Schools

$17,676 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$39,618 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

1,150 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $75 for U.S. residents and $95 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $17,676 per... Read More »

$17,676 per year (in-state, full-time)

$39,618 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

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PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering

The Civil and Environmental Engineering PhD program at Northeastern University is flexible and may be adapted to any subject area in civil and environmental engineering. The Graduate School of Engineering also offers an interdisciplinary Doctor of Philosophy degree involving substantial work in two or more academic departments or disciplines ( Interdisciplinary Engineering, PhD ).

• Program Details
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• Degree Requirements - Advanced Entry
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Innovative Curriculum

Students admitted to the program are involved in cutting edge research, often interdisciplinary, in all areas of civil and environmental engineering. Awarding of the Doctor of Philosophy degree is based on ability to formulate, execute, and communicate original research as well as have strong performance in course work.

For more information on the structure and requirements of the doctoral program, please see the  Graduate Catalog or contact the Civil and Environmental Engineering Associate Chair for Graduate Studies.

• Ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems.
• Ability to explain and apply engineering principles.
• Ability to identify, motivate, formulate, and solve important problems, through original, independent, use-inspired scholarly research.

Funding is available for graduate students focused on research in the form of graduate research assistantships, graduate teaching assistantships, and fellowships.

• CEE Chair’s Select Stipend for Professional Development Awarded for merit, incoming Ph.D. students have the opportunity to receive for their personal professional development one-time  stipend funds of $5,000. These funds provide agency for the students to pursue significant professional development at key junctures in their program.
• CEE Professional Development Fund Once enrolled, all Civil and Environmental Engineering PhD students have the opportunity to apply to receive funds for reimbursement of allowable professional development expenses. These funds provide agency for the students to pursue additional professional development during their program.
• PhD Network Travel Funding Match The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering provides matching funding to the Ph.D. Network and research project for travel support, up to $500/student per year.
• CEE Department Graduate Awards and Ceremony Departmental awards for excellence in research, teaching, and leadership, with monetary honorariums, are awarded to selected MS and PhD students at the conclusion of each academic year at the CEE Graduate Awards Ceremony.

The department offers  Graduate Fellowships  to PhD and MS/PhD applicants. These prestigious Graduate Fellowships include integrated research and teaching to foster a comprehensive graduate education. All applicants are considered automatically for the fellowship program. It is strongly recommended that applicants interested in funding within the department via fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

• Tyler McCormack, PhD'24
• Nicholas Briggs, PhD'22
• Andrew Summerfield, PhD'21
• Nishant Yadav, PhD'23
• Sadia Khan, PhD'22
• Cassie Nickles, PhD'21
• Learn more.
• Scholarship Report

Experiential Learning

Northeastern combines rigorous academics with experiential learning and research to prepare students for real world engineering challenges including industry experience as part of the co-op program or an internship. The Cooperative Education Program , also known as a “co-op,” is one of the largest and most innovative in the world, and Northeastern is one of only a few that offers a Co-op Program for graduate students. Through this program, students gain professional experience employed in their field of interest as part of the academic curriculum. Northeastern has over 3,000 co-op employer partners in a wide variety of organizations, from large companies to entrepreneurial start-ups. Students can also participate in the university’s Experiential PhD program .

CEE PhD Workshop

To celebrate the outstanding work of our students, each year a workshop for PhD students is hosted by the department that includes a research expo, professional development presentations, panel discussions on academic and industry careers, and related topics.

Academic Advising

The Academic Advisors in the Graduate Student Services office can help answer many of your questions and assist with various concerns regarding your program and student record. Use the link below to also determine which questions can be answered by your Faculty Program Advisors and OGS Advisors.

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Admissions & Aid

Ready to take the next step? Review degree requirements to see courses needed to complete this degree. Then, explore ways to fund your education. Finally, review admissions information to see our deadlines and gather the materials you need to Apply.

Student News

Cee students receive ncsea foundation diversity in structural engineering scholarship.

CEE students Baiyu Chen, PhD’27, Shun Lei Yee, E’25, and Santa Flores Alvarez, MS’24, were named recipients of the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA) Foundation Diversity in Structural Engineering Scholarships.

COE Research Expo Displays Promising Work of PhD Students

The College of Engineering held a research expo to highlight the work of PhD students. Participants presented their research to a panel of judges and gained critical presentation and communication skills. They also displayed their research during the poster showcase and students were recognized with awards.

Engineers Without Borders Experience Leads to Pursuit of an MS in Engineering and Public Policy

Melanie Marino, MS in Engineering and Public Policy, and PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering, was drawn to advance her education in public policy after a trip with Engineers Without Borders to Tanzania, which required working with the local government to help a village with an unreliable supply of electricity.   

Sustainability and Data Sciences Laboratory Invited to Present at United Nations HQ

The Sustainability and Data Sciences Laboratory presented at a United Nations event on disaster risk reduction, highlighting the importance of data-driven climate resilience and resilient infrastructure.

PhD in Civil Engineering

The doctoral program in civil engineering is great preparation whether you hope to work in industry, academia, or elsewhere. You’ll be encouraged to pursue individual, independent lines of research depending on your interests. With the help of your faculty advisors, you’ll have the chance to make sure your coursework lines up with the areas of civil engineering you want to pursue most. 

Application information & deadlines

December 1, 2023.

For Fall 2024, applications received until January 2 will be considered for admission.

For Spring 2025 Admission

October 1, 2024, civil engineering.

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at the UMass Amherst College of Engineering awards MS and PhD degrees.

Environmental Engineering

Expand your skills in science and engineering for the protection of human health and the environment.

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Doctoral Degree

The doctor of philosophy degree.

The Ph.D. degree is for those students who have a major interest in developing deep knowledge of and performing independent, extensive research in their area of specialization, conducted in close collaboration with faculty. Students may apply directly to the Ph.D. program whether or not they have already obtained an MS degree, and many students start at UC Davis on the MS pathway and later transition to the Ph.D. program. Admission to the Ph.D. program is highly competitive, and requires the support of a faculty member. If you are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. degree, it is recommended that you contact faculty members who have research interests that align with yours.

View all PhD requirements here

Normative Time to Degree: 5.3 years

Measured from the time a student begins graduate study, with no prior graduate experience, the normative time to degree is approximately 5.3 years.

PhD Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission to Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) must meet the University of California minimum GPA requirement for admission (3.0 Undergraduate Cumulative GPA). Other requirements for admission include:

• A Bachelor’s degree ( or equivalent ) from an accredited institution;
• Three letters of recommendation;
• Official Transcripts with translation, if needed;
• TOEFL or IELTS: English proficiency examination for international applicants who have not studied at an institution where the language of instruction was in English. International applicants must meet minimum score requirement in the Graduate Studies Policy on the Implementation of Admission Requirements and Exceptions.
• The GRE is NOT required or accepted as part of our admissions 

While not formally required, applicants are strongly encouraged to communicate with potential research advisors (major professors) prior to admission to the program. It is essential that prospective students contact faculty in the CEE Program whose laboratories are conducting research in areas of CEE that the student wishes to pursue, in order to introduce themselves and inquire about faculty willingness to accept a new student in this degree program. This process of communicating with potential major professors should begin in the Fall and prior to the relevant applications deadline. Applicants should take the initiative to inquire about future research directions of laboratories, exchange research ideas with potential major professors, and make every effort to identify viable possibilities. While formal acceptance into a research group cannot occur prior to admission, contacts should be sufficiently developed such that at least tentative identification of a research advisor can be made as soon after the time of admission as possible.

The priority deadline, fellowship deadline, general deadline, and space available deadline are all posted online, and updated each year  on our page here . Applicants are encouraged to aim for the priority deadline. Admissions decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. 

Application Fee Wavier and Fellowships

PhD Applicants are especially encouraged to review the Graduate Preparation programs Fee Waiver and the COE Equity Program Fee Wavier Programs.  CEE also offers Fee Fellowships to students from the CSU and UC Systems . 

Concentrations:

• Computational Engineering
• Construction Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Interdisciplinary Ecological Science & Engineering
• Microbiology - PULSe

Faculty of Construction and Environment

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CEE PhD Students Won First Prize in The 2nd Kubuqi Award - International Desert Sustainable Development Proposal Competition

Congratulations to two of our talented PhD students, Miss Yang Qian and Miss Wang Yihua , on winning the First Prize in The 2nd Kubuqi Award: International Desert Sustainable Development Proposal Competition which took place from November 2023 to April 2024. Under the guidance of Dr Xiao-hao Sun, Research Assistant Professor of CEE, Miss Yang and Miss Wang presented their innovative proposal titled “ Bio-stimulation to form a biocrust layer for plant growth and sustainable ecosystem restoration ” with an inventive idea of utilizing Bio-stimulation technology to improve land degradation, promote plant growth, restore sustainable ecosystems, and effectively control sandstorms.  Organized by the Elion Foundation and Treelion Foundation, The Kubuqi Award has been a driving force in inspiring the younger generation to actively engage in environmental protection and sustainable development efforts. The competition places a special emphasis on the research and application of cutting-edge technology, empowering students to leverage innovation for a greener future.    Congratulations again to our talented students for their exceptional performance in The 2nd Kubuqi Award competition. Together, we continue to drive positive change and shape a more sustainable world for generations to come.

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Computer Science Degrees

Find the right degree for you.

University of California, Berkeley

Master of Advanced Study in Engineering

University of Colorado Boulder

Master of Science in Computer Science

University of London

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Master of science in cyber security.

Northeastern University

Master of Science in Data Analytics Engineering

University of Maryland Global Campus

Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Technology

Bachelor of science in cybersecurity management and policy, master of science in information systems, why pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science.

With a bachelor’s degree in computer science or your master’s degree in computer science , you can expect to take courses in programming, security, computer systems, data visualization, and much more. While a bachelor’s degree can be a great entry point into the subject matter, a master’s degree will deepen your understanding while allowing you the space to specialize in a more niched area, like artificial intelligence (AI), full stack web development, or cloud computing.

What’s more, when you enroll in a computer science degree program at either the undergraduate or graduate level, you’ll get an opportunity to build and strengthen several key technical and workplace skills, such as programming, software development, problem-solving, critical thinking, and time management. Learn more about why computer science is considered a good major and what you can do with your degree after graduating.

In the U.S., the average starting salary for college graduates is around $59,000. However, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers , computer science majors were projected to have the highest starting salaries for 2022, with an expected average over $75,000.

Benefits of getting a computer science degree on Coursera

Designed to fit your schedule.

All online degree programs are flexible, meaning you can complete coursework at your own pace while balancing your work and personal commitments.

Access world-class universities

Find affordable degree programs from an array of accredited universities. Learn from distinguished faculty and industry experts passionate about helping you achieve your goals.

Build in-demand job skills

Get job-ready with degree programs designed to develop real-world skills through hands-on learning experiences and industry partnerships.

Grow your network

Become part of a global learning community and establish strong relationships that can open new and unexpected opportunities throughout your career.

Browse by program level

Master's degrees, bachelor's degrees, postgraduate programs, what do computer science students have to say, find helpful articles related to computer science degrees, top 5 entry-level computer science jobs + how to get one (2024).

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Frequently asked questions

What is a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

A bachelor's degree in computer science is an undergraduate program that involves studying programming, computer and operating systems, databases and data structures, algorithms, and more. It’s an in-demand degree that emphasizes valuable skills such as analytical thinking and problem-solving, alongside a wealth of technical skills, all of which can lead to high-paying entry-level jobs . Learn more about whether computer science is a good major .

What is a master’s degree in computer science?

A master's degree in computer science is a graduate program focused on advanced concepts in computer science, such as software development, machine learning, data visualization, natural language processing, cybersecurity, and more. At this level, you’ll often choose a field to specialize in .

Computer science master’s programs build on your technical skill set while strengthening key skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and attention to detail. Learn more about whether a master’s in computer science is worth it and the types of salaries you may be able to command with the degree.

How do I choose the best computer science degree program for me?

On Coursera, you’ll find online computer science degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate level. To figure out which one might be best for you, it helps to first understand why you want to earn a degree and what you hope to get out of your education.

Beyond your larger goals, consider what you’ll learn and how you’ll learn it, as those factors can be important when it comes to determining the best program for you. Take time to review the various computer science degree options on Coursera, paying particular attention to the “Academics” and “Student experience” sections for more information.

What is the experience of earning an online computer science degree through Coursera like?

Earning your computer science degree from a leading university on Coursera means experiencing greater flexibility than in-person degree programs, so you can learn at your pace around your other responsibilities.

Once enrolled in your program, you may find a range of learning options, including live video lectures that encourage you to collaborate and self-paced courses that give you greater independence. Moreover, throughout your learning journey, you'll have access to a dedicated support team, course facilitators, and a network of peers to help you achieve your academic goals. Learn more about the benefits of learning online .

Will I earn a degree from an accredited university?

Yes, all online degree programs available on Coursera are directly conferred by accredited institutions. Accreditation is important because it shows that an institution meets rigorous academic standards, eases your ability to transfer credits, and helps employers validate the quality of education on your resume or application.

Is an online computer science degree worth it?

Yes, both a bachelor’s and a master’s in computer science can be worth it—depending on your goals and your resources. Both types of education tend to lead to higher salaries , in-demand careers , advanced knowledge and skill sets, and exciting networking opportunities, among other benefits.

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Biden’s Push to End the War in Gaza

The american president revealed a secret cease-fire proposal that may force israel’s leader to choose between the end of the war and his political survival..

Hosted by Sabrina Tavernise

Featuring Isabel Kershner

Produced by Will Reid ,  Eric Krupke and Sydney Harper

Edited by Brendan Klinkenberg and Michael Benoist

Original music by Marion Lozano ,  Diane Wong ,  Dan Powell and Rowan Niemisto

Engineered by Chris Wood

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

In an unexpected speech last week, President Biden revealed the details of a secret proposal intended to end the war in Gaza. Perhaps the most surprising thing was where that proposal had come from.

Isabel Kershner, a reporter for The Times in Jerusalem, explains Mr. Biden’s gambit and the difficult choice it presents for Israel’s leader, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

On today’s episode

Isabel Kershner , who covers Israeli and Palestinian affairs for The New York Times.

Background reading

Mr. Biden called for an end to the war in Gaza, endorsing an Israeli cease-fire proposal .

Mr. Netanyahu answered the call for a truce by insisting on the “destruction” of Hamas.

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The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

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Isabel Kershner , a Times correspondent in Jerusalem, has been reporting on Israeli and Palestinian affairs since 1990. More about Isabel Kershner

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