Civil Engineering Major, MS

The Master of Science program in civil engineering is offered to graduates of recognized undergraduate curricula. It is required that all applicants to the degree programs submit scores from the General Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Both degree programs have thesis and non-thesis options. It is the policy of the department that students supported by university-related financial aid complete an integrated project, which is defined as a Thesis (CE 500 ) or Special Problems (CE 590 ). The appointment letter may specify which of the two options must be selected.

Requirements

Departmental requirements are that for a major in civil engineering, the bachelor’s degree must be in civil engineering, or certain undergraduate prerequisite courses must be taken before Admission to Candidacy. The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers both thesis and non-thesis options for the Master of Science with a major in civil engineering. Either option must be approved by the student’s major professor.

Thesis Option

A minimum of 30 credit hours of approved graduate courses, including 6 credit hours of thesis, is required.

Non-Thesis Option

A minimum of 30 credit hours of approved graduate courses, which may include a 3-credit hour special problems course to be completed under the direction of the student’s major professor, is required.

Five-Year BS-MS Program

Civil Engineering (BS)
Civil Engineering or Environmental Engineering (MS)
The department offers a 5-year BS-MS program with a BS (major in civil engineering) and an MS (major in civil engineering or environmental engineering) for qualified students. The primary component of the program is that qualified students may take up to 6 credit hours of approved graduate courses for their senior undergraduate electives and have them count toward both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees at UT. This program is designed for students attending UT for their Master of Science degree because other universities may not accept these courses for graduate credit since they were used to satisfy requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree. Significant components of the program are:

• Students must have an overall GPA of 3.4 in required course work. Conditional admission to the 5-year program may be granted after completion of 64 credit hours of required course work, while full admission may be granted after the completion of 96 credit hours of required course work with a minimum GPA of 3.4.
• Admission must be approved by the department and the Graduate School.
• Students must at least be conditionally admitted to the program prior to taking courses that receive credit for both the BS and MS degrees. All courses taken for graduate credit must be approved by the director of graduate studies. Students admitted to the program must request permission from the Graduate School to take approved courses for graduate credit. Students admitted to the program must also follow the normal procedure for admission to the Graduate School.
• Students will not be eligible for assistantships until they are enrolled as graduate-level students in the Graduate School.