Master of Science in Civil Engineering
Akron, USA
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2024
TUITION FEES
USD 442 / per credit
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Scholarships
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Introduction
The graduate civil engineering program at The University of Akron provides students with opportunities to gain advanced knowledge, skills, and training, to design, build, and maintain the foundation for our modern society. This includes our buildings, roads and bridges, drinking or wastewater and energy systems, seaports and airports, and infrastructure.
This multidisciplinary program provides both thesis and non-thesis options.
Master of Science (M.S.) in Civil Engineering gives students the opportunity to enhance their technical skills in civil engineering and creates possibilities for future career advancement. For engineers currently working in the field, they are able to apply what they learn in class to their work immediately. Evening options are available. The Master of Science (M.S.) in Civil Engineering provides students with advanced learning of the skills and technologies necessary to develop a deeper understanding of the field of civil engineering.
Why UA?
Our program
- Is flexible, with options for evening classes
- Accommodates varied educational backgrounds
- Provides options for research-based and coursework-based degrees
- Offers specializations: Environmental, Geotechnical, Water Resources and Hydraulic, Structural, or Transportation
Our faculty
- Consists of 18 nationally and internationally renowned experts who actively conduct research in their respective areas
- Have strong research programs
- Are active in industry collaborations locally
Research
The Department of Civil Engineering faculty and students conduct research projects that take on society's most pressing challenges. Recent studies have included developing a system that increases the effectiveness and efficiency of snow and ice removal operations as well as studying algae in water reservoirs to prevent the infestation that affected Lake Erie and a half million people in 2014.
Specific research interests include:
- Hydrology
- Corrosion, Coatings, and Thin Film Technology
- Advanced Structures
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Water and Soil Remediation
- Structural Damage Detection and Health Monitoring
- Transportation and Safety
- Infrastructure Engineering
- Advanced Composite Materials and Structures
Research labs:
- Timken Engineered Surfaces Laboratories (TESL)
- Gas Turbine Testing and Research Laboratory
- Center for Surface Engineering & Lubricating Research (CSELR)
Program Outcome
- Access to the latest equipment and software that is used in companies and academia
- Participate in entrepreneurship programs
- Graduate-level classes are small enough to ensure personal attention by the professors while large enough to facilitate group projects and interactions
Gallery
Admissions
Curriculum
This program offers a thesis and non-thesis option. The thesis option requires 24 semester hours of graduate course work and 6 semester hours of thesis research. An oral defense of the thesis is also required.
The non-thesis option requires 30 hours of coursework. For applicants without prior civil engineering degrees, bridge-up courses are required. This program enables bridge students to complete their M.S. degree in roughly 6 months more than a student entering with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. A Master’s in Civil Engineering degree typically requires two years beyond a bachelor’s degree.
Students pursuing an M.S. in Civil Engineering degree may specialize in environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, water resources, and hydraulic engineering, or transportation engineering.
Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineering is the branch of civil engineering concerned with protecting humans and the environment from adverse factors usually resulting from human activities. You will design and supervise systems to provide safe drinking water and to collect and treat wastewater. Also, work to prevent and control water and air pollution, manage solid wastes, and mitigate the effects of existing pollution.
Geotechnical Engineering
Geotechnical engineering involves the study of the engineering behavior of soil and rock, then the application of these properties to the design and construction of structures on, or made from, soil and rock. You'll work with foundations ranging from shallow to deep to underwater. Design and build earth and rock dams, tunnels, retaining walls, deep excavations, and embankments. Also, study the effects of earthquakes and other earth forces on man-made structures. Geotechnical engineering has assumed increasing importance by cooperating with environmental engineering in the containment and disposal of wastes and in the cleanup of hazardous wastes.
Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering
Water resources engineering is concerned with all aspects of the physical control of water. Water is analyzed to predict and prevent floods, protect beaches, construct and maintain coastal facilities, and provide a water supply for the use of people. Hydraulic engineering then provides delivery of water to the appropriate location via any means from a short culvert to a large water supply system.
Structural Engineering
Structural engineering involves the planning and design of all types of buildings, bridges, power plants, equipment supports, offshore structures, transmission towers, and even space stations. You will analyze the forces that a structure must resist (its own weight, wind, earthquake, and loads placed upon the structure). Design is done in cooperation with architects and other engineers.
Transportation Engineers
Transportation engineering involves the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. You will plan, design, and maintain all sorts of transportation facilities, including highways, streets, mass transit systems of all types, railroads, airports, and ports. You will work closely with urban planners in the planning and management aspects of transportation engineering since the quality of life in any community is directly related to the quality of the transportation system.
Degree Requirements
Thesis Option
- Civil Engineering Courses 15 credits
- Approved Mathematics/Science 3 credits
- Approved Electives 6 credits
- Master's Thesis 6 credits
Total 30 credits
Non-Thesis Option
- Civil Engineering Courses 15 credits
- Approved Mathematics/Science 3 credits
- Approved Electives 12 credits
- Engineering Report 2 credits
Total 32 credits
Core Courses
Environmental Engineering
- 4300:523 – Chemistry for Environmental Engineers
- 4300:622 – Aquatic Chemistry
- 4300:623 – Physical/Chemical Treatment Process
- 4300:624 – Biological Waste Water Treatment Process
- 3470:663 – Experimental Design
Geotechnical Engineering
- 4300:612 – Advanced Soil Mechanics
Structural Engineering
- 4300:551 – Computer Methods of Structural Analysis
- 4300:554 – Advanced Mechanics of Materials
Transportation Engineering
- 4300:631 – Highway Design
- 4300:566 – Traffic Engineering
- 4300:665 – Advanced Traffic Detection and Data Analysis
Career Opportunities
Graduates have stronger possibilities for career advancement and may secure managerial or high-level civil engineering positions in a consulting or contracting capacity or pursue a career in academia.
Employment
Our graduates have obtained employment from companies such as HDR Inc., ARCADIS, Babcock & Wilcox, AECOM/URS, G. Stephens, Inc., Kajima International, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Student Testimonials
English Language Requirements
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