Civil and Environmental Engineering, M.S.

I. Contact Information

Ramin Motamed-Chaboki, Graduate Program Director
Office: (775)784-6960
motamed@unr.edu

Department website
Graduate Handbook *

II. Brief Introduction

Continuing education beyond the bachelor’s degree is recommended for prospective civil and environmental engineering professionals. The master’s degree program is a recommended course of study for civil and environmental engineers. In consultation with an advisor, students take courses with emphases in earthquake and structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, pavement engineering and science, transportation engineering, or environmental engineering. More specific departmental requirements for the doctorate programs may be obtained from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

III. Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

The master’s degree programs offered in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering will prepare graduates to work as civil and environmental engineers in private practice or in the public sector. Graduates will have the necessary educational background to become licensed professional engineers as civil engineers or environmental engineers in accordance with the provisions of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).

Student Learning Outcomes:

• an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering,
• an ability to design and conduct experiments as well as to analyze and interpret data,
• an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability.

IV. Admission Requirements

Admission to the master’s degree program requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field such as biology, chemistry, math or physics. Other disciplines will be considered provided prerequisite courses in math, science and basic engineering are completed. Additionally, applicants should meet the following minimum standards:

• GPA of 3.0
• Combined verbal and quantitative GRE scores of 1100
• TOEFL or equivalent score of 550

Applicants should also submit three letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose with their application.

V. Program Requirements

Students in the master’s degree program can choose from five areas of specialization:

1. Earthquake and structural engineering
2. Geotechnical engineering
3. Pavement engineering and science
4. Transportation engineering
5. Environmental engineering

Specific coursework requirements vary for each specialty. Our students work closely with faculty advisors to design a course of study that meets degree requirements and prepares them to write a thesis or pass comprehensive exams in their area of expertise.
The department offers two options for master’s degree students:

• Plan A (Thesis option): This option combines coursework with a research-based thesis written on a topic within your specialty.
• Plan B (Non-thesis option): This option combines coursework with a comprehensive examination, which has both an oral and written component. The comprehensive exam covers core topics in civil and environmental engineering as well as topics within your areas of expertise. Specific questions will be determined by your primary advisor and examining committee.

If you have not passed the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam as an undergraduate, you are highly encouraged to do so as part of your master’s degree program.

VI. Total Units

Plan A (Thesis Option) 30 units

Plan B (Non-Thesis Option) 32 units

VII. Note(s):

* Curriculum requirements in the catalog supersede the Graduate handbook.
** Teaching and research assistantships are available in civil and environmental engineering.

VIII. Undergraduate Prerequisites

Admission to the master’s degree program requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field such as biology, chemistry, math or physics. Other disciplines will be considered provided prerequisite courses in math, science and basic engineering are completed.