Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ph.D.

Program Learning Outcomes

Doctoral students must demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge in their chosen emphasis by completing a unique program of study developed in consultation with their Ph.D. advisor(s) and members of their dissertation committee. The program of study typically includes required courses and elective courses, many of which are interdisciplinary, and a substantial fundamental research component related to their specific emphasis within civil and environmental engineering. Graduates will have additional educational background to become licensed professional engineers (PE) as civil engineers or environmental engineers. In addition, the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) counts Ph.D. degree as experience credits towards the PE license requirements.

The research is expected to advance the current knowledge in their chosen emphasis. The research results presented in a Ph.D. dissertation are typically published in one or more professional research journals and are usually presented at one or more professional conferences.

Students will be able to:

• apply engineering research and theory to advance the art, science, and practice of the discipline.
• design and conduct experiments as well as to analyze, interpret, apply, and disseminate the data.
• understand research methodology.

Contact Information

Graduate Program Director
(775)784-6937
ceegraduate@unr.edu
CEE Department website
CEE Graduate Handbook

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Ph.D. program requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field and completion of any applicable undergraduate prerequisite requirements. The following must be included with your application:

• Undergraduate and master’s transcript(s):
  • With an M.S. degree: Recommended B.S. GPA of 3.0 and M.S. GPA of 3.5.
  • Without an M.S. degree: Recommended B.S. GPA of 3.25.
• English language exam for international applicants: please refer to the graduate school website
• Statement of purpose describing research interests and career goals.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• Optional: GRE (highly encouraged for applicants who wish to be considered for an assistantship)

I. Program Requirements

Specific core and elective coursework requirements vary by emphasis. Students must complete a selection of core and elective courses for their chosen emphasis, meeting the recommended number of units as outlined below. Students work closely with faculty advisors to design a program of study that meets degree requirements and prepares them to write a dissertation in their area of expertise.

There are four main requirements for the Ph.D. in civil and environmental engineering.

1. Coursework requirements: Student completes core and elective coursework. Specific courses are determined with the help of advisory committee.
2. Qualifying exam: Within the first year of the program, student must pass a qualifying exam covering core areas within the field of emphasis.
3. Comprehensive exam: Comprehensive exam is taken as soon as possible after completing course requirements. This exam, which has both an oral and a written component, is designed to test mastery of a broad field of knowledge within civil and environmental engineering and is not restricted to coursework completed. The written exam is designed by faculty within the field of emphasis, and the oral exam is given by the advisory committee. Passing this exam allows student to advance to Ph.D. candidacy.
4. Dissertation: Dissertation represents an original and independent research project that contributes to scientific knowledge in the field of study. It should reflect both the ability to select an important problem for investigation and mastery of research techniques. Dissertation must be successfully defended in front of the advisory committee as part of a public presentation.

Note: The minimum 700-level course requirement by the Graduate School for Ph.D. students is 18 units in addition to the minimum 24 dissertation units.

II. Total Units

62 units

III. Ph.D. Program Progression

IV. Notes

Curriculum requirements in the catalog supersede the Graduate handbook.

Graduate teaching and research assistantships are available in civil and environmental engineering.

V. Undergraduate Prerequisites

Admission to the Ph.D. program requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field such as biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, or physics. Other disciplines will be considered provided prerequisite courses in math, science and basic engineering are completed. Applicants are encouraged to contact the CEE Graduate Program Director (ceegraduate@unr.edu) for the assessment of individual cases.