Master of Science in Civil Engineering

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers advanced studies leading to the Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Engineering with specialization in Civil Engineering. The goals of the Ph.D. program are listed under the College of Engineering and administered by the Associate Dean of Engineering for Graduate Studies and Research. The goal of the MS program is to provide the strong academic programs necessary to prepare students to become educated members of society who can join and make significant contributions to the civil engineering profession.

This is accomplished by allowing MS graduate students to specialize in specific engineering topics through advanced and in-depth studies in these topics; by providing guidance to students in fundamental and applied research; by helping them to develop powers of analysis, synthesis and critical thinking; and by preparing outstanding graduate students to continue academic and research careers through doctoral-level studies.

The department offers the Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering with concentrations in environmental engineering, structural engineering, and transportation engineering. The departmental faculty have expertise and conduct research in the following areas: environmental and water resources engineering; structural engineering, transportation and paving materials; engineering mechanics; and computational mechanics. Faculty advisors assist graduate students in developing individual programs of study depending on their career goals and thesis research interests. The student’s advisory committee assists the student in the development and execution of the program of study and monitors and evaluates the student’s work towards the degree.

Many departmental faculty actively participate in research related to the three Centers of Excellence operated within the University: two within the College of Engineering and one under the Office of Research & Economic Development. The resources and facilities of the Centers greatly enhance the graduate program of the Department.

The goal of the MS program is to provide the strong academic programs necessary to prepare students to become educated members of society who can join and make significant contributions to the civil engineering profession.

This is accomplished by allowing MS graduate students to specialize in specific engineering topics through advanced and in-depth studies in these topics; by providing guidance to students in fundamental and applied research; by helping them to develop powers of analysis, synthesis and critical thinking; and by preparing outstanding graduate students to continue academic and research careers through doctoral-level studies.

The department offers the Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering with concentrations in environmental engineering, structural engineering, and transportation engineering.

Thesis Option
An MSCE program of study with thesis option requires a minimum of 31 semester hours of graduate-level coursework which are on the program of study approved by the student’s graduate advisory committee, including one semester hour of CEE 6910 - CEE Graduate Seminar, and a minimum of six (6) hours of thesis completed under the supervision of the graduate advisor (31 hours). At least 15 credit hours of graduate coursework must be CEE courses. The required thesis should document the student’s research to the satisfaction of both the student’s graduate advisory committee and the Graduate School. The student must also successfully defend his/her thesis before the graduate advisory committee. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is also required. Other departmental requirements may apply.

Degree Requirements
Core Required Course: 1 hour
Concentration Area Requirement*: 15 hours
Advisor Approved Electives*: 9 hours
Research Requirement: 6 hours
Degree Total Requirements: 31 hours

Non-Thesis Option AVAILABLE FULLY ONLINE
An MSCE program of study with non-thesis option requires a minimum of 31 credit hours of graduate course work, as specified in the student’s approved Program of Study. The program of study shall include 30 semester hours of graduate-level coursework, one semester hour of CEE 6910 - CEE Graduate Seminar.

Degree Requirements
Core Required Course: 1 hour
Concentration Area Requirement*: 21 hours
Advisor Approved Electives*: 9 hours
Total Degree Requirements: 31 hours

Civil Engineering Catalog

https://grad.catalog.tntech.edu/departments/CEE/overview