Civil Engineering MSCE

Major: Civil Engineering
Degree Awarded: Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Total Credit Hours: 45.0 
Co-op Option: MSCE: Available for full-time, on-campus master's-level students
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 14.0801
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 17-2015

About the Program

Objectives

The graduate program in civil engineering offers students the opportunity to develop a more fundamental and complete understanding of the principles that govern their field as well as current design methodology. Students are encouraged to be innovative and imaginative in their quest for recognizing, stating, analyzing, and solving engineering problems.

The goal of the Master’s program is to develop technical depth of expertise for a professional career in the planning, design, construction, and operation of large-scale infrastructure systems, built facilities, and water resources management. 

General Information

The civil engineering programs comprise the following areas of specialization: building systems, geotechnical engineering, hydraulic and coastal engineering, structural engineering, and water resources.

Additional Information

For more information, visit the MS in Civil Engineering program and Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering webpages.

Admission Requirements

MS admission is based on an academic record demonstrating adequate preparation and potential for successful graduate study. This typically includes a BS from an engineering curriculum accredited by the Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) or the equivalent from a non-U.S. institution. Submission of results from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is optional. A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 is usually required. Graduates who do not have a bachelor's degree in either Civil, Architectural or Environmental Engineering may be required to take preparatory undergraduate courses.
For additional information on how to apply, visit Drexel's Admissions page for Civil Engineering.

Master of Science in Civil Engineering

The programs of study at the master’s level continue the specialization developed at the senior level of the undergraduate program or newly developed interests. The Master of Science in Civil Engineering program may be elected by graduates of ABET-accredited undergraduate programs in civil engineering and related fields. Admission and prerequisites are determined on the basis of a student’s undergraduate transcript.

Most MSCE graduates work as professional engineers in consulting firms, industry, or governmental agencies. A number of our graduates have started consulting and construction firms in the Philadelphia area and have been very successful. Other former students hold prominent positions in public utilities, local government agencies, and industry.

The full-time graduate academic program is closely associated with the research efforts of the faculty. Full-time master’s degree candidates are encouraged to base their master’s thesis on some aspect of faculty research. The one-to-one relationship between student and faculty member provides an invaluable learning experience. The General (Aptitude) Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for applicants pursuing full-time study.

The master’s degree requires a total of 45.0 credits, of which 24.0 credits must be in the major field of interest and 6.0 credits are to fulfill math requirements. The remaining credits are taken as electives in related areas. The choice of core and elective courses is made in consultation with the student’s graduate advisor.

Areas of concentration include:

• Geotechnical/Geosynthetics Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Water Resources Engineering

Co-op

Students have the option to pursue a co-op as part of their master's program. In conjunction with the Steinbright Career Development Center, students will be provided an overview of professionalism, resume writing, and the job search process. Co-op will be for a six-month position running in the summer/fall terms. Students will not earn academic credit for the co-op but will earn 9.0 non-academic co-op units per term.

Geotechnical Engineering Requirements

*

Must achieve grade of B or better.

**

For students writing a master’s thesis, nine credits should consist of a minimum of 8 research credits (CIVE 997) and a minimum of 1 thesis credit (CIVE 898). Full time master’s students are encouraged to do a thesis. Students opting not to do a thesis could do a research project which would consist of a minimum of 5 research credits (CIVE 997) and a minimum of 1 thesis credit (CIVE 898) or would require the completion of an additional 9.0 graduate technical elective credits from the list above, therefore, the total graduate technical elective credits required will be 15.0.

Structural Engineering Requirements

*

Must achieve grade of B or better.

**

For students writing an master’s thesis, nine credits should consist of a minimum of 8 research credits (CIVE 997) and a minimum of 1 thesis credit (CIVE 898). Full time master’s students are encouraged to do a thesis. Students opting not to do a thesis could do a research project which would consist of a minimum of 5 research credits (CIVE 997) and a minimum of 1 thesis credit (CIVE 898) or would require the completion of an additional 9.0 graduate technical elective credits from the list above, therefore, the total graduate technical elective credits required will be 21.0.

Water Resources Engineering Requirements

*

Must achieve grade of B or better.

**

For students writing an master’s thesis, nine credits should consist of a minimum of 8 research credits (CIVE 997) and a minimum of 1 thesis credit (CIVE 898). Full time master’s students are encouraged to do a thesis. Students opting not to do a thesis could do a research project which would consist of a minimum of 5 research credits (CIVE 997) and a minimum of 1 thesis credit (CIVE 898) or would require the completion of an additional 9.0 graduate technical elective credits from the list above, therefore, the total graduate technical elective credits required will be 21.0.

Sample Plan of Study (MS)

Sample Plan of Study (MSCE)

Facilities

Construction Materials Laboratory
This laboratory contains facilities for the study of concrete, asphalt, mortar, soil-cement, and timber materials, and moist cure facilities.

Geosynthetics Laboratory
This laboratory contains a complete suite of physical, mechanical, hydraulic, endurance, and environmental test devices for assessing behavior of geotextiles, geogrids, geonets, geomembranes, and geocomposites.

HVAC and Refrigeration Laboratory
This laboratory contains complete models of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and pumping system models.

Hydromechanics Laboratory
This laboratory contains a wave channel tilting flume, pipe friction equipment, bench demonstration equipment, and a beach erosion model.

Soil Mechanics and Geoenvironmental Laboratory
This laboratory contains triaxial and direct shear equipment, controlled environmental chambers, consolidation tests, flexwall permeameters, and a test bed.

Structural Testing Laboratory
This laboratory contains universal testing machines with 150,000- and 300,000-pound capacity and test beds with MTS dynamic load equipment.

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty

Emeritus Faculty