Curriculum

This is an introductory course in the design and analysis of steel structures based upon specifications published by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC). This course aims to introduce students to the structural design process and provide a detailed understanding of the design of steel structures. The course will emphasize the general theory and behavior of structural steel, as well as design practice.

This is an introductory course in the design and analysis of reinforced concrete structures. An introduction to the ACI-318 building code is given in the context of the course to familiarize students with the main design document in the country. This course aims to introduce students to the structural design process and provide a detailed understanding of the design of reinforced concrete structures. The course will emphasize the general theory and behavior of reinforced concrete, as well as design practice.

An introduction to the geotechnical design aspects of foundations. Site investigation techniques and characterization of subsurface conditions. Analysis and design of shallow and deep foundations subjected to vertical and lateral loading, emphasizing bearing capacity and settlement. Evaluation and selection of foundation types and alternatives. Case studies and design problems.

An examination of the geotechnical design aspects of earth slopes and retaining structures. Lateral earth pressure theories and slope stability analyses related to excavations and retaining structures. Analysis and design of retaining walls, sheet-pile walls, and braced and unbraced excavations. Case studies and design problems. Four lecture hours per week.

Study of the characterization of earthquake hazards, incorporating principles from engineering seismology, soil dynamics, and geotechnical earthquake engineering. Earthquake fundamentals, including plate tectonics, fault rupture mechanisms, and characterization of seismic sources. Theory of wave propagation and vibratory motion. Ground-motion models and probabilistic seismic hazard analysis. Dynamic soil behavior and influence of geologic materials on ground motions. Assessment of geotechnical effects of earthquakes, including site response, liquefaction, and seismic slope stability.

This course is structured to emphasize the design method. Design projects are taken from the areas of water and wastewater treatment, solid waste disposal, air pollution control, hydraulics, and applied hydrology. Assignments are intended to bring together much of the material covered in previous courses. Oral and written reports, design specifications, and preliminary drawings are required for all assignments.

This course begins with an introduction to hydrologic principles followed by applications to rainfall-runoff analysis, floodplain hydraulics, and groundwater hydrology. A strong emphasis is placed on computational methods, and computer programs are used for problem-solving.

Development and applications of geometric design tools for rural and urban highways. Topics include design controls and criteria, elements of design, including sight distance, horizontal and vertical alignment, cross-section elements, highway types, intersection design elements, types of interchanges and interchange design elements, grade separations and clearance, and development of visual elements.

Engineering principles for safe and efficient movement of goods and people on streets and highways, including characteristics of users, vehicles, and traffic facilities; data collection; traffic control; operational analysis; design; management; safety; parking and related aspects of transportation planning and geometric design.

Review and critique of techniques used to plan transportation facilities and services in urban areas; application of selected techniques to forecast demand and evaluate transportation alternatives.

Construction management process and methods, estimating construction cost and bidding, construction activity planning and scheduling, project planning; project cost and cost control, construction organization costs control, and computerized project scheduling.

This course allows students to apply emerging technologies with a focus on Geographic Information Systems and remote sensing in environmental science. In addition to basic instruction in GIS software and technology, topics may include digital mapping of water resources information, spatial coordinate systems, river, and watershed networks, soil and land use mapping, flood/hydrology modeling and flood plain mapping, terrain analysis for hydrologic modeling, and integration of time series and geospatial data. Additional GIS topics geared to the needs and interests of students may include Water/Sewer/Stormwater/CSO utilities (i.e., end users, CSO separation, daylighting) and environmentally regulated facilities (i.e., construction sites, municipal landfills). Students will complete numerous hands-on exercises, including a longer project selected together with the rest of the class.

Special topics in civil engineering are of current importance and of particular interest to the student(s) and instructor. It may be taken more than once.

Advanced topics in civil engineering are of current importance and of particular interest to the student(s) and instructor. It may be taken more than once.

Dive deeper into the nuances of Civil Engineering with this advanced independent study course. Tailored for the curious graduate student, this course facilitates exploration into specialized topics not typically encompassed by the standard curriculum. Under the mentorship of a faculty expert, students will immerse themselves in literature reviews, case studies, and advanced analytical techniques. Whether it’s the intricacies of next-generation sustainable design, cutting-edge modeling methodologies, or emerging challenges in infrastructure, students will gain a profound understanding of their chosen area. This course is an intellectual journey, offering a unique bridge between traditional academics and the evolving frontiers of Civil Engineering.

This course enables graduate students to apply advanced civil engineering concepts to real-world problems or challenges. Under faculty supervision, students will select a project, perform detailed analysis, and propose innovative solutions. Emphasizing practical application, students integrate theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience. The course culminates in a comprehensive report and presentation, showcasing the student’s ability to address complex engineering issues with professionalism and expertise.

In this course, graduate students embark on in-depth research within the civil engineering domain. Under faculty mentorship, students identify a significant research gap, conduct a literature review, and formulate research methodologies. Emphasizing scholarly rigor, students gather, analyze, and interpret data, contributing to the field’s academic discourse. The course culminates in a written thesis, evidencing the student’s analytical skills, critical thinking, and contribution to civil engineering knowledge. A student may earn a maximum of eight (8) credits for this course across all enrollments.

Use of analytical methods of mathematics in civil and mechanical engineering applications. Applications of partial differential equations to topics such as thermal-fluid and vibration problems, vector calculus and tensor analysis in fluid and solid mechanics, analytical function theory in mechanics, and linear algebra for robotics, structures, and geotechnical engineering applications.

This course introduces engineering students to the principles and practical application of data science in the context of engineering projects. Data science is a rapidly evolving field that offers powerful tools and methodologies for extracting insights from data, making predictions, and optimizing processes. In this course, students will learn how to collect, preprocess, analyze, and visualize data relevant to engineering applications, enabling them to solve real-world engineering problems through data-driven approaches.

The course will instruct students in the principles of research to enable them to conduct research. Topics include, but are not limited to, literature searches and interpretation, experimental design and execution, data collection and processing, scientific writing, and report preparation. The course allows students to critically evaluate research literature, including standards, conference papers, and journal articles, to determine the current state of knowledge. Students will develop skills to propose and justify an appropriate research plan for a particular research problem, to choose and apply appropriate methodology, to judge the degree to which conclusions are supported by data, to judge the logical consistency of written material, and evaluate the outcome of a research project in terms of useable knowledge, and to design, defend and evaluate research proposals, and to apply techniques for writing clear and well expressed technical papers and reports. At the end of the course, the student will have completed a literature review for their thesis proposal or research project.

Engineering project management prepares students for leadership roles in industry, such as a lead engineer or project manager. This course teaches fundamental project management principles applicable across all engineering disciplines.

A weekly discussion of current civil and mechanical engineering topics and professional skills development. This may include attendance at presentations and events by invited speakers.