Departmental Overview

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.

Departmental Admission Requirements

An applicant for admission to the College of Engineering is expected to have earned a BS degree from an approved program, or its equivalent.

Admission is decided based on a multi-parameter criterion that can include the following items to be evaluated by the department: *undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale,

*GRE® General Test (GRE) scores with Quantitative greater than or equal to 50%; Verbal greater than or equal to 33%; Analytical Writing greater than or equal to 33%. Students with BS degrees in related fields from TTU are not required to take the GRE.

*Three (3) letters of recommendation that demonstrate strong evidence for success in the graduate program.

*Availability of appropriate faculty to serve as research advisor(s).

*Participation in undergraduate research.

*Post-BS degree professional experience relevant to planned degree of study.

*Publications in peer reviewed journals and/or award-winning presentations in technical conferences.

International students must score at least 550 (213 computer-based or 79 internet-based) on the TOEFL or a minimum base score of 6.0 on the IELTS.

Based on the level of satisfaction of the above criterion, the department will either recommend admission to Full Standing, Provisional Standing, or Special Standing, or deny admission.

Standing status may be changed to Full Standing after the student satisfies the requirements specified by the department at the time of admission.

Note: The program is designed for graduates of approved undergraduate programs. Thus, a baccalaureate degree in civil engineering is required for full standing. Applicants that have an undergraduate degree in a closely related field will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may be admitted to full standing upon completion of identified background courses.

Fast-track M.S. Program

The Fast-track M.S. Program in Civil Engineering will provide an opportunity for promising CEE undergraduate students to accelerate the completion of the M.S. by allowing undergraduates to accumulate up to six (6) credit hours of graduate coursework while still pursuing their undergraduate degree and to transition to the graduate program smoothly. Up to six hours of graduate coursework, exclusive of directed study, taken during the student's senior year can be used to satisfy both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements. These courses must be taken at Tennessee Tech University and must be approved as appropriate substitutions in the undergraduate curriculum for senior CEE electives.

Students must apply to the CEE Fast-track M.S. program by the end of their second junior term. Students must apply and take the GRE(R) General Test (GRE) during their second senior term (one [1] semester prior to their anticipated graduation). The CEE Fast-track students should be aware that they need to consult with their future M.S. advisor for the 5000-level courses taken during their senior terms, especially for the courses not in their area of concentration. The minimum requirements for acceptance into the Fast-track program are:

• Enrolled in TTU Civil Engineering student with Junior or Senior standing

• Overall GPA of 3.25 and a GPA for CEE courses of at least 3.5

• Recommendation of a CEE faculty mentor

• All requirements for admission to Graduate School must be met upon graduation