Master of Science Programs
Generally, the M.S. thesis program requires one and a half to two years to complete. A professional M.S. non-thesis program is also available which emphasizes an extended amount of coursework and a final project. This professional program can typically be completed in a 12-month period.
Current WSU undergraduates who want to continue a MS study: visit the BS/MS Option.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills that are necessary to achieve success as a practicing engineer.
- A thorough foundation and advanced knowledge in fields of civil or environmental engineering.
- The ability to apply their knowledge to solve novel and emerging problems in civil or environmental engineering.
- The ability to present their knowledge through publications and oral presentations.
- Employment in industry, consulting firms, or government agency.
- Leadership in professional practice and service.
- Become effective researchers in civil or environmental engineering.
- Knowledge of current state of research in selected technical areas of civil or environmental engineering.
- Define a research problem, apply sound research methods, draw well-supported conclusions, and effectively communicate findings to problems in an areas of study.
- Employment in industry, government agencies, or acceptance into PhD or other advance degree program.
- Engage in activities of life-long learning.
- Engagement in continuing education and professional development.
- Participation in professional organizations.
- Obtained advance degree.
Focus Areas
Required Courses for the Air Group:
- CE 502 – Applied Meteorology
- CE 503 – Air Quality Management
- CE 515 – Environmental Measurements
Required Courses for the Water Group:
- CE 541 – Physicochemical Water and Wastewater Treatment
- CE 542 – Biochemical Wastewater Treatment
- CE 518 – Hazardous Waste Engineering
OR
CE 583 – Aquatic Chemistry
The Masters degree program consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours with a comprehensive examination and research or design project.
Coursework for a degree specializing in geotechnical engineering should include the following core courses:
- CE 510 – Advanced Geomaterial Characterization
- CE 527 – Advanced Soil Mechanics
- CE 528 – Advanced Foundation Design
Course work for a degree specializing in transportation engineering should include the following core courses:
- CE 473 – Pavement Design
- CE 527 – Advanced Soil Mechanics
Other coursework is determined in consultation with the student’s graduate advisor to meet the particular needs of the student. A number of other courses are available through the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Idaho.
Students may choose from a variety of graduate and selected undergraduate courses offered in the Hydraulics and Water Resources Program. In addition, courses may be selected from a number of related courses in other programs in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, as well as in other departments of the University. Possible plans of study focused on a variety of topics are:
- Environmental Fluid Mechanics
- Aquatic Restoration
- Hydrodynamics and Sediment Transport
- Water Resources Management
- Advanced Hydrology
Coursework for a degree specializing in hydraulics and water resources should include the following core course:
- CE 560 – Advanced Hydrology
Suggested Core Courses:
- CE 514 – Advanced Mechanics of Materials
- CE 512 – Dynamics of Structures and/or CE 538 – Earthquake Engineering
- CE 430 – Analysis of Indeterminate Structures and/or CE 532 – Finite Elements
Common Electives:
- CE 534 – Prestressed Concrete and Reinforced Masonry Design
- CE 533 – Advanced Reinforced Concrete Design
- CE 539 – Advanced Design of Timber Structures
- CE 530 – Advanced Design of Steel Structures
- CE 535 – Advanced Finite Elements
- CE 505 – Sustainability Engineering II
- CE 520/521 – Integrated Design Experience
Thesis and Non-Thesis Options
Thesis Option
Requirements
- Minimum of 21 hours of graded coursework
- At least 7 hours of research studies
- 1 credit of CE 580
- Minimum of 30 total credits
Note: Students are required to enroll in CE 600 in semesters they are not enrolled in CE 580. If a student is unable to enroll in CE 600 in a semester due to personal circumstances, a request for a waiver to this requirement must be made by the advisor of the student stating those circumstances. Upon review, the CEE Chair may grant a waiver. Please coordinate with the Graduate Coordinator.
- Coursework and project require approval by the student’s graduate committee.
- Program must be filed no later than the end of the second semester of study. Go to the Graduate school website for the program of study form.
- General regulations regarding the preparation of a thesis are set by the Graduate School and are listed in the Policies and Procedures of the Graduate School. The thesis format will follow requirements for publications in an appropriate technical journal as recommended by the committee.
- The final examination will be mainly a defense of the thesis.
- Typing, copying and other associated costs for the preparation of the thesis will be borne by the student.
- The department requires one unbound copy plus $20.00 for binding of the final thesis.
- Students on an assistantship are required to do the thesis option.
Committee
- Committee should include at least three faculty members.
- Students may pursue independent projects or may work with faculty to develop new projects or collaborate on existing projects.
- Students will complete their studies in 1-1/2 to 2 years.
Support
- Students will often be supported as a Teaching Assistant (TA) or as a Research Assistant (RA).
- TAs and RAs receive support for tuition (resident and nonresident) and a stipend, if they reside in the State of Washington while attending school.
- Additional scholarships and awards may be awarded to highly qualified students.
- Loans are available for all students through the University’s financial aid office.
Non-Thesis Option
Requirements
- Project M.S. – Minimum of 30 credits as follows:
- 25 credits of graded graduate coursework
- 1 credit of graded seminar (CE 580)
- 2 credits for CE 702 (Project; S/U)
- 2 credits for CE 702 (Exam; S/U)
- Courses Option – Minimum of 32 credits as follows:
- 27 credits of graded graduate coursework
- 1 credit of graded seminar (CE 580)
- 4 credits for CE 702 (oral exam)
Note: Students are required to enroll in CE 600 in semesters they are not enrolled in CE 580. If a student is unable to enroll in CE 600 in a semester due to personal circumstances, a request for a waiver to this requirement must be made by the advisor of the student stating those circumstances. Upon review, the CEE Chair may grant a waiver. Please coordinate with the Graduate Coordinator.
- Coursework and project require approval by the student’s graduate committee.
- Program must be filed no later than the end of the second semester of study. Go to the Graduate school web site for the program of study form.
- General regulations regarding the preparation of a project are set by the department following thesis format and committee requirements.
- Typing, copying, and other associated costs for the preparation of the project report are borne by the student.
Committee
- Committee should include at least three faculty members.
- Students may pursue independent projects or may work with faculty to develop new projects or collaborate on existing projects.
- Students will generally complete their studies in 12 months.
Support
- Scholarships and awards may be awarded to highly qualified students.
- Loans are available for all students through the University’s financial aid office.