Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Telephone: (302) 831-2442
Email: cee-info@udel.edu
Department website: https://ce.udel.edu/
Faculty Listing: https://ce.udel.edu/people/faculty/

Overview

The Department offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering, Master of Civil Engineering, Master of Applied Sciences, a Graduate Certificate in Railroad Engineering, as well as dual degree programs and accelerated 4+1 programs. In addition, the interdisciplinary programs of Doctor of Philosophy in Disaster Science, Master of Science in Disaster Science, Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering and Public Policy, Doctor of Philosophy in Energy and Environmental Policy, Master of Energy and Environmental Policy, Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology, Master of Science in Microbiology, Doctor of Philosophy in Ocean Engineering, Master of Science in Ocean Engineering, Doctor of Philosophy in Water Science and Policy, and a Master of Science in Water Science and Policy are offered as well. Required courses can be found at the bottom of the page.

Research

Laboratories specifically devoted to research in environmental engineering include facilities for study of chemical and physical aspects of water and wastewater purification with specialized equipment for analysis of fluid particle suspensions and particle technology, heavy metal and toxic waste removal, and biological engineering aspects of water pollution control. The ocean engineering laboratory, maintained by the Center for Applied Coastal Research (CACR), is one of the largest in the United States. Two wave flumes are available for hydrodynamic and sediment transport studies. The CACR has a large assortment of equipment for field and laboratory studies including current meters, turbidity sensors, pressure sensors, remote sensing imagers, surveying equipment and field research vehicles. The structures laboratories include an excellent range of equipment for static, dynamic, and fatigue testing, and a modern concrete testing facility. The geotechnical laboratory has state-of-the-art equipment for testing soils and geotextiles.

The Department’s research is extensively funded through many contracts from federal agencies, the state, and private engineering sponsors. The Department houses the Center for Applied Coastal Research, the Center for Innovative Bridge Engineering, the Center for the Study of Pollutants in the Environment, and the Delaware Center for Transportation.

Financial Aid

Please refer to Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships for further information.

Civil Engineering PhD, MCE and MAS

The PhD is aimed at training the graduate student in research within a chosen topic. The Master of Civil Engineering degree is for those with a bachelor’s degree in engineering, while the Master of Applied Sciences degree is for students who do not hold an engineering undergraduate degree. In each area, mathematics, fundamental sciences, and engineering sciences are combined to provide a personalized program of study and research. All graduate students work in close cooperation with the faculty, and the Department has extensive facilities for research and graduate study in all the areas of concentration. Areas of concentration are:

Coastal Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Geotechnical Engineering
Structural Engineering
Transportation Engineering and Civil Infrastructure Systems
Water Resource Engineering

All three degrees are based on the student completing an individually designed program of courses and writing a thesis. A non-thesis Master’s degree option is also available with the MCE degree, typically for students with professional experience. Students selecting the non-thesis option are not eligible for financial support from the University.

Laboratories specifically devoted to research in environmental engineering include facilities for study of chemical and physical aspects of water and wastewater purification with specialized equipment for analysis of fluid particle suspensions and particle technology, heavy metal and toxic waste removal, and biological engineering aspects of water pollution control. The ocean engineering laboratory, maintained by the Center for Applied Coastal Research (CACR), is one of the largest in the United States. An array of wave paddles in the wave basin is capable of generating realistic three-dimensional seas. Two wave flumes are available for hydrodynamic and sediment transport studies. The CACR has a large assortment of equipment for field and laboratory studies including current meters, turbidity sensors, pressure sensors, remote sensing imagers, surveying equipment and field research vehicles. The structures laboratories include an excellent range of equipment for static, dynamic, and fatigue testing, and a modern concrete testing facility. The geotechnical laboratory has state-of-the-art equipment for testing soils and geotextiles.

Requirements for Admission

A baccalaureate degree in the field or in a closely allied field of science or mathematics.
An undergraduate grade-point average in engineering, science, and mathematics courses of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for master’s applicants or an undergraduate or graduate grade point average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for Ph.D. applicants.
A minimum of three letters of strong support from former teachers or supervisors.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for students whose first language is not English and who have not received a degree from a country in which English is the official primary language of instruction. Minimum scores for admission are: TOEFL; 79 IBET TOEFL with a minimum SPEAK score of 18; 6.5 IELTS (with no sub-score below 6.0).

Admission to the graduate program in Civil Engineering at the University of Delaware is selective and competitive. It is based on the number of well-qualified applicants and the limits of available faculty and facilities. Those who meet stated minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission. Required courses can be found at the bottom of the page. Apply using the central UD graduate application.

Dual Degree Programs

Telephone: (302) 831-2442
Email: cee-info@udel.edu

Website: https://ce.udel.edu/academics/graduate/dual-masters-in-ce-and-mba-program/

The dual-degree MCE/MBA and MAS/MBA programs (63 cr.) provide students with the necessary skills to broaden their engineering knowledge while gaining a detailed understanding of the business environment. Students applying to the MCE/MBA program have the option to choose the thesis or non-thesis MCE degree, while those applying to the MAS/MBA program are limited to the thesis MAS degree. All requirements for the dual-degree program (63 cr.) must be completed in order for the degrees to be awarded simultaneously.

Students seeking the non-thesis master’s option in Civil Engineering are not eligible for funded research opportunities.

Requirements for Admission

The minimum requirements for admission to the dual-degree program in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering are:

A baccalaureate degree in the field or in a closely allied field of science or mathematics.
An undergraduate grade-point average in engineering, science, and mathematics courses of at least 3.0 on a 4.0.
A minimum of three letters of strong support from former teachers or supervisors.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for students whose first language is not English and who have not received a degree from a country in which English is the official primary language of instruction. Minimum scores for admission are: 79 IBT TOEFL with a minimum SPEAK score of 18; 6.5 IELTS (with no sub-score below 6.0).

Accelerated Progams

Telephone: (302) 831-2442
Email: cee-info@udel.edu

Website: https://ce.udel.edu/academics/4-1-programs/

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers an accelerated path to the master’s degree, for eligible UD juniors pursuing a BCE or BEnE bachelor’s degree. Students admitted to the BCE/MCE or BEnE/MCE 4+1 program may select graduate courses in their senior year, which are dual-counted toward their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Students in the non-thesis MCE track can complete their master’s degree in as little as one year beyond the bachelor’s degree, while students seeking the thesis-track MCE may require additional time to complete their research and thesis.

Requirements for Admission

A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.25 at the time of application
Completion of at least 75 credits towards their undergraduate degree
A minimum of three strong letters of recommendation from teachers or supervisors
Personal Statement

Railroad Engineering, Graduate Certificate

Telephone: (302) 831-2442
Email: cee-info@udel.edu
Website: http://railroadengineering.engr.udel.edu/
Faculty Director: Dr. Allan M. Zarembski, P.E., FASME, Hon. Mbr. of AREMA

The program is available fully on campus, fully online, or a hybrid of both. Matriculated graduate students in civil or mechanical engineering are eligible to pursue the Graduate Certificate in Railroad Engineering, using their elective course options to focus on the field and earn the certificate. Students should discuss this with their faculty advisor and notify their department’s Graduate or Undergraduate Academic Advisor. Admission requirements for those who are not already matriculated in a graduate engineering degree program are seen below.

Requirements for Admission

The prospective graduate certificate student must hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering, thereby ensuring the necessary background in engineering, basic structural analysis, and mathematics.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for students whose first language is not English and who have not received a degree from a country in which English is the official primary language of instruction. Minimum scores for admission are: TOEFL; 79 IBT TOEFL with a minimum SPEAK score of 18; 6.5 IELTS (with no sub-score below 6.0).

Required courses can be found at the bottom of the page. Apply using the central UD graduate application.

Interdisciplinary programs

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering participates in many interdisciplinary programs. Admission requirements follow, and course requirements can be found at the bottom of the page.

Disaster Science, PhD, MS

Telephone: 302-831-1687
Email: bidenschool@udel.edu
Website PhD: https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/doctoral-programs/ph-d-programs/ph-d-in-disaster-science-management
Website MS: https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/masters-programs/masters-programs/m-s-in-disaster-science-management

The program is administered by the School of Public Policy and Administration in conjunction with the Interdisciplinary Disaster Science and Management Program Committee and the Director of Graduate Programs in SPPA.

Requirements for admission

Application form, undergraduate/graduate transcripts, official GRE scores, letters of recommendations, resume, statement of purpose, written statement of goals and objectives, and scholarly writing sample are reviewed by the Program Committee of the Disaster Science and Management Program. Pending a successful review of the initial application materials, the application is circulated to all the Disaster Science and Management faculty in an effort to match the student with an advisor. Faculty members advise students whose background, goals and objectives are compatible with their own research and funding. The Program Committee arrives at an admission decision after reviewing the completed application. To be admitted a student must have an advisor.

Applicants to the MS program must have:

Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
Written statement of goals and objectives (the personal statement) that clearly identifies the applicant’s research and curriculum interests and explains how admission to the program will facilitate his or her professional objectives.
A scholarly writing sample that represents the applicant’s best work.

GRE scores in the sixty-fifth percentile or better for the verbal section and fiftieth percentile or better for the quantitative section, and a score of 4.0 or above on the analytical section are recommended.

Applicants to the PhD Program must have

MS or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university
A graduate GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Written statement of goals and objectives (the personal statement) that clearly identifies the applicant’s research and curriculum interests and explains how admission to the program will facilitate his or her professional objectives.
A scholarly writing sample that represents the applicant’s best work.

All students are also expected to demonstrate competence in oral and written communication. Knowledge of mathematics and statistics is strongly encouraged. All admitted students must have a willing academic advisor appointed by the DISA Program Comittee. Required courses can be found at the bottom of the page. Apply using the central UD graduate application.

Engineering and Public Policy, PhD

Telephone: (302) 831-2442
Email: cee-info@udel.edu
Website: https://www.ce.udel.edu/academics/graduate/engineering-and-public-policy/

The program is administratively housed and supported by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in cooperation with the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration. The PhD program in Engineering and Public Policy serves students with master’s level technical backgrounds in engineering and the applied sciences who are interested in using the concepts and methods of policy analysis to understand the broader societal context of technical programs and decisions. The program requires intensive engagement of doctoral students with both engineering and policy faculty and an interest in the generation of new usable interdisciplinary knowledge that expands the boundaries of inquiry and practice. The doctoral program will typically be completed in four years of full-time study that includes advanced courses in policy and engineering, completion of qualifying examinations and dissertation proposal, and a doctoral dissertation that applies engineering and policy analysis to issues of scholarly and policy significance. Possible topic areas include transportation, civil infrastructure, smart cities, sustainability, and energy and the environment.

Requirements for Admission

Successful completion of a Bachelor’s degree, from an accredited academic institution with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.5 on 4.0 scale;
Successful completion of a research-based Master’s degree in a technical area from an accredited academic institution with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.5 on 4.0 scale; (One degree must be in engineering and demonstrated master’s level knowledge in engineering or a related scientific and technical field.)
Applicant must demonstrate a commitment and aptitude for applying policy considerations to technical decisions in the required essays.
Recommended minimum GRE score are 160 Verbal, 160 Quantitative and 4.0 Analytical.
For international applicants, an official TOEFL score of at least 100 on the iBT with a minimum speaking score of 18 (TOEFL scores more than two years old cannot be considered official.)
Applicants must submit essays to answer specific questions asked on the application; a resume; and a statement of professional goals and objectives.
Applicants must submit names and email addresses for at least three letters of recommendation. All letters of recommendation should be submitted electronically to OGPE.
A supplemental application form indicating interest in financial support through faculty projects or research centers.

Admission to the graduate program is competitive. Those who meet stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all of those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer appropriate strengths. Required courses can be found using the “Program” links located at the bottom of this page. Apply using the central UD graduate application.

Microbiology, PhD, MS

Telephone: 302-831-2501
Email: sbiddle@udel.edu
Websiite: https://grad.udel.edu/graduate-programs/graduate-program-detail/?entry=132049
Faculty: Dr. Julie Maresca (jmaresca@udel.edu) and Dr. Nicole Donofrio (ndonof@udel.edu)

The Microbiology Graduate Program will be overseen by Drs. Julie Maresca in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Nicole Donofrio in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. Directors represent broad, campus-wide perspectives from the College of Engineering, and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The program’s development, assessments, and administration will be overseen by both Directors.

Requirements for Admission

A completed University of Delaware Graduate Studies application. In the application, prospective students should indicate clearly whether they are applying for the MS or the Ph.D. program.
A personal statement is required in the Graduate Studies application, and should discuss the following questions:
What is your prior research experience (for credit, as an intern, as a job, or any other practical or industry-related experiences)?
What are your specific research and educational goals?
What are your long-term professional career objectives?
How do you see this program assisting you with achieving your objectives?
Graduate Record Examination Scores are not required for domestic applicants. Subject GRE scores are not required.
Official, up-to-date transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate programs. A minimum of 3.0/4.0 is required in the major.
Three letters of recommendation from individuals with knowledge of the applicant’s research experience, academic preparation and potential ability as a graduate student.
International students must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (Minimum Score: 550 paper test, 79 on Internet-based tests) TOEFL scores more than two years old cannot be considered official.
Interview with one or more faculty members of the Microbiology program including but not limited to the potential major advisor. Interviews should be conducted in person for domestic applicants and via Skype or other video-based call for international applicants.

Applicants should have a BA or BS in Microbiology or a related field, and as part of their undergraduate training, should have completed the following (or the equivalent): two years of biological sciences; one year of mathematics, preferably including calculus and/or statistics; one semester of college physics; one year of general chemistry; and at least one semester of organic chemistry. Other applicants will be considered if they have strong academic backgrounds in other scientific areas. Provisional admission may be offered with the stipulation that any deficiency in undergraduate training be made up (without graduate credit) during the first year of graduate study.

Admission to the graduate program is competitive. Those who meet stated requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all of those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths. Required courses can be found using the “Program” links located at the bottom of this page. Apply using the central UD graduate application.

Ocean Engineering PhD, MS

Telephone: (302) 831-2442
Email: cee-info@udel.edu
Website: http://www.ce.udel.edu/academics/graduate

Faculty: Dr. Tianjian Hsu (thsu@udel.edu)

Requirements for Admission

The Ocean Engineering program offers a Doctor of Philosophy degree and a Master of Science degree through a cross-disciplinary program operated jointly by the Physical Ocean Science and Engineering (POSE) program in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment (CEOE) and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the College of Engineering. Students may matriculate through either College, and may choose a thesis advisor from either program. The ocean engineering laboratory, maintained by the Center for Applied Coastal Research (CACR), is one of the largest in the United States. An array of wave paddles in the wave basin is capable of generating realistic three-dimensional seas. Two wave flumes are available for hydrodynamic and sediment transport studies. The CACR has a large assortment of equipment for field and laboratory studies including current meters, turbidity sensors, pressure sensors, remote sensing imagers, surveying equipment and field research vehicles.Subject to the admission requirements stated below, students matriculating through the College of Engineering have the option of pursuing advanced degrees in Ocean Engineering or in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Students matriculating through the CEOE have the option of pursuing advanced degrees in Marine Studies through CEOE or the cross-disciplinary degree in Ocean Engineering.

The minimum requirements for admission to a master’s or doctoral program for a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Ocean Engineering are as follows:

Bachelor of Science in Engineering, an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 (out of a possible 4.0) for Masters applicants or 3.5 (out of a possible 4.0) for Ph.D. applicants

GRE scores (verbal and quantitative combined) of at least 308

TOEFL IBT score (for international students) of at least 79. The POSE Graduate committee in the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment may increase these minimum requirements. The minimum IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score is a 6.5 overall with no individual sub-score below 6.0.

Students with bachelor’s degrees and exceptional academic backgrounds may be admitted directly into the PhD program. Students admitted into the MS program may petition to move into the PhD program before completing the MS degree. Students considering doctoral study must have completed all previous graduate studies with at least a 3.5 grade point average and have clearly demonstrated a capacity for independent work. If an MS thesis or other comprehensive work was written at another institution, a copy of the thesis will be provided to the advisor when the student enrolls at University of Delaware. Students will be assigned an advisor upon admission to the Ocean Engineering program and will be enrolled in the academic unit that is the home of the advisor (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the College of Engineering or the POSE program in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment). Required courses can be found using the “Program” links located at the bottom of this page. Apply using the central UD graduate application.

Water Science and Policy, PhD, MS

Telephone: (302) 831-2531
Email: inamdar@udel.edu
Web site: http://www1.udel.edu/watersciencepolicy
Program Director: Dr. Shreeram Inamdar

The PhD offers two concentrations; Water Science concentration and the Water Policy concentration. The PhD degree and the Master of Science degree are administered through the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, and the scientific curriculum builds upon the research and educational strengths of departments across the Colleges of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Arts & Sciences, Earth, Ocean & Environment, and Engineering. The students will be located within individual departments and will work with individual advisors who are affiliated with the program. The students are required to meet the specific requirements of the program to be awarded the degree in Water Science & Policy.

Requirements for Admission

1. A completed University of Delaware Graduate Studies application. In the application, prospective students should indicate clearly whether they are applying for the MS or the Ph.D. program (select the Water Science or the Water Policy concentration). Students may apply to the program prior to arranging for a faculty advisor; however, all students in the program will need a program faculty member to serve as advisor.

2. A personal statement is required in the Graduate Studies application:

What are your specific research and educational goals?
What are your long-term professional goals?
How do you see this program assisting you with achieving your objectives?
What is the name of the faculty member (affiliated with the program) who has agreed to be your adviser, if known?

3. Graduate Record Examination Scores are required (a minimum of 1050 (on the old scale) on the VERBAL and QUANTITATIVE is desirable). Subject GRE scores are not required.

4. Official, up-to-date transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate programs. A minimum of 3.0/4.0 is required in the major.

5. Three letters of recommendation from individuals knowledgeable of the applicant’s academic preparation and potential ability as a graduate student. 6. International students must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (Minimum Score: 550 paper test, 213 computer test or 79 on Internet-based tests.) TOEFL scores more than two years old cannot be considered official.

Applicants for the Ph.D. programs will typically have a masters degree in a related field. Direct admission to the Ph.D. program immediately after a B.S. degree will only be considered for exceptional candidates as determined by the Program Committee and will still need to complete all requirements associated with the MS program prior to starting the Ph.D. curriculum. Admission to the graduate program is competitive. Those who meet stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all of those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer appropriate strengths. Required courses can be found using the “Program” links located at the bottom of this page. Apply using the central UD graduate application.

Dual degree and accelerated 4+1 degree programs

See details below.

Programs

Master’s

Doctorate

Dual Degree

Certificate

Railroad Engineering Certificate

4+1