The Structural and Geotechnical Engineering track in the Civil Engineering MS program focuses on the engineering, analysis, design, and construction of the built infrastructure. The track emphasizes both: the above-ground engineering (primarily structures), the below-ground engineering (primarily geotechnical), as well as the interaction between the two systems. The program’s course work focuses on structural analysis and design, mechanics and materials, foundations, characterization of soils and geomaterials, and computational modeling in structural and geotechnical engineering. Faculty research interests include geotechnical studies of subsurface conditions, soil characterization and testing, pavement design, retaining structures, structural dynamics, nonlinear structural analysis and software development, reinforced and prestressed concrete design, bridge engineering, and pavements. Students completing the program find positions in consulting firms, design companies, construction, and construction-related industries, in city, county, state, and federal government agencies, and academic institutions.
Curriculum
The department offers a Structural and Geotechnical Engineering track in the Civil Engineering MS program to students with appropriate science or engineering baccalaureate backgrounds. Both a thesis option and a non-thesis option are available with each requiring 30 credit hours. The thesis option requires 12 credit hours of required courses, 12 credit hours of elective graduate course work (exclusive of thesis and research), and 6 credit hours of thesis. The nonthesis option requires 12 credit hours of required courses and 18 credit hours of elective graduate course work. The nonthesis option also requires the submission of an end-of-program portfolio. The student must develop an individual program of study with a faculty adviser and must have background or articulation course work as described below. At least one-half of the required credits must be taken at the 6000 level.
Total Credit Hours Required: 30 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor’s Degree
Please Note: Civil Engineering MS, Structural and Geotechnical Engineering Track may be completed fully online, although not all elective options or program prerequisites may be offered online. Newly admitted students choosing to complete this program exclusively via UCF online classes may enroll with a reduction in campus-based fees.
International students (F or J visa) are required to enroll in a full-time course load of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. Only 3 of the 9 credit hours may be taken in a completely online format. For a detailed listing of enrollment requirements for international students, please visit http://global.ucf.edu/. If you have questions, please consult UCF Global at 407-823-2337.
UCF is not authorized to provide online courses or instruction to students in some states. Refer to State Restrictions for current information.
Track Prerequisites
Research studies or projects are required in one or more courses.
Calculus and Differential Equations must be passed prior to applying to our Graduate Programs
- MAC 2311 Calculus with Analytical Geometry 1
- MAC 2312 Calculus with Analytical Geometry 2
- MAC 2313 Calculus with Analytical Geometry 3
- MAP 2302 Ordinary Differential Equations 1
Prerequisites (Articulation)
- CEG 4012 Geotechnical Engineering 2 (3 hours) Taught in Fall and Spring
- CEG 4203 Geotechnical Engineering Methods and Case Histories (3 hours) Taught in Fall only
- CES 4605 Steel Structures (3 hours) Taught in Fall and Spring
- CES 4702 Reinforced Concrete Structures (3 hours) Taught in Fall and Spring
Degree Requirements
Required Courses
12 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
Geotechnical Engineering- Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: • CEG 6115 - Foundation Engineering 3 Credit Hours • CEG 6515 – Retaining Structures and Slope Stability 3 Credit Hours • Any CES 5xxx or 6xxx course
Structural Engineering- Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: • CES 5144 - Matrix Methods for Structural Analysis 3 Credit Hours • CES 6116 - Finite Element Structural Analysis 3 Credit Hours • Any CEG 5xxx or 6xxx course
Elective Courses
12 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 12 credits from the following types of courses: All students, both thesis and nonthesis, must complete at least 12 credit hours of approved electives (primarily from the above two groups but also from the list below or other courses as approved by the student’s adviser). Please note that Directed Research (XXX 6918) is not permitted in the MS program of study.
- • Any CEG 5xxx or CEG 6xxx course • Any CES 5xxx or CES 6xxx course • TTE 5835 – Pavement Engineering 3 Credit Hours • CGN 5506 – Advanced Pavement and Civil Engineering Materials 3 Credit Hours
Thesis/Nonthesis Option
6 Total Credits
- Complete 1 of the following
Thesis Option- Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: XXX 6971 - Thesis Successful performance in a final defense of the thesis is required. In addition, the College of Engineering and Computer Science requires that all thesis defense announcements be approved by the student’s adviser and posted on the college’s website and on the university-wide Events Calendar at the College of Graduate Studies website at least two weeks before the defense date.
Nonthesis Option- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: Nonthesis students must complete 6 additional credit hours of electives from the lists above or other courses as approved by the student’s adviser. Please note that at least one course in the nonthesis program of study must be one of the courses in the section below: “Required Course Selection”, which denotes that this course provides an independent learning experience (marked by an asterisk) for the student.
- Portfolio Requirement Students are required to complete a culminating experience. The culminating experience for nonthesis MS students is submission of an end-of-program portfolio. the portfolio requirements are listed on the CECE website.
Grand Total Credits: 30
Application Requirements
Financial Information
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowship Information
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
Research studies or projects are required in one or more courses. The research study or project will focus on reviewing and analyzing contemporary research or engineering issues in a student's particular specialization within the profession in order to help students acquire knowledge and skills pertaining to research-based best practices in that specialization area.
Equipment FeeStudents in the Civil Engineering MS program pay a $16 equipment fee each semester that they are enrolled. Part-time students pay $8 per semester.
Independent LearningA research or design project serves as the independent learning experience for thesis students. Nonthesis students are required to take at least one of the courses designated in the "Non Thesis Students - Required Course Selection" section above, denoting an independent learning experience, and submission of an end-of-program portfolio.
