Civil and Environmental Engineering
Department Head: Dr. Dennis D. Truax
Graduate Coordinator: Dr. James Martin
235 Walker Hall
Box 9546
Mississippi State, MS 39762
Telephone: 662-325-3050
E-mail: grad-coordinator@cee.msstate.edu
Website: http://www.cee.msstate.edu
The Civil and Environmental Engineering Department offers graduate study leading to degrees of Master of Science in Civil Engineering and Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering with a Civil Engineering concentration. Both the M.S. and Ph.D. are available via BCoE Learning (online). Major areas of study are include the following.
- construction engineering and management
- construction materials engineering
- environmental engineering
- geotechnical engineering
- structural engineering
- transportation engineering
- water resources engineering
The Kelly Gene Cook, Sr. Civil and Environmental Engineering Laboratories include research capabilities in the areas of:
- construction materials evaluation,
- environmental analysis of water and soils,
- structural systems analysis,
- geotechnical materials evaluation,
- structural systems analysis,
- transportation system modeling, and
- water resources characterization.
Space is also available for bench-scale and pilot-scale experimentation. Graduate assistantships are supported through sponsored research, instructional support and teaching assignments, and other departmental resources when available from the University, the Bagley College of Engineering, and the Department.
For information about the graduate program contact: Graduate Coordinator .
Admission Criteria
Prerequisites for regular admission to the Civil Engineering graduate program include all of the general requirements of the Office of the Graduate School. The minimum GPA for acceptance into the Civil and Environmental Engineering graduate program is 3.00 on a 4.00 scale as computed for courses that comprise the last two academic years of the degree. Graduates of programs not accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (www.ABET.org ) must submit acceptable GRE scores (verbal and quantitative). International students are required to have a minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550 PBT (79 iBT) or an International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) score of 6.5. Students must possess core competency in the sub-discipline in which they will focus their graduate studies. Applicants who do not meet the requirements for regular admission may be considered for contingent or provisional admission at the discretion of the department.
Contingent Admission
Applicants meeting University requirements for admission but failing to meet the Department’s requirements for regular admission may be considered for contingent admission. An applicant with a bachelor’s degree major other than civil and environmental engineering may be required to take remedial courses to prepare for graduate studies. Undergraduate remedial courses will be taken for no credit and a grade of B or better is required. To be removed from contingent status, the student must successfully complete remedial prerequisite courses as defined by the graduate committee with a grade of B or higher on each course.
Provisional Admission
A student who has not fully met the GPA or other requirements stipulated by the University may be admitted on a provisional basis. The provisionally-admitted student is eligible for a change to regular status after receiving a 3.00 GPA on the first 9 hours of graduate courses at Mississippi State University (with no grade lower than a C). The first 9 hours of graduate courses must be within the student's program of study. Courses with an S grade, transfer credits, or credits earned while in Unclassified status cannot be used to satisfy this requirement. If a 3.00 is not attained, the provisional student shall be dismissed from the graduate program. Academic departments may set higher standards for students to fulfill provisional requirements; a student admitted with provisional status should contact the graduate coordinator for the program’s specific requirements. While in the provisional status, a student is not eligible to hold a graduate assistantship.
Academic Performance
A student in the Civil Engineering graduate program is expected to maintain a combination of grades, grade point average, and satisfactory performance. A student may be dismissed from the program for grades of U, D, F, or two grades below B. Failure to maintain a 3.00 grade point average after admission to the program is also basis for dismissal. Dismissal may occur if a student fails to meet satisfactory performance requirements, such as research progress, satisfactory results of written or oral examinations, and thesis or dissertation or research defense. The student will be advised in writing of their dismissal and justification for the action in a written letter of notification. To appeal a dismissal from the department’s graduate program, the student must submit within thirty days of the date of the letter of notification a written petition for reconsideration memorandum to the department’s graduate coordinator providing justification as to why the dismissal should be reversed.
Master of Science in Civil Engineering - Thesis
| 7000-, 8000-, and/or 9000-level coursework | 12 | |
| Additional graduate coursework | 12 | |
| CE 8000 | Thesis Research/ Thesis in Civil & Environmental Engineering | 6 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
The student, in coordination with his or her graduate committee, must develop a program of study which may include courses from other engineering disciplines, mathematics, the physical sciences, and business administration. Specifically, the program of study must include:
- minimum 15 hours of coursework in engineering;
- minimum 12 hours of coursework in the department with at least 9 hours at the upper graduate level;
- a minimum of half the coursework on the program of study at the 8000 level or above; and
- all graduate core curriculum requirements within the student’s sub-discipline.
The program of study is also limited to:
- a maximum of 6 hours of coursework in business management;
- a maximum of 6 hours of CE 7000 as part of the minimum 24 hours of coursework;
- a maximum of 9 hours of graduate coursework received as an unclassified graduate student; and
- a maximum of 9 hours of graduate credit transferred from other institutions.
Students are expected to receive grades of B or better in each course used to satisfy the minimum graduate credit coursework requirement.
Master of Science in Civil Engineering - Non-Thesis
| 7000-, 8000-, and/or 9000-level coursework | 15 | |
| Additional graduate coursework | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
The student, in coordination with his or her graduate committee, must develop a program of study which may include courses from other engineering disciplines, mathematics, the physical sciences and business administration. Specifically, the program of study must include:
- a minimum of 18 hours of coursework in the department with at least 12 hours at the upper graduate level;
- a minimum of 15 hours of coursework on the program of study at the 8000 level or above; and
- all graduate core curriculum requirements within the student’s sub-discipline.
The program of study is also limited to:
- a maximum of 6 hours of coursework in business management;
- a maximum of 6 hours of CE 7000 as part of the minimum 33 hours of coursework;
- a maximum of 9 hours of graduate coursework received as an unclassified graduate student; and
- a maximum of 9 hours of graduate credit transferred from other institutions.
Students are expected to receive grades of B or better in each course used to satisfy the minimum graduate credit coursework requirements.
Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering with Civil Engineering Concentration
Doctoral students must complete a minimum of the equivalent of three academic years of applicable coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree (interpreted as 75 credit hours beyond a bachelor’s degree or 45 hours beyond a master’s degree). A minimum of 20 hours of dissertation research is included. The doctoral student will be required to conduct research on an approved topic and prepare and successfully defend a dissertation.
CE 6103 Pavement Design: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3413 and CE 3313). Three hours lecture. Analysis design of both flexible and rigid pavement structures
CE 6133 Geometric Design of Highways: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3113). Three hours lecture. Highway finance, organization and planning. Economic analysis. Elements of highway and street design. computer applications to highway engineering
CE 6143 Traffic Engineering: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:Grade of C or better in CE 3113,credit in ST 3123).Three hours lecture. Human and vehicular characteristics as they affect highway traffic flow; traffic regulation, accident cause and prevention; improving flow on existing facilities; planning traffic systems
CE 6153 Freight Transportation System Analysis: 3 hours.
CE 6163 Urban Transportation Planning: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: CE 3113 and consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. This course will provide an understanding of the nature of travel demand and methods and computer software used to plan for future transportation systems
CE 6183 Waterborne Transportation Engineering: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:Grade of C or better in CE 3113 ) Three hours lecture. Navigation vessels and their characteristics. Planning and design of Marine Transportation System facilities including navigation ports,channels and locks
CE 6243 Land Surveys: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in CE 2213 ). Three hours lecture.Methods of surveying and describing property with emphasis on Mississippi's public land surveys
CE 6433 Foundations: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3413). Three hours lecture. Introduction to exploration and engineering evaluation of subsoil and groundwater conditions for selection and design of foundations for structures and earth masses
CE 6513 Engineering Hydrology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: CE 3523). Three hours lecture. Hydrologic processes; rainfall-runoff analysis; groundwater flow; frequency analysis; hydrologic design
CE 6523 Open Channel Hydraulics: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:Grade of C or better in CE 3813 ). Three hours lecture.Continuity. energy and momentum principles in open channel flow; flow resistance; uniform and non-uniform flow; channel controls and transitions; unsteady flow routing
CE 6533 Computational Methods in Water Resources Engineering: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:Grade of C or better in CE 3813 ). Three hours lecture. Review of relevant numerical analysis; numerical methods for kinematic wave, St. Venant, Boussinesq and depth-averaged equations; simulation of one- and two-dimensional free-surface flows
CE 6543 Advanced Reinforced Concrete: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:Grade of C or better in CE 4601 and CE 4633). Three hours lecture.Two-way slab systems, shear walls, retaining walls, bi-axial bending of columns, torsion, brackets and corbels. Introduction to prestressed concrete
CE 6563 Sedimentation Engineering: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:Grade of C or better in CE4523/6523) Three hours lecture. Processes by which cohesive and non-cohesive sediments are transported in overland flow and in rivers, reservoirs,estuaries and coastlines. Deposition and erosion rates. Design criteria
CE 6583 Stream Reconnaissance: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Stream channel form and sedimentary features. Understanding how water flows into trough streams and channel form and function. Hydrologic, hydraulic and geomorphic channel evolution processes
CE 6703 Construction Engineering and Management: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Senior standing or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Construction contracts and law, cost estimating, and project scheduling
CE 6733 Construction Engineering Equipment and Methods: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Aspects of planning, operation and management of civil engineering support equipment, site logistics, equipment cost engineering, power systems and environmental considerations of equipment use
CE 6743 Analysis and Mitigation of Conflicts, Claims and Disputes: 3 hours.
Three hour lecture. Overview of the different techniques used to analyze and mitigate conflicts, claims, and disputes (C2D) in civil engineering projects
CE 6843 Environmental Engineering Chemistry: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:Grade of C or better in CE 3823 or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Introduction to advanced theoretical concepts in sanitary engineering analysis with special emphasis on inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry
CE 6863 Water and Wastewater Engineering: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: CE 3823 with grade of C or better.) Three hour lecture. Evaluation of municipal water and wastewater characteristics and flows; application of various unit processes/unit operations for the treatment of municipal water and wastewater
CE 6873 Water and Wastewater Engineering: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3803). Two hours lecture. One hour laboratory. Evaluation of municipal water and waste-water characteristics and flows; application of various unit processes/unit operations for the treatment of municipal water and wastewater
CE 6883 Engineered Environmental Systems: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: CE 3503 & CE 3823 with grade of C or better). Three hour lecture. Evaluation and characterization of storm water quality; selection, design and application of various treatment technologies; surface water quality management and modeling; and sustainable engineering
CE 6893 Hazardous Waste Management: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor). Three hours lecture. Examination of state-of-the-art technologies available for the handling treatment; storage; and disposal of hazardous waste materials
CE 6913 Matrix of Analysis of Structures: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3603, or consent of instructor). Matrix formulation and computer analysis of structures. Linear stiffness analysis of truss and frames structures
CE 6923 Structural Dynamics: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3603, or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Response of a single and multi-degree of freedom structures to dynamic loading: free vibration, harmonic excitation, pulses, and earthquakes
CE 6963 Design of Steel Structures: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 4953). Three hours lecture. Loads on structures. Analysis and design of steel structures using the AISC specifications. Focus on beams and columns
CE 6973 Design of Concrete Structures: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3603). Three hours lecture. Loads on structures. Analysis, design, and study of concrete structures using the ACI specifications. Focus on beams and columns
CE 6983 Engineering of Wood Structures: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3603). Three hours lecture. Loads on structures. Analysis and design of wood structures using the appropriate specifications. Focus on beams and columns
CE 6990 Special Topics in Civil & Environmental Engineering: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
CE 6993 Prestressed Concrete Structures: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 4953). Three hours lecture. Loads on structures. Analysis and design of prestressed concrete structures using ACI specifications. Focus on beams
CE 7000 Directed Individual Study in Civil & Environmental Engineering: 1-6 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
CE 8000 Thesis Research/ Thesis in Civil & Environmental Engineering: 1-13 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
CE 8133 Traffic Flow Theory: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 4143/6143). Three hours lecture. An analysis of the engineering and mathematical principles of traffic flow
CE 8143 Traffic Simulation and Advanced Traffic Management: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: CE 4143/6143 or one computer programming related course). Introduction of traffic control concepts. Understanding of existing traffic control systems. In-depth knowledge of traffic simulation
CE 8163 Public Transportation: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: CE 4153/6153 or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Principles of efficient management, and planning of public transportation systems: capabilities and limitations, optimal scale and layout, design and operation of transit systems
CE 8203 Finite Element Modeling in CEE: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture.Modern finite element methods for continum mechanical models relevant to civil and environmental engineering, including surface and subsurface fluid flow, mass transport, and solid mechanics
CE 8303 Material Characterization: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:CE 3413 and CE 3313 or equivalent). Three hours lecture. Characterization of advanced material behaviors for pavement subgrades, bases and surface courses, Stree dependency, viscoelasticity, repeated load moduli, and stabilization are central behaviors of interest
CE 8313 Materials Science and Durability of Concrete: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor). Three hours lecture. Materials science of concrete and cement-based materials with a focus on materials specification and testing as well as identifying mechanisms of material degradation
CE 8333 Pavement Performance and Rehabilitation: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: CE 3313, 3413, and CE 4103/6103, or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Field methods for evaluating pavement performance including surveys, profiling, and frictional resistance. Impulse deflection testing of structural integrity. Pavement preservation and rehabilitation techniques
CE 8343 Advanced Pavement Materials: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: CE 3413 and CE 3313, or equivalent). Three hours lecture. Properties, behavior and performance of highway and airfield paving materials; principally asphalt and concrete. Quality control and assurance. Constitute material properties and specifications
CE 8413 Advanced Geotechnical Site Characterization: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor). Three hours lecture. Fundamentals of geotechnical engineering site characterization and special techniques for large projects involving difficult complex geological soils
CE 8423 Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3413 or Consent of Instructor). Three hours lecture. Dynamic soil properties, seismic site response analysis, and evaluation of soil liquefication, seismic stability of dams and embankments, seismic aspects of foundation design
CE 8433 Advanced Foundations: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:Grade of C or better in CE 4433 or consent of instructor ). Three hours lecture. A continuation of CE 3433 with emphasis on unusual soil conditions and foundations
CE 8443 Soil Behavior: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3413 or equivalent). Three hours lecture. Review of methods of testing to define response; rationale for choosing shear strength and deformation parameters for soils for design applications
CE 8453 Physical Properties of Soils: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3413). Three hours lecture. Three hours laboratory. A study of the physical properties of soil masses as related to foundation engineering
CE 8463 Slopes & Embankments: 3 hours.
CE 8473 Theoretical Soil Mechanics: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor).Three hours lecture. Modern interpretation of soil behavior for engineering applications. Extrapolation of actual conditions from standard testing results
CE 8503 Data Analysis for CEE: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:MA 3253).Three hours lecture. Analysis and interpretation of civil and environmental engineering data. Empirical, analytic, and statistical decomposition of spatial and temporal data to determine meaning
CE 8533 Hydromechanics: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:Consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Mechanics of incompressible unsteady,turbulent flows. Equations of motion,hydrodynamic forces on structures, introduction to turbulence
CE 8543 Tidal Hydraulics: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:Consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Hydrodynamcis and transport in tidal bays and estuaries. Unsteady, non-uniform stratified flows, tides, waves, currents, circulation,salinity intrusion, and sedimentation, and engineering analysis and works
CE 8553 Rivers, Estuaries and Coasts: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: CE 4523/6523 or equivalent course or consent of instructor).Three hours lecture.Basic introduction to the physical processes in river,estuaries, and coastal zones. Engineered solutions to common problems concerning flow and sedimentation
CE 8563 Groundwater Resource Evaluation: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:Grade C or better in CE 3813). Three hours lecture. Groundwater movement; Darcy's law; equations of groundwater flow; confined and unconfined flow; wells and well field analysis; groundwater quality; aquifer management
CE 8573 Hydro-environmental Analysis: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:Consent of instructor) Three hours lecture. Environmental engineering aspects of physical/chemical/ biological processes impacting conventional and toxic materials in surface waters.Characteristics of rivers/streams,lakes and estuaries related to environmental quality
CE 8593 Environmental Hydrology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:Consent of instructor).Three hours lecture. Discuss hydrologic cycle and its effects on water quality; principles and models for pollutant transport and transformations in surface runoff, in-stream, unsaturated soil, and groundwater
CE 8603 Mat Struct Analysis II: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:Grade of B or better in CE 4913/6913). Advanced topics in matrix structural analysis using the direct stiffness method
CE 8623 Theory of Plates and Shells: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Grade of B or better in CE 3603 or consent of instructor.)Three hours lecture. Equations of equilibrium for plates, slabs, and shells
CE 8653 Computational Inelasticity: 3 hours.
Three hour lecture.Computational methods and finite elements applied to inelastic deformations of solids; deformation continuum plasticity, viscoplasticity and viscoelasticity; with application to metals, soils, concrete, and polymers
CE 8673 Blast Effects and Structures Responses: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Consent of intructor). Three hours lecture. Fundamental blast phenomena. Blast loadings on structures and effects on occupants. Design and analysis of structural elements and systems subjected to blast
CE 8683 Finite Element Analysis in Structural Engineering: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: CE 4663/66630). Three hours lecture. Energy and elasticity principles. Development of planar three-dimensional and curved elements. Applications to plates and shells. Use of computer programs
CE 8713 Green Building Systems: 3 hours.
Three hour lecture. Understanding negative impacts of construction on the societal sustainability and using life-cycle assessment, systems analysis and economic valuation for mitigation
CE 8803 Unit Processes and Operations in Environmental Engineering I: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Theory and application of physical and chemical unit processes and operations available for the treatment of water and wastewater
CE 8823 Unit Processes and Operations in Environmental Engineering II: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Theory and application of biological processes available for the treatment of wastewater
CE 8863 Solid Waste Management: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: CE 3824) Three hours lecture. Define and characterize non-hazardous solid wastes and how to minimize, handle, transport, store, recycle and dispose of these materials
CE 8923 Surface Water Quality Modeling: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Consent of instructor). Development of the mathematical formulations describing the distribution of concentration of conserative and nonconservative pollutants describing the distribution of concentration of conservative in natural waters
CE 8933 Surface Water Quality Modeling II: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:CE 8923) Three hours lecture. Advanced topics related to surface water quality modeling. Overview of the present state-of-the-art of modeling, analysis eutrophication,toxic materials (organice chemicals and metals)and review of recent trends
CE 8953 Fine Sediment Processes: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:Consent of Instructor). Three hours lecture. FIne sediment processes in transport, deposition , and erosion by water. Fluid-particle interactions, flocculation process in clay sediments, lutocline, formations and fluid mud,bed formation processes
CE 8963 Hydraulics of Closed Conduits: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:Consent of instructor).Three hours lecture. Analysis of steady, quasi-steady, time-dependent, and transient conduit flow;flow resistance;system components;distribution systems; compute applications to closed conduits
CE 8990 Special Topics in Civil & Environmental Engineering: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
CE 9000 Dissertation Research/ Dissertation in Civil & Environmental Engineering: 1-13 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged