Civil Engineering with a Concentration in Geotechnical and Structures (MS)
Overview
The Master of Science in Civil Engineering supports the mission of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley by preparing students who are globally competitive to effectively practice engineering with professionalism and a commitment to ethnical responsibilities. Students will be afforded opportunities to meet and interact with practicing engineers, businesses, and governmental agencies as well as to participate in professional engineering organizations and in research. The program prepares students for local, regional, or worldwide employment in the engineering profession with a 30‐hour degree program under two options, a thesis option, or a non-thesis (coursework) option. Students under the non-thesis option will be required to take a written comprehensive examination at the end of their degree plan to be certified. Students will select one of four concentrations: Construction and Transportation, Geotechnical and Structures, Energy and Utility Infrastructure, and Environmental and Water Resources.
The thesis option is designed to provide depth in one of the areas of concentration, and to promote cross‐cutting, inquiry‐based research. Students in the thesis option are required to take a minimum of four elective courses from one selected concentration area. Students are required develop and successfully defend a thesis proposal, and subsequently execute, document and defend the proposed research to meet graduation requirements.
The non‐thesis option is designed to provide advanced knowledge and technical capacity across all four areas of concentration. Students are required to take at least unique two electives from each concentration area.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the Master of Science in Civil Engineering degree program with clear admission status, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a bachelor’s degree in another field with courses and/or experience that prepare the applicant for graduate work in Civil Engineering.
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours. Students with an undergraduate GPA between 2.75 and 3.0 may be considered for conditional admission.
- Three letters of recommendation from professional or academic sources.
- Letter of intent detailing professional goals and reasons for pursuing the graduate degree.
- CV or Resume.
- GRE General Test. GRE test scores are valid for 5 years. A waiver of the GRE requirement will be granted to applicants who show proof of completing a graduate degree (master’s or doctoral).
Application must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.
Program Requirements
Leveling Courses
Students admitted to the MS in Civil Engineering without a civil engineering background may be required to completed one or more of the leveling courses below as determined by the advisor
Core Courses - 6 to 12 Hours
Non-thesis students who complete 6 credit hours from the CIVE core will be required to complete 24 hours in the CIVE concentration. Students who take 9 credit hours from the CIVE core will be required to complete 21 credit hours in the CIVE concentration. Students who take 12 credit hours from the CIVE core will be required to take 18 hours in the CIVE concentration. Thesis students who complete 6 credit hours from the CIVE core will be required to complete 18 hours in the CIVE concentration. Students who take 9 credit hours from the CIVE core will be required to complete 15 credit hours in the CIVE concentration. Students who take 12 credit hours from the CIVE core will be required to take 12 hours in the CIVE concentration.
Choose from the following:
Non-Thesis Option
Concentration Courses –18 to 24 Hours
Students must complete a minimum of 18 hours of concentration courses.
Choose from the following:
With program coordinator approval, students may take up to 6 credit hours outside of the Department of Civil Engineering at UTRGV
Written Comprehensive Exam
Student must pass a written comprehensive exam with at least 80% in their last semester prior to graduation. If a student fails the exam, the student must register for CIVE 7100 to retake the exam the following semester.
Thesis Option
Thesis students will complete a minimum of 6 credit hours of thesis courses. The 6 hours of thesis will reduce the concentration credit hours to 18. Students pursing a thesis do not need to take a comprehensive exam.
Concentration Courses –12 to 18 Hours
Students must complete a minimum of 12 hours of concentration courses.
Choose from the following:
Thesis - 6 Hours
Once taken, CIVE 7301 must be repeated each semester until thesis is successfully defended. Thesis-track students are allowed to enroll in CIVE 7100 only one time in their final semester to revise their thesis.
Total Credit Hours: 30