Haluk Aktan, Advisor

G253 Parkview Campus

The principal objective of persons working in the field of civil engineering is the design and construction of systems to enhance the quality of like and to improve the environment in which we live. Western Michigan University’s Master of Science in Engineering (Civil) is aimed at graduates of engineering programs who want to play an active role in the development and rejuvenation of the national infrastructure. The primary areas of focus in the department at the graduate level are construction engineering and management, structural engineering, and transportation engineering. Through the available program options, students can earn the degree on a full-time or part-time basis and can have a design or research orientation.

Admission Requirements

Students entering the proposed master’s degree program are expected to have a background equivalent to that of students graduating from the department’s undergraduate civil and construction engineering programs, or to obtain such background through specified prerequisite coursework. Further, students are expected to have earned a grade-point ratio of at least 3.00/4.00 on the last four semesters of academic study (at least 60 semester credit hours). Applicants with a GPA less than 3.00/4.00 can be considered under special circumstances, such as significant related work experience.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from the master’s degree program, all students must complete the two core courses and must satisfy the requirements of one of the three program options.

The two core courses are as follows:

• CCE 6020 Modeling and Analysis of Civil Engineering Applications   Credits: 3 hours
• CCE 6100 Civil Systems Analysis   Credits: 3 hours
  

Regardless of the degree option selected, the majority of total credit hours applied to the degree, excluding thesis and design project, must be CCE courses. All out of department courses applied to the degree require prior consent of the advisor. The program options and additional degree requirements are:

Option 1 – Research (30 hours)

Students must successfully complete at least 24 credit hours of graduate coursework including at least three courses in a primary area of study within civil engineering and two areas in a secondary area of study within civil engineering, successfully complete at least six credit hours of graduate thesis research, prepare a research thesis, and successfully complete a final oral examination that is primarily focused on the research thesis but can also address coursework. The final examination will be administered by the student’s graduate academic committee. This program is intended primarily for students who wish to conduct research and expand civil engineering knowledge. Please note that this is the only degree option for which graduate assistantships are available.

Option 2 – Professional Practice (30 hours)

Student must successfully complete at least twenty-seven credit hours of graduate coursework including at least three courses in each of two areas of civil engineering and at least three credit hours of graduate capstone design that culminates in the preparation of a project report. Depending upon the student’s previous background, a course in management may be required as the focus of this degree option in professional practice. Further, each student must successfully complete the Fundamentals of Engineering examination and a final oral examination that is focused on the graduate design project. The final examination will be administered by the student’s graduate academic committee. This degree option is intended primarily for students who intend to practice civil engineering at the professional level.

Option 3 – Technical and Management Development (36 hours)

Students must successfully complete at least thirty-six credit hours of graduate coursework including at least three courses in each of two area of civil engineering and three courses developing business management and engineering management skills. At least two CCE courses used for the degree program must be graduate design courses. Further, students must successfully complete a final comprehensive written and/or oral examination that addresses the student’s undergraduate and graduate education. The final examination will be coordinated by the student’s graduate academic advisor. This degree option is intended primarily for students in practice who want to enhance their technical skills and to develop management skills.