Programs Graduate Program Geotechnical and PavementsGraduate Program in Geotechnical and Pavements EngineeringThe graduate program in Geotechnical and Pavements Engineering focuses on the characterization and utilization of natural materials for civil engineering construction. Historically, the geotechnical engineering program focused on structural foundations, slope stability, and earth dams. Today, the program's scope of activities has expanded to include natural and man made hazard mitigation, advanced techniques for site and material characterization, constitutive modeling of natural materials, design of pavement systems, and geo-environmental assessment and remediation. The Geotechnical and Pavements Engineering program prepares students for careers in consulting practice, construction, research and teaching. The faculty offers a broad and varied background, rich in long term practical experience and strong in theoretical mechanics and experimental modeling of geo-materials and pavements. Four faculty members in the group provide the diversity that enables a comprehensive course curriculum and a wide range of research opportunities to be offered to incoming undergraduate and graduate students. The specific course requirements and associated courses for each program are as follows: Master ProgramProfessional Masters of Science Degree In Geotechnical Engineering requirements30 credits required as follows:
1The students can also take an independent study course CEE 2996; however they have to write a report from the results of the independent study to give the grade. The rest of the courses could be any from the Civil Engineering Program or from other departments with the approval of the Adviser. Students must have a final grade point average of 3.00 or higher to be awarded their degree. Professional Masters of Science Degree In Pavement Engineering Requirements
2The students can also take an independent study course CEE 2996; however they have to write a report from the results of the independent study to give the grade. The rest of the courses could be any from the Civil Engineering Program or from other departments with the approval of the Adviser. Students must have a final grade point average of 3.00 or higher to be awarded their degree. Masters of Science Degree in Geotechnical Engineering Requirements(1) Thesis option: 30 credits required as follows:
3The students can also take an independent study course CEE 2996; however they have to write a report from the results of the independent study to give the grade. The rest of the courses could be any from the Civil Engineering Program or from other departments with the approval of the Adviser. The thesis option requires passing an oral Comprehensive Examination, based upon the completed graduate course work, and an oral defense as well as written documentation of the Thesis. The Comprehensive Examination may be oral and combined with the final oral defense of the Thesis work. The Masters degrees are conferred only on those who have completed all course requirements with at least 3.0 QPA. Students with a Teaching Assistantship or Research Assistantship must write a thesis. (2) Non-thesis option: 30 credits required as follows:
4The students can also take an independent study course CEE 2996; however they have to write a report from the results of the independent study to give the grade. The rest of the courses could be any from the Civil Engineering Program or from other departments with the approval of the Adviser. The research project tract option requires passing a Comprehensive Examination, based upon the completed graduate course work, and an oral defense as well as written documentation of the Project. The Comprehensive Examination may be oral and combined with the final oral defense of the Project. The Masters degrees are conferred only on those who have completed all course requirements with at least 3.0 QPA. Masters of Science Degree in Pavements Engineering Requirements(1) Thesis option: 30 credits required as follows:
5The students can also take an independent study course CEE 2996; however they have to write a report from the results of the independent study to give the grade. The rest of the courses could be any from the Civil Engineering Program or from other departments with the approval of the Adviser. The thesis option requires passing an oral Comprehensive Examination, based upon the completed graduate course work, and an oral defense as well as written documentation of the Thesis. The Comprehensive Examination may be oral and combined with the final oral defense of the Thesis work. The Masters degrees are conferred only on those who have completed all course requirements with at least 3.0 QPA. Students with a Teaching Assistantship or Research Assistantship must write a thesis. (2) Non-thesis option 30 credits required as follows:
6The students can also take an independent study course CEE 2996; however they have to write a report from the results of the independent study to give the grade. The rest of the courses could be any from the Civil Engineering Program or from other departments with the approval of the Adviser. The research project tract option require passing a Comprehensive Examination, based upon the completed graduate course work, and an oral defense as well as written documentation of the Project. The Comprehensive Examination may be oral and combined with the final oral defense of the Project. The Masters degrees are conferred only on those who have completed all course requirements with at least 3.0 QPA Doctoral ProgramThe complete Ph.D. program requires 72 credits of post baccalaureate work. For the Ph.D. degree with a concentration in Geotechnical Engineering or Pavements Engineering, the students must complete 45 credits of course work and special investigations. Of these 45 credits, 30 credits must have been taken in the major area of concentration (geotechnical or pavements) and closely related areas. Credit for these 30 credits will be given to the student that has completed a Masters of Science degree in Civil and Environmental (with a concentration area in geotechnical or pavements engineering) at the University of Pittsburgh or at another institution. The remaining 15 of the 45 credits should include courses or special investigations in the area of Civil and Environmental engineering or closely related areas. The selection of these courses requires the approval of the Advisor. The courses accounting for the 45 credits must include those forming part of the core of each of the areas. Core CoursesFor the case of geotechnical engineering, these core courses are:
For the case of pavements engineering these core courses are:
Minor Concentration CoursesIn addition to the courses that account for the 45 credits, the students need to complete a minimum of 9 credits (3 courses) in a minor area of concentration. The courses forming part of this minor area of concentration could be graduate courses from the civil and environmental engineering program different than geotechnical or pavements engineering, or they could be part of geology, mathematics, or another engineering discipline (mechanical, materials science, industrial, etc.). The selection of these courses requires the approval of the Advisor. DissertationBesides the above requirements, the students must complete:
Doctoral students must pass a written Comprehensive Qualifying Examination, based upon graduate coursework, in order to be considered a PhD candidate. This examination is administered in August and will typically be taken following the completion of the majority of required course work. Furthermore, students must pass an oral dissertation proposal defense/comprehensive examination and a final defense of their dissertation. Students must have a final grade point average of 3.00 or higher to be awarded their degree. Additionally, Ph.D. students must have at least one peer-reviewed journal article in press (fully accepted) or in print prior to graduating. |
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