Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

a view of downtown Portland

Graduate Programs

The CEE Department offers three graduate degrees: 

  • Master of Science (MS)  in Civil and Environmental Engineering: The MS is designed to provide students with the technical and professional knowledge necessary to develop their abilities and seek creative solutions to complex problems in their field of interest. MS students complete a thesis or research project under the supervision of a faculty member.
    • MS Thesis: The thesis option requires a formal research project, which will involve several terms of work, and culminate in a comprehensive MS Thesis, offering significant contributions to the field. This option is appropriate for students who wish to get experience conducting research, which entails dealing with an open-ended problem. It is typically the basis for students who wish to pursue a PhD.  The thesis option requires forming an MS committee, which is led by the student’s faculty advisor, and an oral thesis defense.
    • MS Project: The project option is designed to be more flexible and tailored to students who are not necessarily interested in conducting basic research but still want to spend time working on a complex problem. The resulting MS Project Report documents the conducted work and is approved by the student’s faculty advisor. A presentation of the work by the student is required. 
  • Master of Engineering (MEng) in Civil and Environmental Engineering: The MEng is a non-research based professional degree. MEng students may be full-time or part-time while working in the engineering field.  These students complete an advanced degree without a thesis/project requirement.
  • PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering: The PhD educates technical experts to meet challenges related to enhancing infrastructure and the environment. Students learn about conducting research and solving technical problems that have an impact both regionally and globally. The PhD program culminates in a written dissertation representing an original contribution to knowledge in the field, significantly enlarging, modifying, or reinterpreting what was previously known. Students work closely with their advisors, but PhD research is an original, independent investigation of the chosen research topic.

Students in the graduate program focus on one of five engineering specializations: 
 

Civil & Environmental Engineering Specializations

*NEW* Engineering & Preservation of  Existing Structures

Students in this new specialization focus on essential technical and non-technicals skills to examine, model, maintain, and manage existing structures and infrastructure. Research topics include non-destructive testing, structural health monitoring, numerical modeling, condition assessment, load rating, service-life modeling, strengthening and repair, and asset management of civil infrastructure. Non-technical aspects such as social and historic significance of structures, equity, sustainability, and resilience are also discussed. Graduates from this program can pursue rewarding careers in both the private and public sectors, addressing the growing demand for experts in preserving and enhancing our built environment. Learn more about this new specialization.

Faculty Research about View of the Steel Bridge, a through truss, double-deck vertical-lift bridge across the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon.

Environmental / Water Resources Engineering

This specialization provides a wide range of research avenues, allowing students to explore various aspects of environmental and water resources engineering. Research focuses on addressing pressing issues like water quality in surface water and groundwater systems, sustainability,  the interactions between climate, hydrology, and water resources,  and the impact of vegetation on water, carbon, and energy fluxes between the land surface and atmosphere.

Faculty Research about researchers collect water samples from a creek

Geotechnical Engineering

Students in this specialization have the opportunity to engage in various research topics related to geotechnical earthquake engineering including soil liquefaction, numerical modeling, soil-structure interaction, and seismic hazard analysis. The program also focuses on laboratory and in-situ testing and soil constitutive modeling, offering a comprehensive study of geotechnical aspects related to earthquake engineering.

Faculty Research about a student looks through the lens of a surveying instrument

Structural Engineering

This specialization gives students the opportunity to learn about the analysis and design of new structures using advanced analytical methods and the latest design codes and standards. Topics include analysis and design of structures made of concrete, steel, and timber, bridge design, earthquake-design and retrofitting. Research includes earthquake-resistant design, high-voltage infrastructure seismic assessment, and green building design. This specialization also covers non-destructive testing,  innovative sensing for structural health monitoring, risk management, resilience assessment, and civil infrastructure life-cycle management, providing a complete and modern view of structural engineering.

Faculty Research about Two researchers working on a steel beam.

Transportation Engineering

In the transportation specialization, students focus on data analysis, design approaches, and cutting-edge modeling techniques to shape smart cities. Students can explore research areas related to big transportation data, connected and autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, emissions and sustainability, equity, freight and logistics, and safety. This specialization is ideal for those passionate about advancing smart, sustainable, and efficient transportation and logistics systems.

Faculty Research about Portland Streetcar

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