University of Texas at El Paso Academic Catalog

Academic Catalog

M.S. in Civil Engineering

Educational Objectives

  •  Students will demonstrate an ability to apply advanced science and engineering concepts to the solution of complex engineering problems.
  •  Students will demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively orally and in written form.
  •  Students will demonstrate an ability to research, analyze, and/or design complex engineering systems to meet a desired need.

Admission Requirements 

Applicants must have completed a bachelor's in civil engineering or another related engineering discipline. Candidates wishing to pursue acceptance into the program with a non-Civil/Environmental Engineering background are welcomed to apply and should request specific detailed information regarding admission policy and possible leveling courses with the graduate advisor. Students need at least a 3.0 undergraduate grade point average to be considered for admission. Applicants who do not have degrees from English medium universities are required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A score of 550 is required for admission and 250/600 for appointment to a teaching assistantship. 

Recommendations for admission are made on the basis of the following:

  • Grade point average in upper-division or graduate work as appropriate.

  • Resume or evidence of relevant personal or professional experience.

  • Two letters of recommendation

  • Research needs of the faculty

  • Availability of space in the area of interest.

  • Applicants from countries where English is not the first language are required to demonstrate English proficiency. Please consult the graduate school website for required scores.

Degree Requirements 

For the Master of Science in Civil Engineering, thesis and non-thesis programs are available. Students enrolled in the thesis program normally take a minimum of 24 hours of coursework plus six (6) hours of CE 5398-CE 5399, Thesis. Non-thesis students follow a 33-hour program which includes credit for CE 5396-CE 5397, Graduate Design Projects.

Degree Plan

Required Credits: 30

MS in Civil Engineering Program (All courses require a grade of C or better)
Program Electives:
Select twenty-four hours of Graduate CE courses24
Thesis/Non-Thesis Option:
Select one sequence below:6-9
Thesis Option:
Thesis
and Thesis
Non-Thesis Option:
Graduate Projects
and Graduate Projects
Total Hours30-33

Graduate CE Courses

CE 5302Grndwtr Hydro & Polltn3
CE 5304Adv Design of Struct Systms3
CE 5305Advanced Structural Analysis3
CE 5307Finite Element Method (3-0)3
CE 5310Risk/Reliability Anal-Engr Sys3
CE 5312Environmental Processes3
CE 5313Water Reclamation & Reuse3
CE 5317Stats Methods for Civil Eng3
CE 5318Bridge Engineering3
CE 5320Advanced Geotechnical Eng.3
CE 5323Prestressed Concrete3
CE 5324Construction Management3
CE 5325Design for Dynamic Loads3
CE 5326Air Pollution Control3
CE 5331Soil Stabilization3
CE 5332Methods Engineering Computatio3
CE 5334Unsaturated Soil Mechanics3
CE 5340Surface Water Hydrology3
CE 5341Hydraulic Computer Application3
CE 5344Biol Unit Operations/Processes3
CE 5345Adv Phy-Chem Water Treat3
CE 5349Design-Filtrat'n/Membrane Proc3
CE 5351Mech Pavement Design/Analysis3
CE 5352Foundation Design II3
CE 5353Geotech. Site Investigation3
CE 5355Advanced Civil Eng. Materials3
CE 5356Sustainable Engr Design3
CE 5357Structural Loads Models3
CE 5358Traffic Engineering3
CE 5359Foundation Design I3
CE 5360Highway Geometric Design3
CE 5361Traffic Flow/Simulat Modeling3
CE 5362Urban Transportation Planning3
CE 5365Infrastrct Syst Design & Eval3
CE 5371Construction Dispute Resolutn3
CE 5382Adv Constr Cost Analysis & Bid3
CE 5385Construction Internship3
CE 5386Adv Construction Law & Ethics3
CE 5387Adv Construction Scheduling3
CE 5388Advanced Construction Safety3
CE 5389Adv Constr Methods & Materials3
CE 5390Special Topics Civil Engr3
CE 5391Individual Studies3
CE 5392Earth Construction3
CE 5394Graduate Research3
CE 5395Construction Claims3
CE 5396Graduate Projects3
CE 5397Graduate Projects3
CE 5409Environmental Eng Chemistry4
CE 5694Graduate Research6
CE 6195Civil Engineering Seminar1
CE 6296Doctoral Research2
CE 6301Infrastructure Management3
CE 6303Engineering Analysis (3-0)3
CE 6306Infrastructure Engineering3
CE 6313Water Resources Mgmt3
CE 6332Mod Methods/Engr Computation3
CE 6396Doctoral Research3