Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering

Degree Requirements

Because the majors and emphases require different courses, choosing your program as soon as possible will help you graduate in four years.

Before taking upper-level courses in your major, though, you need to fulfill several requirements set out by the College of Engineering. These are called your basic program requirements and are usually taken your first year. They include Engineering 101, Civil Engineering 160, English 104 and 105, and others.

After completing these requirements with at least a 2.00 grade point average and cumulative ISU 2.00 grade point average, you can start taking 200-level and above courses in your major.

For more information, see the undergraduate curricula and four-year plans.

With Specialization

Master's students specializing in Construction Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Structural Engineering, or Transportation Engineering generally must take 15 credit hours (5 courses) within their specialization.

With Thesis

• Minimum of 30 total credits including thesis research
• Minimum of 22 credits of formal courses (which may include up to 3 credits of CE 590)
• Minimum of 6 credits of thesis research (CE 699)
• Minimum of 6 credits of courses outside of the area of specialization (must be approved for graduate or minor graduate credit by the host department, see the ISU Bulletin for courses available for minor graduate credit)
• Minimum of 20 credits of 500 level courses or above, including thesis research
• Maximum of one course at the 300 or 400 level within the department (see list)

Without Thesis

• Minimum of 30 total credits including creative component
• Minimum of 28 credits of formal courses (which may include up to 3 credits of CE 590)
• Minimum of 2 credits for creative component (CE 599)
• Minimum of 6 credits of courses outside of the area of specialization (must be approved for graduate or minor graduate credit by the host department, see ISU Bulletin)
• Minimum of 18 credits of 500 level courses or above, including creative component
• Maximum of one course at the 300 or 400 level within the department (see list)

Without Specialization

• Minimum of 30 total credits including creative component
• Minimum of 22 credits of major courses with at least 6 credits in each of three specialization areas (see M.S./Ph.D. in Civil Engineering) administered by the department (which may include up to 3 credits of CE 590)
• Minimum of 2 credits for creative component (CE 599)
• Minimum of 6 credits of courses outside of the department (must be approved for graduate or minor graduate credit by the host department, see ISU Graduate Catalog)
• Minimum of 18 credits of 500 level courses or above, including creative component

The doctor of philosophy is an advanced, research-oriented degree that can be highly individualized. However, these credits are required:

• Minimum of 72 credits including dissertation research
• Minimum of 33 credits of formal course work (including not more than 6 credits of CE 590/CE 690)
• Minimum of 16 credits of dissertation research (CE 699) (not
  including research accomplished to satisfy requirements for a master of science degree)
• Minimum of 36 credits of 500 level courses or above, including research credits
• Minimum of 9 credits of formal courses outside of the department. Courses must be approved for graduate or minor graduate credit by the host department. See the ISU Bulletin for minor graduate credit courses. These credits are counted in the 33 credtis above.
• Maximum of 6 credits of 300 or 400 level formal course credits within the department, but outside the specialization area (list below)

Candidates for this degree must complete a minimum of 72 credits of acceptable graduate work including dissertation research. Dissertation research must account for at least 16 credits.

Construction Engineering & Management:
417, 428, 446, 447, 460

Environmental Engineering:
417, 446, 447, 460

Geotechnical and Materials Engineering:
417, 428, 446, 447

Structural Engineering:
417, 428, 460

Transportation Engineering:
417, 428, 446, 447, 460