The Department of Civil Engineering offers a graduate program that is based primarily in structural engineering/structural mechanics, geotechnical engineering/geomechanics, and probabilistic methods/hazards management. To be admitted to the program, students are expected to have graduated with an outstanding record in an appropriate undergraduate program.

Structural and geotechnical engineering today are dynamic, complex, and technologically sophisticated fields. Powerful computational methods and high-strength materials have offered new opportunities and new challenges. The graduate program is designed to instill in the student the fundamental theoretical concepts of mechanics as well as practical knowledge of modern structural and geotechnical engineering.

Doctor of Philosophy

The Ph.D. in Civil Engineering degree requires a minimum approved program of 14 technical courses (or their equivalent) beyond the bachelor’s degree. All doctoral candidates are expected to demonstrate a high level of oral and written proficiency in English. International students are encouraged to participate in ESL testing /recommended courses through the Language Teaching Center. Candidates must pass a department qualifying examination of their general scientific preparation, submit for approval a detailed preliminary proposal for the dissertation, and pass a Graduate Board oral examination. The Ph.D. degree is awarded following a successful defense of the doctoral dissertation. Appropriate graduate courses taken at another institution may he used toward the Ph.D. degree; exact credits are worked out on a case-by-case basis. A master’s degree in civil engineering is generally considered sufficient evidence for a maximum of eight courses.

Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.)

Obtaining the Master of Science in Engineering degree in Civil Engineering normally takes three to four semesters of full-time study. It is also possible to satisfy the requirements on a part-time basis. The option for those receiving a terminal M.S.E. degree consists of a minimum of eight courses and a master’s thesis. The option for those going on to the Ph.D. consists of 10 courses and passing the department qualifying examination and the Graduate Board oral examination. Transfer credit for work completed at another institution is generally not counted toward the M.S.E. degree.

There is no set curriculum for graduate study. Students are expected to design a program that offers them depth in structural engineering/structural mechanics, geotechnical engineering/geomechanics, or probabilistic methods/hazards management as well as a degree of breadth in related disciplines. All programs must be approved by the department.

Master of Civil Engineering (M.C.E.)

The Master of Civil Engineering degree requires 10 courses and emphasizes four focus areas: structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, bridge engineering, and ocean engineering. Oriented toward professional practice, this degree program is not normally selected by those students planning to go on for the Ph.D. Courses are so scheduled that it is possible to earn the M.C.E. degree on a part-time basis, taking all courses in the late afternoon and evening. Students normally take some courses listed in this catalog and some listed in the catalog for Part-Time Programs in Engineering and Applied Science. Information regarding this program, including admission, is available from the Office of Part-time Programs in Engineering and Applied Science.

Post-Doctoral Program

The Johns Hopkins University traditionally has a number of postdoctoral fellows. Fellows conduct research under the sponsorship of one or more faculty members in the department.