Civil and Environmental Engineering

Major research areas for the department include: materials, structures and geo-systems; environmental chemistry and toxicology; environmental process engineering; and hydrology and fluid dynamics. Within these areas students can pursue engineering mechanics, computational mechanics, geomaterials and environmental geomechanics, engineering and environmental geophysics, structural engineering, water resource engineering, hydrology, environmental fluid dynamics, and chemical and biological aspects of pollution of water, atmosphere, and soil, among others.

• 6 credits in the department courses
• 9 credits in study track specific CEE core courses
• At least 9 credits from other approved graduate courses, with preference for engineering courses.
• 6 research credits to support their MS thesis. The student takes an oral exam on the thesis.
• Participation in the Graduate Colloquium
• Completion of the rubric form (thesis or non-thesis)

A maximum of 12 of the total 30 credits may be earned via transfer of earlier graduate credits under the Graduate School rules.

Study Tracks

STUDY TRACK: COMPUTATIONAL MECHANICS AND SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING

Computational mechanics encompasses the development and use of computational methods for studying problems governed by the laws of mechanics. Modern computational mechanics is embodied in the broad field of computational science and engineering. This discipline plays a fundamental role in a vast number of many important problems in science and engineering. Duke University has unique facilities and world-renowned faculty in this area. Students of computational mechanics at Duke receive premier training in the core disciplines of applied mathematics, numerical methods, computer science, and mechanics.

Students must take a total of at least five courses from the set listed below, with at least one course in each of the four principal areas.

Mathematics

• Math 531. Basic Analysis I
• Math 541. 
 Applied Stochastic Processes
• Math 551. Applied Partial Differential Equations and Complex Variables
• Math 561. Scientific Computing I
• Math 635. Functional Analysis
• CEE 690. 
 Mathematical Analysis of the Finite Element Method

Numerical Methods

• CEE 530. Introduction to the Finite Element Method
• CEE 531. Finite Element Methods for Problems in Fluid Mechanics
• CEE 630. Nonlinear Finite Element Method
• CEE 690. Numerical Optimization

Computer Science

• CS 201. Data Structures and Algorithms
• CS 308. Software Design
• ECE 551D. 
 
Programming, Data Structues, and Algorithms in C++

Engineering Sciences and Mechanics

• CEE 520. Continuum Mechanics
• ME 531. Thermodynamics
• ME 555. Computational Materials Science
• ME 631. Intermediate Fluid Dynamics
• ME 632. 
 Advanced Fluid Dynamics

STUDY TRACK: ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL GEOMECHANICS AND GEOPHYSICS

The Engineering and Environmental Geomechanics and Geophysics (EEGG) focus mirrors modern developments in Geomechanics and Geophysics, which address applications to new technologies in contemporary energy, global health issues related to the geo-environment and environmental protection industry: conventional and unconventional fossil fuel exploration and exploitation, including shale gas and oil, nuclear, industrial and municipal waste disposal, CO2 sequestration, geothermal energy production, storage, procurement of clean water in arid areas, to mention a few.

The core area of interest encompasses multi-physics and multi- scale problems for studying problems related to mechanics and a variety of physical and chemical processes of geomaterials. Duke University has world-renowned faculty in this area and offers possibilities for intense international collaboration and engagement. Students of EEGG at Duke receive premier training in the core disciplines of applied mechanics of geo- materials and non-invasive geophysical methods in characterizing geomaterials for engineering and environmental purposes and involves laboratory and field testing.

Students must take a total of at least five courses from the set listed below, with at least one course in each of the four principal areas.

Mathematics

• Math 551. Applied Partial Differential Equations and Complex Variables
• Math 557. Introduction to Partial Differential Equations
• Math 561. 
 Scientific Computing I
• Math 557. 
 Mathematical Modeling

Numerical Methods

• CEE 530. Introduction to the Finite Element Method
• CEE 630. Nonlinear Finite Element Method
• CEE 635. Computational Methods for Evolving Discontinuities and Interfaces

Geomechanics and Geophysics

• CEE 525. Wave Propagation in Elastic and Poroelastic Media
• CEE 560. 
 Environmental Transport Phenomena
• CEE 621. 
 Plasticity
• CEE 642. Environmental Geomechanics
• CEE 686. Ecohydrology

Engineering Sciences and Mechanics

• CEE 520. Continuum Mechanics
• CEE 541. Structural Dynamics
• ME 531. Thermodynamics
• ME 631. Intermediate Fluid Mechanics
• ME 632. Advanced Fluid Mechanics

STUDY TRACK: DYNAMIC SYSTEMS, UNCERTAINTY, AND OPTIMIZATION

Dynamics are prevalent in the mechanics of diverse engineered and natural systems and system failures often depend on factors that can can only be estimated with considerable uncertainty. The engineering (or optimization) of failure mitigation measures therefore re- quires modeling the transient dynamic aspects of failure mechanisms, the uncertainties in system capacities and, importantly, the uncertainties in system loading. This graduate con- centration focuses on modern methods of dynamic systems analysis, numerical modeling, and parallel computing: tools that can be used to quantify risks with unprecedented realism. The curricular program leverages premier courses in the core disciplines of applied mathematics, numerical methods, uncertainty modeling, and mechanics.

Students must take a total of at least five courses from the set listed below, with at least one course in each of the four principal areas.

Mathematics

• Math 551. Applied Partial Differential Equations and Complex Variables
• Math 555. Ordinary Differential Equations
• Math 561. 
Scientific Computing I
• ME 627. 
Linear Systems Theory

Numerical Methods

• CEE 530. Introduction to the Finite Element Method
• CEE 630. 
 Nonlinear Finite Element Method
• CEE 690. Numerical Optimization

Uncertainty Modeling

• Stat 611. Introduction to Modern Statistics
• ME 555. Uncertainty Quantification Methods
• Math 541. Applied Stochastic Processes
• Math 641. Probability

Engineering Sciences and Mechanics

• CEE 520. 
 Continuum Mechanics
• CEE 541. Structural Dynamics
• CEE 629. 
 System Identification
• ME 527. Buckling of Engineering Structures
• ME 742. Nonlinear Mechanical Vibration
• BME 590. 
 Viscoelastic Biomechanics

STUDY TRACK: HYDROLOGY AND FLUID DYNAMICS

Graduate study in environmental engineering is highly interdisciplinary and offers students tremendous flexibility in crafting a graduate program that suits individual interests. Research focuses on some of the most modern open problems in environmental fluid dynamics, hydrology and water resources. Ongoing research topics include: hydrometeorology (rainfall dynamics, land-atmosphere interaction, remote sensing), eco-hydrology (impact of hydroclimatic variability on ecosystems and feedbacks on the hydrologic cycle and local climate), contaminant transport hydrology (surface-subsurface interactions), water cycle dynamics and human health, and stochastic hydrology.

In addition to courses offered within the Pratt School of Engineering, students may take courses from Duke's professional schools and institutes including the Nicholas School for the Environment and Earth Sciences, the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, and the Sanford Institute of Public Policy.

Within the MS/PhD course and research opportunities offered for Duke graduate environmental engineering students, there are two tracks of study encompassing water resource engineering, hydrology, environmental fluid dynamics, and chemical and biological aspects of pollution ofwater, atmosphere, and soil, among others.

Students must take a total of at least five courses from the set listed below, with at least one course in each of the four principal areas.

Applied Math/Statistics

• CEE 501(202): Applied Mathematics for Engineers
• CEE 502(200): Engineering Data Analysis
• STA 611(213): Introduction to Statistical Methods
• MATH 561(224): Scientific Computing
• MATH 577(229): Mathematical Modeling 

Environmental Fluid Dynamics

• ME 631(226): Intermediate Fluid Mechanics
• ME 632(227): Advanced Fluid Mechanics
• CEE 690(265): Introduction to Turbulence
• ENVIRON 856(356): Environmental Fluid Mechanics 

Hydrometeorology and Ecohydrology

• CEE 684(224): Physical Hydrology and Hydrometeorology
• CEE 686(220): Ecohydrology 
• CEE 690(265): Vegetation and Hydrology
• ENVIRON 564(282): Biogeochemistry 

Contaminant Transport Hydrology

• CEE 581(245): Pollutant Transport Systems
• CEE 585(260): Vadose Zone Hydrology
• CEE 683(227): Groundwater Hydrology and Contaminant Transport

STUDY TRACK: ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESS ENGINEERING 

Graduate study in environmental engineering is highly interdisciplinary and offers students tremendous flexibility in crafting a graduate program that suits individual interests. Research focuses on phenomena that govern the origin, transport, transformation and impacts of contaminants on our environment and technologies for reducing the associated risks to human health and the environment. Research includes chemical processes that affect the fate of trace metals in the environment, transport and impacts of nanomaterials, molecular biological methods to monitor and improve performance of engineered microbial systems; biodegradation of organic contaminants, development of advanced membrane processes for water treatment and reuse, energy technologies and their impacts, and the properties, measurement and effects of ambient aerosols.

In addition to courses offered within the Pratt School of Engineering, students may take courses from Duke's professional schools and institutes including the Nicholas School for the Environment and Earth Sciences, the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, and the Sanford Institute of Public Policy.

Within the MS/PhD course and research opportunities offered for Duke graduate environmental engineering students, there are two tracks of study encompassing water resource engineering, hydrology, environmental fluid dynamics, and chemical and biological aspects of pollution ofwater, atmosphere, and soil, among others.

Students must take a total of at least five courses from the set listed below, with at least one course in each of the four principal areas.

Applied Math/Statistics

• CEE 501(202): Applied Mathematics for Engineers
• CEE 502(200): Engineering Data Analysis
• ENVIRON 710(210): Applied Data Analysis in Environmental Sciences
• MATH 541(216): Applied Stochastic Processes
• MATH 551(211): Applied Partial Differential Equations and Complex Variables

Transport Phenomena

• CEE 307(207): Transport Phenomena in Biological Systems 
• CEE 560(208): Environmental Transport Phenomena
• CEE 581(245): Pollutant Transport Systems 

Environmental Science

• CEE 561(242): Aquatic Chemistry
• CEE 563(240): Chemical Fate of Organic Compounds
• CEE 566(250): Environmental Microbiology
• CEE 569(229): Introduction to Atmospheric Particles

Environmental Design

• CEE 562(244): Biological Processes in Environmental Engineering
• CEE 564(241): Physical and Chemical Treatment Processes in Environmental Engineering
• CEE 571(249): Control of Hazardous and Toxic Waste
• CEE 575(247): Air Pollution
• CEE 576L(230L): Aerosol Measurements

Thesis Preparation

The Master's Thesis should follow the format defined in Guide for Preparation of Theses and Dissertations, and should include the following items:

• An abstract with objectives and clearly stated unique contributions,
• A survey and discussion/synthesis of pertinent literature, 
• Discussions of the completed research tasks, including theory development, data collection, analysis, and documentation, and
• A set of conclusions that emphasize new theoretical, modeling, or experimental contributions; or novel applications of existing theories.

The quality of the Master’s Thesis should allow the material to be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Here is some more information on the master's thesis from Duke's graduate school website.

Thesis Defense

Upon the completion of the written thesis, the student must defend it orally. The thesis Advisor must approve the thesis for the defense before its final submission to the Faculty Committee. In a letter to the Graduate School, the Advisor states that he/she has read the thesis and that it is complete and ready for defense. The defense takes place no less than one week after the student has submitted the thesis to the Graduate School and presented copies to the Faculty Committee members. The oral presentation is public and shall be announced by the DGS. The Faculty Committee generally examines the candidate in a closed meeting following the open oral presentation. During the defense, the Faculty Committee may examine the student on both the content of the thesis and on the content of the student's previous course work.

The possible outcomes of the Master's Examination are:

• The student passes. A majority of supporting votes are required, in addition to the approval of the Advisor.
• The student passes conditionally, contingent on specific changes made in the Thesis. These changes must be approved by the advisor and the Faculty Committee, who may then pass the student.
• The student fails. Re-examination might be permitted upon the recommendation of the advisor and the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) now considers the Master’s degree to be the basic preparation for professional practice. This is driven largely by the ever expanding breadth and depth of technical knowledge that is relevant to a practicing civil engineer.

Graduate Colloquium

In addition to the course credits listed and discussed above, each graduate student in the department is required to participate in the departmental seminar called Colloquia on Mechanics and the Environment. This colloquium is a series of about 18 seminars scheduled when classes are in session during the eight-month academic year. The faculty of the university, visiting scientists, and senior graduate students give the seminars.

The minimal seminar participation requirements are as follows:

• Each degree candidate needs to register for CE 701(301) (Fall) or CE 702(302) (Spring) and is expected to attend at least 75% of the seminars in a given semester. Attendance is recorded. Although no grades are assigned in CE 701(301)-702(302), student transcripts will show that the courses have been completed and thereby that the requirement has been satisfied. Students having scheduling conflicts should inform the Director of Graduate Studies.
• Each candidate for an MS degree shall register for CE 701(301)-702(302) for at least one academic year. Some candidates for an MS degree with a thesis may be asked to present a seminar on their research. Such seminar does not replace the oral defense of the thesis.
• A degree candidate does not need to be registered in CE 701(301)-702(302) in the semester that he or she presents a seminar.
• The faculty encourages all graduate students to attend as many Graduate Colloquium seminars as possible, as exposure to novel ideas, research methodologies, and results from broadly or even remotely related fields is enriching and stimulating and helps to develop a critical sense of what constitutes an effective presentation.

• Transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
• Resume
• GRE scores
• English language proficiency test scores (if English is not your first language)
• GPA
• The application fee is $85