TTU Home COE CEE Graduate Program General Information

Graduate Program

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers three graduate degrees: Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees with specialties in structural engineering and engineering mechanics, geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering, environmental engineering, water resources engineering, wind engineering, and computa­tional mechanics; Master of Environmental Engineering.

Degree Programs:

 Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Doctoral studies consist of selected courses and independent research culminating in a dissertation. Each student’s degree plan is formulated through consultation with a faculty advisory committee. Students with graduate degrees in non-engineer­ing sciences may be accepted initially subject to completing specified leveling courses in civil or environmental engineering. Degree requirements are detailed in the Texas Tech University Gradu­ate Catalog.

Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE). A student specializes in one of the principal subdisciplines of civil engineering (e.g., environ­mental engineering, structural engineering, etc.) in this degree program. Two degree options are available: the thesis-option student completes 24 hours of coursework, performs 6 credit hours of independent research, and writes a thesis based on the findings of the research; the report-option student completes 33 hours of coursework and writes a report on a selected topic.

Master of Environmental Engineering (MEnvE). A unique design-oriented 5-year professional degree program that prepares the graduate to specialize in an environmental engineering career. Because students enter this program as undergraduates, the program is administered as an undergraduate offering. More information on this degree program is available upon request.

Current Research:

A sample of the current and recently com­pleted research studies in the Texas Tech University Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering include:

  • Soil contamination remediation design
  • Integrated aquaculture waste treatment systems
  • Characterization of surface and groundwater pollution at the Pantex nuclear weapon assembly plant
  • Tornado missile impact analysis
  • Expert system for building damage
  • Wind erosion prediction and control
  • Vibration mitigation of traffic signal structures
  • Building frequency response to fluctuating wind pressures
  • Mathematical modeling of structural glazing systems
  • Fatigue behavior of structural silicone sealant
  • Strength analysis of weathered window glass
  • Wind pressures on full scale buildings
  • Assessment of wind gust factors
  • Wind-induced changes in building components
  • Cable stay bridge vibration
  • Economic aspects of wind resistant construction
  • In-residence shelters for windstorms
  • Wind tunnel testing of structures
  • Subgrade Repair and Stabilization Using In-Situ Vitrification
  • Evaluation of Backfill Materials and Installation Methods for High Density Polyethylene Pipe
  • Use of Whole Tires and Fly Ash in Earth Retaining Structures
  • Comparative Analysis of the Micro-Deval and Magnesium Sulfate Soundness Tests
  • Comprehensive Evaluation of TxDOT’s Aggre­gate Quality Monitoring Program
  • Seal Coat Constructability Review
  • Effect of Wet Mat Curing Time and Eartlier Loading on Long-term Durability of Bridge
  • Decks

Laboratory and Research

Facilities:

The Environmental Sciences Laboratory (ESL) occu­pies nearly 4,000 sf of floor space with over 300 linear feet of workbench area with modern solvent, reagent, and radiation source storage areas. Stocked with standard meters, balances, centrifuges, ovens, furnaces, and specialized extraction and distillation glassware necessary for basic water quality examina­tion, the lab also includes chromatographs with columns and detectors necessary to perform testing for a wide range of inorganic and organic compounds and an autoclave and an incubator for micro biological studies. The ESL has documented competence in all measurements of the standard water quality param­eters as well as environmental contaminants.

The geotechnical engineering laboratory occupies 2300 sf of floor space and contains all equipment needed to conduct soil characterization testing as well as shear and consolidation tests. The triaxial equipment is state-of-the-art Trautwein equipment with latest-generation Brainard-Kilman loading frames. Direct shear devices include Wyckham­Farrance equipment. Consolidation load frame positions can apply loading pressures to 64 psf. Shear testing and consolidation tests are monitored with a computerized data acquisition system. Exten­sive measurement capabilities exist for evaluating unsaturated soils. A single cell TEXAM pressuremeter and a flat-plate dilatometer are available to measure in situ stress-strain properties of soil.

The structures and materials laboratory has a 30x60 ft structural test deck available for structural testing of structural elements or components. Hydraulic loading equipment is capable of applying both static and dynamic forces. Microcomputers are available for monitoring load, strain, pressure, displacement, and acceleration transducers. MTS and Tinius-Olsen testing equipment with capability for both static and dynamic loading are available in addition to special­ized torsion, rotating-beam, fatigue, and impact devices.

The wind engineering field research facility is one of a kind in the country. It consists of a 160 ft. high meteorological tower and a 30x45 ft test building. The tower is equipped with wind speed anemometers and wind direction sensors. The unique test building can be rotated in a full circle to achieve the proper wind orientation. The field facility is used to obtain wind pressures on a full-size building. Wind tunnel and tow-tank facilities are also available to pursue research.

Computer Facilities:

Mainframe computer resources are provided by VAX-i 1/750 Computer. Also available for use through the High-Performance Computing Center is a state-of the-art SGI/CRAY system and related virtual reality lab. A computer laboratory, which houses more than 50 PC’s, is available to be used by research assistants and graduate students. The advanced Technology and Learning Center makes available nearly 200 computers of several types to students on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally the university has wireless access in every building on campus.

Library Facilities:

The Texas Tech main library contains over 1,000,000 titles, more than 8,000 journals and periodicals, and over 800,000 microforms holding images of hundreds of specialized collections. The Texas Tech library is the only university library in Texas designated as a Regional Govern­mental Depository by the federal government and houses over 1,000,000 federal government publications. In addition to its own extensive holdings, the library provides access to many of the other major university libraries in the country and a combined 23 million titles through the use of interlibrary loan services. A specialized library holding in the wind engineering field is housed in the department.

Admission Requirements:

Admission requirements to Texas Tech University and the College of Engineering are detailed in the latest Texas Tech University Graduate Catalog. Specific admission requirements to graduate programs administered by the Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering include an examination of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, review of the last sixty hours of undergraduate work, and acceptance by the Graduate Faculty. In addition, students entering the MSCE or PhD programs not possessing a baccalaureate degree from an engineering program may be required to take leveling engineering courses to prepare them for advanced course work. Additionally, applicants for the doctoral program must receive approval of a separate application to the Graduate Faculty of the Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering before being finally admitted to the PhD program.

Cost of Study:

Tuition fee rates are set by the legislature of the state of Texas. Graduate tuition fees for 1999-2000 are $76 per semester credit hour for in­state students and $287 per semester credit hour for out-of-state students. Other fees may depend on the number of credit hours taken or on optional activities or services; detailed fees information is provided in the Texas Tech University Graduate Catalog. Total fees per semester can be expected to approximately range between $1,000 and $2,200* for in-state students and between approximately $4,000 and $8,000* for out-of-state students. * Subject to change by the Legislature

Financial Assistance:

Graduate Scholarships are available on a competitive basis to new and continuing graduate students. Research and teaching assistantship are also available. Scholarships qualify the recipient for a waiver of out-of-state tuition fees. Applications for financial aid and assistantships should be submitted as far in advance of the student’s beginning semester as possible.

Lubbock :

More than 200,000 persons live in the metro­politan area of Lubbock. At an elevation of 3,200 ft above sea level, Lubbock summers are warm and Breezy, its winters are mild, and the city enjoys all four seasons. Although dormitory space for nearly 8,000 students is avail­able on campus, a wide variety of reasonably priced, convenient off-campus housing can also be readily found. In addition to the extensive on-campus entertainment opportunities, Lubbock also offers a wide choice of off-campus entertainment and social activities and nearly all church and religious denominations are represented in the city.

Further Information:

Additional information on any of the civil engineering graduate programs or Texas Tech University may be obtained by calling or writing: 

Glenna Andrews
Dept of Civil Engineering
P.O. Box 41023
Texas Tech University
Lubbock , TX 79409 -1 023
Tel: (806) 742-3523 
Fax: (806) 742-3488

 

Office of the Dean
The Graduate School
Texas Tech University
P.O. Box 41033
Lubbock , TX 79409-1033
Tel: (806) 742-2781

You are welcome to visit the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and its facilities and discuss career opportunities. We suggest calling beforehand to ensure that faculty advisors are available when you arrive on campus.

Texas Tech University is committed to the principle that in no aspects of its programs shall there be differences in the treatment of persons because of race, creed, national origin, age, sex, or disability, and that equal opportunity and access to facilities shall be available to all.