Civil Engineering (PhD)

Program Overview

The Civil Engineering PhD program at UCF is a research-focused doctorate degree that equips students with advanced knowledge and skills to address societal challenges related to infrastructure. The program offers a wide range of research areas, including transportation planning, structural analysis, and water resources engineering. Students are mentored by faculty engaged in cutting-edge research and gain hands-on experience through internships and research projects. Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in academia, industry, and government, contributing to the advancement of sustainable and resilient infrastructure systems.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Civil Engineering (PhD) program at UCF is a research-oriented doctorate degree designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to develop innovative solutions to societal challenges related to infrastructure. The program emphasizes a broad understanding of the field, encompassing design, construction, operation, management, and enhancement of infrastructure systems.

Objectives:

The program aims to:

• Develop students' research capabilities to address real-world problems in civil engineering.
• Prepare students for leadership roles in academia, industry, and government.

Program Description:

• The program offers a wide range of research areas, including:
• Structural analysis and design
• Geotechnical engineering and foundations
• Transportation planning and operations
• Traffic engineering
• Construction engineering
• Smart cities
• Students can apply with a bachelor's or master's degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related field.
• The program is designed to prepare students for careers in consulting firms, academia, and government agencies.

Teaching:

• The program is taught by faculty who are actively engaged in research and have expertise in various areas of civil engineering.
• Students conduct research under the guidance of professors working on federally, state, and industry-funded projects.
• The program emphasizes hands-on learning and practical experience.

Careers:

• The Civil Engineering (PhD) degree prepares students for a variety of career paths, including:
• Civil Engineer
• Professor
• Research Scientist
• Consultant
• Government Official

Other:

• The program has potential ties to professional licensure or certification in the field.
• The program requires a minimum of 72 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree or 42 credit hours beyond the master's degree.
• Students can choose from a variety of elective courses in different areas of specialization, including:
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Transportation Systems Engineering
• Construction Engineering and Management
• Smart Cities
• Students can also take courses from other departments, such as Statistics, Mathematics, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science.
• The program includes a Doctoral Research requirement, which involves conducting independent research and writing a dissertation.
• Students must complete a candidacy examination and a dissertation defense examination.
• The program has a $16 equipment fee per semester for full-time students and $8 per semester for part-time students.