Master of Science (MS) Degree in the field of Civil Engineering

Rice University

Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) is a broad and diverse field of study that offers students an education with several degree options. The most flexible degree options are at the bachelor’s level, where students can pursue either the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) degree or the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. The more scientific BSCE includes four areas of specialization while the BA, with its two distinct major concentrations, affords students more flexibility, including the possibility to complete a double major with any other Rice University major. A Master of Science is rapidly becoming the expected entry-level degree for civil and environmental engineers and is considered a necessary step to P.E. licensure. This degree is the natural choice for students who are interested in refining their knowledge by studying a specific area and performing creative research, as well as for those interested in eventually pursuing a Ph.D. Upon completing the MS degree in the field of Civil Engineering, students will be able to: Demonstrate a solid foundation in civil and environmental engineering at the graduate level. Acquire advanced knowledge of the principles of civil and environmental engineering and apply them to advanced technical problems. Conduct an independent research program. Demonstrate professional written and oral communication skills. Students take the oral exam only after the committee determines the thesis to be in a written format acceptable for public defense. Normally, students take two academic years and the intervening summer to complete the degree.

George R. Brown School of Engineering