Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering

Program Overview

The Ph.D. program in Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) features curricular and research opportunities that emphasize engineering related to environmental and hydrological processes, sustainable transportation systems, materials, and geotechnical, geoenvironmental, and structural engineering.

Research in the department addresses critical issues facing the world related to sustainability and energy; infrastructure systems; climate change, hazard mitigation and adaptation; and environmental and public health. A wide range of research methods are employed from state-of-the-art laboratory and field testing to sensing to computational modeling to artificial intelligence. Example projects include groundwater contamination modeling and remediation, environmental restoration and ecological engineering, hydrological processes, air pollution related health effects, sustainable materials, soil and structural dynamics, geo-energy, and sustainable transportation systems.

CEE graduate students can concurrently pursue certificates of graduate study in Complex Systems, Ecological Economics, and Community Resilience & Planning, among others.

Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering in the Graduate Catalogue

Curriculum

Doctoral Degree Overview

A minimum of 75 credit hours is required for doctoral degree completion, including no fewer than:

• 35 CR of research (but no more than 45 CR); 30 CR courses (15 in CEE courses taken at UVM, transferred, or a combination; 15 CR graded at UVM; a maximum of 24 course credits transferred)
• 6 CR engineering coursework outside of CEE
• Graduate seminar participation each semester (mandatory)
• Semester-long significant teaching experience
• Comprehensive exam (by end of second year)

Minimum Degree Requirements

In addition to advancement to candidacy, the student must:

• Present at least 75 credits in approved course work and research (including those required for advancement to candidacy), of which at least 35 credits are in research, at least 30 credits are in coursework, 15 of which must be graded at UVM and at least 9 of which must be at the 6000-level or above. A minimum of 15 credits of coursework (taken at UVM or transferred or a combination) must be in Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE).
• Write and successfully defend an acceptable dissertation
• Gain significant teaching experience

Civil and Environmental Engineering Graduate Program Course Inventory

Admissions

A M.S. or B.S. degree in engineering is preferred, but applicants with a M.S. or B.S. in 1 of the sciences are often accepted. The latter, however, should have a minimum of the following mathematics and science course work prior to admission: calculus through differential equations (UVM’s MATH 3201 equivalent), calculus-based physics (UVM’s PHYS 1500 equivalent), and chemistry (UVM’s CHEM 1400 equivalent). Specific course work may be required of those who lack a sufficiently strong engineering background. GRE is waived for all applicants. Applicants whose native language is not English or who have not received their education in English must present satisfactory results from the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo examination. 

Please visit the UVM Graduate College website with the link below for the most up-to-date application deadlines

Application deadlines for CEMS graduate programs

Outcomes

Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

It is ordinarily expected that a student will complete the following requirements for advancement to candidacy prior to the end of the second year in the program:

• 1 year of residency at UVM
• At least 12 credits of research
• At least 15 credits of course work at the graduate level acceptable to the student's graduate studies committee
• Satisfactory performance on a comprehensive examination that includes a written part and an oral part
• Satisfactory record of performance in courses and in teaching and research assignments

Costs and Funding

Funding Options

This is an exceptional time to pursue a graduate degree at UVM, as research funding has increased fourfold during the past three years. Most Ph.D. students and thesis-based master’s students are funded as graduate research assistants (GRA) or graduate teaching assistants (GTA). These positions come with both a stipend and tuition support. We also have seven Ph.D. fellowships described below and multiple teaching and research assistantships at both Master’s and Ph.D. levels.

Gund/CEMS Barrett Ph.D. Fellowships 

(open to all prospective students, including international students)

Supported by a generous gift from Barrett Foundation, Gund/CEMS Barrett Fellowships are open to applicants pursuing doctoral degrees in engineering with environmental applications. These fellowships support Ph.D. students seeking to collaborate on urgent engineering and environmental issues. Students receive up to four years of funding, including an annual $35,000 stipend, tuition, and health insurance.

• Gund Barrett Engineering Doctoral Fellowships

GAANN Ph.D. Fellowships (open to US citizens and permanent residents only)

We have multiple US Department of Education Graduate Assistance in Areas of Nation Need (GAANN) doctoral fellowships. The project title is: Research and Education in Sustainable, Equitable, and Climate-Resilient Civil Infrastructure Systems. We are recruiting highly talented doctoral fellows to train them to be highly-skilled teacher-scholars capable of 1) designing next-generation sustainable and equitable civil infrastructure systems that are climate-resilient, and 2) educating future generations of engineers committed to sustainability, civic engagement, and equity.

• GAANN Fellowships

More

Comprehensive Examination

A comprehensive examination is required of all Ph.D. students and should be completed by the end of their second year in the doctoral program when they have taken at least 24 credits of graduate coursework in different topical areas. Some or all of the 24 credits required may be transferred in from their Masters degree if desired.

The comprehensive examination, successful proposal presentation, and 1 year of residency at UVM are needed for advancement to candidacy.

The comprehensive examination covers 5 courses, from 2 topical areas are described below.

Area One

3 topics from the following:

1. Advanced Mathematical Methods
2. Advanced Statistical Methods
3. Probabilistic Methods
4. Numerical Methods
5. Computational Modeling
6. Optional Area subject to approval by Studies Committee

Area Two 

2 topics from Civil and Environmental Engineering

5 members of the Comprehensive Examination Committee will test the student in 5 appropriate topics selected from the previous list. Each faculty member will be responsible for 1 of the 5 topics. The students and their Advisor select and recommend to the Graduate Program Director the Comprehensive Examination Committee.

The examination takes place in 2 days and covers a written part (day 1) and an oral part (day 2). The written part typically consists of questions prepared by each member of the Comprehensive Examination Committee on their respective topic. The oral examination is usually given 2 days after the written examination and it tests the candidate’s ability to present a cogent defense of the written examination. The examination may be retaken once if the student does not pass it on the first attempt.