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Master of Science in Engineering in Civil Engineering: Geotechnical Option

Open doors to specialized positions in engineering consulting and construction while gaining the skills to solve complex challenges in soil and foundations with UMass Lowell's M.S. in Civil Engineering: Geotechnical Engineering Option.

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Christine ClancyCivil Engineering Graduate
 Civil Engineering  student Christine Clancy.

Online Master's in Civil Engineering: Geotechnical Engineering Option

Develop expertise in the analysis and design of foundations, slopes and earth-retaining structures with UMass Lowell's online M.S. in Civil Engineering: Geotechnical Engineering Option. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of soil mechanics, foundation engineering, slope stability and earthquake engineering.

Our program combines the convenience of synchronous online learning with the engagement of face-to-face instruction, providing you with a high-quality educational experience that's ideal for working professionals.

Career Outlook

This program will prepare you to launch or advance your geotechnical consulting and construction career or pursue roles in research or academia. You will also be well prepared to take the professional engineering (PE) license exam.

$132,000
Median income for civil engineers with a PE license
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE, 2023)
+5%
Employment growth between 2022 to 2032
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024

Career Benefits of a Master's in Civil Engineering: Geotechnical Engineering Option

  • Increased Earning Potential: Civil engineering master's degree holders earn significantly more than those who only have a bachelor's degree.
  • Career Advancement Opportunities: A master's degree in civil engineering will prepare you for leadership roles or doctoral studies.
  • Enhanced Job Security: A master's degree will increase your value to your current and future employers, should you wish to change.

UMass Lowell's Civil Engineering graduates are in high demand. Top employers include:

  • MassDOT
  • HNTB
  • AECOM
  • Weston & Sampson
  • GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.
  • Jacobs
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Why Choose Our Master's in Civil Engineering: Geotechnical Engineering Option?

  • Flexibility: The M.S. in Civil Engineering: Geotechnical Engineering Option is available entirely online through synchronous evening classes. Most courses are delivered through the HyFlex format, enabling you to attend class online or in person. The HyFlex model has proven to be ideal for working engineers, ensuring you can accommodate personal and professional commitments while advancing your education.
  • Interactive Learning: Engage with professors and classmates in real time, no matter where you are. Our HyFlex model ensures that students who participate online have the same immersive learning experience as those attending on campus.
  • Expert Faculty: Learn from leading geotechnical engineers actively engaged in cutting-edge research as well as instructors who are actively engaged in geotechnical engineering projects.

From Our Faculty

"UMass Lowell civil and environmental engineering graduates are always in high demand, as evidenced by our high placement rates and sold-out semester Career and Co-Op Fairs. In addition, I'm contacted on a near-weekly basis by alumni looking for recent graduates for their firms. Our graduate program contains a balanced mix of theory and design courses in each discipline that prepare our students to hit the ground running in the industry."

Ed Hajduk, Teaching Professor and Decent Racquetball Player
Ed Hajduk

Ed Hajduk

Curriculum Outline

- Total Number of Courses: 10 (30 credits)

Course Descriptions

CIVE.5040 Advanced Strength Of Material (3cr)

Stress and strain at a point; curved beam theory, unsymmetrical bending, shear center, torsion of non-circular sections; theories of failure; selected topics in solid mechanics.

CIVE.5110 Inspection and Monitoring of Civil Infrastructure (3cr)

In this course, principles and applications of inspection and monitoring techniques for the condition assessment of aged/damaged/deteriorated civil infrastructure systems such as buildings, bridges, and pipelines, are introduced. Current nondestructive testing/evaluation (NDT/E) methods including optical, acoustic/ultrasonic, thermal, magnetic/electrical, radiographic, microwave/radar techniques are addressed with a consideration of their theoretical background. Wired and wireless structural health monitoring (SHM) systems for civil infrastructure are also covered. Applications using inspection and monitoring techniques are discussed with practical issues in each application.

CIVE.5210 Reliability Analysis (3cr)

A review of the elementary principles of probability and statistics followed by advanced topics including decision analysis, Monte Carlo simulation, and system reliability. In-depth quantitative treatment in the modeling of engineering problems, evaluation of system reliability, and risk-benefit decision management.

CIVE.5270 Geotechnical and Environmental Site Characterization (3cr)

This course is designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of various site investigation and site assessment technologies employed in geotechnical and environmental engineering. The course begins with introduction to site investigation planning and various geophysical methods including: seismic measurements, ground penetrating radar, electrical resistivity, electromagnetic conductivity, time domain reflectometry. Drilling methods for soil, gas and ground water sampling; decontamination procedures; and long term monitoring methods are studied. Emphasis in this course is placed on conventional and state-of-the-art in situ methods for geotechnical and environmental site characterization: standard penetration test, vane shear test, dilatometer test, pressuremeter test and cone penetration tests. Modern advances in cone penetrometer technology, instrumented with various sensors (capable of monitoring a wide range of physical and environmental parameters: load, pressure, sound, electrical resistivity, temperature, PH, oxidation reduction potential, chemical contaminants) are playing a major role in site characterization. Principles underlying these methods along with the interpretation of test data will be covered in detail. The course will also look into emerging technologies in the area of site characterization. (3-0)3

CIVE.5280 Drilled Deep Foundations (3cr)

Design and analyses of drilled deep foundations including: Deep foundations classification and historical perspective. Cost analysis of foundations. Construction methods and monitoring techniques. Static capacity and displacement analyses of a single drilled foundation and a group under vertical and lateral loads. Traditional and alternative load test methods - standards, construction, interpretation, and simulation. Integrity testing methods. Reliability based design using the Load and Resistance Factor design (LRFD) methodology application for drilled deep foundations.

Requirements:

CIVE.5310 Advanced Soil Mechanics, or Permission of Instructor.

CIVE.5300 Driven Deep Foundations (3cr)

design and analyses of driven deep foundations including: Deep foundations classification and historical perspective. Effects of pile installation. Static capacity and settlement analysis of a single pile and a pile group under vertical loads. Insight of pile resistance including soil behavior and interfacial friction. Driven pile load test standards, construction, interpretation, and simulation. Dynamic analysis of driven piles, the wave equation analysis, dynamic measurements during driving and their interpretation. Reliability based design using the Load and Resistance Factor design (LRFD) methodology application for driven deep foundations.

Requirements:

CIVE.5310 Pre-req

CIVE.5310 Advanced Soil Mechanics (3cr)

Theories of soil mechanics and their application. Drained and undrained stress-strain and strength behavior of soils. Lateral earth pressures, bearing capacity, slope stability, seepage and consolidation. Lab and insitu testing.

CIVE.5320 Theoretical Soil Mechanics (3cr)

Development and solution of the theories important in geotechnical engineering. Analytical and approximate methods of solution including finite element and finite difference. Elasticity theory for stress distributions. Upper and lower bound theory applied to retaining structures and shallow foundations. Soil structure interaction. Seepage and consolidation theory.

CIVE.5340 Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering (3cr)

Effects of dynamic loading on foundations and earth structures. Single and multiple degree-of-freedom systems. Modal analysis. Basic seismology. Stress-strain and strength behavior of soils during cyclic and dynamic loading, including liquefaction. Soil amplification. Effect of earthquakes on retaining walls and dams. Dynamically loaded foundations.

CIVE.5390 Ground Improvement (3cr)

Design and construction methods for strengthening the properties and behavior of soils. Highway embankments, soil nailing, soil grouting, landslide investigation and mitigation, dynamic compaction, stone columns.

CIVE.5560 Finite Element Analysis (3cr)

Finite element theory and formulation, software applications, static and dynamic finite element analysis of structures and components.

CIVE.5760 GIS Applications in Civil and Environmental Engineering (3cr)

This course is to introduce students to the basic concepts of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and GIS applications in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Topics to be covered include GIS data and maps, queries, map digitization, data management, spatial analysis, network analysis, geocoding, coordination systems and map projections, editing. Examples related to transportation, environmental, geotechnical and structural engineering will be provided to help students better understand how to apply GIS in the real world and gain hands-on experience. This course will consist of lectures and computer work.

CIVE.5810 Engineering Systems Analysis (3cr)

The course presents advanced methods of operations research, management science and economic analysis that are used in the design, planning and management of engineering systems. Main topics covered, include: the systems analysis methodology, optimization concepts, mathematical programming techniques, Network analysis and design, project planning and scheduling, decision analysis, queuing systems, simulation methods, economic evaluation. The examples and problems presented in the course illustrate how the analysis methods are used in a variety of systems applications, such as: civil engineering, environmental systems, transportation systems, construction management, water resources, urban development, etc.

Program Requirements

To be recommended for a University of Massachusetts Lowell master's degree, candidates must satisfy all of the general requirements below, plus any additional requirements that may be required by the department through which the program is offered. Any additional requirements for this program are either listed below or may be found in the University's Graduate Program Catalog.

General Requirements:

  • Students must complete the program of study designed by the Department in which they are enrolled and approved by the University.
  • Satisfactory grades in all subjects offered for the degree must be earned. See Academic Standing.
  • All financial obligations, including tuition, fees and expenses, must be satisfied as evidenced by completion.
  • Upon completion of all their courses, graduate degree candidates must submit a signed Declaration of Intent to Graduate (DIG) form to their coordinator. The coordinator will apply them in SIS, Graduation Tracking.

Graduate Program Policies

In applying for a degree program or registering for courses, each student assumes full responsibility for knowledge of and compliance with the definitions, regulations and procedures of UMass Lowell as set forth on our website. For additional information, please refer to the Graduate Program Policies found within the UMass Lowell Graduate Catalog.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition at UMass Lowell is typically half the cost of private colleges, and our online tuition is among the lowest in the nation. Tuition for online programs offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same whether you live in-state, out-of-state or outside of the U.S.

Fall 2024 Tuition

Cost Per Credit Cost Per 3-Credit Course*

Graduate

Online $600 $1,800
Online Business1 $655 $1,965
Online HyFlex $750 $2,250
Select On Campus courses2 $600 $1,800
All other On Campus courses3 View Here
*Tuition is priced on the listed credit hour unless the contact hour is different. Tuition is then based upon the listed contact hour.
1Applies to ACCT, BUSI, ENTR, FINA, MGMT, MKTG, MIST and POMS courses.
3Applies to graduate on campus courses excluding select courses

Additional Costs

Cost
Term Registration Fee $30
Returned Check Fee $30
Graduate Engineering and Business Degrees and Certificate Applications $75

Please note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.

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Looking for Financial Assistance?

UMass Lowell offers a variety of financial aid and scholarship options.

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Applying into a Graduate Degree Program

You can apply anytime. There are no deadlines. Applications are accepted throughout the year.

All applicants must submit:
    • An application
    • An application fee ($75)
    • A statement of purpose
    • Two letters of recommendation
    • Official test scores
        • GMAT/GRE not required
        • If English is NOT the national language in your home country, please submit one of the following English proficiency tests:
            • TOEFL: minimum acceptable score is 79
            • IELTS: minimum acceptable score is 6.5
            • Duolingo: minimum acceptable score is 115
            • ASC English: minimum acceptable level is 6
            • Pearson Test of English: minimum acceptable score is 53

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics or science from an accredited institution

Additional Information

F1 student visas may be available for full time on-campus students.

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Graduate Application Questions

Please check your application status emails. Still have questions? Contact Graduate Admissions at Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu or 800-656-4723. International students: Please call 978-934-2390.

For General Assistance:

For general questions about registering for courses or to find out who the advisor is for your graduate program, call 800-480-3190. Our admissions and advising teams are here to help!

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