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Civil engineers create and oversee the vast infrastructure that modern society relies on, including roads, structures, bridges, dams, tunnels, flood barriers, sewage networks, and water purification facilities. Shaping the development of our infrastructure, Civil Engineers now manage expenditures exceeding 10% of Canada's GDP, surpassing all other professional fields. Since Civil Engineers primarily serve the public, they frequently address the societal implications of their work, encompassing ethical, legal, and community concerns. Whether specializing or working broadly, Civil Engineers extensively utilize knowledge from physical and social sciences, various professions, and other engineering disciplines. In recent years, as engineers have engaged in more cross-disciplinary projects, the traditional boundaries between engineering specialties have significantly blurred. Individuals with the advanced analytical abilities gained through a Civil engineering education are highly valued across diverse sectors, from city development to finance to corporate management.
The Master of Engineering program offers a coursework-focused degree that can be pursued either part-time or full-time. Full-time students typically finish the program in three to four academic terms. As this is a self-financed degree path, participants do not receive funding or dedicated supervision. MEng candidates may also consider applying to the collaborative Master of Engineering - Nuclear Engineering program, jointly offered by the University of Waterloo, McMaster University, and the University of Western Ontario. For detailed information about graduate engineering studies at Waterloo, please explore the Faculty of Engineering's Graduate Studies website. The structures mechanics and construction engineering (SM&C) specialization benefits from the expertise of 14.75 full-time equivalent faculty members and one research assistant professor. This research area demonstrates exceptional strength within civil and environmental engineering, with a proven history of delivering top-tier education and professional development. Furthermore, state-of-the-art laboratory resources and skilled technical personnel support a significant number of graduate students conducting experimental research.