Master of Science/PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering in Ithaca United States | Cornell University

Students pursuing an M.S. or Ph.D. can choose one specialization area. Ph.D. candidates must complete a qualifying exam soon after earning their M.S. degree or within nine months of arriving at Cornell if they already hold an M.S. Further details about both degree programs can be obtained from the graduate field office. The Environmental Processes (M.S. & Ph.D.) track focuses on safeguarding and managing environmental quality for societal welfare. These programs highlight biological, chemical, and physical processes alongside engineering fundamentals, lab and computational techniques, and their practical use in solving real-world challenges.

Environmental Fluid Mechanics and Hydrology (M.S. & Ph.D.) explores fluid dynamics in natural settings, with applications to hydraulics, hydrology, coastal oceanography, and meteorology concerning water systems and the atmosphere.

Environmental and Water Resources Systems Engineering (M.S. & Ph.D.) This specialization applies scientific principles, economic theory, and mathematical methods to manage public infrastructure and water resources. Research covers engineering project assessments, groundwater contamination modeling, hydrologic data analysis, hydropower optimization, water supply management, quality planning, remote sensing, risk evaluation, basin and groundwater system operations, ecological management, sustainable development, and computer-aided decision tools.

Structural Engineering (Ph.D. Only) extends beyond traditional structural analysis to computational mechanics, AI applications, dynamics, seismic engineering, thin steel structure behavior, large-space system control, reliability studies, stochastic mechanics, disaster risk analysis, infrastructure systems, structural assessment techniques, fracture mechanics, blast/impact response, collapse prevention, and material science.

Transportation Systems Engineering (M.S. & Ph.D.) integrates policy, planning, design, and assessment of transport networks, examining connections between transportation capacity, demand patterns, land use, and regional growth. This multidisciplinary approach employs quantitative methods from operations research and economics.