Civil and Environmental Engineering
Master’s Degree Objectives, Learning Goals and Assessment
The objective of the Master’s Program in civil and environmental engineering at Rutgers University is to achieve the following goals:
- Prepare students at more specialized level to meet present and future challenges in a specialty area in civil and environmental engineering
- Develop the necessary engineering research skills to engage in successful research and to pursue further graduate studies
- Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate the results of their research both in writing and through oral presentations
- Demonstrate advanced technical knowledge to pursue careers in the civil engineering professional practice at various levels
Student Learning Outcomes
- Graduates will meet the academic standards set by the graduate school and the department while completing courses pertinent to their specialty area
- Graduates will conduct the investigation work necessary to satisfy the requirements of either the thesis option or special option for graduation
- Graduates will write and orally defend a thesis or a special project
- Graduates will have an understanding of academic, professional and ethical responsibility
- Graduates will have an ability to use contemporary techniques, skills, and tools necessary for engineering practice in education, industry, and government
- Graduates will serve in primary roles as graduate research assistants on research projects or on problem investigations sponsored by companies, associations, or government agencies looking for new methodology or science to advance knowledge and solve problems
Assessment of Graduate Students
- Grades in graduate courses
- Faculty advising and mentoring and periodic review of student progress
- Term projects, term papers, comprehensive examinations, or research assessing the depth and breadth of knowledge
- Assessment by committee of graduate faculty members of student performance
- Continuation of graduate studies or professional placement
- Assessment of quality of master’s thesis or special project
- Public defense of thesis or special project
- Submission and acceptance of peer-reviewed articles and conference papers based on the thesis
- Participation in internships and other work tailored to career goals, assessed accordingly
- Collection of data on professional placement or continuation of graduate studies
- Review by external advisory committees, both inside of and external to the academy
Role of the Graduate School
- Evaluation of teaching effectiveness of graduate instructors
- Close tracking to assure that students are being prepared in a coherent and academically rigorous fashion
- Effective monitoring of student progress
- Periodic review of research progress from the student’s advisor and committee
- Periodic review of curricular offerings, degree requirements and assessment tools by graduate program committees and Dean’s
- Provide early introduction to research methods and opportunities for research
- Provide opportunities to present research and receive feedback through Graduate Research Seminar Series
- Assist in maintaining adequate funding levels through the research phase
- Semi-annual of the Industry Advisory Board to address program performance
- Host seminars and information sessions from industry professionals for career exploration activities
- Organize activities for students to promote networking such as hosting professional societies and add program certifications
- Engage the Industry Advisory Board with students to promote internship and job opportunities
PhD Degree Objectives, Learning Goals and Assessment
The objective of the PhD program in civil and environmental engineering at Rutgers University is to achieve the following goals:
- Prepare students at advanced specialized level to meet present and future challenges in specialty areas in civil and environmental engineering
- Develop engineering research skills to engage in quality and successful research
- Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate the results of their research both in writing and through oral presentation
- Train students to have the ability to pursue academic positions, be leaders in industry and government, and be entrepreneurs in their fields
Student Learning Outcomes
- Graduates will meet the academic standards set by the graduate school and the department while completing courses pertinent to their specialty area
- Graduates will conduct the investigation work necessary to satisfy the requirements of PhD dissertation
- Graduates will write and orally defend a dissertation
- Graduates will have an understanding of academic, professional and ethical responsibility
- Graduates will have an ability to use contemporary techniques, skills, and tools necessary for engineering practice in education, industry, and government
- Graduates will serve in primary roles as graduate research assistants on research projects or on problem investigations sponsored by companies, associations, or government agencies looking for new methodology or science to advance knowledge and solve problems
Assessment of Graduate Students
- Grades in graduate courses
- Faculty advising and mentoring and periodic review of student progress
- Term project, term paper, comprehensive examination, or research assessing the performance
- Qualifying examination to assess the depth and breadth of knowledge
- Assessment by committee of graduate faculty members of student performance
- Assessment of quality of a dissertation
- Public defense of a dissertation
- Submission and acceptance of peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers based on their research
- Collection of data on professional placement or continuation of graduate studies
- Review by external advisory committees, both inside of and external to the academic program
Role of the Graduate School
- Evaluation of teaching effectiveness of graduate instructors
- Close tracking to assure that students are being prepared in a coherent and academically rigorous fashion
- Effective monitoring of student progress
- Periodic review of research progress from the student’s advisor and committee
- Periodic review of curricular offerings, degree requirements and assessment tools by graduate program committees and Dean’s
- Provide early introduction to research methods and opportunities for research
- Provide opportunities to present research and receive feedback through Graduate Research Seminar Series
- Assist in maintaining adequate funding levels through the research phase
- Provide assistance to students seeking external funding and provide opportunities supplemental funding for graduate student travel
- Provide awards for dissertations, teaching and other students’ accomplishments
- Establish and enforce guidelines for timely completion of the degree
- Sponsor and support efforts to maintain and enhance diversity of backgrounds of graduate students and their opportunities for study and research
- Review by external advisory committees to address program performance
- Host seminars and information sessions from industry professionals for career exploration activities
- Organize activities for students to promote networking such as hosting workshops, seminars, and professional societies