Mar 28, 2024  
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2019-2020 
    
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2019-2020 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Civil Engineering, M.S.E.


Program Educational Objectives


The LMU Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science offers Master of Science programs in three major fields of study: 1) Civil Engineering with an emphasis in Environmental Engineering, 2) Civil Engineering with an emphasis in Water Resources Engineering and Hydrology, and 3) Environmental Science.

The Civil Engineering graduate program has established the following program educational objectives that are consistent with the mission of the University and that describe the expected accomplishments of graduates during the first several years following graduation. Graduates in the Civil Engineering (environmental engineering and water resources engineering) program will:

  1. Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in their professions to work towards solving society’s 21st century engineering issues and challenges;
  2. Demonstrate and apply ethical, socially equitable, and sustainable practices and principles to issues in their profession; and
  3. Advance in their careers by staying current in the field, working on interdisciplinary teams, and/or obtaining professional registration or other professional certifications.

To accomplish these program educational objectives, analysis and design courses in the fields of water resources, hydraulics, environmental engineering and environmental science with an emphasis on sustainability are offered. Additional opportunities are available to broaden the educational experience through courses in other departments, independent study and directed research resulting in a thesis. A broad base of theory and design is provided integrating current issues and professional practices.

Student Outcomes


The Civil Engineering graduate program has established the following student outcomes:

  1. Apply scientific, mathematical, and sustainability principles to analyze and develop solutions to problems in environmental science and engineering;
  2. Critically assess, evaluate, and understand sustainability, ethics, and social justice in environmental science and engineering; and
  3. Effectively communicate scientific and engineering principles related to the environment and sustainability.

Admission Requirements


All applicants must possess a Bachelor of Science or higher-level degree and have successfully completed the following courses:

  • General Chemistry, at least one college-level course
  • Calculus, at least one year of college-level
  • Life and physical science totaling at least four college-level courses, which could include biology, chemistry, environmental science, or physics.

Applicants holding a non-engineering undergraduate degree may apply and enroll into one of the Civil Engineering program tracks, but are not eligible for the Master of Science degree until passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and meeting all of the program requirements.

The Department may require new applicants who lack an adequate background in mathematics, chemistry, or science to take additional courses prior to being admitted to or continuing in the program.

A completed application form and $50 application fee. Admission into the program is in strict conformity with the requirements for all graduate students. Upon review of the student’s undergraduate and professional preparation, additional admission requirements may be set by the Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science.

Program Requirements


The candidate for the Master of Science in Engineering degree in Civil Engineering must satisfy the following requirements:

Complete with a 3.0 (“B”) average a minimum of 30 semester hours

All courses are three semester hours except where specified. At least 18 semester hours must be at the 600 level. Students that have taken any of the core or elective courses below as part of his/her undergraduate degree at LMU will be required to take a different course as part of the M.S. program. Equivalent courses at other institutions will be considered on a case by case basis.

Students with non-engineering undergraduate degrees are required to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam overseen by National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying the before their M.S. degree is awarded.

Required core courses for each field of study


M.S. in Civil Engineering with emphasis in Environmental Engineering:


Global Perspectives Electives

Choose up to two from the following:

M.S. in Civil Engineering with emphasis in Water Resources Engineering:


Global Perspectives Electives

Choose up to two from the following:

Successfully complete


Non-thesis students:


  • 0 semester hours
  • Students not electing to perform a master’s thesis must take a comprehensive oral exam. The exam provides an opportunity to assess the student’s understanding of some of the fundamental principles of environmental engineering, water resources engineering, and/or environmental science. It provides an opportunity for the student to demonstrate her/his problem-solving abilities using knowledge learned through coursework and an indication of student accomplishment broader than what is obtained from conventional classroom assessment. The exam is generally offered on the Friday of final examinations week. Students can register for the class only if all course requirements will be complete at the end of the semester in which they plan to take the exam. Formal requirements may be obtained from the department.

Thesis students:


  • 0 semester hours
  • Students can elect to perform a master’s thesis on a research topic under the guidance of a faculty member. Such students have the option to enroll in a 3-semester-hour master’s thesis independent students (CIVL 695 Master Thesis ) in any term. The master’s thesis independent studies can satisfy a Global Perspectives Elective requirement and may be taken a maximum of two times. Formal requirements may be obtained from the department.