Degrees

Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy
in Civil and Environmental Engineering

These academic degrees emphasize the application of the natural sciences to the analysis and solution of engineering problems. Advanced courses in mathematics, chemistry, physics, and the life sciences are normally included in a program that incorporates the engineering systems approach for analysis of problems.

To earn a Master of Science or a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering within the Environmental Engineering and Transportation programs requires passing additional prerequisite courses.  These are listed in Environmental Engineering Prerequisites and Transportation Engineering Prerequisites.

Degree requirements for a Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering

Students must have a BS degree in an accredited engineering curriculum or satisfy the equivalent of a BS degree in engineering as determined by the department.  The Master of Science program is usually completed in two semesters.  It consists of a minimum of 24 units of course work with a comprehensive examination or report.  A thesis plan for the Master of Science degree is also possible.  See Degree Requirements for detailed information.

Degree requirements for a Doctor of Philosophy in Civil and Environmental Engineering

Students are admitted to the PhD program following attainment of a Master of Science degree in civil and environmental engineering or in a related field.  Doctoral studies consist of courses selected for the individual in consultation with a faculty guidance committee, successful completion of a preliminary and a qualifying examination, and an independent research culminating in a thesis.  Each doctoral student must satisfy, through course work, a major within the department.  In addition, two minor areas of course work appropriate for the student’s area of research are required.   It generally takes 4-5 years to complete a PhD after earning a Master’s. See Degree Requirements for detailed information.

Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy
in Engineering Science

These academic degrees emphasize the relations between a field of science and a specific discipline in civil engineering. Graduates in chemistry, physics, mathematics, geology, life sciences, and other non-engineering fields who are interested in civil engineering are eligible and are invited to participate in these programs. These programs are also open to students with a B.S. degree in one of the accredited engineering curricula. 

To earn a Master of Science or a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering within the Environmental Engineering and Transportation programs requires passing additional prerequisite courses.  These are listed in Environmental Engineering Prerequisites and Transportation Engineering Prerequisites.

Degree requirements for a Master of Science in Engineering Science

The Master of Engineering degree requires 40-44 units of course work including an independent study and report.  The normal time to attain a Master of Science in Engineering Science degree is four semesters.  A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. See Degree Requirements for detailed information.     

Degree requirements for a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Science

See Degree Requirements for detailed information.

Master of Engineering

This professional degree emphasizes solving technical, sociological, environmental, and economic problems involved in the design, construction, and operation of engineering structures, processes, and equipment. Studies include courses in the engineering sciences necessary to the engineering interpretation of the latest scientific developments. Courses in design, operation, humanities, and economics provide bases for the analysis and solution of problems in professional engineering.

To earn a Master of Engineering within the Environmental Engineering and Transportation programs requires passing additional prerequisite courses.  These are listed in Environmental Engineering Prerequisites and Transportation Engineering Prerequisites.

Degree requirements for a Master of Engineering

Students must have a BS degree in an accredited engineering curricula or satisfy the equivalent of a BS degree in engineering as determined by the department.  See Degree Requirements for detailed information.

Concurrent Degree Programs with Other Departments

The concurrent degree program is a formal arrangement of two existing, but separate, master's degree programs, which result in the students earning two master’s degrees. The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers three concurrent degree programs.

Structural Engineering and Architecture (M.Arch/M.S.)
Transportation Engineering and City and Regional Planning (M.C.P./M.S.)
Any Civil Engineering graduate program and Public Policy (M.P.P./M.S.)

Certificate Programs

Certificate in Logistics

The Logistics Certificate Program is offered in conjunction with the Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research. Master’s and PhD students enrolled in the College of Engineering or the Haas School of Business may enroll.

Certificate in the Management of Technology Program

The Management of Technology certificate program is open to all graduate students enrolled in the Haas School of Business, the School of Information Management and Systems (SIMS) or any department within the College of Engineering.  This certificate program allows students wishing to specialize in the management of technology field to obtain a certificate in addition to their disciplinary Master's or PhD degree.

Certificate in Engineering and Business for Sustainability

The Engineering and Business for Sustainability certificate program is open to all Berkeley graduate students who meet the EBS Certificate course requirements. The EBS Certificate program allows students to tap into multidisciplinary educational resources from the College of Engineering, Haas School of Business, Energy and Resources Group, Goldman School of Public Policy, College of Natural Resources, and the Schools of Public Health and Public Policy to learn how to have a lasting beneficial impact on the global environment.

Certificate in Intelligent Transportation Systems

Jointly sponsored by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering, the Certificate Program in Intelligent Transportation Systems is designed to assist students to study ITS in a systematic and focused way. Faculty advisors help students design a personalized study program to meet their goals.

Designated Emphases

A “designated emphasis” is defined as a specialization, such as a new method of inquiry or an important field of application, which is relevant to two or more existing doctoral degree programs. Students are required to complete the academic work in the area of specialization and all the requirements of the doctoral program. Students need to be admitted to the DE before taking the qualifying examination.  There are two designated emphases offered for CEE students.  They are Services Science, Management & Engineering and Nanoscale Science and Engineering.