Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
135 Kaufman Hall
757-683-3753
http://www.odu.edu/cee
Sherif Ishak, Chair
Sandeep Kumar, Graduate Program Director
Overview
The Civil and Environmental Engineering Department offers a variety of master's and doctoral degrees. The Department's graduate programs are structured to accommodate both the full-time and part-time students. Most of the graduate courses are offered in evenings, and many are offered as on-line courses. The available specialty areas include coastal, geotechnical, structural, transportation, and water resources engineering in Civil Engineering and a variety of sub-fields in Environmental Engineering.
List of Degrees and Certificates
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Master of Science, Engineering - Civil Engineering
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Master of Science, Engineering - Environmental Engineering (on-line or on-campus)
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Doctor of Philosophy, Engineering - Civil and Environmental Engineering
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Graduate Certificate in Coastal Engineering (on-line or on-campus)
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Advanced Engineering Certificate in Energy Systems
Programs
Doctor of Philosophy Program
Master of Science Programs
Advanced Engineering Certificate in Energy Systems
The certificate program provides an opportunity to students in STEM fields and industry personnel with undergraduate degree in STEM fields to learn about energy systems or pursue job markets in energy industries. Refer to the Batten College of Engineering and Technology page for details.
Courses
Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
Analysis of 2-D and 3-D determinate and indeterminate truss/beam/frame structures by the unified direct stiffness matrix method, for both hand-calculation and computer implementation. Popular commercialized (NASTRAN) software will also be discussed.
Masonry materials, reinforced beams and lintels, walls, columns and pilasters, shear walls, and buildings.
Load and resistance factor design methods for steel structures.
Design of wood structures based on national design specification and load and resistance factor design.
Subsurface exploration, site preparation, design of shallow and deep foundations, and retaining structures.
Slope stability analysis, including limit equilibrium procedures, finite element method, seepage analysis, and advanced topics such as rapid drawdown, construction of embankments on so soil, and seismic slope stability. Lateral earth retention systems, including gravity walls, excavation support systems, and applications of geosynthetic material, will be covered.
An overview of earthquake processes and details of the characteristics of destructive ground motion; the effects of such motion on civil engineering structures; reviews of current design practice in mitigating earthquake hazards for various civil engineering structures such as buildings, bridges, dams, lifelines, ports and harbors.
This course studies soil and aggregate's physical, chemical and biological stabilization procedures. Students are introduced to chemical stabilization analysis and design using materials such as cement, lime, and fly ash. Physical ground modification, compaction methods and mechanical stabilization application and design are also studied.
Hydraulic transients; flow control structures; computer analysis of hydraulic systems; design of pipelines, open channels and culverts.
Storm rainfall analysis, design rainfall hyetographs, runoff calculation procedures, detention basins, use of mathematical models to analyze and design urban storm drainage systems.
Description of well hydraulics in single and multiple well systems. Determination of aquifer parameters from pumping tests. Use of computer models to determine drawdowns due to multiple well systems.
Design of water distribution systems, sanitary sewer systems and appurtenances.
Study of air quality management standards and regulations and pollutant dynamics. Design and operation of emission control equipment for mobile and stationary sources of air pollution.
Study of sources, generation rates and characteristics of hazardous wastes and their regulation, handling, and design of treatment and disposal facilities.
Application of engineering methods for the prevention of pollution. Review of the pollution prevention related regulations. Study of source reduction methods, analysis of environmentally conscious manufacturing methods, process changes, life cycle analysis, and water/energy conservation methods. Evaluation of pollution prevention case studies.
Investigation of complex relationships between humans and coastlines and study of how humans adapt and develop adaptation measures and solutions to tackle flooding caused by rising sea levels and subsequent heavy storm events. This course also evaluates natural and nature-based systems, engineered systems, different flood-proofing methods, and impacts of sea level rise on coastal water quality and the potential impacts on disease transmission.
Overview of social, economical, technical environmental aspects of regional, national and international efforts to achieve sustainable development. Discussion of the integration of industrial activity and ecological concerns utilizing principles of zero emissions, pollution prevention and design for the environment.
Course covers the overview of renewable energy sources; fundamentals of biofuels; biomass and types of biomass (e.g., woody biomass, forest residues, agricultural residues, energy crops); composition of lignocelluloses (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin); biomass conversion technologies; thermochemical, supercritical water, and biochemical conversion processes; types of biofuels from biomass; liquid fuels (bioethanol, bio-oil, biocrude, and hydrocarbons); gaseous fuels (synthesis gas, hydrogen, biodiesel); solid fuels (biochar, torrefied biomass); biodiesel from vegetable oils, algae to biofuels; value-added processing of biofuel residues; economic and environmental assessments; policies and future R&D.
This is the first course in transportation operations and traffic flow theory. Topics include traffic engineering studies, capacity analysis, intersection control, traffic flow models, shockwave analysis, signal warrant analysis, and safety analysis. Course includes applications of modeling and simulation to isolated intersections.
This course presents the basic techniques for transportation data analytics. It will discuss statistical modeling, prominent algorithms, and visualization approaches to analyze both small- and large-scale data sets generated from transportation systems. Practices of using different data for various real-world traffic/transportation applications and decision making will also be discussed., STAT 330); any programming language such as C, Python or Java is beneficial but not required.
This course provides students with an understanding of basic principles and techniques in order to develop skills in the highway geometric design process. It introduces design methods for three-dimensional layout for roadways, considering cross section (lanes and shoulders, curbs, medians, roadside slopes and ditches, sidewalks), horizontal alignment (tangents and curves), and vertical alignment (grades and vertical curves).
Classical small amplitude wave theory, wave transformations in shallow water, shoaling, refraction, diffraction, reflection, breaking. Wave induced near shore currents and sediment transport processes. Alternatives to mitigate coastal erosion processes. Introduction to coastal structures.
Special topics of interest with emphasis placed on recent developments in civil and/or environmental engineering.
Available for pass/fail grading only. May be repeated for credit. Student participation for credit based on the academic relevance of the work experience, criteria, and evaluative procedures as formally determined by the department and Career Development Services prior to the semester in which the work experience is to take place.
Academic requirements will be established by the department and will vary with the amount of credit desired. Allows students an opportunity to gain short duration career-related experience.
Academic requirements will be established by the department and will vary with the amount of credit desired. Allows students an opportunity to gain short duration career-related experience.
Special topics of interest with emphasis placed on recent developments in civil and/or environmental engineering.
Individual analytical, experimental and/or design study selected by the student. Approved and supervised by the advisor.
Individual project, investigation under the direction of the student’s major professor.
Research leading to the Master of Science thesis.
Graduate-level overview of engineering experimental design and analysis with emphasis on statistical methods; practical and proper statistical methods applicable to multidisciplinary, real-world civil and environmental engineering problems.
An examination of numerical and approximate mathematical methods for civil and environmental engineers with applications; finite-difference and finite-integral techniques for single and simultaneous ordinary differential equations; classical and finite-difference solutions of partial differential equations such as heat, wave, Laplace, and plate equation; and finite element applications selected from geotechnical, environmental, hydraulics/water resources, ocean, transportation, and structural engineering.
Free and forced vibration of discrete and continuous systems; elastic and inelastic response of structures under dynamic loads.
To provide an understanding of the finite element method (FEM) as derived from an integral formulation perspective. To demonstrate the solutions of (1-D and 2-D) continuum mechanics problems such as solid mechanics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer.
Ultimate-strength theory, yield line methods, limit design, and other relevant advanced topics in the theory and design of concrete structures.
Analysis and design of prestressed concrete members and structures. Shrinkage, creep and losses, shear, bond and anchorages are discussed.
Elastic analysis of framed structures using matrix and numerical techniques.
Design of steel, concrete, and composite bridges using modern techniques and current specifications.
Analysis and design of flood protective shields for residential and commercial buildings, floodwalls and gates under hydrostatic, hydrodynamic, and floating debris impact forces, safety of dams and levees, sea-level rise issues for buildings and bridges, ASCE, IBC, and FEMA guidelines for flood resistant structural design, case histories.
Inelastic analysis and behavior of framed structures.
Fundamentals of elastic and inelastic stability of beams, columns and frames.
Classical and modern methods for the solution of plates of various shapes and boundary conditions, continuous and axially loaded plates and plates on elastic supports. Design examples.
Detailed numerical step-by-step procedures to exploit parallel and sparse computation under MPI (Message, Passing, Interface) computer environments are explained. Large-scale engineering/science applications are emphasized. Simultaneous linear equations are discussed.
Analysis and design of steel structures under seismic loading conditions, introduction to design specifications for steel structures.
Retrofitting methods for bridges and buildings combined with related advanced structural analysis and design techniques.
This course covers structural systems integrated with sensing, data processing, and control devices, which control and reduce the vibration of structures. Students will learn about basic theories of smart structures, smart materials, sensors, structural health monitoring (SHM) as well as their application to civil infrastructures.
Advanced analysis and design of shallow and deep foundations and retaining structures.
Detailed study of shear strength of soils and its application to slope stability and embankment design and analysis. Advanced laboratory shear tests are included.
Detailed study of physiochemical behavior of soils, fabric, rheology, effective stress path, and their applications to various geotechnical engineering problems.
Study of soil behavior under dynamic loadings. Laboratory and field techniques for determining soil properties and liquefaction potential. Design examples.
Momentum and energy principles, design of open channels, use of mathematical models for flow calculations in rivers, introduction to unsteady open channel flow.
Mathematical formulations of laws governing groundwater flow and contaminant transport. Unsaturated flow. Use of computer models for modeling groundwater aquifers.
Physical and chemical processes used in the treatment of water and waste water are covered. Separation, isolation and reaction processes are characterized as well as reactor engineering.
The use of microorganisms to treat domestic and industrial waste waters for organics and nutrient removal are studied. Characteristics of individual waste water components and the appropriate treatment processes to remove these components are covered.
Theory, operation and application of advanced water and waste water treatment systems, including land application, dissolved solids, organic contaminant and nutrient removal processes. Emphasis on system development for waste water reclamation/recycling.
A lecture and laboratory course dealing with the study of the principles and applications of microbiology in waste water treatment, water treatment, stream self-purification and their effects in environmental engineering.
Characterization of water quality in natural systems and the human activities that result in contaminant input to these systems are studied. Management practices for minimizing contaminant input and for restoring contaminated waters are discussed.
Formulation of mathematical equations to describe the fate and transport of aqueous contaminants in dynamic surface water systems. Use of water quality computer models to predict various contamination scenarios.
The course presents an overview of carbon-free energy sources (nuclear, wind, solar, hydropower, and geothermal). The current status, conversion processes, economics, and environmental issues of these forms of energy will be discussed.
This course is focused on the importance of management of phosphorous in preserving sustainable environments. The objectives of the course are to provide an overview of different phosphorous management/recovering/recycling strategies; basics of circular economy; role of microalgae in recovery and recycling of phosphorous; phosphorous recovery from wastewater; and application of the principles of circular economy towards global and regional phosphorous management.
This course examines interactive hydrologic processes in water resource; modifications of climate change to these processes; and modern simulation and systematic analysis methods incorporating the modifications into practices of water resource planning, utilization, protection, and engineering.
Chemical reactions in natural and engineered systems are studied with emphasis placed on developing kinetic expressions and assessing chemical equilibrium. Kinetic and equilibrium expressions are applied to engineering problems to predict the reaction time and products of specific reactions.
This course focuses on major transportation safety issues including transportation safety goals, safety of various transportation modes, identification of problematic locations, selection of safety countermeasures and their evaluation, safety data and modeling issues.
This is the second course in transportation operations and traffic flow theory. Topics covered include design of progressive signal systems, queuing theory, car following models, and applications of microscopic traffic simulation to corridor studies.
This course examines how ITS can be used to enhance mobility and safety. The topics covered in the course include systems engineering approach to ITS, traveler response to technologies and information, ITS planning and evaluation, and ITS deployment and operational performance.
This course covers transportation planning processes that include policy direction, transportation data, travel demand forecasting models, and decision-making/stakeholders issues.
This course provides a rigorous introduction to transportation network modeling, with special emphasis on network equilibrium problems. Topics include: elementary graph theory, shortest path problem nonlinear optimization, optimization of univariate functions, deterministic and stochastic user equilibrium.
Fundamental models and algorithms in optimization, stochastic modeling and parallel computing will be discussed and illustrated with transportation applications.
Principles of simulation modeling. Microscopic, mesoscopic and macroscopic traffic simulation models. Driver behavior in networks. Calibration and validation of traffic simulation models. Traffic simulation software.
The class focuses on the development of econometric modeling and its application in the field of transportation engineering. Topics to be covered include statistical inference, linear regression, count data models, discrete choice models, survival analysis, time series modeling, spatial modeling, panel data analysis, and structural equation modeling. Students will have a better understanding of the concepts and theories of econometrics and will be equipped with well-suited modeling and analysis techniques.
Nonlinear wave theories; wave forces on slender piles and seawalls; design of rubblemound structures; design philosophy, initial costs, maintenance costs, optimized design using stochastic methods; design of renourished beaches. Advanced alternative solutions for shore protection.
Types of dredges, factors affecting dredge performance; hydraulic dredges (cutter, hopper) and mechanical dredges systems (bucket, clamshell, etc.); shoaling rate determination; inlet sand bypassing systems; beach renourishment schemes. Design of beach renourishment/projects.
This course discusses the hydrodynamics of the coastal environment and reviews waves, low-frequency motions, and coastal responses, including sediment processes and beach evolution. Specific topics to be covered include: review of linear wave theory; introduction to nonlinear waves; wave-averaged motions and radiation stresses; wave and current boundary layers; wave setup, longshore current, rip current, undertow, and nearshore circulation; wave dissipation mechanisms; and fluid-sediment interaction. An introduction to cohesive sediments, sediment concentration and transport models, and beach morphology will also be addressed.
Fluid dynamics conservation laws as transport phenomena. Classical, finite-difference models for advection, diffusion and combined fluid flows. Explicit and implicit schemes to solve unsteady, free-surface fluid flow and diffusion (dispersion) problems in one and multi-dimensions. Turbulence models.
Special topics of interest with emphasis placed on recent developments in civil and/or environmental engineering.
Graduate-level overview of engineering experimental design and analysis with emphasis on statistical methods; practical and proper statistical methods applicable to multidisciplinary, real-world civil and environmental engineering problems.
An examination of numerical and approximate mathematical methods for civil and environmental engineers with applications; finite-difference and finite-integral techniques for single and simultaneous ordinary differential equations; classical and finite-difference solutions of partial differential equations such as heat, wave, Laplace, and plate equation; and finite element applications selected from geotechnical, environmental, hydraulics/water resources, ocean, transportation, and structural engineering.
Free and forced vibration of discrete and continuous systems; elastic and inelastic response of structures under dynamic loads.
To provide an understanding of the finite element method (FEM) as derived from an integral formulation perspective. To demonstrate the solutions of (1-D and 2-D) continuum mechanics problems such as solid mechanics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer.
Ultimate-strength theory, yield line methods, limit design, and other relevant advanced topics in the theory and design of concrete structures.
Analysis and design of prestressed concrete members and structures. Shrinkage, creep and losses, shear, bond and anchorages are discussed.
Elastic analysis of framed structures using matrix and numerical techniques.
Design of steel, concrete, and composite bridges using modern techniques and current specifications.
Analysis and design of flood protective shields for residential and commercial buildings, floodwalls and gates under hydrostatic, hydrodynamic, and floating debris impact forces, safety of dams and levees, sea-level rise issues for buildings and bridges, ASCE, IBC, and FEMA guidelines for flood resistant structural design, case histories.
Inelastic analysis and behavior of framed structures.
Fundamentals of elastic and inelastic stability of beams, columns and frames.
Classical and modern methods for the solution of plates of various shapes and boundary conditions, continuous and axially loaded plates and plates on elastic supports. Design examples.
Detailed numerical step-by-step procedures to exploit parallel and sparse computation under MPI (Message, Passing, Interface) computer environments are explained. Large-scale engineering/science applications are emphasized. Simultaneous linear equations are discussed.
Analysis and design of steel structures under seismic loading conditions, introduction to design specifications for steel structures.
Retrofitting methods for bridges and buildings combined with related advanced structural analysis and design techniques.
This course covers structural systems integrated with sensing, data processing, and control devices, which control and reduce the vibration of structures. Students will learn about basic theories of smart structures, smart materials, sensors, structural health monitoring (SHM) as well as their application to civil infrastructures.
Advanced analysis and design of shallow and deep foundations and retaining structures.
Detailed study of shear strength of soils and its application to slope stability and embankment design and analysis. Advanced laboratory shear tests are included.
Detailed study of physiochemical behavior of soils, fabric, rheology, effective stress path, and their applications to various geotechnical engineering problems.
Study of soil behavior under dynamic loadings. Laboratory and field techniques for determining soil properties and liquefaction potential. Design examples.
Momentum and energy principles, design of open channels, use of mathematical models for flow calculations in rivers, introduction to unsteady open channel flow.
Mathematical formulations of laws governing groundwater flow and contaminant transport. Unsaturated flow. Use of computer models for modeling groundwater aquifers.
Physical and chemical processes used in the treatment of water and waste water are covered. Separation, isolation and reaction processes are characterized as well as reactor engineering.
The use of microorganisms to treat domestic and industrial waste waters for organics and nutrient removal are studied. Characteristics of individual waste water components and the appropriate treatment processes to remove these components are covered.
Theory, operation and application of advanced water and waste water treatment systems, including land application, dissolved solids, organic contaminant and nutrient removal processes. Emphasis on system development for waste water reclamation/recycling.
A lecture and laboratory course dealing with the study of the principles and applications of microbiology in waste water treatment, water treatment, stream self-purification and their effects in environmental engineering.
Characterization of water quality in natural systems and the human activities that result in contaminant input to these systems are studied. Management practices for minimizing contaminant input and for restoring contaminated waters are discussed.
Formulation of mathematical equations to describe the fate and transport of aqueous contaminants in dynamic surface water systems. Use of water quality computer models to predict various contamination scenarios.
The course presents an overview of carbon-free energy sources (nuclear, wind, solar, hydropower, and geothermal). The current status, conversion processes, economics, and environmental issues of these forms of energy will be discussed.
This course is focused on the importance of management of phosphorous in preserving sustainable environments. The objectives of the course are to provide an overview of different phosphorous management/recovering/recycling strategies; basics of circular economy; role of microalgae in recovery and recycling of phosphorous; phosphorous recovery from wastewater; and application of the principles of circular economy towards global and regional phosphorous management.
This course examines interactive hydrologic processes in water resource; modifications of climate change to these processes; and modern simulation and systematic analysis methods incorporating the modifications into practices of water resource planning, utilization, protection, and engineering.
Chemical reactions in natural and engineered systems are studied with emphasis placed on developing kinetic expressions and assessing chemical equilibrium. Kinetic and equilibrium expressions are applied to engineering problems to predict the reaction time and products of specific reactions.
This course focuses on major transportation safety issues including transportation safety goals, safety of various transportation modes, identification of problematic locations, selection of safety countermeasures and their evaluation, safety data and modeling issues.
This is the second course in transportation operations and traffic flow theory. Topics covered include design of progressive signal systems, queuing theory, car following models, and applications of microscopic traffic simulation to corridor studies.
This course examines how ITS can be used to enhance mobility and safety. The topics covered in the course include systems engineering approach to ITS, traveler response to technologies and information, ITS planning and evaluation, and ITS deployment and operational performance.
This course covers transportation planning processes that include policy direction, transportation data, travel demand forecasting models, and decision-making/stakeholders issues.
This course provides a rigorous introduction to transportation network modeling, with special emphasis on network equilibrium problems. Topics include: elementary graph theory, shortest path problem nonlinear optimization, optimization of univariate functions, deterministic and stochastic user equilibrium.
Fundamental models and algorithms in optimization, stochastic modeling and parallel computing will be discussed and illustrated with transportation applications.
Principles of simulation modeling. Microscopic, mesoscopic and macroscopic traffic simulation models. Driver behavior in networks. Calibration and validation of traffic simulation models. Traffic simulation software.
The class focuses on the development of econometric modeling and its application in the field of transportation engineering. Topics to be covered include statistical inference, linear regression, count data models, discrete choice models, survival analysis, time series modeling, spatial modeling, panel data analysis, and structural equation modeling. Students will have a better understanding of the concepts and theories of econometrics and will be equipped with well-suited modeling and analysis techniques.
Nonlinear wave theories; wave forces on slender piles and seawalls; design of rubblemound structures; design philosophy, initial costs, maintenance costs, optimized design using stochastic methods; design of renourished beaches. Advanced alternative solutions for shore protection.
Types of dredges, factors affecting dredge performance; hydraulic dredges (cutter, hopper) and mechanical dredges systems (bucket, clamshell, etc.); shoaling rate determination; inlet sand bypassing systems; beach renourishment schemes. Design of beach renourishment/projects.
This course discusses the hydrodynamics of the coastal environment and reviews waves, low-frequency motions, and coastal responses, including sediment processes and beach evolution. Specific topics to be covered include: review of linear wave theory; introduction to nonlinear waves; wave-averaged motions and radiation stresses; wave and current boundary layers; wave setup, longshore current, rip current, undertow, and nearshore circulation; wave dissipation mechanisms; and fluid-sediment interaction. An introduction to cohesive sediments, sediment concentration and transport models, and beach morphology will also be addressed.
Fluid dynamics conservation laws as transport phenomena. Classical, finite-difference models for advection, diffusion and combined fluid flows. Explicit and implicit schemes to solve unsteady, free-surface fluid flow and diffusion (dispersion) problems in one and multi-dimensions. Turbulence models.
Directed individual study applying advanced level technical knowledge to identify, formulate, and solve a complex, novel problem in Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Special topics of interest with emphasis placed on recent developments in civil and/or environmental engineering.
Individual analytical, experimental and/or design study selected by the student. Approved and supervised by the advisor.
Research for the dissertation.
This course is a pass/fail course for master's students in their final semester. It may be taken to fulfill the registration requirement necessary for graduation. All master's students are required to be registered for at least one graduate credit hour in the semester of their graduation.
This course is a pass/fail course doctoral students may take to maintain active status after successfully passing the candidacy examination. All doctoral students are required to be registered for at least one graduate credit hour every semester until their graduation.