The program emphasizes fundamental knowledge in civil and environmental engineering methodology and in related fields of computer science, engineering, physical and social science, and management. The M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering can be taken either as a course-only option or as a thesis option. The professional course-only option can usually be completed in two semesters of courses. The requirements for the thesis option can usually be completed in two or three semesters plus a summer. After completion of the master's degree at CMU or elsewhere, students of superior ability are eligible for admission as candidates for the Ph.D. degree.
Candidates normally complete at least one additional year of course work and two years of research.
The Civil and Environmental Engineering Laboratories, located in a four-story wing adjacent to the department, encompass more than 12,000 square feet. Included are individual laboratories for research in water chemistry, aquatic microbiology, air pollution, materials, soil mechanics, and structural mechanics. The environmental engineering facilities encompass 6,000 square feet and were completely renovated in 1994. They include a water chemistry research laboratory with a microbiology area, a trace metals clean laboratory, a fully equipped geoenvironmental laboratory, and a radioactive material laboratory. Analytical facilities are available for characterization of samples for both major and trace constituents in air, water, and soil samples.