Areas of Study

Construction: Involves the planning and execution of projects to construct highways, bridges, buildings, and public works facilities. Focuses on effective management of all necessary resources to safely complete a construction project in a quality manner, on time and within budget.

Environmental: Emphasizes providing safe and ample public water supplies, proper disposal or recycling of wastewater and solid wastes, hazardous waste management, and mitigating groundwater and atmospheric pollution. Projects include sanitation of combined and sanitary sewers, design of large-scale water treatment plants, and policing of environmental regulations.

Geotechnical: Applies theory of soil and rock mechanics to infrastructure projects including the design of building and structural foundations, retaining walls, dams, waste containment facilities, slope stabilizations, soft ground improvement techniques, and environmental soil remediation methods. Projects include the design of stadium and skyscraper foundations, subway tunnels, designs using geosynthetics, soil improvement, and deep excavation.

Hydraulics/Water Resources: Involves the collection, measurement, regulation, storage, transport, and utilization of water for erosion protection, flood control, irrigation, navigation, power recreation, and water supply. Projects include local storm drainage design, restoration of rivers, reservoir design, and large-scale water supply networks.

Structural: Implements knowledge of structural behavior and material properties to design facilities that meet utility and financial requirements without sacrificing user safety. Projects include the design of bridges, skyscrapers, sports arenas, dams, and airports.

Transportation: Includes the planning, design, construction and operation of infrastructure facilities and systems necessary for the safe and efficient movement of people and freight via highway, rail, water and air. Projects range from intelligent transportation systems that regulate vehicle movement to pavement design.