Civil Engineering (Ph.D.)

Program Coordinator/Contact
Nadim Wehbe, Department Head
Suzette Burckhard, Professor/Graduate Coordinator
Crothers Engineering Hall 120, Box 2219
605-688-5427
E-mail: suzette.burckhard@sdstate.edu
www.sdstate.edu/cvlee

Program Information
The program is designed to provide breadth and depth within the civil engineering main sub-disciplines including structural, environmental, transportation, geotechnical, hydraulic, and water resources engineering.  The department’s graduate faculty members conduct research in the fields of bridge engineering, earthquake engineering, traffic operations and safety, transportation infrastructure, breaking waves and river hydraulics, fate and transport of contaminants, water/wastewater treatment processes and biological filtration, and soil stability and deep foundations.

Program Objectives
The Ph.D. program’s objectives are to prepare graduates to:

1. Generate and disseminate new discovery in civil engineering disciplines
2. Develop resilient civil engineering infrastructure to withstand man-made and natural hazards
3. Advance sustainable civil engineering systems to serve the needs of future generations and preserve natural resources

Course Delivery Format
The majority of the courses will be taught on campus in a classroom setting.  Some courses will be offered through the “Access Grid” system in collaboration with other regental institutions in the state of South Dakota.

Facilities and Services
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is home for state-of-the-art experimental and research facilities.  The Lohr Structures Laboratory is a 400 square meters high-bay/strong-floor structural testing facility that is configured to accommodate large-and full-scale test specimens. The Fluid Mechanics Laboratory has a 25-m-long, 0.90-m-wide and 0.75-m-deep research flume which can be used either as an open channel or as a wave tank.  The HDR Environmental Laboratory is designed to perform three major functions: Teaching, Analysis, and Research.  The research area of the HDR laboratory contains space for graduate work, a ventilated room for biological research, and an area with a high ceiling to accommodate pilot plant work.  In addition, the materials, geotechnical, and asphalt laboratories are equipped with basic and advanced testing equipment which can support experimental research.

Student Support and Engagement Opportunities
Students seeking a Ph.D. degree in civil engineering will be conducting research in their area of interest under the mentorship of highly qualified and dedicated faculty.  Research and teaching assistantships will be offered to qualified students.  Students will also be expected to engage in scholarly activities through publishing of peer-reviewed journal papers and dissemination of research results at national conferences.