Sustainable Construction Engineering

Sustainable Construction Engineering

Overview

The future of construction in the US and around the world includes the need to maintain and build new housing, schools, healthcare facilities, shopping, government and safety services; more clean water and waste water treatment facilities; and more sustainable energy resources. We will need more roads, rail, public transit and ports to move people and goods. Coupled with retirement projections, employers seek new, qualified professionals able to complete these big projects while maintaining the sustainability triple bottomline: people, planet and profit.

ADMISSIONS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

The Department of Civil & Coastal Engineering conducts funded sustainable construction engineering research which considers this future state and prepares our graduates to be leaders in the field. While considering the interconnection of people and technology, research projects investigate:

About

Smart and Intelligent Construction

This theme of research focuses on the development and test of the next generation Intelligent Information Systems (IIS) and Intelligent Physical Systems (IPS) for the design, engineering, construction and operations of built environments (e.g., buildings, industrial facilities, and smart transportation systems etc.). Specifically, it aims at augmenting human cognitive and physical capabilities and developing a 21st century data-capable civil engineering workforce via Intelligent Cognitive Assistants (ICAs) and Collaborative Robots (Cobots).

Sustainable Workforce

This research bridges the space between understanding the future of work in civil engineering in the United States and characterizing the competencies, learning technologies, and ecosystems that equip and sustain an inclusive workforce for that future. Topics include hazard recognition, safety, leadership, satisfaction, personal resilience, organizational culture, training, informal learning and social considerations. When employees thrive in the workplace and are professional prepared for work, organizational outcomes such as sustaining the workforce; achieving safety, productivity, and profitability goals; planning, designing and constructing intelligent and/or resilient infrastructure; and addressing current and future challenges such as infrastructure and disaster management are also achieved.

Education for Leadership Roles

  • More Effective Project Delivery Systems
  • Advanced Project Management and Control Systems
  • Advanced Safety Management Methods
  • Sustainable Infrastructure Renewal Research Focus Areas
  • Advanced Project Planning and Delivery
  • Intelligent Infrastructure Asset Management Systems
  • Advanced Project Safety Management
  • New Construction Methods, Material and Equipment
  • Intelligent Real Time Construction Information Management Systems

Research Outcomes

  • Improved Project Planning
  • More Efficient and Cost Effective Project Delivery
  • Improved Infrastructure Management Decisions
  • Safer more cost effective work technologies and processes

Research Benefits

  • Improved Project Outcomes
  • Infrastructure Assets Conservation and Optimization
  • More Cost Effective Investment in Capital Projects
  • Safety of the Work Force and the Public Facilities
  • State of the Art Project Controls Laboratory
  • Multiple Digital Recording Equipment Systems for Data Collection
  • Multiple Vehicles Available for Project Trips
  • Research Assistants Assigned Individual State of the Art Work Station Research Opportunities
  • Activity funded research program with multiple sponsors
  • Research Assistantships and fellowships
  • Competitive stipend and full tuition

Graduate Study Program

Master of Engineering (ME) or Master of Science (MS) Degree

Introduction

Master of Engineering (ME) or Master of Science (MS) Degree in Civil Engineering with Specialization in Sustainable Construction Engineering

Within the construction engineering field, employers often seek out our graduates with master’s degrees. They have high expectations regarding the skills and capabilities that our graduates bring with them into industry. Consequently, we offer a specialization in sustainable construction engineering within the Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering. The following requirements, in addition to the minimum requirements imposed by the UF Graduate School, must be met for graduation.

Course Requirements

Master’s students specializing in Sustainable Construction Engineering (SCE) are expected to satisfy the following minimum coursework requirements and procedures. Upon admission, a SCE faculty member is assigned as your advisor. Regardless of whether you are pursuing a Thesis or Non-Thesis degree, you must complete the coursework requirements outlined on the following page for the SCE specialization. You will also be required to complete the Master’s Program Plan of Study (PPS), which is posted on the ESSIE website. You must also have it approved by your advisor during the first week of classes in your first semester. You must request the use of transfer credits toward your degree program on the PPS and obtain approval, as indicated by the advisor’s signature on the PPS. Prior to the registration periods of subsequent semesters, contact your advisor for approval of your proposed course selection for the upcoming semester along with any changes in your PPS. Once your course selection has been approved by your advisor, you will then send (via email) your course selection along with your updated and approved PPS to your advisor with a copy submission to gradforms@essie.ufl.edu. Your advising hold will then be removed, allowing you to register.

Regardless of whether you are pursuing a Thesis or Non-Thesis degree, you must complete the Master’s Program Plan of Study (PPS), which is posted on the ESSIE website.  You must request the use of transfer credits toward your degree program on the PPS and obtain approval, as indicated by the advisor’s signature on the PPS. You will have an advising hold until your first PPS has been submitted based on these timeframes:  Masters non-thesis submission is required by midterm of the first semester; Master’s thesis by midterm of the second semester.  Before the registration periods of subsequent semesters, contact your advisor for approval of your proposed course selection for the upcoming semester, along with any changes in your PPS. You or your advisor need to  submit your PPS (original or revised) to gradforms@essie.ufl.edu for processing.

Additional requirements may be imposed by the Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering or the University of Florida Graduate School; therefore, the student should consult the Civil and Coastal Engineering Graduate Student Handbook for additional information.

Non-thesis Master’s degree

Non-thesis students obtaining a Master’s of Science degree must satisfy the final exam requirements by submitting a completed design or analysis term project that earned a grade of B or better from one of the core competency courses listed in the coursework requirements. Projects from outside the curriculum will not be considered. Projects are to be submitted to the student’s advisor for approval and must be comprehensive in nature. Master of Engineering students are not required to complete the final examination per the Graduate Catalog.

Thesis Master’s degree-seeking students:

A thesis master’s degree-seeking student is required to have a supervisory committee. That committee must consist of a minimum of two members, a chair (usually the advisor) and at least one additional member. The full committee should be formed by the mid-term of the second semester. If a minor is designated, the committee must include a graduate faculty member from the minor department.

Grades & Graduation

Per the University of Florida Graduate School Policy, students must have an overall GPA of 3.00 and an overall 3.00 GPA within the departmental courses to be eligible for graduation.

Coursework Requirements

Courses are selected to ensure students obtain a minimum level of competency in construction materials engineering. After the course requirements for the categories are met, remaining coursework must be selected from approved electives.

MS or ME with Thesis

Minimum 30 total semester hours; min. 24 hours coursework permitted and max 6 hours Masters Research (CGN 6971) permitted OR  27 hours coursework and 3 hours Masters Research (CGN6971) required; min. 15 hours coursework in Civil and Coastal Engineering, written master’s thesis; oral defense. Enrollment of 3 credit hours (Fall/Spring) or 2 credit hours (Summer) of Masters Research (CGN 6971) is required during the final/graduating semester. The student must take a minimum of 21 credits of coursework from the college of engineering.

MS or ME with Coursework Only (non-thesis)

Minimum 30 total semester hours of coursework; (only available if the student has not received financial aid from the Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering), min. 15 hours coursework in Civil and Coastal Engineering. The student must take a minimum of 21 credits of coursework from the college of engineering.

A. Technical Fundamentals of Construction Competency (9 credits required):

  • BCN 5618C Comprehensive Estimating
  • CGN 6905 Construction Simulation and Modeling
  • CCE 6037 Civil Engineering Operations I

B. Construction Materials Competency (3 credits – take one of the following courses):

  • CGN 6525 Sustainable Materials
  • CGN 6505 Properties, Design and Control of Concrete
  • CGN 6905 Concrete Durability
  • CGN 6905 Concrete Structural Rehabilitation
  • CGN 6506 Bituminous Materials

C. Construction-Applied Resources Competency (3 credits – take one of the following courses):

  • CGN 6905 Construction Faults and Safe Practices
  • CGN 6905 Advanced Construction Information Systems

D. Field Construction Operations Competency (3 credits):

  • CGN 6905 Design of Temporary Structures

E. Electives (12 credits):

  • CGN 6971 Master’s Research (3 to 6 credits required only for thesis option)
  • CEG 5115 Foundation Design
  • CEG 6515 Earth Retaining Walls
  • CEG 5114 Advanced Geotechnical Aspects of Landfill Design
  • CES 5801 Design and Construction in Timber
  • CES 5235 Design of Highway Bridges
  • CES 5606 Topics in Steel Design
  • CES 6706 Advanced Reinforced Concrete
  • CES 5010 Probabilistic and Stochastic Methods in Civil Engineering
  • CES 5715 Prestressed Concrete
  • CGN 5605 Public Works Planning
  • CGN 5606 Public Works Management
  • CGN 6905 Microstructural Analysis of Cementitious Systems
  • CGN 6905 Railroad Engineering
  • EGN 6039 Engineering Leadership
  • EGN 6640 Entrepreneurship for Engineers
  • EGN 6642 Engineering Innovation
  • ENV 5306 Sustainable Materials Management (Municipal Refuse Disposal)
  • ENV 6932 Construction and Demolition Debris Management
  • ENV 6617 Prin. Green Eng. Design & Sustainability
  • ENV 6932 Beneficial Use of Waste Materials
  • BCN 5874 Equipment and Methods for Heavy Construction
  • BCN 5885 Methods & Management for Heavy Construction
  • BCN 6748 Construction Law
  • BCN 5729 Design-Build Delivery Methods
  • BCN 5776 International Construction Business Management
  • BCN 6641 Construction Value Engineering
  • BCN 6558C Building Integrated Renewable Energy Systems

Elective Notes

  • Classes listed in core competencies taken above the credit hour requirement in that competency may count toward the elective credit requirement
  • Other classes in Civil, Coastal, Environmental engineering or with a prefix of EGN courses may be taken upon approval of advisor
  • Only one of BCN 5874 BCN 5885 may be taken
  • Other electives outside of the college of engineering may be taken upon approval of advisor
  • A maximum of 9 credits outside of engineering may be used to satisfy degree requirements. Since BCN 5618C is required, only an additional 6 credits outside of engineering may be taken.
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People

Photo of Sara Behdad Sara Behdad Associate Professor
(352) 294-7547

Office
412 Black Hall

Photo of Eric Jing Du Eric Jing Du Professor
(352) 294-6619

Office
460F Weil Hall

Photo of Christopher Ferraro Christopher Ferraro Associate Professor
(352) 392-0959

Office
460B Weil Hall

Photo of Steven Laux Steven Laux Professor of Practice
382-871-7069

Office
102 Sustainable Materials Management Research Laboratory

Photo of Fazil Najafi Fazil Najafi Professor
(352) 294-7790

Office
470 Weil Hall

Photo of Ge (Gaby) Ou Ge (Gaby) Ou Assistant Professor
352-294-7797

Office
460E Weil Hall

Photo of Kyle Riding Kyle Riding Professor
(352) 294-1628

Office
460C Weil Hall

Photo of Denise R. Simmons Denise Simmons Associate Dean for Workforce Development
352-294-6967

Office
460D Weil Hall

Photo of Timothy G. Townsend Timothy Townsend Jones, Edmunds & Associates, Inc. Professor
(352) 392-0846

Office
204 Black Hall

Photo of William (Bill) Wallace William (Bill) Wallace Adjunct Lecturer

To view a full listing of each person’s profile, visit the Sustainable Construction Engineering category in our directory.

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