Water Resources
Introduction
Civil Engineering is one of the most diversified professions that exists today. Our entire environment is touched upon in some manner by civil engineers. Extensive planning systems are needed for the control )
of the earth's air, water, and land resources. In order to meet the present challenge and the inevitable demands of the future, the civil engineer's formal education is very important to have the technical capability of handling the new engineering problems that arise from our industrial-oriented society.
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, offers advanced education at the M.S. and Ph.D. levels in Water Resources Engineering. These web pages provide detailed information concerning our program in Water Resources. Our program prepares the student for careers in professional practice, research, and teaching. The courses provide the student with an understanding of modern design, testing, and analysis techniques.
General Admission Requirements
A student admitted to graduate study in Water Resources Engineering normally has, as a minimum, an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering and must meet the competitive Graduate School admission requirements. The Department requires GRE scores. Initial correspondence concerning admission should be addressed to the Graduate School, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742. Telephone requests for material may be made to the Graduate School at (301) 405-1977.
Applicants applying for financial assistance are advised that early application increases the chances for receiving financial aid from the University, but applicants are also urged to search out the full range of fellowships and cooperative support arrangements that can provide support for studies from sources outside the university.
Applicants deadline for foreign students is considerably before the intended beginning of studies. It is extremely important for these students to comply strictly with all admission requirements noted by the Graduate School. If these are not followed precisely, undue delays in processing will occur. Questions concerning criteria and requirements for foreign applicants should be addressed to the Director, International Education Services, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742 (Telephone: (301) 404-7740).
Students who do not have a Civil Engineering undergraduate degree may be admitted to the Water Resources program, but will be considered on a case-by-case basis. As a general rule, successful completion of several undergraduate Civil Engineering courses will be required as suitable background for graduate-level engineering courses in the program before graduate study may begin for such students. Upon notification of acceptance into the program, the student will be notified of the courses that must be completed successfully prior to starting the courses to be completed as degree requirements. Under no circumstance will these prerequisite undergraduate course be applicable toward either the M.S. or the Ph.D. program.
Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science
A minimum of thirty semester hours, with a minimum average grade of "B" in courses approved for graduate credit, is required for the degree of Master of Science in Civil Engineering. Both thesis and non-thesis options are available. With the thesis option, six credit-hours of thesis research are applied toward the required thirty hours. Of the thirty hours required in graduate courses, not less than twelve semester hours must be earned in the major subject. Not less than one-half of the total required course credits for the degree, or a minimum of twelve, must be selected from courses numbered 600 or above. The entire course of study must constitute a unified program approved by the student's major advisor and by the Graduate School. The Master's Thesis must be defended before a departmental committee. All requirements for the degree must be completed within a five-year period.
Thesis Option
For the thesis option, the student is required to complete the following:
- 30 credit-hours of approved course work, which includes 6 credit-hours of thesis research.
- A written thesis.
- An oral defense of the thesis to be administered by a Faculty Review Committee.
Non-Thesis Option
A non-thesis MS degree is offered by the Civil Engineering Department. In the non-thesis option, a minimum of eighteen hours must be selected for courses numbered 600 or above in the major field. The student is also required to pass a comprehensive examination in his/her area of concentration and to present a scholarly paper to the faculty of the department that reflects competence, advanced standing, and the ability to do independent work. The non-thesis option is not available to students who receive financial support from research contracts. For the non-thesis option, the student is required to successfully complete the following:
- 30 credit-hours of approved course work.
- A scholarly paper, approved by the Technical Group Reading Committee.
- A written comprehensive examination.
The written comprehensive examination is offered twice a year, approximately four weeks before the ends of the fall and spring semesters; examinations are not offered during the summer sessions. The examination consists of three parts, with each part allotted two hours. A student is eligible to take the examination during the semester when he/she will have successfully completed a minimum of 24 credit-hours of course work that will be part of the required 30 credit-hours. After consulting with the advisor, the student shall complete the Comprehensive Examination Request Form (see Form B), which must be submitted to the Technical Group Director no later than October 15 in the fall semester, or April 1 in the Spring Semester. At least two of the three parts of the examination must be taken for courses within the Water Resources Technical Group. The specific parts taken will be selected following a consultation with the student's advisor. All three parts must be taken during the same two-day examination period for that semester. If the student fails any part of the examination, that part(s) must be taken at the next scheduled examination time.
Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Students are encouraged to apply to the Ph.D. program in Civil Engineering if they have received an M.S. degree in engineering or related fields. If their previous education is not in engineering or closely related fields, students are encouraged to consult with the Water Resources Tech Group Chair before they apply. The applicant should consider applying for an M.S. in Civil Engineering before applying for a Ph.D. The faculty members of the Water Resources Group may recommend the completion of courses prior to final admission to the program. The Dean of Graduate Studies and Research makes the final admission decision.
A grade point average of 3.5 on a scale of 4.0 maximum in the preceding M.S. academic program is expected for Ph.D. applicants. Provisional admission may be granted to an applicant whose previous work is deficient in content, but is adequate with respect to the quality of the applicant's performance.
The Civil Engineering Department includes the following six areas of concentration: Structures, Construction Management, Environmental, Geotechnical and Materials, Transportation and Water Resources. Each of these groups offers a doctoral program. All Ph.D. applicants must state on their admission application the specialty in which they are interested, and their admission will be applicable only to that group. If a student later wishes to switch to another specialty group, the faculty of the new group will consult with the faculty of the original group, review the original admission application, and make an independent decision before a change may be made.
A student previously admitted to the master's degree program, who wishes to continue studies toward the Ph.D. degree, must submit an application to the Graduate School requesting admission to the Ph.D. program. With the concurrence of the appropriate specialty group, the Chairperson my approve the request and will then forward it to the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research for approval. If the request is not approved, the student may be permitted to take courses in Civil Engineering only as a special student after completion of the master's degree.
Admission to the Ph.D. program does not constitute admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. Certain requirements must be satisfied before admission to candidacy will be granted. These are discussed in the following sections.
Qualifications for the Ph.D. Degree
In order to qualify for the Ph.D. degree, the student must accomplish the following:
- Successfully complete an approved program of course work. A Proposed Program Form must be completed within four weeks of enrollment in the program.
- Complete at least 12 dissertation research credits.
- Maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or better.
- Pass a Ph.D. qualifying examination.
- Submit a dissertation for review by the Dissertation Committee.
- Pass an oral examination in defense of the dissertation.
- Satisfy all other current graduate school requirements.
Course Work
For a student who has B.S. and M.S. degrees in civil engineering, the course-work program typically consists of at least 18 credit hours of courses beyond those required for the M.S. degree. Additional course work may be necessary for those who do not have B.S. and M.S. degrees in civil engineering. Courses taken at schools other than the University of Maryland may be included in the program, subject to approval by the advisory committee. It is also recommended that, as part of the 18 credit hours, each student complete at least nine credit hours in a minor field, preferably outside Civil Engineering. These hours shall be in courses that relate to a theme but need not necessarily be offered in a single department.
The Ph.D. Qualifying Examination
In order to be admitted formally to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree, the student must pass the Qualifying Examination. The student must complete all requirements for admission to candidacy at least two semesters prior to taking the final Doctoral Examination in defense of the dissertation.
The Qualifying Examination will consist of written and oral parts. The oral part will include a defense of the proposed dissertation topic. The length of the written and oral exams will be determined by the Water Resources faculty. The student in consultation with his or her academic advisor will decide when the Qualifying Examination may be taken. The examination is offered twice a year; January and June. Fifteen credit hours of the course work must be completed prior to the examination. The student must submit the Comprehensive Examination Request Form by April 1 for the June examination and by October 15 for the January examination.
The Water Resources faculty will select the members of the Examining Committee, subject to approval of the Civil Engineering Department Chairperson. For the written examination, the Examining Committee will be composed of three or more members of the Civil Engineering Department. For the oral defense of the dissertation proposal, the Examining Committee will be supplemented by the remaining members of the Ph.D. Dissertation Committee, including at least one regular member of the UMCP Graduate Faculty from outside the Civil Engineering Department. The examination will cover material mainly related to the student's course work and research. A student passing the qualifying examination will be eligible for admission to candidacy. If the student fails the examination, one re-test is permitted at a regularly scheduled exam time. The chairperson of the Examining Committee will inform the student and the Civil Engineering Chairperson in writing concerning the results of the examination.
The Ph.D. Dissertation
The student is urged to select a dissertation advisor as early as possible after admission to the Ph.D. Program. The selection of an advisor would be based upon interests and program objectives as well as consultation with the specialty group faculty. The Dissertation Committee will consist of at least five members, including the Dissertation Advisor. The latter will nominate the other members. At least four of the members must hold a doctoral degree, at least one must be from outside the Civil Engineering Department. The entire committee must be approved by the Civil Engineering Chairperson and by the Graduate School.
The Dissertation Committee will have responsibility for the supervision of the student's progress in performing the necessary research and preparation of the dissertation. This Committee will make the final decision concerning the acceptance of the completed dissertation. The completed dissertation will be prepared and submitted in accordance with the requirements of the Manual for Graduate Theses, available from the College of Graduate Studies and Research.
Work on the dissertation may commence at any time. However, all requirements for admission to candidacy must be completed at least two semesters prior to the examination in defense of the dissertation. In the event that a student fails to gain admission to candidacy, the Ph.D. degree will not be awarded, regardless of progress on the dissertation.
Ordinarily, the dissertation research should be conducted on the campus of the University of Maryland with a dissertation advisor who is a member of the faculty of the Department of Civil Engineering. In cases where it is deemed to be justified, other arrangements may be made, subject to the approval of the Civil Engineering Chairperson and the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research.
Deadlines for the submission of the Ph.D. dissertation are established by the Graduate School. In order to meet the deadline, the student should allow a margin of at least four weeks. The oral defense of the dissertation should be conducted at least one week before the Graduate School deadline; this will allow time to make any corrections or additions recommended by the Faculty Review Committee. It is the responsibility of the student to distribute copies of the dissertation to the Faculty Review Committee at least two weeks prior to the scheduled date of the oral examination. The student is also responsible for scheduling the examination with the Faculty Review Committee, reserving a conference room (a three-hour time period should be allotted), notifying the Faculty Review Committee with a written memo of the time and location of the examination, and securing the necessary visual-aid equipment for the examination.
The Doctoral Examination
If the Dissertation Committee finds the draft manuscript of the dissertation to be satisfactory, the student will be called for the final oral Doctoral Examination covering the subject matter of the dissertation and the student's program area. The Doctoral Examination must be given not earlier than two semesters after the student completes all requirements for admission to candidacy, and the student must be registered for at least one credit hour during the semester in which the final oral examination is given. The examination will be conducted by the Dissertation Committee, subject to the approval of the Civil Engineering Chairperson and the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. A majority vote with no more than one dissenting vote or abstention will be required to pass the Examination.
The student will be responsible for adequate advertising of the examination. A notice of the Doctoral Examination including time and place will be sent to all Civil Engineering faculty members. The presentation will be open to interested faculty, staff, and students. Results of the Doctoral Examination will be reported in writing to the student, the Chairperson of Civil Engineering and the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research by the Chairperson of the Dissertation Committee. In the case of a failure on the final oral examination, one additional examination will be permitted, if recommended by the Dissertation Committee. The second examination will be scheduled at a time set by the Dissertation Committee, but within one year of the first attempt.
Areas of Specialization
Course work is selected that will enable the student to do research and that forms a strong base for continued professional growth after graduation. The following are examples of graduate programs that a student could develop using the courses available:
- Watershed Hydrology.
- Geographic Information Systems.
- Urban Water Resource Systems.
- Water Quality Modeling.
- Hydraulic and River Engineering.
However, a student may choose courses that provide a broad water resources education.
There is no set of specific courses that defines a "core" requirement. However, the water resources profession rightly expects a Ph.D. to apply advanced engineering and statistical concepts to the modeling of surface and subsurface hydrologic processes and to the interpretation of information. Thus, the candidate should work closely with his or her advisor to ensure that the courses selected provide an adequate base to successfully complete the comprehensive examination.
Graduate Courses
ENCE 630 - ENVIRONMENTAL AND WATER RESOURCES SYSTEMS I
The application of statistical and systems engineering techniques in the analysis of engineering data. Methods of formulating and calibrating models are presented. The fundamentals of statistical decision making are addressed. Central topics discussed are hypothesis testing and regression modeling.
ENCE 631 - HYDROLOGIC AND NONPOINT POLLUTION MODELS
A detailed analysis of the physical processes controlling the spatial distribution of runoff and constituent transport during rainfall and snowmelt events. Emphasis is on developing an understanding of the processes and translating this understanding into practical models that can be used for runoff simulation, stormwater management, and environmental impact assessment.
ENCE 634 RIVER ENGINEERING
The application of fundamentals of hydrology and hydraulics to engineering analysis and design questions focused on rivers and the watersheds they drain. The course examines issues of flood and drought flows, sediment transport, and water quality. Emphasis is on developing an understanding of watershed behavior in the face of land use change --particularly urbanization.
ENCE 635 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS FOR WATERSHED ANALYSIS
Emphasis is on the use of GIS to support the analysis and modeling tasks associated with watershed planning and management. This course familiarizes the student with fundamentals of GIS data models, projections, and coordinate systems. Students develop a set of GIS- based alogrithms solving common engineering problems in hydrology. Internet data sources and GPS technology are also covered.
ENCE 637 - BIOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
An exposition of biological principles directly affecting man and the environment; assay, control and treatment of biological agents in water, sewage and air; microbiology and biochemistry of aerobic and anaerobic treatment processes for aqueous wastes.
ENCE 650 PROCESS DYNAMICS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS
The fundamentals of heterogeneous equilibria, rates of environmental reactions, and flow and material transport or presented. Applications of these principles will be presented to small and large scale environmental problems involving liquid, gas, and solid phases. Both natural and engineered environmental systems will be examined.
ENCE 651 CHEMISTRY OF NATURAL WATERS
Application of principles from chemical thermodynamics and kinetics to the study and interpretation of the chemical composition of natural waters is rationalized by considering metal ion solubility controls, pH, carbonate equilibria, adsorption reactions, redox reactions and the kinetics of oxygenation reactions which occur in natural water environments.
ENCE 655 ENVIRONMENTAL BEHAVIOR OF ORGANIC POLLUTANTS
Introduction to the scientific data needed and methods currently available to assess the environmental risk of organic chemicals. Applications of principles from chemical thermodynamics will be used to study phase-transfer processes of organic pollutants in the environment (solid/water, solid/air, water/air). Physical-chemical properties of organic pollutants will be used to estimate partitioning.
ENCE 688 - ADVANCED TOPICS IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
Advanced topics selected by the faculty from the current literature of civil engineering to suit the needs and background of students. May be taken for repeated credit when identified by topic title.
ENCE 688U - HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT
Review of environmental laws and regulations related to hazardous waste management, and the study of the technologies utilized to remediate hazardous waste sites.
ENCE 688W - STREAM RESPONSE TO WASTE DISCHARGE
The response of fresh waters to the introduction of organic and inorganic wastes will be discussed as it affects the use of water for industrial and potable supplies.
ENCE 688Y - ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY
Laboratory experiments to familiarize the student with selected unit operations and processes used in water and wastewater treatment; to gain "hands on" experience in the setup and operation of each experiment; to monitor laboratory parameters; and to analyze data and write a laboratory report.
ENCE 689 - SEMINAR
Independent study under faculty supervision.
ENCE 730 - ENVIRONMENTAL AND WATER RESOURCE SYSTEMS II
Advanced topics in modelling and operations research. Applications to complex environmental and water resource systems. The use of systems simulation and probabilistic modeling. Basic tools of geostatistical analysis.
ENCE 731 - ADVANCED GROUNDWATER HYDROLOGY
Theory and application of unsteady flow in porous media. Analysis of one and two dimensional unsteady flow. Solutions of non-linear equations of unsteady flow with a free surface. Development and use of various numerical models to study the fate and transport of contaminants.
ENCE 732 - ADVANCED HYDROLOGIC ANALYSIS
A detailed examination of the processes controlling the quantity and quality of watershed runoff; emphasis on the development of deterministic mathematical models for process simulation; role of land-phase processes in flood hydrology; evaporation and transpiration; models for urban watersheds; linkage for hydrograph synthesis.
ENCE 739 - SELECTED TOPICS IN POROUS MEDIA FLOW
Analysis of two-liquid flows for immiscible fluids, simultaneous flow of two immiscible fluids and miscible fluids. Hydrodynamic dispersion theories, parameters of dispersion and solutions of some dispersion problems with emphasis on migration of pollutants.
ENCE 752 THEORY OF AQUEOUS WASTE TREATMENT
Theory and practical design of treating wastewater, hydraulics of plant, cost analysis. Biological oxidation of organics and biological nutrient removal are emphasized. Stabilization and disposal of biosolids will be discussed.
ENCE 753 UNIT OPERATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
The fundamental theory of unit operations in the physical, chemical, and biological treatment of water is considered in detail. Coagulation and flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection, ion exchange, adsorption, gas transfer, and membrane processes are among topics to be considered. Pollution prevention and waste minimization will be integrated into the course.
ENCE 755 TRANSFORMATIONS OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS IN THE ENVIRONMENT
Focuses on reaction kinetics and mechanisms of organic pollutants transformations. Kinetic principles will be used to calculate or estimate the pollutants' half-lives. Physical-chemical properties of organic pollutants will be used to estimate transformation mechanisms and rates. Emphasis is on developing an understanding of how physico-chemical and structural properties relate with the transformations of organic pollutants.
ENCE 756 BIOREMEDIATION
Introduction to microbiological and engineering fundamentals of bioremediation. Coverage will emphasize current and emerging technologies for major classes of environmental contaminants and contaminated site characteristics; relevant microbial ecology, biochemistry and physiology; site data needed to assess the feasibility of the bioremediation option; design and operation of engineered bioremediation systems, including reactor and in situ approaches; monitoring methods for evaluating the success of bioremediation projects; technical evaluation of selected case studies.
Recent Thesis and Dissertation Titles
- Prediction of Stream Geometry in the Maryland Piedmont
Based on Land Use and Urbanization - The Effect of Watershed Subdivision on Simulated Hydrologic Response Using the NRCS TR-20 Model
- Effect of GIS Data Resolution on Hydrologic Modeling
- Using a Geographic Information System for Flood Hazard Analysis: A Case Study on Quail Creek, Colorado
- Using GIS Methods and the HEC-1 Model to Assess the Effect of Dams on Streamflow in the State of Maryland
- Modeling Water Quantity and Water Quality with the SWMM Continuous Flow Model Under Non-Stationary Land-useConditions Using GIS
- The Joint Effects of Climate Change and Urbanization on the Distribution of Streamflow Magnitudes in the Maryland Piedmont Region
- The Characteristics andImpact of Imperviousness from a GIS-Based Hydrological Perspective
- Sensitivity of Peak Discharge Calculation to GIS-Derived Hydrologic Routing Parameters in the TR-20 Rainfall-Runoff Model
- A Reliability Analysis of Stream Restoration
- GIS Adjustment of Measured Streamflow Data from Urbanized Watersheds
- Bridge Pier Scour in Tidal Environments
- A Strategy for Calibrating the HSPF Model
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Email: rhmccuen at eng.umd.edu |
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Email: klbrubak at umd.edu |
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Email: moglen at umd.edu |
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Email: yaronst at eng.umd.edu |
- Who are the faculty? The group includes Drs. Brubaker, McCuen, and Moglen, with Dr. Sternberg teaching as a professor emeritus.
- What is the orientation of your undergraduate classes? Many of our undergraduate courses provide a comprehensive grounding in engineering design. The GIS class introduces students to the use of geographic information systems for land development. The surface water hydrology course prepares students for hydrologic design work, especially stormwater management. The groundwater hydrology course covers topic in ground water pollution, well hydraulics, and the cleanup of hazardous wastes.
- What is the emphasis of your graduate classes? The primary objective of our graduate program is towards hydrologic modeling. This includes the development and calibration of models, computer simulation, GIS models, water quality modeling, open channel flow, and global hydrologic processes and climate modeling.
- Is an undergraduate CEE required? No, but it is encouraged. Depending on an applicant’s background, it may be necessary for those lacking a CEE degree to take one or more courses as prerequisites to admission.
- How long does it take to complete a graduate program? If an entering student has all of the prerequisites and is able to enroll full time, then a MS candidate should complete the requirements in three semesters and an intervening summer. Generally, it takes three years to complete a PhD following a MS program. Of course, it depends on the commitment and effort of the candidate.
- What are the requirements for the PhD program? An entering student must take 18 credit hours of course work and complete a dissertation. Before starting the dissertation the student must pass a comprehensive examination and defend a research plan.
- Are research assistantships available? A number of graduate students are supported on research projects, with the project usually serving as the basis for the thesis or dissertation. The number varies on a semester basis and are awarded based on the qualifications of the student.
- Are funds other than RAs available? Yes, the Department has teaching assistants available to well qualified students, and our group can nominate students for department fellowships.
- How do I get more specific information or answers to questions? You can correspond with any of the water resources faculty by email.
