Graduate Programs

The Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics offers courses and research opportunities leading to the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Master of Engineering (MEng), and Master of Science (MSc). Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies administers the rules and regulations pertaining to these degrees. The Department processes applications for admission.

The various programs offered by the Department are:

• Doctor of Philosophy, PhD
• Master of Engineering, MEng (Thesis Option)
• Master of Engineering, MEng (Project Option), including the Master of Engineering, MEng - Environmental Engineering
• Master of Science, MSc

In any of the above graduate programs, students may focus on any one of the different areas of specialization offered by the Department.

Admission to the PhD program is contingent upon a faculty member agreeing to supervise the research to be performed by an applicant. Final acceptance into the program is contingent upon passing the preliminary oral examination. Applicants are encouraged to write to the faculty member closest to their intended area of research to determine his or her availability for directing their work. Usually, students permitted to register for the PhD program have a Master's degree acceptable to the Department. In exceptional cases, based on outstanding academic performance, students registered initially as MEng Thesis Option students may be permitted to register for the PhD program.

The Ph.D. degree requires a minimum of two graduate courses at the 500 or 600 level taken in the department of Civil Engineering determined by the Research Director with a view to developing the student's general background, as well as the knowledge required for the proposed research. There is no foreign language requirement. Candidates should plan to appear for the preliminary oral examination within the first year of their registration in the PhD program. The oral examination consists of two parts: a general part and a research part. The candidate must pass both parts individually to continue in the program. A research thesis must be submitted and defended as a final step in obtaining the degree.

The Thesis Option is research oriented and involves the completion of a 27-credit thesis under the supervision of a faculty member. In addition, a compulsory Masters Research Seminar CIVE 662 (1 credit) and a minimum of 17 credits of coursework is required. These credits are required at the 500 and 600 levels. However, at least two courses must be taken at the 600 level.

Courses at the 200, 300 and 400 levels cannot be counted towards the program requirements. A maximum of one-third of the coursework credit requirements may be fulfilled with relevant graduate courses taken outside McGill University, subject to the approval of the Chair of the Graduate Studies Program.

Entry to the MEng Thesis Option program is normally contingent on the prior agreement of a faculty member to act as the Research Director for work on a specific research project. Transfer from the Thesis to the Project Option is possible if agreement is reached with a Research Director and the Chair of the Admissions Committee.

The minimum residency requirement for the MEng program is three terms of full-time study. Thesis Option students can fulfill this requirement in one calendar year by registering for the summer term. While the minimum residency period can be satisfied in one year, students should be aware that completion of the research program and thesis preparation usually require a period longer than the stated minimum.

The Project Option program aims to provide a more professional orientation. A project, with a report of lesser scope than the research thesis, is undertaken. The project includes possibilities such as a technical review, a design project or a smaller scale research project. The minimum number of credits a Project Option student must earn is 45, out of which a maximum of 15 and a minimum of 5 may be allotted to the project. The balance is earned by coursework; credits are required at the 500 and 600 levels. However, at least two courses must be taken at the 600 level.

Courses at the 200, 300 and 400 levels cannot be counted towards the program requirements. A maximum of one-third of the coursework credit requirements may be fulfilled with relevant graduate courses taken outside McGill University, subject to the approval of the Chair of the Graduate Studies Program.

A student admitted to the MEng Project Option program is assigned a Director of Studies. Transfer from the Project to the Thesis Option is possible with the consent of the Research Director and the Chair of the Admissions Committee.

The minimum residency requirement for the MEng program is three terms of full-time study. Project Option students can satisfy the residency requirement in one calendar year through three terms of full-time study, or by part-time evening studies.

There are two MEng Project Option programs that focus on specific subject areas. The requirements of these programs are more specific than outlined above.

McGill University offers an interdepartmental graduate study program leading to the Master's degree (Environmental Engineering Option). The Environmental Engineering program emphasizes interdisciplinary fundamental knowledge, practical applications in diverse environmental contexts and functional skills needed for solving environmental problems. The interdepartmental and interdisciplinary character of the program provides a unique opportunity for students to master specialized skills in their home disciplines and to acquire a broader perspective and awareness of environment issues through a wide range of technical and non-technical courses offered by collaborating departments and faculties at McGill University. The primary objective of the program is to train environmental professionals at the advanced level. The program is thus designed for individuals with a university undergraduate degree in engineering. This non-thesis degree falls within the MEng (Project Option) program offered in the Departments of Bioresource Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Mining, Metals and Materials Engineering.

Program requirements

The program consists of a minimum of 45 credits, of which, depending on the student's home department, a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 15 may be allotted to the project. The balance is earned by coursework. Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in engineering with superior academic achievement (a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 out of a possible 4.0). To complete the program, students must:

• Complete two required core courses Section A , Courses for the MEng (Environmental Engineering Option [.pdf])
• Complete a minimum of 7 complementary courses Section B, Courses for the MEng (Environmental Engineering Option [.pdf])
• Complete remaining courses from Section C, Courses for the MEng (Environmental Engineering Option [.pdf])
• Complete a supervised design or research project of 5 to 15 credits, if this route is taken
• Complete all the remaining courses (to a total of at least 45 credits), as required in the student's departmental program (these courses must be approved by the student's Academic Advisor) and
• Obtain a grade of 65% (or B-) or better in all required and approved courses.

Candidates with a Bachelor's degree in a discipline other than Engineering, such as Science or Arts, may be accepted into an MSc program in the Department. Such students would typically study in the fluid mechanics, water resources, environmental engineering or transportation areas, and would follow the Thesis Option program, as outlined above.

For further information on any of the above programs please contact:

Graduate Program Secretary
Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics
Macdonald Engineering Building - Room 492
817 Sherbrooke Street West
Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C3

Tel.: 514-398-6858
Fax: 514-398-7361
E-mail: gradinfo [dot] civil [at] mcgill [dot] ca (Graduate Secretary)

The fast-track route to a PhD degree is aimed at students who have demonstrated a superior record in the undergraduate program, and who would benefit from a faster progression through graduate studies.

MEng Thesis students may apply for fast-tracking to the Ad Hoc Graduate Admissions Committee (appointed by the Chair). The student will have to satisfy the following minimum guidelines:

• Not more than 16 months of study in the Master's Thesis Program have elapsed
• GPA for each of the last 2 years of undergraduate study >- 3.5
• Minimum grade of A- in graduate courses taken prior to date of application
• Written letter of support from the supervisor
• Two letters of reference (from referees other than the supervisor)
• Submission of an application outlining the reasons and full justification for entry to the PhD program. The application will also include a preliminary research proposal.

The Committee will review the application to judge the likelihood of successful completion as a PhD thesis. Following acceptance of the application by the Committee, the student will proceed with the standard PhD preliminary oral exam, which would be scheduled within 6 months of acceptance. Prior to the preliminary oral exam the student would continue in the Master's program.

If the student passes the preliminary oral exam, they will be transferred to the PhD program at the level of PhD II. However, the student must complete the coursework requirement of the Master's by the thesis program; this includes courses already taken as a Master's student.

If the student fails the preliminary oral exam, they will be permitted to continue in the Master's program.