Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis-based program

Program overview

As a student in the Civil Engineering (PhD Thesis) program, you'll get the chance to collaborate with some of the most creative and innovative researchers in Canada. The program is ideal for students seeking to do original research as they grow their skills by specializing in a sub-discipline of civil engineering. These currently include Biomechanics, Bituminous Materials, Geotechnical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Structures and Solid Mechanics, Transportation Engineering, Water Resources, Energy and Environment (Interdisciplinary), and Environmental Engineering (Interdisciplinary). Students get to complete an in-depth, original research project related to their chosen sub-discipline, and write a corresponding thesis.

Completing this program

  • Courses: Topics may include bituminous materials, theory of transport demand modelling, bilogical processes for wastewater treatment and more.
  • Candidacy: Students will complete both oral and written candidacy exams.
  • Professional Development Seminars: Students take two professional development seminars on communication styles, presentation skills and more.
  • Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.

Specializations

Outcomes

Civil Engineer in public/private sectors, consulting industry, Management, or scientist.

A PhD in civil engineering is usually considered a final degree.

Thesis-based program

Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.

Courses

Two courses minimum; two professional development seminars

Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar

Classroom delivery

Time commitment

Three to four years full-time; six years maximum

Supervisor

A supervisor is required, but is not required prior to the start of the program

Fees and funding

See the Graduate Calendar for information on fees and fee regulations, and for information on awards and financial assistance.

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Supervisors

Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.
Please note: additional supervisors may be available. Contact the program for more information.


  1. Mamdouh El-Badry

    Mamdouh El-Badry

    Seeking Students
    Development of Innovative Structural Systems for Bridges and Other Structures, Structural Health Monitoring of Bridges and Other Structures, Application of Advanced Composite Materials in Bridges and Other Structures, Design and Analysis for Serviceability and Sustainability of Concrete Structures, Computational Modelling of Reinforced and Prestressed Concrete Structures., Dynamic and Seismic Performance of Bridges., Computer-aided Analysis and Design of Structures., Temperature Effects on Concrete Structures.
  2. Headshot of Seiran Heshami in business attire, smiling gently in CNRL Engineering Complex

    Seiran Heshami

    Seeking Students
    Urban Systems for People and Planet Lab (US-PPlanet Lab), Urban Sustainability, Smart Cities, Climate Justice
  3. Jeffrey Priest

    Jeffrey Priest

    Accepting Inquiries
    Geomechanics of gas hydrates
  4. Janaka Ruwanpura

    Janaka Ruwanpura

    Unavailable
  5. Placeholder Profile Image

    Sylvia Sleep

    Seeking Students
    Life cycle assessment of emerging technologies; Sustainable infrastructure; Energy system modelling; Industrial decarbonization; Hydrogen; Mineralization; Carbon dioxide removal technologies; Techno-economic assessment

Admission requirements


GPA

A minimum of 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.

Minimum education

An MSc or equivalent from a recognized institution.

Work samples

None

Documents

  • C.V. or Resume
  • Research Proposal

Reference letters

Two

Test scores

None

Safety Training

Students may be required to complete safety training in order to access labs.


English language proficiency (ELP)

An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

*Please contact your program of interest if you have any questions about ELP requirements.

Deadlines

For admission on September 1:

  • Canadians and permanent residents - apply by March 1 | submit all supporting documents by March 30
  • International students - apply by March 1 | submit all supporting documents by March 30

For admission on January 1:

  • Canadians and permanent residents- apply by July 1 | submit all supporting documents by July 30
  • International students - apply by March 1; apply by July 1 | submit all supporting documents by July 30

For admission on May 1:

  • Canadians and permanent residents- apply by Nov. 1 | submit all supporting documents by Nov. 30
  • International students - apply by Nov. 1 | submit all supporting documents by Nov. 30

If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements

Learn more about this program

Department of Civil Engineering

Schulich School of Engineering
ENE 231, 2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, ABT2N 1N4
403.220.4816

Contact the Graduate Program Administrator

Visit the departmental website

Schulich School of Engineering

University of Calgary
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4

Visit the Schulich School of Engineering's website

Learn more about UCalgary by taking a virtual tour