UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO

Department of Civil and Materials Engineering

Graduate Studies

Welcome to the UIC Department of Civil and Materials Engineering. We offer two graduate programs, one in civil and one in materials engineering. Both programs offer MS and PhD degrees through a combination of courses and research leading to master’s theses and PhD dissertations. Specific areas of study within the program follow the strategy envisioned by the faculty, students and industrial constituency of the department. Graduate students can select course work and perform research in any area of structural, geotechnical, computational mechanics, transportation, environmental and water resources. Faculty expertise is commensurate with contemporary issues of technological importance to the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois.

Research and training of graduate students focus on structural design, performance assessment of constructed facilities, structural health

monitoring of bridges, fracture mechanics and reliability, nondestructive testing and mechanics. Chicago is the hub for the nation’s air and surface transportation systems. It is home to the busiest airport in the U.S., supports a complex transit system and possesses a highly sophisticated highway infrastructure. Faculty and graduate students develop modern tools and algorithms to address transportation planning issues and the impact of transportation on the environment. Moreover, they interact closely with the city planners, state agencies and federal transportation agencies through the UIC Urban Transportation Center.

The department houses sophisticated environmental research laboratories that include a geotechnical and geo-environmental laboratory and water resource facility with faculty performing cutting-edge research in identification of pollutants, bioremediation, groundwater flow and contaminant transport modeling. Our faculty provide leadership and conduct interdisciplinary research at the Institute for Environmental Science and Policy under the UIC Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research.

The materials engineering program is an interdisciplinary program open to students with a wide range of interests and backgrounds in engineering and physical sciences. The graduate program is designed for students who will be comfortable moving among disciplines and facilitating interactions among scientists and engineers with different backgrounds. The program is research-based, emphasizing hands-on involvement of students in the laboratories. The current areas of research include sensor and smart materials, tribological materials, joining of materials, corrosion of materials in infrastructure and energy conversion systems, electrical, optical, dental and bio materials. A core of fundamental courses on the chemical, physical and mechanical properties of materials is offered in the department and is supplemented by specialized materials-related courses offered throughout the University. You are welcome to contact us for further information about our programs.

Best regards,

Farhad Ansari Professor and Head Civil and Materials Engineering

Message from the Department Head

Civil and Materials Engineering Graduate Studies Overview The UIC Department of Civil and Materials Engineering graduate program provides students with opportunities to engage in a wide range of research, based on shared knowledge and principles of engineering, including mathematics, statistics, mechanics, chemistry, the physical sciences and the properties of materials. Acquiring knowledge across several fields helps students formulate solutions to new and complex problems in the context of current social and economic considerations.

Civil EngineeringCivil engineering is the application of engineering to civil society. Civil engineers apply the principles of engineering to meet society’s fundamental needs for housing, transportation, sanitation and the other necessities of a modern society. As a consequence, civil engineering is a broad-based discipline that encompasses many specialties in the areas of structural engineering and mechanics, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, and transportation engineering. The department offers programs that provide advanced education and research opportunities for talented and ambitious students. In general, graduate students work in one of the major specializations listed above. However, the programs are designed to be flexible enough to permit crossover and interdisciplinary programs between civil engineering and other academic specialties.

Structural Engineering and Mechanics Graduate study and research in structural engineering includes static and dynamic analysis of linear and nonlinear structures, behavior of structural materials, and design of structural systems. The curriculum provides a strong basis for advanced work, research and teaching. Graduates of our program have gone on to very successful careers in private consulting or construction firms, industrial and governmental research laboratories, and in universities. Research is focused on the failure process of concrete structures; bridge rehabilitation and rating; linear and nonlinear finite element analysis; structural dynamics and seismic response of structures; concrete fracture, damage and creep; microstructures of materials; and other related areas.

The crucial impact of the structural engineer on world safety requires rigorous training that UIC civil engineering department amply provides.Adam Tennant, Structural EngineerUniversity Fellow, PhD Candidate and Research Assistant;MS, Civil Engineering, UIC, 2004; BS, Civil Engineering, UIC, 2001

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In the geotechnical and geoenvironmental lab, I have been provided with a golden opportunity to learn latest modeling and field instru-mentation techniques. It has enhanced, enriched and broadened my research perspective. Working as a team with other researchers gave me more pleasure and comfort. Inspiration from my advisor is the greatest driving force in my research.Janardhanan Ganga Thulasi, Geotechnical Engineer PhD Candidate and Research Assistant; ME, Civil Engineering, Anna University, India, 2001; BE, Civil Engineering, Anna University, India, 1999

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Environmental Engineering Our faculty’s interests extend beyond traditional engineering including: surface and groundwater hydrology and hydraulics; evaporation interactions with the atmosphere; groundwater contamination and transport; geoscience aspects of waste disposal; management of hazardous waste; and other problems. Faculty members from several other UIC departments have interests in related areas. By utilizing these resources, the department is able to offer students the opportunity to concentrate in a wide variety of topics within water resources and environmental engineering.

Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering Graduate study in geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering encompasses geotechnical engineering (soil properties and behavior, foundations, retaining structures and underground structures) as well as geoenvironmental engineering (subsurface flow and contaminant transport, waste containment systems, contaminated site remediation and waste management technologies). The research interests of the faculty address a variety of subjects including geoenvironmental engineering, geotechnical earthquake engineering, pavement analysis and design, and geomechanics. Student interests are often matched up with ongoing research projects.

Transportation EngineeringTeaching and research in transportation engineering is oriented towards the planning, design and operation of surface transportation systems. Solutions to problems in surface transportation facilities (infrastructure) are sought through the application of optimization and simulation methods, as well as knowledge-based systems. In recent years, the faculty has also engaged in the design and evaluation of intelligent transportation systems.

Materials EngineeringMaterials engineering addresses the design, manufacture and characterization of engineering materials for specific applications. Materials development is an enabling step to the production of advanced engineering devices. Materials selection is a key element in design, manufacturing and quality control. Materials, including metals, intermetallics, polymers, ceramics, composites and electronic materials are critical to society. Materials engineering is a broad-based discipline that offers many opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. Interdisciplinary activity is emphasized and it is common for students with degrees in subjects other than materials engineering to enter the graduate program. Individualized graduate programs are designed to suit the strengths of a student’s background.

Specialty areas in materials engineering include: Crystallography and x-ray diffraction, materials synthesis and processing, ceramic materials, polymer science and engineering, corrosion, deformation processing, welding, composite materials, continuum mechanics, elasticity, viscoelasticity, plasticity, fracture mechanics, wave propagation, mechanics of composite materials and finite elements, thermodynamics of materials, fracture mechanics, kinetics, phase transformations, diffusion, deformation mechanisms and interfacial phenomena.

Degrees Offered PhDTo participate fully in research and take a leadership role in the tasks needed to change society, a student should consider a PhD degree. The department offers programs leading to a PhD degree in civil engineering and in materials engineering, either directly from the BS degree or after earning an MS degree in a relevant field.

MSThe MS degree is appropriate for students who wish to expand their knowledge base in the field beyond the BS level. The department offers MS programs with or without a thesis requirement in civil engineering. The thesis option provides research experience and career advice from research sponsors. The non-thesis option can be pursued on a part-time basis.

In materials engineering, the department offers a research-oriented MS program with a thesis requirement, featuring the same benefit of obtaining research experience and sometimes obtain funding and career advice from research sponsors. The MS degree can be helpful for engineers who wish to obtain a professional license in the field.

Most of the graduates in the materials engineering program spend a significant portion of their time doing research or studying. Many of us spend long hours in our lab but our work has never prevented us from enjoying ourselves. It is easy to find a group of material engineers going out and enjoying places in Greektown, Chinatown, Little Italy or other places in Chicago.Prateek Gupta, Materials EngineerPhD Candidate and Teaching Assistant; MS, Civil Engineering, UIC, 2004; BS, Bioengineering, UIC, 2002

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Admission Requirements and Financial SupportAdmission MS and PhD applicants may apply for admission to the fall, spring or summer semester. Complete transcripts for all undergraduate and any graduate work must be submitted. In addition to the Graduate College and University minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:

• BS in Civil Engineering or related field• Minimum of 3.00 grade point average in the final 60 semester

hours of undergraduate study• Pass the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) General Test

with a minimum score of 1100 in the sum of the verbal and quantitative sections

• Minimum score of 600 on the paper-based or 250 on the computer-based TOEFL test, or a minimum of 80 on Next Generation TOEFL iBT.

• Three letters of recommendation for PhD applicants• Personal statement is not required

Financial SupportFinancial support is awarded to qualified graduate students in the form of tuition and service fee waivers, assistantships, fellowships, student employment and loans.

Financial support offered by the Department of Civil and Materials Engineering:

Board of Trustee Tuition and Service Fee Waivers are awarded each semester. In general, students are required to complete at least one semester of graduate-level coursework in the program

to be considered for a waiver for the succeeding semester. The waiver covers general tuition and service fee only, other fees may apply. It is department policy to award the waivers to qualified PhD students in good standing. Waivers are not automatically renewable. Students must apply for the waiver each semester in order to be considered and additional requirements may apply.

Teaching Assistantships are awarded in the fall and spring semesters to qualified PhD applicants who have met all university, Graduate College and program requirements for admission. Teaching assistantships are very competitive; renewal is contingent upon the student’s academic performance and advisor’s recommendation. Students receive a monthly stipend, tuition and service fee waiver; additional requirements may apply to receive the waiver.

Research Assistantships are awarded in the fall and spring semesters to qualified PhD applicants who have met all university, Graduate College and program requirements for admission. Research assistantships may also be awarded to MS applicants meeting the same requirements. Research assistantships are very competitive; renewal is contingent upon the student’s academic performance and advisor’s recommendation. Students receive a monthly stipend, tuition and service fee waiver; additional requirements may apply to receive the waivers.

Fellowships are awarded every spring semester to qualified MS and PhD students and students are funded in the succeeding academic year. Students receive a monthly stipend, tuition and service fee waiver; additional requirements may apply to receive the waiver.

For more information, visit the Graduate College Web site. www.uic.edu/depts/grad/

Faculty and Their Research Farhad Ansari

Professor and Head PhD, University of Illinois at

Chicago, 1983, (312)996-2437, fansari@uic.eduStructural health monitoring; fiber optic sensors and nondestructive testing

Robert H. Bryant Associate Professor Emeritus

PhD, Northwestern University, 1967,

(312) 996-5515, rhbryant@uic.eduStructural mechanics, including plates, shells, limit analysis and optimum design

Subrata Chakrabarti Professor

PhD, University of Colorado, 1968,

(312) 431-3051, chakrab@uic.eduWave structure interaction as it applies to offshore and coastal structures

Alexander Chudnovsky Distinguished Professor

PhD, Leningrad Civil Engineering Institute, 1965,

(312) 996-8258, achudnov@uic.eduFracture mechanics and materials durability

Christophe Darnault Assistant Professor

PhD, Cornell University, 2000,

(312) 996-2429, darnault@uic.eduHydrology and water resource engineering; hydrodynamics; diffuse pollution

J. Ernesto Indacochea, Professor

PhD, Colorado School of Mines, 1982,

(312) 996-5283, jeindaco@uic.eduJoining and welding science; surface modification and coatings; advanced materials development

Mohsen Issa Professor

PhD, University of Texas at Arlington, 1986,

(312) 996-3432, missa@uic.eduBridge and building structures, experimental and analytical techniques for monitoring and rating of highway bridges

Amid Khodadoust Associate Professor

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 1997,

(312) 996-3435, akhodado@uic.eduRemediation of contaminated soils and sediments; water quality engineering

Donald G. Lemke Associate Professor

PhD, University of Pennsylvania, 1969,

(312) 996-3404, donlemke@uic.eduDesign engineering; forensic engineering; vehicle dynamics

Jie (Jane) Lin Assistant Professor

PhD, University of California, Davis, 2002,

(312) 996-3068, janelin@uic.eduDriving behavior analysis and regional mobile source emission/air quality modeling

Arif Masud Associate Professor

PhD, Stanford University, 1993,

(312) 996-4887, amasud@uic.eduComputational mechanics and finite element analysis; structural dynamics composite shells and smart materials

Michael J. McNallan, Professor and Director of Graduate Studies

PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1977,

(312) 996-2436, mcnallan@uic.eduHigh-temperature materials chemistry focusing on processing and corrosion of metals and ceramics

Kouros Mohammadian Assistant Professor

PhD, University of Toronto, 2001,

(312) 996-9840, kouros@uic.eduTransportation engineering; transportation planning; traffic engineering

Krishna R. Reddy Professor

PhD, Illinois Institute of Technology, 1990,

(312) 996-4755, kreddy@uic.eduGeotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering focusing on site remediation, waste containment

Karl Rockne Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate

StudiesPhD, University of Washington, 1997,(312) 413-0391,krockne@uic.eduApplied environmental microbiology; environmental chemistry; biological treatment processes

Thomas L. Theis Professor and Director, Institute for Environmental

Science and PolicyPhD, University of Notre Dame, 1972,(312) 996-1081, theist@uic.eduMathematical modeling and systems analysis of environmental processes

Ming L. Wang Professor

PhD, University of New Mexico, 1983,

(312) 996-8260, mlwang@uic.eduStructural dynamics and earthquake engineering; structural damage assessment and monitoring

Chien-Heng Wu, Professor

PhD, University of Minnesota, 1965,

(312) 413-2644, cwu@uic.eduStability, growth and self-assembly of film-substrate systems

Research Laboratories and Teaching Facilities The Department of Civil and Materials Engineering has laboratories in the recently constructed Engineering Research Facility. This building is connected with the Science and Engineering Laboratory building where additional CME laboratories are located.

Smart Sensors and Nondestructive Testing LaboratoryProfessor Farhad AnsariThe Smart Sensors and NDT Laboratory specializes in structural health monitoring. Fiber optic sensors are built and installed in bridges, dams, buildings and tunnels. The capabilities are unique since the lab is managed by structural engineers with expertise in fiber optic sensors. The sensors, as well as the interrogation units are built in the Smart Sensors and NDT Laboratory. These sensors are tested in the structural testing facility for validation and mock-up experiments prior to field installations in bridges and other types of structures. Because of the laboratory’s special capabilities, our sensors withstand the harsh construction environment and are fully capable of measuring the specific parameters they were designed to monitor. www.uic.edu/depts/cme/people/faculty/fansari-2.html

Structure and Concrete Materials LaboratoryProfessor Mohsen IssaThe Structure and Concrete Materials Laboratory is committed to conducting state-of-the-research on civil engineering structures and concrete materials. Research includes: design and testing of structural models and prototypes; development of experimental and analytical techniques for monitoring and rating existing highway bridges; design of optimum structural slab system for rehabilitation and new bridge construction; scale effects and surface characterization in fracture of cementations materials; high-performance concrete materials; application of advanced composite materials for rehabilitation of civil engineering structures, such as bridges and buildings; and inspection and evaluation of wood structures. www.uic.edu/depts/cme/research/scml/index.html

I am working with great faculty and take multidisciplinary courses that integrate physical, chemical and biological principles. The lab experience is rewarding both personally and intellectually. Working as a group, and the close contact with our advisor, is definitely a factor that determines our research achievements.Priscilla Viana, Environmental Engineer Fulbright/CAPES Scholar, PhD candidate and Research Assistant;MS, Environmental Engineering, Federal University Rio de Janeiro, 2004; BS, Civil Engineering, State University of Campinas, São Paulo, 2001

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Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering LaboratoryProfessor Krishna ReddyThe Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Laboratory is a unique facility that serves both research and teaching functions. The laboratory is used by undergraduate and graduate civil engineering students to determine engineering properties of soils and rocks for the design of geotechnical structures, including building foundations, dams and tunnels. The laboratory has complete capabilities for both field and laboratory investigations to determine strength and hydraulic properties of geomaterials and to investigate foundation systems during landslides, earthquakes and flooding. Specialized equipment enables sample preparation, permeability testing, soil dynamic testing and soil static testing. Computer equipment is also available for data collection and data interpretation.

Specializing in geoenvironmental studies, the laboratory has experience in investigating ways to use waste and recycled materials in civil engineering. The laboratory is also engaged in developing innovative soil and groundwater remediation methods and designing effective solid and hazardous waste landfills. Special experience is gained in finding soil properties for environmental measurements that determine the source and fate of pollutants at hazardous waste sites. http://tigger.uic.edu/~kreddy/

Environmental Engineering LaboratoryProfessors Karl Rockne, Amid Khodadoust, and Christophe DarnaultThe Environmental Engineering Laboratory serves both research and teaching functions. The laboratory is used by undergraduate and graduate civil engineering students to determine environmental parameters affecting the purity of water, sediment and soil. Computer equipment is also available for data collection and data interpretation. http://tigger.uic.edu/~krockne/

The Joining Science and Advanced Materials Research LaboratoryProfessor J. Ernesto IndacocheaThe Joining Science and Advanced Materials Research Laboratory (JSAMRL) conducts advanced research programs in materials science and engineering. The research is both fundamental and applied in areas that include: joining science and engineering; advanced materials and processing development; sensor and health monitoring technology, materials degradation and remaining life assessment; and nanostructured materials design for sensors and micro devices. Materials and metallurgical engineering expertise is a key component of this laboratory.

The JSAMRL is comprised of facilities with extensive instrumental capabilities for joining and manufacturing process of materials, metallurgical and mechanical characterization of materials, non-destructive evaluation, microscopy and materials degradation evaluation. The laboratory also has access to the high-technology scientific equipment of the UIC Research Resources Center and the Center for Microanalysis of Materials at the Urbana-Champaign campus. http://tigger.uic.edu/~jeindaco/

Bridge Research Center Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering Laboratory; Structural Damage Assessment and Monitoring Laboratory; NDE and Sensor Technology for Infrastructural and Bridge Monitoring LaboratoryProfessor Ming WangThe Bridge Research Center at UIC conducts research in NDT theory and methodology, bridge health monitoring technology and system, advanced sensor technology and sensor network. Current research projects include damage assessment and health monitoring of the Kishwaukee Bridge, health monitoring of the Zhanjiang Bay Bridge, and steel cable stress monitoring for the Qianjiang 4th bridge and Waldo Bridge in Maine. Cutting-edge sensors have been developed in this center, including wireless PVDF strain sensors, wireless MEMS based accelerometer, inter-digital PVDF sensor, MEMS hydrogen sensor, EM stress sensors and permanent displace sensor.

Advanced Materials Synthesis and Processing Laboratory; Corrosion LaboratoryProfessor Michael McNallanThis laboratory is equipped for high-temperature chemical processing and synthesis of advanced materials and for corrosion testing of materials used in severe environments. Much of the work involves reactions of materials in high-temperature halogen containing gas mixtures.

These include:

• Corrosion of materials in waste incineration and waste-to-energy systems

• Generation of low-friction carbon coatings on hard ceramics for tribological applications

• Preparation of high-surface area carbon materials for hydrogen storage by selective leaching of metals from metal carbides

The microstructure and properties of post-reaction materials are characterized using electron and optical microscopy and physical property measurements.

Transportation Laboratory Professor Emeritus David Boyce and Professors Jane Lin and Kouros MohammadianThe Transportation Laboratory is the research group in transportation engineering and planning. Research activities pertain to urban travel forecasting methods, emissions modeling and the properties of solutions to the traffic assignment problem with fixed and variable demand.

The TransLab has three transportation faculty with expertise in activity-based modeling, travel behavior, air quality modeling, traditional transportation planning and transportation economics.

Research in the lab is built around transportation planning and operations and is oriented toward methods for the planning, design and operation of surface transportation systems. Solutions to problems in surface transportation facilities are sought through the application of optimization and simulation methods. This well-established program has strong faculty support and well-developed interactions with the UIC Urban Transportation Center. www.uic.edu/depts/cme/people/faculty/kouros-2.html

The civil engineering graduate program is flexible enough to be tailored to your interest. Spacious research labs are both a place to study in a quiet environment and a place of diversity. You can work with many interesting students who have gathered from all over the world. Transportation students are part of an interdepartmen-tal research institute called the Urban Transportation Center. This provides access to a broad variety of courses, information sources and people. All things considered, this is certainly one of the best graduate programs and schools in the world.Sadayuki Yagi, Transportation Engineer PhD Candidate and Research Assistant; MS, Transportation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1994; BE, Civil Engineering, University of Tokyo, 1991

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Living in Chicago

Chicago, nicknamed the Windy City, lines the shore of Lake Michigan creating one of the most spectacular skylines in the world. Its eclectic downtown is filled with architectural wonders, world-class restaurants, shopping and vibrant entertainment. The city is surrounded by bustling neighborhoods overflowing with culture and diversity.

The University of Illinois at Chicago prides itself on being the largest educational institution in Chicago, while offering a quality education within a culturally diverse environment, in the heart of this world-class city.

The College of Engineering is proud of its academic excellence, its 1,550 undergraduates, 850 graduate students and 115 faculty. Two faculty are members of the National Academy of Engineering, and others have earned numerous prestigious awards.

www.uic.edu/depts/cme

Office of Graduate Programs (MC 246)Department of Civil and Materials EngineeringUniversity of Illinois at Chicago2095 Engineering Research Facility842 West Taylor StreetChicago, Illinois 60607Phone: (312) 996-3411Fax: (312) 996-2426 E-mail: cmegrad@uic.edu