Courses
CEE 501Environmental Engineering Fundamentals IThis course, offered as the first of a two-part series, provides a fundamental basis for understanding atmospheric and surface processes in environmental engineering. Topics to be addressed include the structure, dynamics, and thermodynamics of the atmosphere; clouds and precipitation; atmospheric and aqueous chemistry; and biogeochemistry of surface waters. These topics are discussed and analyzed through the use of governing equations and concepts of environmental engineering.
MSE 501/CEE 561/MAE 561Introduction to MaterialsEmphasizes the connection between microstructural features of materials and their properties, and how processing conditions control structure. Topics include atomic bonding, crystal structure, thermodynamics, phase diagrams, defects, microstructure, diffusion, phase transformations, nucleation, coarsening, glasses, elastic and plastic deformation, fracture, sol-gel processing, sintering, and composites.
CEE 507Independent Study IUnder the direction of a faculty member, each student carries out independent study. Prior to course registration, students must complete a departmental Graduate Independent Study form that describes the work being undertaken, and have the form approved by the supervising faculty member and the Director of Graduate Studies.
CEE 508Independent Study IIUnder the direction of a faculty member, each student carries out independent study. Prior to course registration, students must complete a departmental Graduate Independent Study form that describes the work being undertaken, and have the form approved by the supervising faculty member and the Director of Graduate Studies. Usually taken in the Spring semester.
CEE 509Directed ResearchUnder the direction of a faculty member, each student carries out research and presents the results. Directed research is normally taken during the first year of study. The total grading of the course will be 25% poster presentation and 75% submitted work.
CEE 510Research SeminarThis seminar is a continuation of CEE 509. Each student carries out research, writes a report and presents the research results. Doctoral candidates must complete this course one semester prior to taking the general examination. The total grading of the course will be 25% oral presentation and 75% submitted work.
CEE 513Introduction to Finite Element MethodsBasic concepts of matrix structural analysis. Direct stiffness method. Axial force member. Beam bending member. Formation of element stiffness matrix. Assembling of global stiffness matrix. Introduction of boundary conditions. Solution of linear algebraic equations. Special analysis procedures. The finite-element method. Introduction. Basic formulation. Plane stress and plane strain problems. Plate bending problems. The use of structural analysis and finite-element computer codes is emphasized throughout the course.
CEE 521Continuum MechanicsCourse covers 1) Introduction: the continuous medium; essential mathematics-scalars, vectors, tensors, indicial notations, transformations. 2) Basics: stress, strain and deformation; components, principal axes, tensors; 2D and 3D cases. 3) General principles: conservation of mass, continuity equation, momentum principal, motion and equilibrium, energy balance, constitutive equations: needs and axioms; ideal materials, elasticity, isotropy, plasticity, viscoelasticity and thermoelasticity. and 4) Applications: theory of elasticity, fluid mechanics.
CEE 522Random VibrationsReview of random process theory in the context of applications to structural dynamics. ¿Long- and short-term randomness of forcing functions, in particular earthquake, wave, and wind forces. Characterizing stationary and non-stationary random functions. Stochastic input-output relations. Predicting structural performance and safety under dynamic loads. Measuring vibrations and estimating dynamic properties. Reduction and control of dynamic response. Design or retrofit decision analysis. Term project
GEO 523/CEE 572GeomicrobiologyThe course focuses on microbial interactions with a wide range of terrestrial environments. The course is part lecture and part seminar and contains a computer lab. This year¿s course will focus on the bioenergetics of microbial respiration coupled to mineral diagenesis and hydrocarbon degradation. Students will learn how to utilize Geochemist Workbench and PhreeqC to model their own experimental or field data and how to construct thermodynamic data sets using SUPCRT92. Undergraduates who have taken GEO331 or GEO417/428 or who can convince the instructor that they have adequate geochemical and microbiological training are welcome.
ENV 531/CEE 583/GEO 531Topics in Energy and the EnvironmentAn introduction to the fundamentals of hydrocarbon accumulation, phase behavior of petroleum fluids, fluid flow in porous media, and material balance. Drilling and production operations are overviewed and followed by a focus on primary, improved and enhanced recovery schemes which provides a platform for examining definitions of reserves and resources, a distinction further clarified when petroleum economics are included. Consideration is given to running safe and environmentally-responsible operations. The course concludes with an investigation of the role of oil and gas in the current and future energy mix.
CEE 539Special Topics in MMSStructural Health Monitoring is a relatively new, interdisciplinary branch of engineering. This course introduces the topic with basic definitions of measurement and monitoring, monitoring activities and entities, and with various available and emerging monitoring technologies. The fundamental criteria for applications on concrete, steel and composite materials are elaborated, and the basics on data interpretation and analysis for both static and dynamic monitoring are presented. Finally methods applicable to large spectrum of civil structures, such as bridges, buildings, geo structures, and large structures are developed.
CEE 581Theory of Groundwater FlowFundamental physics of fluid flow and contaminant transport in porous media; derivation of governing equations; analytical solution of simplified equations, with application to well hydraulics; and parameter estimation and analysis of field problems. The course examines the application of numerical models and gives an introduction to multiphase flow systems and advanced methods for equation development.
CEE 591Radar HydrometeorologyThe structure and evolution of precipitaion systems are examined, including the dynamical and microphysical processes that control the spatial and temporal distribution of precipitation. The fundamentals of radar and lidar remote sensing of clouds and precipitation are introduced. Related topics in hydrology and hydraulics are covered.
CEE 599Topics- Enviro Eng'ing & Water ResourcesA promising approach for reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide is geologic carbon sequestration (GCS), in which CO2 is captured from power plants and injected into deep geologic formations. Widespread adoption of GCS will require a sound understanding of the processes that govern the fate of the injected CO2. The course will examine these processes through coverage of the fundamental scientific and engineering principles relevant to GCS. The course will also examine these principles in the context of emerging government regulations for site selection, injection operations, and post-injection monitoring and stewardship.
CEE 599BSpecial Topics in EEWR: EcohydrologyThis course will use physical principals and reasoning to describe energy and mass transfer between organisms and their environment at a range of spatial and temporal scales. Our focus will be on the development of mechanistic understanding of the rates of energy and mass transfer in ecosystems and the characterization of biophysical processes using both instrumentation and modeling approaches.