Graduate Studies in Civil and Environmental Engineering

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Graduate Studies in Civil and Environmental
Engineering

• Prof. Albert J. Valocchi
• Associate Head of Civil Engineering, Graduate
  Studies
• Room 1110 Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory
• Tel [phone]
• Email valocchi_at_uiuc.edu

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Engineering Career Paths
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Engineering Career Paths

• BS in Civil Engineering
• Go on for MS
• Go on for MS, work, then obtain an MBA or other
  Professional Degree
• Go on for a PhD

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BS - CEE career

• Examples Highway engineer for the State of
  Illinois, design engineer in consulting firm.
• Salary 44,000 starting salary (UIUC 2004
  Grads).
• AdvantagesWell prepared to start earning a wage
  right away. Learn the business and grow with it.
  Special skills learned on the job.
• Disadvantages Unless individual is ambitious,
  one can end up as a super-technician. Limited
  opportunities and limited initial responsibility.
• Growth Path On-the-job training, service to
  organization, continuing education.

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MS CEE career

• Examples Engineer for a large engineering
  consulting firm.
• Salary BS4,000 starting salary (avg.
  increment).
• Advantages Really the minimum education for a
  well-trained engineer. Entry level jobs command
  a higher salary and give much greater initial
  responsibility. ASCE Policy Statement 465!!
• Disadvantages None except the additional time
  and expense of graduate school.
• Growth Path Experience and on-the-job training,
  continuing education, project management.

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MS, work 5 years, MBA

• Examples Major manager in a large corporation in
  charge of technical affairs!
• Salary 85,000 starting salary.
• Advantages Larger salary, exciting opportunities
  for high-level leadership, great responsibility.
• Disadvantages Time, expense, commitment to go to
  a world-class business school. Become more of a
  manager than an engineer.
• Growth Path Broad management experience,
  corporate officer.

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Ph. D.

• Examples Educator, researcher, consultant.
• Salary 60,000 - 75,000 starting salary.
• Advantages Work at the forefront of science or
  practice. Frequently you can be your own boss
  with the freedom to do what ever you want to do.
  Tremendous potential for personal fulfillment.
• Disadvantages Time, expense, commitment for an
  additional 3-4 years of college.
• Growth Path Becoming the world authority in your
  field brings fame, fortune, and opportunity.
  Professional leadership and training the next
  generation.

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Graduate School
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Why Attend Graduate School?

• Develop in-demand knowledge/skills to enter job
  market
• More, varied challenging career opportunities
• Better preparation for continuing education over
  a long career
• More than B.S. degree needed for many careers

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Why Attend Graduate School?

• Higher salary (often significantly) than a B.S.
  level
• You want the satisfaction of developing an
  in-depth understanding of technical specialty
• Move into related professions (business, law)
• Very enjoyable experience for many, compared to
  undergraduate studies (more focus)

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Applying to Graduate School

• Who should consider graduate school? Those with
  an undergraduate GPA greater than 3.0/4.0.
• Average undergraduate GPA of entering graduate
  students at the UIUC 3.3 - 3.5.
• Take GRE. Try to do well on verbal as well as
  Quantitative and Analytical sections.
• GRE ability GPA track record

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How to apply

• Obtain application forms and information. Check
  internet!
• You can get addresses and phone numbers from
  Petersons Guide or the ASEE Directory. Be
  prepared to supply your transcripts, letters of
  recommendation and GRE scores.
• Apply in December for fall admission.

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Appling to the UIUC

• How you can apply on-line at
• http//cee.uiuc.edu/Programs/Grad/GradApps.html
• When check web site
• For Fall before Jan 15 to be considered for aid
• For Spring before Sept 1 to be considered for
  aid

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How long will it take?

• The MS degree at the UIUC requires about three to
  four semesters.
• There are both thesis (32 hours) and non-thesis
  (36 hours) options at UIUC. For the thesis
  option, usually about 8 out of 32 hours credit is
  given for the thesis.
• The Ph.D. degree requires about 6 semesters for
  an additional 32 hours of courses beyond the MS
  degree, conducting original research, and writing
  the Ph.D. thesis

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Where to go?

• Top Engineering Graduate Schools (2005)
• 1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• 2 Stanford University
• 3 University of CaliforniaBerkeley
• 4 University of IllinoisUrbana-Champaign
• 5 Georgia Institute of Technology
• 6 California Institute of Technology
• University of Southern
  California
• 8 Purdue University
• University of MichiganAnn Arbor
• 10 Cornell University

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Where to go?

• Civil Engineering Graduate Programs (2005)
• 1. University of CaliforniaBerkeley
• 2.  University of IllinoisUrbana-Champaign
• 3. University of TexasAustin
• Stanford University
• 4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• gt Purdue UniversityWest Lafayette
• Georgia Institute of Technology
• University of MichiganAnn Arbor
• Cornell University
• California Institute of Technology
•    Texas AM UniversityCollege Station

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Where to go?

• Environmental Engineering Graduate Programs
  (2004)
• 1. Stanford University
• 2. University of IllinoisUrbana-Champaign
• University of CaliforniaBerkeley
• gt University of MichiganAnn Arbor
• University of TexasAustin
• Johns Hopkins University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• California Institute of Technology
• Georgia Institute of Technology
• University of North CarolinaChapel Hill

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UIUC Department of CEE

• Research Expenditures 16,000,000
• Specialty areas
• Structures
• Environmental Engineering Science
• Construction Management
• Transportation
• Geotechnical
• Environmental Hydrology Hydraulic Engr.
• Construction Materials
• Information Technology
• Enrollment (S04) 171 MS, 220 PhD
• UIUC Degrees (2002-3) 115 MS, PhD 23

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Financial Aid
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Financial Aid at UIUC

• Research Assistantships 200
• Teaching Assistantships (F04) 32
• Fellowships (F04) 35
• Salaries (1/2 time - F04)
• Post BS 1,602/mo. TFW
• Post MS 1,652/mo. TFW
• Post Prelim. 1,840/mo. TFW

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Research Assistant (RA) Duties

• Assisting a professors research program. The
  results of this work can usually be used as
  background information for the research
  assistants thesis.
• Arrangements for RAs are usually made by direct
  communication with the professors needing
  assistance with their research.
• 1/2 time 20 hrs/wk, 1/4 time 10 hrs/wk.
• Usually includes waiver of tuition and service
  fees
• Reduced course load usually required.

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Reinforced Concrete Beam-Column Connections
Subjected to Earthquakes

• Test Setup for Cyclic Lateral Load (Displacement)
  Tests

Actuator
Out-of-plane translation constraint
Reaction frame
()
()
Drift reference frame
Pin
Beam-end support with load cell (typ.)
Pin
Pin
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Teaching Assistant (TA) Duties

• Assisting a professor in teaching a class, e.g.,
  running a laboratory or tutorial section,
  lecturing, grading, etc.
• Usually requires 10-20 hours of work/week
  usually includes TF waiver.
• Arrangements for TAs are made with the professor
  teaching the course and are coordinated through
  the office of Prof. Lange, Associate Head in
  charge of the UG program.
• Hourly work (grader) may also be available
  depending upon an individual professors needs.

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University Fellowships

• Must Apply To Each University
• Usually Part of Graduate Admission Process
• Often 1-2 Years Support
• Summer Support Variable
• Usually Less Than National Fellowships
• No Mandatory Work Requirements

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National Fellowships

• National Science Foundation (NSF)
• Duration 3 Years
• Stipend 30,000/yr plus tuition and fees
• Deadline TBA (early November)
• URL http//www.ehr.nsf.gov/dge/programs/grf/
• Department of Defense (DOD)
• Duration 3 Years
• Stipend 30,000 plus tuition and fees
• Deadline January 7, 2005
• URL www.asee.org/ndseg/

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How to be competitive

• Resolve to get a Ph.D.
• Start doing research now!
• Take advantage of the 500/year department
  research grant.
• Team up with a UIUC faculty member.
• Study for the GRE test.
• Do well on the verbal part, too!
• Continue to get top grades GPA 3.8/4.0
• Get to know your professorsyou will be asking
  them to write you reference letters, and they can
  help you refine your research statement

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Appling to the UIUC

• How you can apply on-line at
• http//cee.uiuc.edu/Programs/Grad/GradApps.html
• When check web site
• For Fall before Jan 15 to be considered for aid
• For Spring before Sept 1 to be considered for
  aid

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Free advice.

• If you dont like what youre doing, try
  something else.
• BS?, MS?, PhD?, MBA?..There is more than one
  solution. There are many paths.
• You can succeedwe want you to succeed!
• UIUC CEE students have an excellent reputation
  and a good track record.

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More free advice.

• When in doubt get a masters degree, at least.
• Juniorsget started now!!
• Go to the best school you can it matters!
• Do all that you can to improve your people and
  communication skills.
• Try to land a national fellowship (NSF, DOD)!
• Seek out advice and help from the faculty.

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Good Luck!

• Please come and see me at any time if you have
  questions or just wish to discuss your future
  plans.
• Professor Al Valocchi
• 1110 Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory
• 333-3176
• valocchi_at_uiuc.edu