The Geospatial Engineering Program Description

In every area of civil and environmental engineering, automation tools and techniques are being utilized in new and exciting ways. Data collection and processing, visualization, and spatially referenced data are becoming increasingly more important as today’s engineering tools. The geospatial engineering research group recognizes this as a high priority and has focused resources toward helping students learn about these issues.

The program provides an opportunity for students to gain knowledge in an interdisciplinary environment with approved courses in civil and environmental engineering, as well as in related disciplines like geography, computer science, and forestry. Topics of interest can include data acquisition, global positioning systems (GPS), photogrammetry, remote sensing, GIS, CAD, programming, and visualization.

Students have the opportunity to further their education through applied graduate research in related specialty areas of civil and environmental engineering, such as Environmental and Water Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure Systems, Geotechnical, Construction Engineering and Management, or Structural Engineering and Materials. The purpose of the geospatial engineering group is to allow students to study geospatial technologies more in-depth, while applying the tools in the more traditional discipline areas.

The geospatial engineering group is closely integrated with the university-wide Center for Geospatial Information Technology which was founded in 2003 by Dr. Dymond. Many of the research projects undertaken by the geospatial engineering group are described in the CGIT Research web pages.

Graduate Degree Description

The Geospatial Engineering option provides an opportunity for obtaining either a Master of Science degree or a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering. For the Master's degree, a minimum of 30 credit hours is required for completion. Students are required to complete three core courses, five or six technical electives, and either research and thesis (6 credit hours minimum), or a project and report (3 credit hours minimum), and completion of a final examination to satisfy degree requirements. The PhD requirements are similar to all PhD programs in the department.

Applicants with a non-engineering undergraduate degree should review this page which details the additional requirements to obtain a degree in engineering through this program.

Master's Core Curriculum: All students entering the Geospatial Engineering option are required to complete 9 credit hours consisting of three core courses:

CEE 5204 GIS Applications in CEE (3 credits)
Examination of data structures used in geographic information systems. Map projections and coordinate systems used in mapping. Database creation, maintenance, and integrity. Applications of GIS methods for solving civil engineering problems in land management and related areas. (3H,3C) I.

CEE 5224 Advanced GIS Applications in CEE (3 credits)
This project based course deals with both vector and raster Geographic Information Systems (GIS), network analysis, tracking applications, hydrologic applications, spatial analysis, web databases, and linking GIS to models with programming, specifically in the civil and environmental engineering arena.

Plus choose one of these two courses:
CEE 4274 Land Development Design (3 credits)
Overview of land development projects including factors, construction practices, legal issues, and government policies. Design project includes feasibility study, engineering evaluation of site, and layout design of lots, buildings, streets, sewers, etc. Interactive graphics and automated drafting.

or

CEE 4204 CAD Applications in CEE (3 credits)
Overview of CAD-based software in civil and environmental engineering. Project design methods and supportive software. Field survey data, surface creation, visualization techniques, grading, piping, roads, CAD standards, software customization. Specific software packages to demonstrate current industry practices.

Additional courses, depending on the student's area of interest, can be selected from any CEE course, or the list below. Courses from outside the Department may be substituted for technical electives in consultation with the student's graduate advisor. Students must adhere to the degree requirements for the Master of Science degree stipulated in the Graduate School Catalog and the CEE Graduate Policies and Procedures Manual.  A lot of good information can be found on the CEE student information page

Degree Tracks and Requirements: Two alternative Master's tracks are available for students entering the Geospatial Engineering program:

1. Thesis Track: Students pursuing the M.S. degree with a thesis must complete a minimum of 6 credit hours of CEE 5994 (Research and Thesis), the Geospatial Engineering core curriculum, and a minimum of 12 credit hours of technical electives.
2. Non-Thesis Track: Student pursuing the M.S. degree without a thesis must complete a minimum of 3 credit hours of CEE 5904 (Project and Report), the Geospatial Engineering core curriculum, and a minimum of 15 credit hours of technical electives. A maximum of 9 credits of 4000 level classes are allowed and a minimum of 15 credits of 5000 level classes are allowed overall in the Program of Study.

Elective Technical Courses (Other Elective courses may be accepted by petition)

How to Apply and Sources of Additional Information

If you are interested in applying to the Program, requests for application materials should be directed to the CEE Department:

Lindy Cranwell, Graduate Advisor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
200 Patton Hall
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0105
(540) 231 - 6635 or (540) 231 - 7532 (fax)
lindycra@vt.edu

For program information contact:
Blacksburg Campus:
Dr. Randy Dymond, PE, CFM
Associate Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
200 Patton Hall
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0105
(540) 231 - 9023 dymond@vt.edu

For Northern Virginia:
Dr. Kathleen Hancock, PE
Associate Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Virginia Tech
1101 King Street, Suite 610
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 518 - 2718 hancockk@vt.edu

Additional information at:

• Graduate School
• Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Virginia Tech Home Page