CCE Graduate Student Policies and Procedures

CCE graduate students are responsible for complying with the requirements of the University, the Graduate School, the School of Civil and Construction Engineering (CCE), and their selected graduate major.

University and Graduate School Requirements

The various University and Graduate School requirements can be found in the following publications:

• Graduate Catalog
• Graduate School 'Guide to Success'
• Thesis Guide

CCE Requirements

The following CCE requirements supplement the general academic requirements of the University and Graduate School. In such instances where the CCE requirements are more stringent than those of the University and Graduate School, the CCE requirements shall apply.

• Master of Science (MS) degree
• Master of Engineering (MEng) degree
• Master of Business and Engineering (MBE) degree
• Master of Ocean Engineering (MOcE) degree
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree

Program Planning: Upon arrival on campus, students will be assigned to an advisor in the major subject area. Prior to selection of a major professor and the student’s graduate committee, all matters related to the student’s program of study will be accomplished in conference with this advisor.

Placement Examinations: New graduate students may be required to take placement examinations upon arrival on campus. The purpose of these examinations is to aid the student and advisor in preparing the student’s graduate program of study. The need for and the schedules for placement examinations will be established by the advisor and the CCE Graduate Committee. The student will be notified of these requirements, if they apply, prior to the first term of graduate study.

Written and Verbal Communication Skills: The ability to communicate effectively is an important skill expected of all graduate students. Students must present evidence of the ability to effectively communicate technical subjects both verbally and in writing. The student’s skills in this area are typically demonstrated in coursework, the research thesis, project, or portfolio, and the final oral exam. Courses taken to remove a deficiency in this area may not be a part of the student’s program of study.

Computer Skills Requirement: The ability to make practical use of a computer is expected of all graduate students. Students must present evidence of a basic proficiency with computers to the student’s graduate committee and the CCE Graduate Committee prior to taking the oral examination. Students must be able to execute programs of a significant nature related to their program of study. A high level of proficiency in the use of spreadsheets, databases, word processing, statistical analysis packages, and/or graphics software may be accepted as fulfilling this requirement. Courses taken to remove a deficiency in this area may not be a part of the student’s program of study. Advanced computer science courses required for the major, minor, or research areas may, however, be made a part of the student’s program of study.

Financial Support and Graduate Degree: Students financially supported as a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) are not eligible for the MEng degree. Priority for Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) financial support will be given to PhD, MS, MOcE, and MBE students, following which MEng students are eligible for GTA support.

Students financially supported as a GRA or GTA for an MS, MOcE, or MBE degree are expected to complete the MS, MOcE, or MBE degree. Students who are financially supported, or have been previously supported, as a GRA or GTA cannot change from the MS, MOcE, or MBE degree to the MEng degree except under exceptional circumstances, requiring the approval of the CCE School Head.

Students not supported as a GRA or GTA during their MS, MOcE, or MBE degree programs may change from the MS, MOcE, or MBE degree to the MEng degree at any time provided that they meet the basic admission requirements of the MEng degree. Students starting an MEng degree may switch to an MS, MOcE, or MBE degree at any time provided that they meet the basic admission requirements.

Additional Requirements: Additional requirements may be set by the student’s major or minor professor or by CCE, as needed, to strengthen the student’s background and prepare the student for the student’s program of study.

Exceptions to the Requirements: The stated academic regulations and procedures are general requirements. Any exceptions to these regulations must be submitted to and approved by the CCE School Head and CCE Graduate Committee.

Major Requirements

In addition to the University, Graduate School, and School of CCE requirements, students must meet any requirements of their chosen academic major. The following Major requirements supplement the requirements of the University, Graduate School, and the School of CCE. In such instances where the Major requirements are more stringent than those of the University, Graduate School, and School of CCE, the Major requirements shall apply.

• Coastal and Ocean
• Construction
• Geotechnical
• Structures
• Transportation
• Water Resources

General Regulations Concerning Activities within CCE

Desk Space: Desk space will be provided for graduate teaching and research assistants insofar as possible. No space may be occupied without the express permission of the School Head.

Secretarial Services: CCE secretarial service may not be used by graduate students for matters that are not connected with CCE duties and specific assignments from faculty.

Office Equipment and Services: Office equipment and services can be arranged on a limited basis for work associated with research and theses. Arrangements for such services must be approved through the major professor, and the equipment must be operated by one of the secretaries or under the supervision of a staff member.

Thesis and Project Preparation Costs: All matters related to preparation of a thesis and the costs involved are the responsibility of the student. Services required, such as clerical help, duplication, etc., must be arranged for outside of CCE, since the clerical staff cannot handle the volume of work necessary for this activity. Good typing and editing services are available in Corvallis. In some instances, the thesis research may be on a sponsored project. In this case, the thesis often forms a necessary part of the progress reports that are required and the cost of preparation of the thesis can be supported in part by the research grant, if funds are available and permission is given.

Grievance Procedures

Policy: An important goal of Oregon State University and the School of Civil and Construction Engineering is to maintain harmonious relations among students, faculty, and staff. To this end, candid and informal discussions between graduate students and others in the University are encouraged as a means of achieving harmony and of arriving at mutually satisfactory solutions to graduate student problems. Perhaps more than with most types of education, graduate education is based upon a mutuality of interests and respect between faculty and students. It is important that this mutual concern for the quality of education and the persons involved be fostered and preserved.

Academic Matters Appeals: Issues which may involve appeal on academic matters fall into three general categories: 1) those items that derive from university-wide regulations and which are not unique to graduate students, such as grades, attendance, and academic dishonest; 2) those items that derive from rules and regulations of the Graduate School and which apply specifically to graduate students; and 3) those items that derive from rules or regulations of a department or comparable administrative unit.

Employment-Related Appeals: Graduate students employed by Oregon State University are expected to conform to the same rules of conduct and performance as required of all employees of the University. There shall be a clear understanding between employer and employee as to the nature of the duties of the employment and whether these duties are of a regular or special nature. It is the right of all graduate students who are employees of the University to present for consideration any grievance resulting from an act or decision by a superior or from a disagreement arising from the graduate student’s employment which, in the employee’s belief, creates an injustice. Appeal procedures relating to employment are different for each employment classification.

Initiating an Appeal: Consult the chairperson of the CCE Graduate Committee, who maintains a copy of the university grievance procedures. Alternatively, you may contact the Graduate School directly.