About Us

The University of Florida (UF) is a major research university, a member of the prestigious American Association of Universities (the only Public University in the S.E. USA with a College of Engineering elected to this Association), and the De-facto "Flagship" university in Florida. UF, with about 43,000 students, and offers more programs than any university in the USA except the University of Minnesota and Ohio State University. UF is in the top 10 in the USA in the number of National Merit Scholars and 4th among USA universities in the number of patents held. Probably the most famous product developed by UF researchers is GATORADE --- developed to aid our famous (and now National Champs) Football GATORS who play in THE SWAMP. Also, Gainesville, Florida was named by Money Magazine in 1995 as the Number 1 City in the USA.

The College of Engineering has 12 Departments and according to the US News and World Report Survey, is among the best engineering graduate programs in the USA --- ranking 10th among public universities, 30th among all universities, and 14th in research expenditures among all engineering colleges. The College is ranked in the top 10 of all USA colleges of engineering in the USA as in the "Best Buy Category," and in the top 10 in graduation of minority PhDs among the approximately 100 PhDs who graduate each year.

The Department of Civil & Coastal Engineering is one of the largest in the USA, especially considering that Environmental Engineering split from Civil & Coastal Engineering many years ago to form separate departments. The Department is among the top 10% of all programs in the USA, and contributes significantly to the College of Engineering national rankings. The Department currently has 32 tenured faculty positions, 8 non-tenured research faculty positions, 6 working adjuncts and affiliate faculty, and 30 staff members. The Department's 1996 research expenditures of about $4.5 million ranks in the top 10% of all civil programs in the USA. The Department is known for its quality program, a very experienced faculty including practical experience, and a tough but "student oriented" philosophy. The department has a very active Visiting Committee (Industrial Board of Advisors) and an active and supportive alumni, many returning for visits during our Annual Reunion BBQ (see photos). The Department offers Masters and PhD programs. Areas of specialization include: Structural Engineering; Geotechnical Engineering; Hydraulics/Hydrology/Water Resources; Coastal Engineering, Geosensing Systems, Civil Engineering- Materials; Transportation; Construction Engineering/Engineering Management; Public Works; and joint programs in Off-Shore Structures and Hydro-Geo-Environmental Engineering.

In the Fall 2005 semester the department created a distance/on-line Masters degree for General Civil Engineering with a concentration in Construction Management. The delivery of the program is through the UFEDGE program which is housed on the UF campus. The "EDGE" program is becoming increasingly popular especially among those who are currently employed and cannot travel to the UF campus to obtain their Masters degree. The application requirements for the program are the same as regular student applicants. For more information about the program visit the UFEDGE web site or e-mail Dr. Ralph Ellis.

There are several student organizations that a student can become involved in including: Chi Epsilon (an honors society for Civil, Engineering), UF Institute of Transportation Engineers (Student chapter), American Society for Civil Engineers, UF Florida Engineering Society , UF National Society of Black Engineers, Hispanic Student Engineering Society, The Society of Women Engineers and many others. Please see the Student Activities Center site for more information.