Research in civil and environmental engineering is often an interdisciplinary endeavor. Our faculty specialize in six main areas (listed below) but frequently cross group and departmental boundaries to collaborate with experts in other areas, ranging from materials science to biochemistry to oceanography.

Coastal & Ocean Engineering
Environmental & Water Resources Engineering
Geotechnical Engineering
Railway Engineering
Structural Engineering
Transportation Engineering

The CEE Department also houses four multidisciplinary research centers, which facilitate collaboration by engineers and scientists, students and visiting scholars to address questions and issues in specific areas:

Center for Applied Coastal Research
Center for Innovative Bridge Engineering
Center for the Study of Metals in the Environment
Delaware Center for Transportation Studies
Resiliency of Transportation Corridors (a Tier II University Transportation Center)

In 2002-2003, the department generated well over $6 million in sponsored research. Most of these research projects include funding for graduate research assistantships. For more details, see our listing of current projects.

We also take pride in our undergraduate research program. The University of Delaware has a nationally recognized Undergraduate Research Program that has served as a model for numerous other colleges and universities throughout the U.S. Almost all of our faculty have been involved in this program. Research experiences range from 10-week full-time summer projects on campus to off-site internships. Undergraduates may also work on research projects during the academic year for pay or credit.