The Civil and Environmental Engineering Department Faculty (CEE) and Graduate Research Assistants work in a broad array of research areas. With the support of ODU partners, sponsors, agencies and private industries, CEE researchers are equipped to discover new solutions focused on building smart resilient infrastructure and sustainable communities.
Source: The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, Higher Education Research & Development (2019)
Research Opportunities
As a part of the Batten College of Engineering and Technology, CEE engineers are known for research that addresses real problems while fostering students' ideas and creative thinking. Students are empowered to conduct research that addresses professional and personal growth. Students graduate with a firm commitment to taking what they have learned to all communities where they study, work and thrive.
Coastal Engineering
Coastal Engineers work at the interface between land and sea and in the open ocean and are skilled in understanding this dynamic natural environment. This provides the specialized knowledge needed to ensure safe and ecological sustainable development of our nearshore zone, vital ports and harbors and valuable offshore resources.
Environmental & Water Resources Engineering
Environmental Engineering focuses on protecting and preserving the environment through biofuels and sustainability, air pollution control, wastewater management and hydrology research. Water resources and hydrodynamics explores the properties of fluid in motion and research focuses on the quality and distribution of surface water, groundwater and water management in urban environments. Biomass conversion research focuses on the development of sustainable chemical processes using green chemistry concepts that minimizes resource use and environmental impacts. The research works include biomass, organic waste, microalgae, circular economy, renewable carbon, biofuels, bioproducts, electrochemical hydrogenation, decarbonization, microplastics, lithium and rare earths extraction, nutrients recycling, waste management, and adsorption.
Geotechnical Engineering
Geotechnical engineers study the behavior of earth materials, focusing on geotechnical earthquake engineering, geologic hazards, soil mechanics, foundation engineering and reinforced soil systems.
Structural Engineering
Structural engineers focus on evaluating the structural integrity of built structures such as buildings and bridges. They also design more resilient structures to withstand hazards such as earthquakes.
Transportation Engineering
Transportation Engineers solve transportation problems affecting all modes of travel, with a focus on intelligent transportation systems, operation, management, and safety.
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds a large number of research opportunities for undergraduate (REU) students through its REU Sites program. An REU Site consists of a group of about ten undergraduates who work in the research programs of the host institution, and are housed at the host university. Each student is associated with a specific research project, where he/she works closely with the faculty and other researchers. Students are granted stipends and, in many cases, assistance with housing and travel.
Old Dominion University (ODU) has robust REU programs for students wanting to explore Chemistry (Community College Students), Computer & Information Science, Cybersecurity, and Psychology (Transportation).