CivE 789D

Research Methods

Description

This course provides a structured introduction to Research Methods tailored to Civil Engineering disciplines. Whether or not students have an existing research project at the start of the course, they will learn how to systematically formulate research problems, identify knowledge gaps, and develop defensible research questions and methodologies relevant to Civil Engineering practice and research. Students will be guided through the full research lifecycle, from problem definition and literature review to research design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination. Those with an established thesis or research topic will refine and strengthen their research plans, while students without a defined project will be supported in developing a viable and well-scoped research concept by the end of the term. The course emphasizes critical thinking, methodological rigor, ethical conduct of research, and effective communication of research outcomes. Experimental, numerical, and field-based research methods commonly used in Civil Engineering are integrated
throughout the course, along with exposure to emerging data-driven and AI-assisted tools. The course is project-based and activity-driven, with no exams, and culminates in a written research proposal and oral presentation aligned with each student’s research interests.

Learning Outcomes

- Identify, formulate, and clearly articulate research problems in Civil Engineering, whether originating from an existing research project or developed during the course.
- Critically assess the current state of knowledge in a chosen Civil Engineering topic and identify meaningful research gaps.
- Develop coherent research objectives, questions, and testable hypotheses appropriate for experimental, numerical, analytical, or field-based studies.
- Design a rigorous and defensible research methodology aligned with defined objectives, including justification of assumptions, limitations, and sources of uncertainty.
- Select appropriate data collection strategies, instrumentation, or simulation approaches relevant to Civil Engineering research contexts.
- Apply fundamental quantitative data analysis and visualization techniques and interpret results within an engineering framework.
- Evaluate validity, reliability, and uncertainty in research design, data, and analysis.
- Communicate research plans and findings effectively through well-structured written documents, clear figures and tables, and professional oral presentations.
- Demonstrate ethical and responsible conduct of research consistent with university policies and professional engineering standards.

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• Co-Requisites
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Undergraduate Program(s)

Sections & Respective Instructors

B5 - 2026/2027 - Winter - Shay Abtahi

B5 - 2025/2026 - Winter - Shay Abtahi