Program Overview 

The Master of Science in Civil & Environmental Engineering (MSc-CEE) degree program is a specialized degree program offered by School of Engineering and Digital Sciences (SEDS) at Nazarbayev University (NU). Students are required to complete 120 ECTS credits, in 4 semesters, which satisfies requirements stipulated by the Bologna Process and the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) for Master’s Degrees. The program is focusing on research and has been designed to provide advanced skills and a detailed knowledge base at the graduate level for individuals working in academia, industry, or research settings in Kazakhstan or throughout the world.  

The MSc-CEE provides a comprehensive technologic and scientific preparation for engineers in 4 (four) key areas of Civil and Environmental Engineering:  

1)Structural Engineering and Materials; 

2)Geotechnical Engineering; 

3)Environmental Engineering; and 

4)Construction Management,  

in perfect alignment with today´s technological challenges. A set of mandatory core courses guarantees competence in advanced mathematics, the 4 (four) key areas of the program, classic and novel research methods and effective oral and written communication in the science and technology domain. 

By delivering an MSc at an international standard level, we are offering our master’s students future opportunities in terms of PhD and positions in research centers, locally or abroad. 

Aims and Objectives 

 The mission of the School of Engineering and Digital Sciences at Nazarbayev University is to contribute to the development of Kazakhstan in terms of: 

• Educating students with engineering expertise to lead organizations and provide innovative solutions for complex technical issues of enterprises. 
• Conducting innovative and pioneering basics of applied research that evolve the body of knowledge in Engineering through interdisciplinary collaboration with other schools and research centers at Nazarbayev University and leading universities worldwide. 
• Advancing the professional development in engineering through our service to the professional community and providing lifelong learning opportunities for practitioners. 

The M.Sc. (CEE) program aims to reflect the mission of the School of Engineering and accomplishes this by pursuing the following objectives: 

1)Extend the knowledge and skills in advanced civil and environmental engineering analysis and design, particularly in using latest modelling and analysis techniques; 

2)Develop solutions to civil and environmental engineering problems using in-depth knowledge and innovative ideas and techniques necessary for specialist engineers; 

3)Develop skills to conduct high quality research in the field of civil and environmental engineering; 

4)Provide awareness of the challenges in the profession and integrate engineering and non-engineering topics for leading organizations. 

Graduate Attributes 

 The MSc-CEE program immerses the student within a scientific and technological ecosystem to favor their professional growth according to NU Graduate Attributes, which are very well aligned with the vision and mission of NU. These attributes are listed as: 

1)Possess an in-depth and sophisticated understanding of their domain of study; 

2)Be intellectually agile, curious, creative, and open-minded; 

3)Be thoughtful decision makers who know how to involve others; 

4)Be entrepreneurial, self-propelling and able to create new opportunities; 

5)Be fluent and nuanced communicators across languages and cultures; 

6)Be cultured and tolerant citizens of the world; 

7)Demonstrate high personal integrity;  

8)Be prepared to take a leading role in the development of their country. 

The MSc program delivers these attributes by providing the students opportunities to be involved in: (a) working on individual and group assignments; (b) team-building exercises for developing decision-making skills; (c) designing tasks for developing creativity; (d) delivering and attending project-research presentations to polish their communication skills; and (e) engaging on group discussions among students and faculty in order to develop personal integrity and cultural tolerance. The same attributes are also addressed by the program learning outcomes. 

Program Duration 

 The nominal MSc program duration is two years, while the maximum allowable duration can be extended up to two and half years (excluding leave of absence and deferment of admission; see “ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR GRADUATE PROGRAMS OF THE AUTONOMOUS ORGANIZATION OF EDUCATION ‘NAZARBAYEV UNIVERSITY’” for further details).