Online Degree Programs for Piping Engineers

Piping engineers design piping systems for water supply, sewage and similar systems. Online master's degree programs are available in civil engineering designed to provide students advanced education in piping engineering, along with other civil engineering-related concentrations.

Overview of an Online Civil Engineer Master's Degree Program

Online master's degree programs in civil engineering focus on advanced courses in processes, theories and principles of highway, structural, air, water, soil and mechanical engineering. Some typical prerequisites for these programs include a bachelor's degree from an accredited engineering school and an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) in previous coursework. Upon completion, students are normally awarded a Master of Engineering (ME) in Civil Engineering.

Program Information and Requirements

Online graduate degree programs consist of approximately 30-36 credit hours of study. Programs generally take from 18-24 months to complete, depending upon a student's prerequisite coursework and schedule. A school may have set start dates and length of terms. Some schools do not require students to complete a thesis, examination or project while other institutions require a capstone residency. All courses are accessed online, and a school may also offer face-to-face or video-conference classes.
The web-based courses are accessed via a personal computer and the Internet, and courses may include lecture videos. Many schools use an educational delivery system, such as Blackboard Vista, Wolfware or Moodle, or various learning tools, such as WebAssign and Elluminate. An institution may complete testing via approved local proctors. Assignments are generally submitted online by e-mail, fax or uploading a file to the site. Students communicate with each other and instructor through e-mail or discussion boards.

List of Common Online Courses

Classes include core engineering courses, along with courses relating to a concentration (if the program allows students to choose a concentration). Examples of concentrations are structural, environmental, water resource, construction management or geotechnical. Common courses related to piping engineering are outlined below.

Pipe System Hydraulics Course

This course covers hydraulics fundamentals and fluid mechanics with an emphasis on water supply pipeline flow and operation. Topics also include planning, design and management of pipe networks, open channel flow and fluid measurement.

Water Resources Engineering and Management Course

Students examine case studies concerning water usage and environmental resources, along with learning integrated management skills. The course also explores various concepts in water engineering, environmental chemistry, ecology, geology, biology and soil science.

Water Measurement, Control and Management Course

This course focuses on flow regulation and measurement for efficient water distribution. Topics covered include rainfall and runoff relationships, channel and basin routing, wetland utilization, storm water treatment, land development, urbanization and watershed hydrology.

Career Information for Graduates

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), civil engineers held more jobs than any other engineering speciality in 2008 (www.bls.gov). The BLS also reported that employment in the field was expected to grow by 24% from 2008-2018 due to growth in the general population and national infrastructure improvements.

Continuing Education Information

For students wishing to continue their degreed education, Ph.D. programs are available in civil engineering, although rarely offered online. Advanced education in engineering can lead to positions in research and development or high-level executive positions.