Master’s program · Rossin College of Engineering
Master of Science in Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience
Lehigh University’s MS in Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience equips students with advanced technical skills to assess risk and resilience related to natural and man-made disasters.
- Credits30
- Typical length18 months
- DeliveryFully online or hybrid
- Degree awardedMaster of Science
- GRENot required/considered
On this page
Overview
What the Master of Science in Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience is
Lehigh University’s MS in Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience equips students with advanced technical skills to assess risk and resilience related to natural and man-made disasters. The program can be completed in as little as 11 months and is available in hybrid or fully remote formats, with thesis, project, or coursework-only options.
A 30-credit degree, typically 18 months of full-time study, delivered fully online or hybrid.
Disciplines
An interdisciplinary program
This degree is not owned by a single department. It draws faculty and coursework from 8 departments across the Rossin College.
- Department of Bioengineering
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics
Curriculum
What you study
The degree requires 30 graduate credits. Every master’s program in the Rossin College carries the same 30-credit requirement; what differs is the course mix, the balance of thesis, project and coursework-only routes, and the pace.
| Code | Course | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| CAT 401 | Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience | Catastrophe modeling terminology, methods, and tools. |
| CAT 402 | Applications of Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience | Applied catastrophe modeling for disaster decision-making. |
| CAT 403 | Mathematics of Actuarial Science | Financial math for insurance: annuities, risk, claims. |
| DSCI 310 | Introduction to Data Science | Computational analysis of data to extract insight. |
| ENGR 452 | Mathematical Methods In Engineering I | Analytical math methods for engineering: ODEs, transforms. |
| BIOE 463 | Numerical Methods for Scientists and Engineers | Numerical methods: equations, ODEs, PDEs, regression. |
| CAT 411 | Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience Capstone | Capstone: catastrophe modeling or resilience assessment. |
| CAT 412 | Supervised Research in Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience | Independent supervised research in catastrophe modeling. |
Course lists change. Confirm the current requirements against the catalog listing below before planning a schedule.
Careers
Where graduates work
Occupations this degree maps to, in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics standard classification.
- 17-2051 Civil Engineers
- 15-2041 Statisticians
- 13-2099 Financial Analysts and Advisors
Class of 2025 master’s graduates across the Rossin College averaged $100,000 in starting salary.
Tuition and funding
What it costs, and what help is available
Base tuition for this 30-credit degree is $75,635, reflecting the summer-start accelerated cycle.
- Qualified applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships as high as 20% of tuition, with no separate application required.
- International students are considered on the same basis as domestic applicants.
- Qualified applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships as high as 20% of tuition, with no separate application required. International students are considered on the same basis as domestic applicants.
How to apply
What a complete application needs
- Academic record
Official transcripts, a personal statement, a resume, and letters of recommendation.
- English proficiency
International applicants submit TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo or a Cambridge English Qualification score.
- Application fee
$50, non-refundable.
- Deadlines
Deadlines vary by program and entry term. Check Graduate Admissions for current dates before you start.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How many credits is the Master of Science in Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience?
30 credits. Every master’s degree in the Rossin College is a 30-credit program.
How long does the Master of Science in Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience take to complete?
18 months of full-time study is typical. This program runs on a summer-start accelerated cycle.
How is the program delivered?
Fully online or hybrid. Consult the program contact for the current term-by-term format.
What does it cost, and is funding available?
Base tuition is $75,635 for the 30-credit degree, reflecting the accelerated summer-start cycle. Qualified applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships as high as 20% of tuition, with no separate application required. International students are considered on the same basis as domestic applicants.
What scholarships apply to this program specifically?
Qualified applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships as high as 20% of tuition, with no separate application required. International students are considered on the same basis as domestic applicants.
Is the GRE required for the Master of Science in Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience?
The GRE is not required or considered for any Rossin College graduate program.
Which department offers this program?
It is interdisciplinary, drawing on 8 departments across the Rossin College rather than sitting in one: Bioengineering, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics.
What courses will I take?
Core and representative courses include Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience, Applications of Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience, Mathematics of Actuarial Science, Introduction to Data Science, among others. The full list appears in the curriculum section above, sourced from Lehigh’s course catalog.
What do graduates earn?
Class of 2025 master’s graduates across the Rossin College averaged $100,000 in starting salary.
How do I apply?
Apply through Lehigh’s graduate application. A complete application includes transcripts, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, English-proficiency scores where applicable, and a $50 application fee. Deadlines vary by program and term; check Graduate Admissions for current dates.
Contact
Talk to the program
P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science
the Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience program site »
General enquiries go to engineering@lehigh.edu.