Civil Engineering Major (B.S.C.E.)

Major code BS7252

Civil engineering evolved as a formal discipline at the start of the 19th century as a response to society’s needs for increased mobility and convenience. Today’s civil engineers deal primarily with public and private infrastructure and its relation to the environment, which includes planning, design, construction, and maintenance of transportation systems, bridges, dams, buildings, water supply/distribution/treatment systems, wastewater and storm water collection/treatment/ disposal systems, irrigation systems, and flood control. Civil engineers also operate public and private works, and design environmental protection for water, air, and land.

The Civil Engineering program seeks to prepare graduates, who, after the first few years of their professional career have:

1. Advanced their knowledge base;
2. Developed leadership skills necessary to assume progressively more responsible roles in their profession;
3. Exhibited effective communication skills necessary to interact in a diverse professional environment; and
4. Employed modern engineering and computational tools.

The curriculum builds a sound foundation in basic sciences and mathematics, followed by courses in engineering science and design that provide a solid base for lifelong professional learning. Engineering courses and laboratories provide an opportunity for students to experience those principles and standard practices that they will encounter in their careers. The curriculum is oriented to develop a student’s ability to think logically and to apply the knowledge gained to the design and synthesis of complex civil engineering projects. The program provides an integration of design experience from the freshman year to the senior year, culminating in a capstone design course. The senior capstone course provides a comprehensive design experience that encompasses ethical, social, economic and safety issues for students. Engineering design, team problem solving, and communication skills are emphasized throughout the curriculum. Students pursue areas of interest by selecting appropriate technical electives in the areas of environmental; construction; geotechnical; engineering materials; pavements; structures; transportation; and water resources. Graduates of the program are prepared to become registered professional engineers. Students are required to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam as part of their graduation requirements. The FE Exam is one of the first requirements to becoming a registered engineer. An optional program is available for those who want to become registered surveyors.

A co-op program is open to qualified civil engineering students, who can obtain technical experience and income by working for private or government organizations while still in school. Students who participate in the co-op program typically take more than four years to complete degree requirements.