Civil and Environmental Engineering

Civil engineers build the future. The exceptional diversity of professional practice options in civil and environmental engineering presents many career opportunities for students.

Civil engineers focus on infrastructure - the design, construction, management, alteration and utilization, which allows society to function. Civil engineers plan, design and construct, highways, waterway and railway systems, harbors and shipping facilities, systems for the treatment and distribution of water and for the collection and treatment of municipal and industrial waste, dams and hydroelectric works, airports and terminals, structures of every kind including buildings, bridges, towers, industrial plants, tunnels and subway systems, processes for the control of water and air pollution, and many other works of general benefit to society.

The curriculum in civil engineering is based on courses in mathematics, physical sciences and engineering sciences. On this foundation, required courses equip the student with the basic skills needed for the professional practice of civil engineering and provide the tools for more advanced study. Engineering theory and principles are developed in a way that will encourage their application to the practical solution of problems.

The School provides a curriculum that is effective and balanced among the major areas of civil engineering practice. Design capabilities are developed throughout the curriculum, culminating in a comprehensive senior design experience, incorporating much of the previous coursework. Some degree of specialization is provided through the choice of elective courses in structures, engineering mechanics, transportation engineering, soil mechanics and foundations, construction engineering and management, environmental engineering and water resources. There is a designated option for those students wishing to concentrate more heavily in the environmental area of practice. In addition, the School offers a minor in Environmental Engineering. Program curricula requirements are outlined in the publication Undergraduate Program and Requirements. The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org/.

Program Educational Objectives

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree program educates and prepares engineers who a few years after graduation will be:

  • Contributing to society through the practice of civil engineering in a variety of contexts, including the protection of public health, safety, and welfare and the development of sustainable engineering solutions;
  • Effectively applying and adapting the technical knowledge, engineering principles, communication skills and personal attributes necessary to be successful in the civil engineering profession;
  • Advancing within their profession, including attaining professional licensure and positions of leadership;
  • Exhibiting life-long learning, including the pursuit of advanced degrees; and
  • Engaging with and advocating for the civil engineering profession.

Student Outcomes

The curriculum is designed to enable students to satisfy the program educational objectives in conjunction with the student outcomes. These outcomes state that graduates of the program will have:

(1) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics

(2) an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors

(3) an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences

(4) an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts

(5) an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives

(6) an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions

(7) an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies