Undergraduate Announcements > School of Engineering > Departments of the School of Engineering > Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Mission of the Department

The mission of the Civil and Environmental Engineering program is to provide students with a balanced education, strong in the scientific, engineering, humanistic, and social bases, so that they may attain leadership roles in their profession and "use their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare and the environment" (Code of Ethics, American Society of Civil Engineers).

Internship Requirement

Internships are a vital component in engineering education because they allow students to experience professional engineering practice and often lead to part-time or full-time employment opportunities. Undergraduate students in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering must complete at least one summer internship (two summer internships in construction concentration) related to their engineering studies. These last approximately 10 weeks and are typically paid. Internships can be performed in any city, state, or country. Students are responsible for arranging for internships with industry companies. After successful completion, students must write a two-page essay reflecting upon their internship experience that is signed by a company official and submitted to the department as proof that the requirement has been fulfilled. Students are urged to make early and active use of the various services offered by the Center for Academic and Career Success and to attend all career fairs. In cases of extreme hardship, students should see their advisor for assistance or reduction, but must provide written evidence of their efforts to arrange an internship.

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering

Requirements for the program can be found at Environmental Engineering - Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

The undergraduate program in environmental engineering leads to the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering degree. The program exposes students to a wide range of fundamental science and engineering courses including math, physics, chemistry, biology, classical mechanics, hydraulics, and hydrology. Additionally, courses are designed to prepare students to tackle present-day environmental problems using modern technology.

Bachelor of Civil Engineering

Course requirements for the program, with the available concentrations, can be found at Civil Engineering - Bachelor of Civil Engineering (B.C.E.)

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, in conjunction with the School of Architecture and Planning, offers dual degrees in civil engineering and architecture. Interested students should contact either the department or the school for specific information.

Internship Requirement

Internships are a vital component in engineering education because they allow students to experience professional engineering practice and often lead to part-time or full-time employment opportunities. Undergraduate students in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering must complete at least one summer internship (two summer internships in the construction concentration) related to their engineering studies. These last approximately 10 weeks and are typically paid. Internships can be performed in any city, state, or country. Students are responsible for arranging for internships with industry companies. After successful completion, students must write a two-page essay reflecting upon their internship experience that is signed by a company official and submitted to the department as proof that the requirement has been fulfilled. Students are urged to make early and active use of the various services offered by the Center for Academic and Career Success and to attend all career fairs. In cases of extreme hardship, students should see their advisor for assistance or reduction, but must provide written evidence of their efforts to arrange an internship.

Educational Objectives of the Undergraduate Program

The educational objectives of the civil engineering undergraduate program are as follows:

1. The graduates are expected to be able to acquire skills to analyze and design civil engineering systems, evaluate alternatives, and discover/assess innovative solutions to problems in various areas of civil engineering in a changing environment.
2. The graduates are expected to be able to learn, understand, and utilize modern engineering tools for professional practice and leadership, and to be able to critically evaluate the results provided by such tools.
3. The graduates are expected to understand the importance of moral and ethical values as well as environmental stewardship in the global/societal context, and to make sound judgment calls on ethical issues related to their profession.

Standard Program

Elective courses specific to each concentration will be selected by the students. For the civil/architectural concentration courses please refer to the departmental course tracking sheets for details.

Internships are a vital component in engineering education because they allow students to experience professional engineering practice and often lead to part-time or full-time employment opportunities.

Undergraduate students in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering must complete at least one summer internship (two summer internships in construction concentration) related to their civil engineering studies. These last approximately 10 weeks and are typically paid. Internships can be performed in any city, state, or country.

Students are responsible for arranging internships with industry companies. After successful completion, students must write a two-page essay reflecting upon their internship experience that is signed by a company official and submitted to the department as proof to consider the requirement fulfilled. Students are urged to actively and early use the various services, consultations, and databases by the Center for Academic and Career Success and to attend all career fairs.

In case of extreme hardship, students should see their advisor for assistance or reduction, but must provide written evidence of their efforts to arrange an internship.

For the capstone design, students must take ENGR 441 and 442 (3 credits each).

Recommended Program Electives