Civil Engineering Overview

The Civil Engineering curriculum provides an integrated educational experience in mathematics, basic sciences, humanities, social sciences, engineering sciences, and civil engineering design. The first two years of the Civil Engineering curriculum provide a strong foundation in mathematics, basic sciences, and engineering sciences. During the next two years of the four-year program, the Civil Engineering curriculum integrates engineering sciences with design applications in the areas of structural, environmental, geotechnical, and water resources engineering. The curriculum culminates with a major senior-level design project that includes design applications from the major specialty areas of civil engineering.

Graduate study is offered leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering. For detailed information on graduate studies, see the Graduate Studies Bulletin.

A tabular listing of the course requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering is shown below.

Curriculum Requirements

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
Engineering Courses
CAE 115Introduction to Engineering II: Geospatial Data (Surveying and GIS)2
CAE 210Mechanics of Solids I3
CAE 211Mechanics of Solids II3
CAE 212Structural Laboratory1
CAE 310Structural Analysis3
CAE 320Concrete Structures3
CAE 321Steel Structures3
CAE 330Fluid Mechanics3
CAE 350Transportation Engineering I3
CAE 361Building Information Modeling I3
CAE 370Geotechnical Engineering I3
CAE 371Geotechnical Laboratory1
CAE 401 (Civil and Architectural Engineering Seminars (NEW COURSE))1
CAE 402Professional Engineering Practice3
CAE 403Senior Design Project I - Engineering Design3
CAE 404Senior Design Project II - Integrated Engineering Documents3
CAE 430Water-Resources Engineering I3
CAE 470Foundations and Earth Retaining Systems3
CET 340Introduction to Environmental Engineering3
CET 440Water Quality Control Systems3
ECE 205Principles of Electrical Engineering--I3
EGN 110Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Engineering3
or EGN 114 Global Challenges Addressed by Engineering and Technology
or EGN 123 Computing and Digital Solutions for the future
ISE 311Applied Probability and Statistics3
MAE 303Thermodynamics3
CEN Technical Elective 3
CEN Design Electives6
Math and Science Courses
MTH 151Calculus I for Engineers5
MTH 162Calculus II4
MTH 211Calculus III3
MTH 311Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations3
CHM 151Chemistry for Engineers3
CHM 153Chemistry Laboratory for Engineers1
PHY 221University Physics I3
PHY 222University Physics II3
PHY 224University Physics II Lab1
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Written Communication Skills:
WRS 105First-Year Writing I3
WRS 107First-Year Writing II: STEM3
Quantitative Skills (3 credits) (fulfilled thru MTH 151)
Areas of Knowledge:
Arts and Humanities Cognate9
People and Society Cognate9
STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major)
ADDITIONAL REQUIRED COURSES
Basic Science Elective 3
Total Credit Hours127

* Internships, Practical Training, or other types of practicum are neither required nor optional credit-earning components in the established undergraduate curriculum. Credit earned through these experiences via UMI 305 will not count towards any CAE degree requirements.

Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman Year
FallCredit Hours
EGN 110, 114,
Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Engineering
or Global Challenges Addressed by Engineering and Technology
or Computing and Digital Solutions for the future
3
MTH 151 Calculus I for Engineers 5
PHY 221 University Physics I 3
WRS 105 First-Year Writing I 3
 Credit Hours14
Spring
CAE 115 Introduction to Engineering II: Geospatial Data (Surveying and GIS) 2
CAE 210 Mechanics of Solids I 3
CHM 151 Chemistry for Engineers 3
CHM 153 Chemistry Laboratory for Engineers 1
MTH 162 Calculus II 4
WRS 107 First-Year Writing II: STEM 3
 Credit Hours16
Sophomore Year
Fall
CAE 211 Mechanics of Solids II 3
CAE 212 Structural Laboratory 1
ISE 311 Applied Probability and Statistics 3
MTH 211 Calculus III 3
PHY 224 University Physics II Lab 1
PHY 222 University Physics II 3
AH Cognate 2 3
 Credit Hours17
Spring
CAE 310 Structural Analysis 1 3
CET 340 Introduction to Environmental Engineering 3
ECE 205 Principles of Electrical Engineering--I 3
MTH 311 Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations 3
AH Cognate 2 3
 Credit Hours15
Junior Year
Fall
CAE 320 Concrete Structures 1 3
CAE 330 Fluid Mechanics 3
CAE 350 Transportation Engineering I 1 3
MAE 303 Thermodynamics 3
PS Cognate 2 3
Basic Science Elective 3
 Credit Hours18
Spring
CAE 321 Steel Structures 1 3
CAE 361 Building Information Modeling I 3
CAE 370 Geotechnical Engineering I 1 3
CAE 371 Geotechnical Laboratory 1 1
CAE 430 Water-Resources Engineering I 1 3
CET 440 Water Quality Control Systems 3
 Credit Hours16
Senior Year
Fall
CAE 401 1
CAE 403 Senior Design Project I - Engineering Design 1 3
CAE 470 Foundations and Earth Retaining Systems 1 3
CEN Design Elective I 3 3
AH Cognate 2 3
PS Cognate 2 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
CAE 402 Professional Engineering Practice 3
CAE 404 Senior Design Project II - Integrated Engineering Documents 1 3
CEN Tech Elective 3
CEN Design Elective II 4 3
PS Cognate 2 3
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours127
1

Only offered once a year

2

To be selected from lists of approved People and Society (PS)/Humanities and Arts (HA) cognates, Technical, CEN Technical, and Basic Science electives. Students take a minimum of 3 courses (9 credit hours) in HA cognate and 3 courses in PS Cognate (9 credit hours)

3

CAE 530 or CAE 570

4

CAE 520 or CAE 521

Mission

The mission of the Department of Civil, Architectural & Environmental Engineering is to:

  • Provide high-quality undergraduate and graduate education in civil, architectural, and environmental engineering to prepare graduates for professional careers and a lifetime of learning;
  • Conduct high-quality research to advance the body of knowledge and improve the quality of human life; and
  • Serve the engineering profession and society through active involvement in professional organizations and contribution of professional expertise.

Goals

The educational objectives of the Civil Engineering Program are to have graduates who within the first several years following graduation are either

  1. Working as a professional in an area closely related to civil engineering, or
  2. Pursuing a graduate or professional degree.

Student Learning Outcomes

  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.