Earn your CIVIL ENGINEERING DEGREE
A civil engineering degree from King's will set you up for a lucrative and rewarding career designing all kinds of structures that help people, including bridges, dams, airports, harbors, and skyscrapers.
The first building block for that career is a strong educational foundation. With a civil engineering bachelor's degree from King's, our graduates enter the workforce with real-world engineering experience and a strong desire to use their skills in the service of others.
Visit King's campus in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to learn more about becoming a civil engineering major, or apply to King's now to start your journey!
WHAT MAKES THE KING'S CIVIL ENGINEERING PROGRAM DIFFERENT?
Civil engineering majors spend classroom and lab time learning from professional engineers who have decades of experience in electrical networks, water resources, architectural engineering, and other areas.
In addition to the expertise our faculty brings to the civil engineering program, students also benefit from the following:
Authentic engineering experiences
Our students use the same survey and testing tools that civil engineers use in the industry. They learn and practice project management, structural modeling, hydraulic modeling, and industry-standard software such as CAD and GIS. They also use the AISC Steel Construction Manual, ASTM technical standards, and USGS guidelines to solve complex, open-ended problems.
Small class sizes
Students earning a civil engineering degree at King's benefit from small class sizes that allow professors to dedicate more individualized attention to each student's unique needs in classroom and laboratory settings.
Service-learning projects
Civil engineers are deeply involved with designing and overseeing the construction of the environments where people live, work, and play. Our students are assigned service-learning projects in which they use teamwork and creative-problem solving skills while working with clients from the local community.
Industry connections and networking opportunities
Our civil engineering program allows students to benefit from real-world perspectives through construction site visits, engineering office tours, guest lecturers, and local professional association meetings.
Integration of professional and technical skills
Effective civil engineers need to be able to understand client needs and perform the necessary research, design, and analysis to meet those needs. Communication, teamwork, and incorporating stakeholder feedback are essential components of a successful project. As such, our students do not just learn technical skills; they practice them in a professional context.
An accredited program
The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A CIVIL ENGINEERING DEGREE?
Civil engineers plan, design, and oversee the construction and maintenance of the built environment, including buildings, bridges, dams, airports, and harbors. Much of the infrastructure we rely on in everyday life, such as the roads we drive on and the systems that provide clean water to our homes, are civil engineering infrastructure projects.
What Are the Different Types of Civil Engineering?
A civil engineering bachelor's degree gives you the foundation you need to specialize in a variety of disciplines:
- Construction engineering - overseeing construction projects
- Structural engineering - designing buildings and other structures
- Environmental engineering - building solutions to a wide-range of environmental issues
- Geotechnical engineering - focusing on building projects involving rocks and soil
- Transportation engineering - working on roads, railways, and other public transportation projects.
- Water resources engineering - designing structures to maintain and deliver public drinking water
- Materials engineering - focusing on construction materials such as wood, stone, and steel
- Municipal engineering - engineering the infrastructure that makes up cities and other urban centers
If you are interested in a career that has a lasting impact, consider that civil engineers designed the Golden Gate Bridge, Hoover Dam, Eiffel Tower, and many other inspiring structures.
CIVIL ENGINEERING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Civil engineers are vital to the development and maintenance of bridges, roads, levees, dams, water supply systems, wastewater treatment plants, airports, public buildings, and other critical infrastructure projects. As the U.S. infrastructure ages, the demand for professionals who can plan, design, and supervise these projects will continue to grow.
Also, as renewable energy projects expand around the world, more civil engineers will be needed to supervise the construction of wind farms and solar arrays. The possible employers for civil engineers include federal, state, and local governments, as well as construction and consultant firms.
Because they work in a wide range of environments from office settings to project sites, civil engineers can customize a career path that aligns with their personal interests. In addition, they have numerous career growth opportunities through professional licensure, graduate degrees, and specialized technical training and certification programs.
Civil engineering employment opportunities are projected to grow by 7% between 2021 and 2031, and offer a current median salary of $88,050 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021).
Competitive salaries and diverse job opportunities help civil engineering graduates achieve high job-satisfaction rates. From our Wilkes-Barre classrooms to the farthest reaches of the world, King's engineering program graduates are ready to design and build our future.
CIVIL ENGINEERING PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The King's civil engineering program provides the education and skills necessary to start a career or pursue graduate studies in relevant fields. Students completing the civil engineering program at King's College are awarded a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.
Program graduates can qualify and practice as a professional civil engineer (PE) after fulfilling the experience and exam requirements of the licensure.
Our well-rounded curriculum emphasizes the fundamentals that integrate both established and cutting-edge civil engineering principles, methods, tools, and materials. The engineering courses are designed around real-life examples in connection with the practices in the industry so that students can easily relate the theories with practice.
The liberal arts tradition at King's College helps our students supplement their engineering education and training with communication skills, ethics, values, and social and environmental awareness. Our small class sizes also foster a student-centric and individualized learning environment.
CIVIL ENGINEERING CURRICULUM
Our comprehensive civil engineering curriculum is designed to prepare graduates to enter the workforce and make meaningful contributions right away.
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
View a comprehensive list of all civil engineering degree requirements here.
MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE (30 CR)
- CHEM 113/L General Chemistry I w/ Lab (4)
- PHYS 113/L Physics for Scientists and Engineers I w/ Lab (4)
- PHYS 114/L Physics for Scientists and Engineers II w/Lab (4)
- MATH 129 Analytic Geometry/Calculus I (4)
- MATH 130 Analytic Geometry/Calculus II (4)
- MATH 231 Analytic Geometry/Calculus III (4)
- MATH 237 Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences (3)
- MATH 238 Differential Equations (3)
GENERAL ENGINEERING CURRICULUM (14.5 CR)
- ENGR 150 Engineering Seminar (2)
- PHYS 241 Statics (3)
- PHYS 242 Mechanics of Solids (3)
- ENGR 350/L Engineering Materials w/ Lab (3.5)
- ENGR 360 Probability and Engineering Statistics (3)
CIVIL ENGINEERING MAJOR SEQUENCE REQUIREMENTS (53 CR)
- ENST 202/L Environmental Science II w/ Lab (4)
- CE 111/L Computer Applications for Civil Engineers w/ Lab (3)
- CE 200/L Introduction to Civil Engineering w/ Lab (3.5)
- CE 300 Dynamics (3)
- CE 310/L Fluid Mechanics w/ Lab (3.5)
- CE 320 Civil Engineering Materials (3)
- CE 325L Materials and Soils Lab (1)
- CE 330 Project Management and Engineering Economics (3)
- CE 340/L Hydraulics and Hydrology w/ Lab (4)
- CE 350 Environmental Engineering (3)
- CE 360 Soil Mechanics (3)
- CE 400/L Structural Design and Analysis I w/ Lab (4)
- CE 410/L Structural Design and Analysis II w/ Lab (4)
- CE 420 Transportation Engineering (3)
- CE 440/L Senior Design w/ Lab (4)
- CE 450 Special Topics in Civil Engineering (3)
- CE 480 Senior Civil Engineering Seminar (1)
CIVIL ENGINEERING COURSES
View a comprehensive list of civil engineering education requirements here.
The course sequence for the civil engineering major follows a pattern of building disciplinary knowledge and transferable skills, per the program goals for learning and student outcomes.
Please view the descriptions of all our civil engineering courses below:
ENGR 150 Engineering Seminar (2 credits)
This course serves as an introduction to the field of engineering and engineering careers, and introduces students to engineering issues such as ethics, communication, leadership, and project management. The goal of this course is to prepare students for careers in engineering by exposing them to the fundamental engineering design tasks and activities and participating in design projects using the engineering design process. Topics covered include computer aided design of components and assemblies, systems design, software applications, engineering documentation, and project management. Students may take ENGR 150 in their first or second year as long as they are full-time students enrolled in an Engineering, Science or Mathematics program, or by permission of instructor. 2 Lecture Hours.
ENGR 350/L Engineering Materials with Lab (3.5 credits)
This course examines the structures, properties, processing of engineering materials and the relationship between them. Discussion topics include physical, thermal, and mechanical properties as well as strengthening and failure mechanisms of materials. Emphasis is on metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, and their engineering applications. Prerequisite: CHEM 113/L, PHYS 113/L and PHYS 114/L. 3 Lecture Hours per week and 3 Laboratory Hours every two weeks.
ENGR 360 Probability and Engineering Statistics (3 credits)
This course focuses on the fundamental concepts of probability and the application of inferential statistical models used in analysis of engineering data. Topics include sampling, descriptive statistics, probability distributions, confidence intervals, hypotheses testing, regression and curve fitting, design of experiments, and use of statistical software. Consideration is given to practical issues in data collection, presentation, and analysis, as well as drawing conclusions based on data. Prerequisite: MATH 231 or permission of instructor. 3 Lecture Hours.
CE 111/L Computer Applications for Civil Engineers with Lab (3 credits)
This course focuses on the computer skills that civil engineers use daily such as formulated calculations, data analysis and reporting using spreadsheets, computer aided drawing (CAD) of civil structures using AutoCAD and similar professional software, use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for mapping of transportation, and water resources systems. Basic programming skills will be covered as well. 2 lecture and 2 Laboratory Hours per week.
CE 200/L Introduction to Civil Engineering with Lab (3.5 credits)
A broad introductory course that exposes students to topics directly related to civil engineering, such as structural design, civil engineering materials, fluid mechanics, hydraulics, and environmental engineering. This course also introduces students to the business aspects of the civil engineering profession, including project management, construction management, and asset management. Prerequisite: ENGR 150 and CE 111/L. 3 Lecture Hours per week and 3 Laboratory Hours every two weeks.
CE 300 Dynamics (3 credits)
This course covers fundamentals of dynamics typically experienced in civil engineering settings. Topics include kinematics of particles and rigid bodies, analysis of plain motion of particles and rigid bodies using dynamic equilibrium, work and energy, and impulse momentum methods. Prerequisite: PHYS 241. 3 Lecture Hours.
CE 310/L Fluid Mechanics with Lab (3.5 credits)
This course focuses on fundamentals of fluid mechanics and the properties of fluids in civil engineering settings. Topics to be covered include fluid properties, fluid statics, fluid dynamics and applications of Bernoulli equation, fluid kinematics, finite control volume analysis and applications of Reynolds Transport Theorem, dimensional analysis, and viscous flow in pipes. Lab sessions cover various basic experiments such as Reynold's dye experiment, Pelton turbine, flow measurement in pipes, measuring major and minor head losses in pipe flows. Prerequisite: PHYS 241, MATH 231, and MATH 238, or permission of instructor. 3 Lecture Hours per week and 3 Laboratory Hours every two weeks
CE 320 Civil Engineering Materials (3 credits)
A material science course devoted to materials typically used in civil engineering design and construction. Materials studied include soils, rocks, aggregates, concrete, asphalt, steel and other metals, wood, geosynthetics, plastics, and composite materials. Prerequisite: ENGR 350/L. 3 Lecture Hours.
CE 325L Materials and Soils Lab (1 credit)
In this course students implement, analyze, and report civil engineering laboratory and field tests in accordance with industry standards. A variety of common construction materials is examined to include emphasis on soils, aggregates, and concrete. Prerequisite: ENGR 350/L. Corequisite: CE 320 or CE 360. 3 Laboratory Hours
CE 330 Project Management and Engineering Economics (3 credits)
This course focuses on project management skills and common issues encountered throughout a project's lifecycle. The course explores cash flow analysis, profits, and risks associated with project investments, comparisons of project delivery methods, and common construction management issues. Topics include risk management, quality management, depreciation rates, discounted cash flow, public vs. private sector projects, cost estimating, and payback. Students gain a deeper understanding of economic considerations when choosing between project alternatives and learn how to use software to support project management. Prerequisite: ENGR 150, MATH 129 or permission of instructor. 3 Lecture Hours.
CE 340/L Hydraulics and Hydrology with Lab (4 credits)
This course covers open-channel flow hydraulics and fundamental hydrology. Topics include hydrometeorological factors, precipitation, overland, subsurface, stream and groundwater flows, evaporation and evapotranspiration, basins, rainfall-runoff process, and hydrograph analysis. Lab sessions include various open channel flow experiments such as hydraulic jump, weir flow, flow under sluice gates, and surface roughness in uniform flow. Various hydraulic and hydrologic modeling software such as HEC-RAS and HEC-HMS are also introduced at basic levels. Prerequisite: CE 310/L. 3 Lecture Hours and 3 Laboratory Hours.
CE 350 Environmental Engineering (3 credits)
This course focuses on the environmental aspects of civil engineering systems. Topics include assessing environmental impact, risk assessment, water pollution, measurement of water quality, water supply and distribution, collection and removal of wastewater and storm water, fresh water and wastewater treatment. Prerequisite: CE 310/L, ENGR 360 and ENST 202/L. 3 Lecture Hours
CE 360 Soil Mechanics (3 credits)
This course introduces students to soil mechanics and associated principles underlying geotechnical engineering. Topics include soil formation, composition, and classification; earthwork, compaction, and soil stabilization; one-dimensional and multi-dimensional groundwater flow; subsurface stresses, consolidation, settlement, and shear strength; foundations, retaining walls, slope stability, and lateral earth pressures; and geotechnical tools and techniques. Prerequisite: PHYS 242, CE 320, and ENGR 350/L. 3 Lecture Hours.
CE 400/L Structural Design and Analysis I with Lab (4 credits)
This course focuses on the design and analysis of civil engineering structures. Structural analysis includes the forces, shear and bending moments of beams, deflection and stability of structures consisting of statically determinant beams, trusses, and frames. Emphasis is placed on structural steel design and the AISC Steel Construction Manual and standards. Other topics include loads and load paths of structures, and analysis of statistically indeterminate structures. Prerequisite: PHYS 242, CE 300 and MATH 237. 3 Lecture Hours and 3 Laboratory Hours.
CE 410/L Structural Design and Analysis II with Lab (4 credits)
This is the second course in the Structural Design and Analysis sequence. Students use software and physical models to design and analyze more advanced structures. Topics covered include design and analysis of formwork, single and doubly reinforced beams, T-beams, walls, columns, slabs, and prestressed structural members. Emphasis will be placed on reinforced concrete design and the ACI Codes and Standards for Concrete Construction. Prerequisite: CE 400/L, and CE 320. 3 Lecture Hours and 3 Laboratory Hours.
CE 420 Transportation Engineering (3 credits)
This course focuses on the civil engineering operation, design, and construction of transportation systems. Particular areas of interest include transportation planning and the four-step process; road vehicle performance; horizontal and vertical alignment; geometric highway design; traffic operation, flow, and control; traffic safety; and the design and management of pavement systems. Prerequisite: CE 300, CE 320, CE 325L, and CE 340/L. 3 Lecture Hours
CE 440/L Senior Design with Lab (4 credits)
The civil engineering capstone design course that incorporates all the elements of previous CE courses. This is a senior design course where teams of students design a civil engineering system and perform appropriate design analyses. The overall system design must consist of at least two of the following civil engineering technical areas: structural, water resources and environmental, transportation, soil mechanics, and project management. For their projects, students will model the system in CAD and produce design documents. Prerequisite: Senior Status. 3 Lecture Hours and 3 Laboratory Hours.
CE 450 Special Topics in Civil Engineering (3 credits)
Civil engineering elective course. Students are required to take in the Fall or Spring semester of their senior year. Topics will vary based on faculty and student interests. Potential topics for these courses may include:
- Hydraulic Structures and Design
- Building System Design
- Structural Forensics Engineering
- Sustainable Transportation Systems Engineering
- Traffic Safety Analysis
CE 480 Senior Civil Engineering Seminar (1 credit)
An overview of the impact of civil engineering in economic, environmental, and societal contexts. Students will be immersed in a wide range of contemporary topics through discussion and self-reflection. The Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge (CEBOK), private and public sector guest speakers, current industry issues and trends, professional conduct and ethical case studies, and an individual project are elements of the course. The seminar helps guide and prepare students for entry level positions as a practicing civil engineer. Prerequisite: Senior Status. 1 Lecture Hour.
CIVIL ENGINEERING PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
Within a few years of graduation, King's College civil engineering program alumni are expected to:
- Complete engineering projects by following codes and standards, using technical knowledge, applying civil engineering design principles, and demonstrating problem-solving skills.
- Grow professionally and engage in life-long learning by completing graduate degrees or pursuing other training, obtaining licensure or professional certifications, remaining current with contemporary issues, and receiving guidance from mentors.
- Function effectively in a professional environment by following office standards, collaborating with other professionals, multitasking, and demonstrating initiative and leadership skills.
- Act as citizen-engineers and members of the engineering profession by living and working ethically with concern for society and the environment.
CIVIL ENGINEERING STUDENT OUTCOMES
King's College civil engineering graduates should be able to:
- Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- 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.
- Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- 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.
- Function effectively on a team by providing leadership, creating a collaborative and inclusive environment, establishing goals, planning tasks, and meeting objectives.
- Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
King's College Engineering Faculty
- Dr. Paul Lamore
- Chairperson, Engineering Department
- Professor of Engineering and Business & Management
- paullamore@kings.edu
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Dr. Paul R. Lamore is a Professor of Engineering and Business & Management, and chairperson of the Engineering Department. He started teaching at King's College in 2005 and taught for four years at Providence College prior to joining King's. He has 20 years of industry experience, including electrical engineering and engineering management positions at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, Brown & Sharp, and Texas Instruments. He spent 10 years at Sharplan/Surgilase, designing and developing new applications for medical lasers. His responsibilities also included supply chain and operations management, as well as technical marketing and product line management. His research interests include innovation management and new product development. He received his Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering, with a concentration in Engineering Management, from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. He holds a M.B.A. from Providence College, a M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Union College, a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, and a B.S. in Physics from Providence College.
- Dr. Ismail Haltas
- Associate Professor of Civil Engineering
- ismailhaltas@kings.edu
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Ismail Haltas, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, graduated from Middle East Technical University Ankara with a B.S. .in Civil Engineering. He graduated from the University of California, Davis with M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering in 2004 and 2006, respectively. After working as a water resource engineer in Sacramento, California for four years, he started teaching in the Civil Engineering Department of Zirve University in Turkey. During his five-year tenure at Zirve University, he conducted several research projects funded by National Research Agencies while teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses. Before joining King's College, Dr. Haltas held a Senior Research Fellow post at Cranfield University, England, for two years. He has held the Professional Engineer License in Civil Engineering in California since 2010. His expertise includes flood hazard and risk modelling, scaling in hydraulic and hydrologic processes, and agent-based modelling of complex systems. He primarily teaches Fluid Mechanics, Dynamics, Hydraulics and Hydrology, Probability and Statistics, and Water Resources Engineering.
- Dr. Tabitha Sprau Coulter
- Associate Professor of Civil Engineering
- tabithaspraucoulter@kings.edu
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Tabitha L. Sprau Coulter, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, earned her Ph.D. and M.S. in architectural engineering from Pennsylvania State University (PSU) and completed her undergraduate studies at Lafayette College. Dr. Sprau Coulter previously worked in engineering and energy consulting. She was an energy modeler for Reese Engineering and a mechanical engineer for KlingStubbins. While pursuing her Ph.D., she was an NSF Grant recipient, and she was involved with the Navy Yard Energy Efficient Buildings (EEB) Hub and Consortium for Building Energy Innovation (CBEI). During this time, Dr. Sprau Coulter worked on developing a retrofit user interface for collecting initial building data, and she developed a tool to better align owner goals with energy audit efforts. While at PSU, Dr. Sprau Coulter also worked for its Office of Physical Plant. As part of Dr. Sprau Coulter's duties, she developed a standard process for evaluating where PSU should focus its $2 million energy auditing budget and assisted in standardizing the energy auditing process. At King's College, Dr. Sprau Coulter is currently working with undergraduate research students and the campus sustainability coordinator to identify and implement feasible sustainability initiatives on campus.
- Dr. Malitha Rajapaksha
- Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
- malitharajapaksha@kings.edu
- Dr. Avik Mahata
- Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
- avikmahata@kings.edu
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Dr. Avik Mahata, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, earned his Bachelor of Engineering in mechanical engineering at the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, India, Master of Technology in materials science and engineering at the National Institute of Technology, Trichy, India and PhD in materials science and engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, USA. He has been a postdoctoral researcher at the Brown University and National Institute of Standards & Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland. Dr. Mahata’s research interests include computational materials science, mechanical behavior of materials, machine learning etc. All of his published research works can be found here.