The course sequence for the Civil Engineering major follows a pattern of successive building and bolstering of disciplinary knowledge and transferable skills, per the program goals for learning and student outcomes:

  • ENGR 150 Engineering Seminar: 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 1st or 2nd 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: 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: 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.
  • ENST 202/L Environmental Science II: This is the second in the series of introductory environmental courses with a focus on natural resource use. Topics will include energy, global warming, water resources, toxic wastes, ozone depletion, and renewable and non-renewable resources. 3 lecture and 3 laboratory hours; lecture portion cross-listed as NSCI 274.
  • CE 111/L Computer Applications for Civil Engineers with Lab: This course focuses on the computer skills that civil engineers use in daily basis 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 programing skills will be covered as well. 2 lecture and 2 Laboratory Hours per week.
  • CE 200/L Introduction to Civil Engineering: A broad introductory course that exposes students to topics directly related to civil engineering, such as structural design, forces in structures, civil engineering materials, fluid mechanics, hydraulics and hydrological systems, and geotechnical and environmental engineering. This course also introduces students to the business aspects of the civil engineering profession, including construction management, contract law, estimates, and engineering ethics. Prerequisite: ENGR 150 and CE 111/L. 3 Lecture Hours per week and 3 Laboratory Hours every two weeks.
  • CE 300 Dynamics: 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: 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 covers 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: 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: 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: 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 cashflow, 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: 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: 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: 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: This senior 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. Special emphasis will be 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: This is the second course in the Structural Design and Analysis sequence. Students will use software and physical models to design and analyze more advanced structures. Topics covered will 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: 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: The civil engineering capstone design course that incorporates all the elements of CE previous 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 : Civil engineering elective course. Students are required to take either CE 450 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: An overview 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.