Civil Engineering

About the Program

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCIV): 190.5 quarter credits

The civil engineering major prepares students in the fundamental principles necessary to practice this profession in any of its branches, including construction management, water resources, structural, transportation, environmental, geotechnical, and public facilities engineering.

Civil engineers are active in the planning, design, construction, research and development, operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation of large engineering systems. A particular focus is the reconstruction of the nation’s infrastructure through solutions that minimize the disruption of social and natural environments.

Civil engineering graduates are grounded in the fundamental principles necessary for the practice of this profession in any of its modern branches, including construction management, water resources engineering, structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, transportation engineering, and environmental engineering.

Seven of the required courses in the discipline include integral laboratories or field projects for both educational illustration and professional practice exposure.

Careful selection of the electives specified in the curriculum can lead to a wide variety of career objectives. For instance, students with an interest in water resources engineering may elect advanced courses in hydrology, ecology, and chemistry; select senior professional electives in the geotechnical and water resources areas; and choose appropriate topics for senior design and senior seminar. Seniors, with the approval of the department head, can elect certain graduate courses.

A special feature of the major is senior design. A group of students works with a faculty advisor to develop a significant design project selected by the group. All civil engineering students participate in a design project.

Mission Statement

The civil and architectural engineering faculty are responsible for delivering an outstanding curriculum that equips our graduates with the broad technical knowledge, design proficiency, professionalism, and communications skills required for them to make substantial contributions to society and to enjoy rewarding careers.

Program Educational Objectives

Civil engineering graduates will become professionals who analyze, design, construct, manage or operate physical infrastructure and systems, or advance knowledge of the field.

Student Outcomes

The department’s student outcomes reflect the skills and abilities that the curriculum is designed to provide to students by the time they graduate. These are:   

a)            an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering;

b)            an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;

c)            an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability;

d)            an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams;

e)            an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;

f)             an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;

g)            an ability to communicate effectively;

h)            the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context;

i)             a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning;

j)             a knowledge of contemporary issues;

k)            an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for civil engineering practice.

Additional Information 

 The Civil Engineering program is accredited by the EAC Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

For more information about this major, contact the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering.

Degree Requirements

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Center. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

Sample Plan of Study 

BS Civil Engineering

5 YR UG Co-op Concentration

Co-op/Career Opportunities

When students complete their co-op jobs, they are asked to write an overview of
their experiences. These brief quotes are taken from some recent student reports:

Engineering construction inspector, state department of transportation: Supervised daily activities involved in the roadway construction of the [interstate] bypass. Recorded daily visual inspection reports for soil sub-base and materials placed on site.Aided senior roadway engineers in approving grade prior to asphalt placement. Used various instruments to check temperature and depths for asphalt placement.Took part in on-site discussions with contractor to clear up any daily construction problems that would hinder quality of construction. ”

Construction inspector,municipal department of public property: “Inspected work performed by private contractors on city public works construction and rehabilitation projects for adherence to contract plans and specifications. Projects included health centers, police and fire stations, libraries, city hall, transit concourses, and prisons. Responsible for daily inspection reports and overall coordination for each respective project. Also responsible for reviewing bills and writing contract modifications and amendments. . .the variety of work was excellent. ”

Environmental co-op, chemicals manufacturer: “Compiled data and wrote monthly regulatory reports, in charge of hazardous waste management and small projects as needed. . . . I had my own responsibilities that had an impact on the entire company. Employer was really interested in my opinion and gave me a chance to demonstrate my abilities, but also knew when to step in. Everybody was willing to answer any questions I may have had. ”

Visit the Drexel Steinbright Career Development Center page for more detailed information on co-op and post-graduate opportunities.

Dual/Accelerated Degree

Accelerated program

The Accelerated Program of the College of Engineering provides opportunities for highly talented and strongly motivated students to progress toward their educational goals essentially at their own pace. Primarily through advanced placement, credit by examination, flexibility of scheduling, and independent study, the program makes it possible to complete the undergraduate curriculum and initiate graduate study in less than the five years required by the standard curriculum.

Dual Degree Bachelor’s Programs

A student completing the Bachelor of Science degree program in architectural engineering may complete additional courses (specified by the department) to earn the Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. (The reverse is difficult because of prerequisites in the sequence of architectural studio design courses, which begins in the sophomore year. )

Civil Engineering students can also complete a dual degree with the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering.

Bachelor’s/Master’s Dual Degree Program

Exceptional students can also pursue a master of science degree in the same period as the bachelor of science.

For more information about this program, visit the Department's BS /MS Dual Degree Program page.

Facilities

The Department is well equipped with state-of-the-art facilities:

• The department computer labs are in operation: a computer-assisted design (CAD) and computerized instructional lab; and a graduate-level lab (advanced undergraduates can become involved in graduate-level work).
• External labs are used for surveying, building diagnostics, and surface and ground-water measurements.
• A $4.5-million instruction and research lab renovation was funded by the National Science Foundation, alumni, and corporations.

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty

Interdepartmental Faculty

Emeritus Faculty