Civil Engineering BSCIV / Environmental Engineering MSENE

Major: Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCIV) and Master of Science in Environmental Engineering (MSENE)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 225.5
Co-op Options: Three Co-ops (Five years)
BS Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 14.0801
BS Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 17-2051
MS Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 14.1401
MS Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 17-2081

About the Program

This program allows students to develop technical depth and breadth in their major and an additional complementary related area, which enhances their professional capabilities in industry, or as they proceed on to earn a PhD. A natural progression from the student’s undergraduate courses, with the necessary technical prerequisite understanding and skills, prepares students for graduate-level studies. The underlying technical concepts of engineering are common, so students readily achieve their master’s degree in a related discipline in their area of interest. The American Society of Civil Engineers publishes the Journal of Environmental Engineering, so these are recognized as connected disciplines. 

Additional Information

For more information, visit the BS/MS program or Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering webpage.

Admission Requirements

Students must have a GPA of at least 3.2 and have taken coursework sufficient to demonstrate a readiness to take graduate coursework.

Degree Requirements

General Education/Liberal Studies Requirements
CIVC 101Introduction to Civic Engagement1.0
COOP 101Career Management and Professional Development *1.0
ENGL 101Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research3.0
or ENGL 111 English Composition I
ENGL 102Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing3.0
or ENGL 112 English Composition II
ENGL 103Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres3.0
or ENGL 113 English Composition III
UNIV E101The Drexel Experience1.0
General Education Requirements **21.0
Free Electives6.0
Foundation Requirements
BIO 141Essential Biology4.5
Chemistry Requirements ***3.5-7.5
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I
OR
General Chemistry I
CHEM 102General Chemistry II4.5
Engineering (ENGR) Requirements
ENGR 111Introduction to Engineering Design & Data Analysis3.0
ENGR 113First-Year Engineering Design3.0
ENGR 131Introductory Programming for Engineers3.0
or ENGR 132 Programming for Engineers
MATE 220Fundamentals of Materials4.0
or ENGR 220 Fundamentals of Materials
MEM 210Introduction to Thermodynamics3.0
or ENGR 210 Introduction to Thermodynamics
Mathematics Requirements ****4.0-10.0
Algebra, Functions, and Trigonometry
and Calculus I
OR
Calculus and Functions I
and Calculus and Functions II †
OR
Calculus I
MATH 122Calculus II4.0
MATH 200Multivariate Calculus4.0
CAEE 231Linear Engineering Systems3.0
or ENGR 231 Linear Engineering Systems
CAEE 232Dynamic Engineering Systems3.0
or ENGR 232 Dynamic Engineering Systems
Physics Requirements ****4.0-8.0
Preparation for Engineering Studies
and Fundamentals of Physics I
OR
Fundamentals of Physics I
PHYS 102Fundamentals of Physics II4.0
PHYS 201Fundamentals of Physics III4.0
Major Requirements
CAE 491 [WI] Senior Design Project I3.0
CAE 492 [WI] Senior Design Project II3.0
CAE 493 [WI] Senior Design Project III3.0
CAEE 202Introduction to Civil, Architectural & Environmental Engineering3.0
CAEE 203System Balances and Design in CAEE3.0
CAEE 212Geologic Principles for Infrastructure & Environmental Engineering4.0
or GEO 101 Physical Geology
CAEE 361Statistical Analysis of Engineering Systems3.0
CIVE 240Engineering Economic Analysis3.0
CIVE 250Construction Materials4.0
CIVE 302Structural Analysis I4.0
CIVE 303Structural Design I3.0
CIVE 312Soil Mechanics I4.0
CIVE 315Soil Mechanics II4.0
CIVE 320Introduction to Fluid Flow3.0
CIVE 330Hydraulics4.0
CIVE 375Structural Material Behavior3.0
CIVE 430Hydrology3.0
CIVE 477 [WI] Seminar I2.0
CIVE 478 [WI] Seminar II1.0
ENVE 300Introduction to Environmental Engineering3.0
MEM 202Statics3.0
MEM 230Mechanics of Materials I4.0
MEM 238Dynamics4.0
Professional Electives ‡9.0
Master's Degree Courses
Core Courses (15 credits)
ENVE 660Chemical Kinetics in Environmental Engineering3.0
ENVS 501Chemistry of the Environment3.0
Approved Statistics course3.0-4.0
Biomedical Statistics
Data-based Engineering Modeling
Biostatistics
Approved Policy course3.0
Sustainable Water Resource Engineering
Public Finance and Cost Benefit Analysis
Theory and Practice of Policy Analysis
Methods of Policy Analysis
Approved Life Sciences course3.0
Fundamentals of Environmental Biotechnology
Evolutionary Ecology
Aquatic Ecology
Specialization Courses (select one area to complete) ^9.0-12.0
Environmental Treatment Processes:
Solid Waste Systems
and Env Engr Op-Chem & Phys
and Enviro Engr Unit Oper-Bio
and Hazardous Waste & Groundwater Treatment
Human Risks:
Indoor Air Quality
Environmental Exposure Science
Principles and Practice of Environmental and Occupational Health
Risk Assessment
Water Resources:
Sustainable Water Resource Engineering
and Urban Ecohydraulics
and Environmental Life Cycle Assessment
Open Channel Hydraulics ††††
Analytical and Numerical Techniques in Hydrology
Environmental Modeling:
Geographic Information Systems ††††
Environmental Life Cycle Assessment
Analytical and Numerical Techniques in Hydrology
and Data-based Engineering Modeling
Approved Advanced Math course:
Applied Engr Analy Methods I
Mathematical Methods in Chemical Engineering
Numerical Engineering Methods
Air Qualty:
Indoor Air Quality
and Principles and Practice of Environmental and Occupational Health
and Fundamentals of Air Pollution Control
Cognate Discipline Track ^^12.0
MS Thesis or Graduate Electives §9.0
Total Credits225.5-243.5
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

**

General Education Requirements.

***

CHEM sequence is determined by the student's Chemistry Placement Exam score and the completion of a summer online preparatory course available based on that score.

****

MATH and PHYS sequences are determined by the student's Calculus Placement Exam score and the completion of any summer online preparatory courses available based on that score.

†

Some students may need a one-credit concurrent practicum course depending on their calculus exam score and summer preparatory review participation.

‡

A sequence of three (3-credit) professional elective courses in a major area is required. Pick a sequence from the list below:

^

Students must take 4 courses in an approved specialization, such as environmental treatment processes, human risks, water resources, environmental modeling, or air quality.

^^

Students must complete a course sequence of 12.0 credits aside from their specialization. This might include a second specialization course sequence or a sequence of elective courses as approved by the student’s advisor and the departmental graduate advisor in any of the following subjects: AE, CHE, CHEC, CHEM, CIVE, ENVE, ENSS, ENVP, ENVS, MATH, MEM (500-699).

§

For students writing an M.S. thesis, these nine credits should consist of six research credits (CIVE 997) and three thesis credits (CIVE 898). Full time Masters students are encouraged to do a thesis. Students opting not to do a thesis will be required to complete an additional 9.0 elective credits.

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 Program. 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.

Sample Plan of Study

5 year, 3 co-op, Spring/Summer

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
CHEM 101*3.5CHEM 1024.5BIO 1414.5VACATION
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0COOP 101***1.0 
ENGR 1113.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
MATH 121**4.0ENGR 131 or 1323.0ENGR 1133.0 
UNIV E1011.0MATH 1224.0MATH 2004.0 
 PHYS 101**4.0PHYS 1024.0 
 14.5 19.5 19.5 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
CAEE 2023.0CAEE 2033.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
CAEE 231 or ENGR 2313.0CAEE 232 or ENGR 2323.0  
ENGR 220 or MATE 2204.0CIVE 2403.0  
MEM 2023.0ENGR 210 or MEM 2103.0  
PHYS 2014.0(UG) General Education Elective†3.0  
 17 15 0 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
CAEE 212 or GEO 1014.0CIVE 2504.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
CAEE 3613.0CIVE 3304.0(GR) Graduate Policy Course^^^3.0 
CIVE 3203.0MEM 2384.0  
ENVE 3003.0(GR) Graduate Life Science^3.0  
MEM 2304.0(GR) Graduate Elective^^3.0  
(GR) Graduate Statistics Course‡3.0   
 20 18 3 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
CIVE 3024.0CIVE 3033.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
CIVE 3124.0CIVE 3154.0(GR) Graduate Elective^^3.0 
CIVE 4303.0CIVE 3753.0  
(UG) General Education Elective†3.0(UG) General Education Elective**3.0  
ENVS 5013.0ENVE 6603.0  
(GR) Graduate Elective^^3.0(GR) Graduate Elective^^3.0  
 20 19 3 0
Fifth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
CAE 4913.0CAE 4923.0CAE 4933.0 
CIVE 4772.0CIVE 4781.0(UG) General Education Elective†6.0 
(UG) General Education Electives†6.0(UG) Free Electives6.0(UG) Professional Elective§3.0 
(UG) Professional Elective§3.0(UG) Professional Elective§3.0(GR) Graduate Elective^^3.0 
(GR) Graduate Elective ^^3.0(GR) Graduate Elective^^3.0(GR) Graduate Elective ^^3.0 
(GR) Graduate Elective^^3.0(GR) Graduate Elective^^3.0  
 20 19 18 
Total Credits 225.5
*

CHEM sequence is determined by the student's Chemistry Placement Exam score and the completion of a summer online preparatory course available based on that score.

**

MATH and PHYS sequences are determined by the student's Calculus Placement Exam score and the completion of any summer online preparatory courses available based on that score.

***

Co-Op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

†

General Education Requirements

‡

Approved Statistics Course

 BMES 510 or ENVE 750 or ENVS 506

^

Approved Life Sciences Course

ENVE 516 or ENVS 511 or ENVS 530

^^

Graduate Electives:

One Specialization Track:

One Cognate Sequence: 

  • 4-course coherent sequence in addition to the specialization, either in environmental engineering, environmental science, or related STEM field. Advisor must approve of courses chosen.
^^^

Approved Policy Course

CIVE 564 or ECON 616 or PLCY 503 or PLCY 504

§

Professional Electives:

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty

Abieyuwa Aghayere, PhD (University of Alberta). Professor. Structural design - concrete, steel and wood; structural failure analysis; retrofitting of existing structures; new structural systems and materials; engineering education.
Ivan Bartoli, PhD (University of California, San Diego) Program Head for Civil Engineering. Professor. Non-destructive evaluation and structural health monitoring; dynamic identification, stress wave propagation modeling.
Shannon Capps, PhD (Georgia Institute of Technology). Associate Professor. Atmospheric chemistry; data assimilation; advanced sensitivity analysis; inverse modeling.
Zhiwei Chen, PhD (University of South Florida). Assistant Professor. Mobility system modeling, simulation, optimization, control, and social impact analysis, with applications to modular, connected, and automated vehicle systems, mobility as a service, public transit systems.
S.C. Jonathan Cheng, PhD (West Virginia University). Associate Professor. Soil mechanics; geosynthetics; geotechnical engineering; probabilistic design; landfill containments; engineering education.
Arvin Ebrahimkhanlou, PhD (University of Texas at Austin). Assistant Professor. Non-destructive evaluation, structural health monitoring, artificial intelligence, robotics.
Yaghoob (Amir) Farnam, PhD (Purdue University). Associate Professor. Advanced and sustainable infrastructure materials; multifunctional, self-responsive and bioinspired construction materials; advanced multiscale manufacturing; characterization, and evaluation of construction materials; durability of cement-based materials.
Patricia Gallagher, PhD (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University). Professor. Geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering; soil improvement; soil improvement; recycled materials in geotechnics.
Patrick Gurian, PhD (Carnegie-Mellon University). Professor. Risk analysis of environmental and infrastructure systems; novel adsorbent materials; environmental standard setting; Bayesian statistical modeling; community outreach and environmental health.
Charles N. Haas, PhD (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign) Program Head for Environmental Engineering; L. D. Betz Professor of Environmental Engineering. Water treatment and wastewater resuse; risk analysis; microbial risk assessment; environmental modeling and statistics; microbiology; environmental health.
Simi Hoque, PhD (University of California - Berkeley) Program Head for Architectural Engineering. Professor. Computational methods to reduce building energy and environmental impacts, urban metabolism, thermal comfort, climate resilience.
Y. Grace Hsuan, PhD (Imperial College). Professor. Durability of polymeric construction materials; advanced construction materials; and performance of geosynthetics.
Joseph B. Hughes, PhD (University of Iowa). Distinguished University Professor. Biological processes and applications of nanotechnology in environmental systems.
L. James Lo, PhD (University of Texas at Austin). Associate Professor. Architectural fluid mechanics; building automation and autonomy; implementation of natural and hybrid ventilation in buildings; airflow distribution in buildings; large-scale air movement in an urban built environment; building and urban informatics; data-enhanced sensing and control for optimal building operation and management; novel data gathering methods for building/urban problem solving; interdisciplinary research on occupant behaviors in the built environment.
Franco Montalto, PhD (Cornell University). Professor. Water in the built environment; planning, design, and restoration of natural and nature-based systems, including green stormwater infrastructure; urban ecohydrology; hydrologic and hydraulic modeling; urban flooding; urban sustainability; and climate change and climate resilience.
Mira S. Olson, PhD (University of Virginia). Associate Professor. Peace engineering; source water quality protection and management; contaminant and bacterial fate and transport; community engagement.
Miguel A. Pando, PhD (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University). Associate Professor. Slope stability and landslides; natural hazards; geotechnical earthquake engineering and liquefaction; laboratory and field measurement of soil and rock properties; soil erosion and scour; soil-structure-interaction; earth-based construction materials.
Matthew Reichenbach, PhD (University of Austin at Texas). Assistant Teaching Professor. Design and behavior of steel structures, bridge engineering, structural stability
Fernanda Cruz Rios, PhD (Arizona State University). Assistant Professor. Circular economy, life cycle assessment, convergence research, sustainable buildings and cities.
Michael Ryan, PhD (Drexel University) Associate Department Head of Graduate Studies. Associate Teaching Professor. Microbial Source Tracking (MST); Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA); dynamic engineering systems modeling; molecular microbial biology; phylogenetics; metagenomics; bioinformatics; environmental statistics; engineering economics; microbiology; potable and wastewater quality; environmental management systems.
Christopher Sales, PhD (University of California, Berkeley). Associate Professor. Environmental microbiology and biotechnology; biodegradation of environmental contaminants; microbial processes for energy and resource recovery from waste; application of molecular biology, analytical chemistry and bioinformatic techniques to study environmental biological systems.
Robert Swan, PhD (Drexel University) Associate Department Head for Undergraduates. Teaching Professor. Geotechnical and geosynthetic engineering; soil/geosynthetic interaction and performance; laboratory and field geotechnical/geosynthetic testing.
Sharon Walker, PhD (Yale University) Dean, College of Engineering. Distinguished Professor. Water quality systems engineering; fate and transport of nanomaterials; pathogen adhesion phenomena.
Michael Waring, PhD (University of Texas at Austin) Department Head, Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering. Professor. Indoor air quality, indoor aerosols, indoor air modeling, indoor chemistry, healthy buildings, and building sustainability intelligent ventilation, air cleaning, indoor disease transmission.
Jin Wen, PhD (University of Iowa) Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, College of Engineering. Professor. Architectural engineering; Building Energy Efficiency; Intelligent Building; Building-grid integration; Occupant Centric Control; and Indoor Air Quality.

Emeritus Faculty

A. Emin Aktan, PhD (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign). Professor Emeritus. Health monitoring and management of large infrastructures with emphasis on health monitoring.
Eugenia Ellis, PhD, AIA (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University). Professor Emerita. Natural and electrical light sources and effects on biological rhythms and health outcomes; ecological strategies for smart, sustainable buildings of the nexus of health, energy, and technology.
Ahmad Hamid, PhD (McMaster University). Professor Emeritus. Engineered masonry; seismic behavior, design and retrofit of masonry structures; development of new materials and building systems.
Harry G. Harris, PhD (Cornell University). Professor Emeritus. Structural models; dynamics of structures, plates and shells; industrialized building construction.
Joseph P. Martin, PhD (Colorado State University). Professor Emeritus. Geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering; hydrology; transportation; waste management.
James E. Mitchell, MArch (University of Pennsylvania). Professor Emeritus. Architectural engineering design; building systems; engineering education.
Aspasia Zerva, PhD (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign). Professor. Earthquake engineering; mechanics; seismology; structural reliability; system identification; advanced computational methods in structural analysis.