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The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

Civil engineering graduates are well prepared for professional work or graduate school in a broad spectrum of engineering activities. The program is balanced, stressing environmental engineering; soil mechanics and foundations; structural analysis and design; surveying and mapping; transportation and traffic engineering; water resources and hydraulics. The program emphasizes quality undergraduate teaching and active student learning, including extensive use of laboratory and co-curricular activities.

Civil Engineering Program Mission

The civil engineering program prepares graduates for immediate entry into a variety of professional careers and provides a solid undergraduate foundation in general principles enabling continued education at advanced levels.

Civil Engineering Educational Objectives

Program educational objectives are broad statements that describe the career and professional accomplishments that the program is preparing graduates to achieve.

1. Civil Engineering graduates will be prepared to be effective engineers and problem solvers.

2. They will be well educated in engineering sciences and proficient in at least four recognized civil engineering areas.

3. They will be able to appropriately utilize a variety of engineering tools and techniques to enhance their professional abilities.

4. They will be familiar with applicable regulatory and professional issues.

5. They will be effective technical written and oral communicators.

6. They will be able to function effectively as members of multi-disciplinary teams.

7. They will have an appreciation for the individual, society, good citizenship, community service, ethical conduct, and they will be aware of the impact of their designs on humankind and the environment.

Civil Engineering Program Learning Outcomes

Program outcomes are narrower statements that describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. Students completing the civil engineering program must demonstrate:

(a) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering, including: mathematics through differential equations, calculus-based physics, chemistry, biology, and four technical areas appropriate to civil engineering.

(b) an ability to design and conduct civil engineering experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret the resulting data;

(c) an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs in more than one civil engineering context and within realistic constraint;

(d) an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams;

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

(f) an understanding of professional ethical responsibility, including the importance of professional licensure;

(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 engineering practice; and

(l) an understanding of basic concepts in management, business, public policy, and leadership.

Civil Engineering Design Experience

The civil engineering program provides an essential balance of engineering science and design. Design content permeates the curriculum, beginning at a fundamental level in the lower division followed by a natural progression to comprehensive design in upper-division courses. Fundamental design problems typically have a unique solution and may involve only a few, simple constraints. Comprehensive design incorporates a multitude of realistic constraints with a variety of possible outcomes commonly referred to as "open-ended" design.

Required courses in the program provide proficiency in civil engineering design, beginning in the first year (CIVL 140 Transportation Planning, Surveying, and Graphics) progressing to advanced design in the third and fourth years (CIVL 415 Reinforced Concrete Design, CIVL 431 Environmental Engineering, CIVL 441 Transportation Engineering, and CIVL 461 Water Resources Engineering), and culminating with comprehensive design in the capstone (e.g., CIVL 561C Hydrology and Open Channel Hydraulics Capstone). This ensures a breadth of design experience that is further enhanced and focused in elective courses.

American Public Works Association Internship Program

The APWA Internship Program provides civil engineering students with valuable real world experiences. Participation in the program is elective but can be used for academic credit towards the degree. While students are responsible for finding their own internship opportunity, the Experiential Education Office is an excellent resource for locating companies interested in hiring interns. Additional information is available at the website.

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 128 units

See Bachelor's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. You can view MAPs on the Degree MAPs page in the University Catalog or you can request a plan from your major advisor.

General Education Pathway Requirements: 48 units

See General Education in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Pathway Requirements and course offerings.

This major has approved GE modification(s). See below for information on how to apply these modification(s).

  • Take CMST 131 for Oral Communication (A1)
  • Critical Thinking (A3) is waived.
  • Take only one course in either Arts (C1) or Humanities (C2). The other is waived.
  • CIVL 302 fulfills either Society (D1) or Societal Institutions (D2).
  • CIVL 495 fulfills Learning for Life (E).
  • MECH 332 fulfills Upper-Division Natural Sciences.
  • CIVL 595 is an approved GE Capstone substitution.

Accreditation Requirement

Courses must be selected in such a manner as to satisfy the humanities, social science, mathematics, base science, and engineering topics requirements of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Consult your academic advisor for additional information.

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See Diversity Requirements in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education .

Literacy Requirement:

See Mathematics and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog. Writing proficiency in the major is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of a course in your major which has been designated as the Writing Proficiency (WP) course for the semester in which you take the course. Students who earn below a C- are required to repeat the course and earn a C- or higher to receive WP credit. See the Class Schedule for the designated WP courses for each semester. You must complete the GE Written Communication (A2) requirement before you may register for a WP course.

Course Requirements for the Major: 103-105 units

Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree.

Enrollment in any mathematics course requires a grade of C- or higher in all prerequisite courses or their transfer equivalents.

Lower-Division Requirements: 48-50 units

13 courses required:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Introduction to the profession of Civil Engineering and the various sub-disciplines of Civil Engineering. Overview of the professional engineer licensing process. Overview of the CSU, Chico Civil Engineering curriculum and the disciplinary patterns in the curriculum. Discussion of the importance and purpose of both professional societies and graduate education. 3 hours laboratory. Credit/no credit grading. (021141)
Prerequisites: MATH 120 (may be taken concurrently).
Theory and practice in measurement and computation of distances, angles, and areas on the earth's surface. Error of combined measurements analysis. Use of scientific calculator required. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001484)
Prerequisite: CIVL 130.
This course introduces civil engineering design standards, concepts, and procedures related to transportation engineering and construction management. Topics include the standards and design of horizontal curves, vertical curves, and earthwork related to transportation projects in addition to survey staking, state plane coordinates, geographic information systems, and global positioning systems related to project surveying. The laboratory portion of this course includes the application of 3-dimensional graphic modeling software requiring creativity in design, development of construction plans, and operation of modern surveying equipment, such as total stations and GPS systems. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (021126)
Prerequisites: High school biology and chemistry.
Introduction to biological processes used in environmental engineering analysis and design with emphasis on sustainability. Ecosystem structure and function, population dynamics, biochemical reactions, photosynthesis, microbial ecology, growth and kinetics. Engineering applications in control of communicable disease, aerobic and anaerobic degradation of organic waste, water quality management, drinking water treatment, wastewater and solid waste treatment, biomass energy, phytotechnology, and bioremediation. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (021145)
Prerequisites: PHYS 204A (may be taken concurrently).
Use of the computer in a variety of applications from the fields of engineering. Topics include computer hardware, operating systems, the Internet, technical word processing, electronic spreadsheets, computer charting and drawing, computer programming, and ethics. 4 hours activity. (001488)
Prerequisites: MATH 121, PHYS 204A.
Force systems, moments, equilibrium, centroids, and moments of inertia. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. (001489)
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement; second-year high school algebra; one year high school chemistry. (One year of high school physics and one year of high school mathematics past Algebra II are recommended.)
Principles of chemistry for students in science and engineering programs. Topics include atoms, molecules and ions, reactions, stoichiometry, the periodic table, bonding, chemical energy, gases, and solution chemistry. The laboratory sequence supports the above topics including both qualitative and quantitative experiments, analysis of data, and error propagation. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (001816)
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement; both MATH 118 and MATH 119 (or college equivalent); first-year freshmen who successfully completed trigonometry and precalculus in high school can meet this prerequisite by achieving a score that meets department guidelines on a department administered calculus readiness exam.
Limits and continuity. The derivative and applications to related rates, maxma and minima, and curve sketching. Transcendental functions. An introduction to the definite integral and area. 4 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. (005506)
Prerequisites: MATH 120.
The definite integral and applications to area, volume, work, differential equations, etc. Sequences and series, vectors and analytic geometry in 2 and 3-space, polar coordinates, and parametric equations. 4 hours discussion. (005507)
Prerequisites: MATH 121.
First order separable, linear, and exact equations; second order linear equations, Laplace transforms, series solutions at an ordinary point, systems of first order linear equations, and applications. 4 hours discussion. (005509)
Prerequisites: PHYS 204A; CHEM 111.
Processing, structure, properties, and performance of engineering materials. Applied knowledge of material properties as engineering design parameters. Advanced manufacturing processes, including microfabrication are discussed. 3 hours discussion. (005402)
Prerequisites: High school physics or faculty permission. Concurrent enrollment in or prior completion of MATH 121 (second semester of calculus) or equivalent.
Vectors, kinematics, particle dynamics, friction, work, energy, power, momentum, dynamics and statics of rigid bodies, oscillations, gravitation, fluids. Calculus used. A grade of C- or higher is required before progressing to either PHYS 204B or PHYS 204C. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (007401)
Prerequisites: MATH 121, PHYS 204A with a grade of C- or higher.
Charge and matter, electric field, Gauss' law, electric potential, capacitors and dielectrics, current and resistance, magnetic field, Ampere's law, Faraday's law of induction, magnetic properties of matter, electromagnetic oscillations and waves. Calculus used. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (007402)

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisites: MATH 121.
Vector functions and space curves. Functions of several variables, partial derivatives, and multiple integrals. Vector calculus line integrals, surface integrals, divergence/curl, Green's Theorem, Divergence Theorem, and Stokes' Theorem. 4 hours discussion. (005508)
Prerequisites: MATH 121.
Matrices, determinants, cartesian n-space (basis and dimension of a subspace, rank, change of basis), linear transformations, eigenvalues. Numerical problems will be emphasized. 3 hours discussion. (005553)
Prerequisites: MATH 121.
Basic concepts of probability theory, random variables and their distributions, limit theorems, sampling theory, topics in statistical inference, regression, and correlation. 3 hours discussion. (005534)

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisites: BIOL 103, BIOL 104, BIOL 151, or SCED 102; CHEM 107, CHEM 108, or CHEM 111.
Introduction to structure/function, metabolism, genetics, ecological interactions and pathogenic mechanisms of microorganisms. In addition, the roles of microorganisms in sanitation and in the food and biotechnology industries will be discussed. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001132)
Prerequisites: CHEM 111 with a grade of C- or better.
A continuation of CHEM 111. Topics include kinetics, equilibrium, acid-base chemistry, electrochemistry, chemical thermodynamics, coordination chemistry, and nuclear chemistry. The laboratory sequence supports the above topics including both qualitative and quantitative experiments, analysis of data, and error propagation. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001817)
Prerequisites: High school chemistry or physics is recommended; students with no previous science courses are advised to enroll in GEOS 101. No college credit for those who have passed GEOS 101.
Physical and chemical processes in the earth, including origin and identification of rocks and minerals; earth's interior; movements and major features of the earth's crust; erosion and sedimentation; geological structures; topographic maps; mineral resources. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (004069)
Prerequisites: MATH 121, PHYS 204A with a grade of C- or higher.
Temperature, first and second law of thermodynamics, and kinetic theory. Waves in elastic media, standing waves and resonance, and sound. Ray and wave optics, reflection, refraction, lenses, mirrors, diffraction, and polarization. Selected topics in modern physics. Calculus used. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (007403)

Upper-Division Requirements: 55 units

13 courses required:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisites: MATH 121, junior standing.
Analysis of alternatives by basic engineering economic methods and applications of statistics including probability, sampling theory and data analysis, and tests of hypotheses. 3 hours discussion. This course requires the use of a laptop computer and appropriate software. (001495)
Prerequisites: CIVL 211 with a grade of C- or higher; MATH 260 and MECH 210 (may be taken concurrently).
Strength and elastic properties of materials of construction; tension, compression, shear, and torsion stresses; deflection and deformation; stress analysis of beams and columns. 4 hours discussion. (001491)
Prerequisites: CIVL 205 (may be taken concurrently); CIVL 311 with a grade of C- or higher.
Fundamentals of structural analysis for beams, trusses, and frames. Topics include loading (including seismic), influence lines, approximate analysis methods, deflection analysis, and statically indeterminate structures. Methods applicable to computer analysis are introduced. 4 hours discussion. (001499)
Prerequisites: CIVL 211 with a grade of C- or higher. Recommended: MATH 260, MECH 320 (may be taken concurrently).
Hydrostatics, principles of continuity, work-energy and momentum, viscous effects, dimensional analysis and similitude, flow in closed conduits, drag on objects. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001496)
Prerequisites: CIVL 321 (may be taken concurrently); ENGL 130 or equivalent.
Soil properties, tests, and classification. Analysis of soil stresses, consolidation, shear strength, lateral pressures, and ground water movement. Related design consideration involving spread footings, piles, retaining walls, and slopes. Use of programmable scientific calculator required. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001511)
Prerequisites: CIVL 313. Recommended: CIVL 411.
The analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures and elements by the strength design method. Laboratory includes experiments on concrete, concrete structural elements, and a design project. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001514)
Prerequisites: CIVL 175 (or equivalent), junior standing.
Introduction to water quality, water supply, distribution, and drinking water treatment; wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal. Disease transmission; water quality parameters; physical, chemical, and biological processes in the treatment of water, wastewater, and biosolids. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001529)
Prerequisites: CIVL 140; CIVL 302 (may be taken concurrently).
Transportation systems and facility planning, design, construction, operations, and maintenance. Pavement design and traffic engineering fundamentals. Laboratory includes field studies, design exercises, and modeling/forecasting tasks. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001520)
Prerequisites: CIVL 205; CIVL 321 with a grade of C- or higher.
Water resources engineering covers principles of hydraulics and hydrology relevant to civil engineering applications. Topics include open channel hydraulics, rainfall-runoff predictions, ground water hydraulics, water budget modeling, storm water routing, and urban storm water management. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This course requires the use of a laptop computer and appropriate software. (021142)
Prerequisites: ENGL 130I or equivalent; senior standing.
History of engineering, professional registration, codes of ethics, management issues, diversity, outsourcing, intellectual property, international development and technology transfer, sustainable design. A substantial written project with oral presentation is required. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. (003716)
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Written Communication (A2) requirement; junior standing.
Corequisites: CIVL 558C, CIVL 561C, CIVL 562C, CIVL 571C, CIVL 575C, or CIVL 586C.
This course provides a broad-based capstone design experience in a coordinated semester long project. In support of the design project, emphasis is placed on fundamentals of technical writing, contracts, and specifications common to many fields of civil engineering. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. (021174)
Prerequisites: CIVL 211 with a grade of C- or higher, MATH 260.
Kinematics and dynamics of mechanical systems composed of rigid bodies. Moments and products of inertia, forces of interaction, inertia forces and torques. Equations of motion of non-planar systems. 3 hours discussion. (005409)
Prerequisites: PHYS 204A.
Properties of substances, ideal gas equation of state, heat and work, first and second laws of thermodynamics, steady-state analysis of closed and open systems, entropy, gas and vapor power cycles, introduction to renewable energy sources. 3 hours discussion. (005414)

Note: CIVL 302 and CIVL 495 are approved General Education courses for the Civil Engineering major.

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisites: CIVL 415, CIVL 554, or CIVL 556.
Corequisite: CIVL 595.
Earthquake and wind hazard related to the structural design of buildings. Topics include engineering seismology, wind environment and climatology, structural dynamics, structural loading, and design methodologies. Use of computer software for the static and dynamic analysis of three-dimensional building systems. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This course requires the use of a laptop computer and appropriate software. (021175)
Prerequisite: CIVL 461.
Corequisite: CIVL 595.
Principles and application of modern hydrology, precipitation, surface-water runoff, and open channel hydraulics. Includes topics in urban hydrology, stormwater controls, and pollution controls. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This course requires the use of a laptop computer and appropriate software. (021246)
Prerequisite: CIVL 461.
Corequisite: CIVL 595.
An introduction to modern groundwater hydrology emphasizing quantitative analysis of subsurface flow. Topics include well hydraulics, stream/aquifer interactions, and contaminant transport. Use of modeling tools and techniques is emphasized. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. (021177)
Prerequisite: CIVL 431.
Corequisite: CIVL 595
Natural systems for the treatment of wastewater; transmission of excreta-related infections; treatment systems for removal of pathogens; wastewater and biosolids reuse in agriculture and aquaculture. Special emphasis on the problems of developing countries. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours activity. This course requires the use of a laptop computer and appropriate software. (021241)
Prerequisites: CIVL 431 or faculty permission.
Corequisite: CIVL 595.
An introduction to the handling and management of solid and hazardous wastes. Emphasis on state-of-the-art engineering techniques and contemporary management issues based on social, economic, and legal considerations; risk assessment; case studies. Special emphasis on problems of developing countries. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. (021326)
Prerequisite: CIVL 441.
Corequisite: CIVL 595.
This course presents selected topics in advanced transportation engineering techniques, design, and analysis. These topics cover the advanced technologies in the areas of transportation pavements, transportation materials, traffic engineering, and travel demand modeling. The course is also designed to equip students with practical design oriented experience with comprehensive knowledge learned through previous transportation related courses. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This course requires the use of a laptop computer and appropriate software. (021261)

Students who take the capstone version of a course cannot also receive credit for the non-capstone version of the course.

3 units selected from:

Any 500-level CIVL (except CIVL 595), 400/500-level MECH, or 400-level EECE courses, or MECH 308 or MECH 338. No more than three units of CIVL 599 may be used for this requirement.

3 units selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisites: CIVL 411, CIVL 415 (may be taken concurrently.
The application of soil mechanics principles to the design of foundations for buildings and earth structures. Integration of structural design and soil response. 3 hours discussion. (001513)
Prerequisites: CIVL 313.
Theory, analysis, and design of steel structural elements and systems using the Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) method. 3 hours discussion. (001500)
Prerequisites: CIVL 313.
Theory and design procedures for timber structures and their connections to resist gravity and lateral loads. Basic element design by the Allowable Stress Design (ASD) and/or Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) methods are detailed. Also covered is design of floor and roof systems and shear walls. One or two 3-hour field trips required. 3 hours discussion. (001516)
Prerequisites: CIVL 313.
Theory and design procedures for timber structures and their connections to resist gravity and lateral loads. Basic element design by the Allowable Stress Design (ASD) and/or Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) methods are detailed. Also covered is design of floor and roof systems and shear walls. One or two 3-hour field trips required. 3 hours discussion. (020404)
Prerequisites: CIVL 415, CIVL 554, or CIVL 556.
Earthquake and wind hazard related to the structural design of buildings. Topics include engineering seismology, wind environment and climatology, structural dynamics, structural loading, and design methodologies. Use of computer software for the static and dynamic analysis of three-dimensional building systems. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This course requires the use of a laptop computer and appropriate software. (001518)
Prerequisites: CIVL 313, MATH 260. Recommended: Concurrent enrollment in or prior completion of CIVL 415, CIVL 554, CIVL 556.
Earthquake and wind hazard related to the structural design of buildings. Topics include engineering seismology, wind environment and climatology, structural dynamics, structural loading, and design methodologies. Use of computer software for the static and dynamic analysis of three-dimensional building systems. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. (020405)
Prerequisites: CIVL 461.
Principles and applications of modern hydrology, precipitation, surface-water runoff, and open channel hydraulics. Includes topics in urban hydrology, stormwater controls and pollution controls. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This course requires the use of a laptop computer and appropriate software. (001526)
Prerequisites: CIVL 461.
An introduction to modern groundwater hydrology emphasizing quantitative analysis of subsurface flow. Topics include well hydraulics, stream/aquifer interactions, and contaminant transport. Use of modeling tools and techniques is emphasized. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This course requires the use of a laptop computer and appropriate software. (001498)
Prerequisites: CIVL 205; CIVL 302; CIVL 321 with a grade of C- or higher.
Quantitative analysis of pressurized pipelines, pipe networks. The course includes analysis of transients in pipeline systems caused by valve movement, pump power failure, etc; design of transient control devices. 3 hours discussion. This course requires the use of a laptop computer and appropriate software. (001528)
Prerequisites: CIVL 431 or faculty permission.
Natural systems for the treatment of wastewater; transmission of excreta-related infections; treatment systems for removal of pathogens; wastewater and biosolids reuse in agriculture and aquaculture. Special emphasis on the problems of developing countries. 3 hours discussion. (001533)
Prerequisites: CIVL 431 or faculty permission.
An introduction to the handling and management of solid and hazardous wastes. Emphasis on state-of-the-art engineering techniques and contemporary management issues based on social, economic, and legal considerations; risk assessment; case studies. Special emphasis on problems of developing countries. 3 hours discussion. (001536)
Prerequisites: CIVL 441 or faculty permission.
Traffic engineering fundamentals, traffic control signs, markings, and signals. Intersection and highway capacity. Highway safety and accident investigations. Design of streets and parking facilities. Assessment of the environmental impact of traffic. 3 hours discussion. (001525)
Prerequisite: CIVL 441.
This course presents selected topics in advanced transportation engineering techniques, design, and analysis. These topics cover the advanced technologies in the areas of transportation pavements, transportation materials, traffic engineering, and travel demand modeling. The course is also designed to equip students with practical design oriented experience with comprehensive knowledge learned through previous transportation related classes. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This course requires the use of a laptop computer and appropriate software. (021248)
Prerequisites: To be established when courses are formulated.
This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See The Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. 3 hours lecture. (020084)
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. This course requires the use of a laptop computer and appropriate software. (020171)

Grading Requirement:

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.

Honors in the Major

Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It involves 6 units of honors course work over two semesters.

Your Honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair. Most importantly, however, the Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or competition in shows; such experience is valuable for graduate school and later professional life.

Some common features of Honors in the Major are

1. You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. You must complete the 6 units with a minimum grade of B.

2. You must have completed 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 units overall in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.

3. Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5 percent of majors in your department.

4. Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5 percent of majors in your department.

5. Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the 6 units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year.

6. Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your Honors project.

While Honors in the Major is part of the Honors Program, each department administers its own program. Please contact your department chair to apply.

Honors in Civil Engineering

The common elements of the Honors in the Major program listed above apply to Honors in Civil Engineering. Specific information for this program includes:

1. In addition to meeting the GPA requirements, you must be recommended by a faculty member.

2. Students who are admitted into the department's Honors in the Major program may elect to take any two upper-division civil engineering electives for honors credit. The honors section will be identified on your transcript. The courses are usually spread over two semesters. You must complete them with a minimum grade of B and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall.

3. Each Honors in the Major class will require completion of the course plus an additional honors project and culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.

Catalog Cycle:17