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. Secure a professional position in civil engineering and become a licensed engineer.
2. Attend graduate school in civil engineering or a related discipline to achieve a graduate degree in a specialty area.
3. Engage in lifelong learning though formal and informal professional development.
4. Assume management or leadership roles in their respective organization.
5. Contribute to society through involvement in service activity.
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 39 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).
- CIVL 461 is an approved major course substitution for Upper-Division Natural Sciences.
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 .
Upper-Division Writing Requirement:
Writing Across the Curriculum (Executive Memorandum 17-009) is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of four Writing (W) courses, two of which are designated by the major department. See Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog for more details on the four courses. The first of the major designated Writing (W) courses is listed below.
- Any upper-division Writing (W) course.
The second major-designated Writing course is the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) (Executive Order 665). Students must earn a C- or higher to receive GW credit. The GE Written Communication (A2) requirement must be completed before a student is permitted to register for a GW course.
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.
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: 51-53 units
13 courses required:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CIVL 101 | Introduction to Civil Engineering | 1.0 | FA | ||
CIVL 130 | Surveying | 3.0 | FA | ||
Prerequisites: MATH 120 (may be taken concurrently). | |||||
CIVL 140 | Transportation Planning, Surveying, and Graphics | 3.0 | SP | ||
Prerequisite: CIVL 130. | |||||
CIVL 175 | Biological Processes in Environmental Engineering | 3.0 | FS | GE | |
Prerequisites: High school biology and chemistry. | |||||
CIVL 211 | Statics | 3.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: MATH 121, PHYS 204A. | |||||
CIVL 231 | Introduction to Environmental Engineering | 3.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: CHEM 111, CIVL 175 (may be taken concurrently). | |||||
CHEM 111 | General Chemistry | 4.0 | FS | GE | |
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.) | |||||
MATH 120 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus | 4.0 | FS | GE | |
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. | |||||
MATH 121 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: MATH 120. | |||||
MATH 260 | Elementary Differential Equations | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: MATH 121. | |||||
MECH 208 | Introduction to Technical Computing | 2.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisite: MATH 121. Recommended: PHYS 204A. | |||||
PHYS 204A | Physics for Students of Science and Engineering: Mechanics | 4.0 | FS | GE | |
Prerequisites: High school physics or faculty permission. Concurrent enrollment in or prior completion of MATH 121 (second semester of calculus) or equivalent. | |||||
PHYS 204B | Physics for Students of Science and Engineering: Electricity and Magnetism | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: MATH 121, PHYS 204A with a grade of C- or higher. |
1 course selected from:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MATH 220 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: MATH 121. | |||||
MATH 235 | Elementary Linear Algebra | 3.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: MATH 121. | |||||
MATH 350 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics | 3.0 | FA | ||
Prerequisites: MATH 121. |
1 course selected from:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BIOL 211 | Allied Health Microbiology | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: BIOL 103, BIOL 104, BIOL 151, or SCED 102; CHEM 107, CHEM 108, or CHEM 111. | |||||
CHEM 112 | General Chemistry | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: CHEM 111 with a grade of C- or better. | |||||
GEOS 102 | Physical Geology | 3.0 | FS | GE | |
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. | |||||
PHYS 204C | Physics for Students of Science and Engineering: Heat, Wave Motion, Sound, Light, and Modern Topics | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: MATH 121, PHYS 204A with a grade of C- or higher. |
1 course selected from:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CIVL 212 | Civil Engineering Materials | 3.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisite: CHEM 111. | |||||
MECH 210 | Materials Science and Engineering | 3.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: PHYS 204A; CHEM 111. |
Upper-Division Requirements: 52 units
11 courses required:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CIVL 302 | Engineering Sustainability and Economic Analysis | 3.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: MATH 121, junior standing. | |||||
CIVL 311 | Strength of Materials | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 211 with a grade of C- or higher; MATH 260 (may be taken concurrently); CIVL 212 or MECH 210 (may be taken concurrently). | |||||
CIVL 313 | Structural Mechanics | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 205 or MECH 208 (may be taken concurrently); CIVL 311 with a grade of C- or higher. | |||||
CIVL 321 | Fluid Mechanics | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 211 with a grade of C- or higher. Recommended: MATH 260, MECH 320 (may be taken concurrently). | |||||
CIVL 411 | Soil Mechanics and Foundations | 4.0 | SP | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 321 (may be taken concurrently); ENGL 130 or equivalent. | |||||
CIVL 415 | Reinforced Concrete Design | 4.0 | FA | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 313. Recommended: CIVL 411. | |||||
CIVL 431 | Environmental Engineering | 4.0 | SP | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 175 (or equivalent), junior standing. | |||||
CIVL 441 | Transportation Engineering | 4.0 | FA | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 140; CIVL 302 (may be taken concurrently). | |||||
CIVL 461 | Water Resources Engineering | 3.0 | SP | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 205 or MECH 208; CIVL 321 with a grade of C- or higher. | |||||
CIVL 495 | Professional Issues in Engineering | 3.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: ENGL 130I or equivalent; senior standing. | |||||
CIVL 595W | Capstone Design Project (W) | 3.0 | FS | GW W | |
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Written Communication (A2) requirement; junior standing. Corequisites: CIVL 558C, CIVL 561C, CIVL 562C, CIVL 571C, CIVL 575C, or CIVL 586C. |
1 course selected from:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MECH 320 | Dynamics | 3.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 211 with a grade of C- or higher, MATH 260. | |||||
MECH 332 | Thermodynamics | 3.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: PHYS 204A. |
1 course selected from:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CIVL 558C | Earthquake and Wind Engineering - Capstone | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 415, CIVL 554, or CIVL 556. Corequisite: CIVL 595. | |||||
CIVL 561C | Hydrology and Open Channel Hydraulics Capstone | 3.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisite: CIVL 461. Corequisite: CIVL 595. | |||||
CIVL 562C | Groundwater Hydrology - Capstone | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisite: CIVL 461. Corequisite: CIVL 595. | |||||
CIVL 571C | Natural Systems for Wastewater Treatment - Capstone | 3.0 | F1 | ||
Prerequisite: CIVL 431. Corequisite: CIVL 595. | |||||
CIVL 575C | Solid and Hazardous Waste Management - Capstone | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 431 or faculty permission. Corequisite: CIVL 595. | |||||
CIVL 586C | Advanced Transportation Engineering Design - Capstone | 3.0 | SP | ||
Prerequisite: CIVL 441. Corequisite: CIVL 595. |
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:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CIVL 551 | Foundations Engineering | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 411, CIVL 415 (may be taken concurrently). | |||||
CIVL 554 | Steel Design | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 313. | |||||
CIVL 556 | Timber Design | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 313. | |||||
CIVL 556H | Timber Design - Honors | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 313. | |||||
CIVL 558 | Earthquake and Wind Engineering | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 415, CIVL 554, or CIVL 556. | |||||
CIVL 558H | Earthquake and Wind Engineering - Honors | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 313, MATH 260. Recommended: Concurrent enrollment in or prior completion of CIVL 415, CIVL 554, CIVL 556. | |||||
CIVL 561 | Hydrology and Open Channels Hydraulics | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 461. | |||||
CIVL 562 | Groundwater Hydrology | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 461. | |||||
CIVL 567 | Pipeline Hydraulics and Design | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 205; CIVL 302; CIVL 321 with a grade of C- or higher. | |||||
CIVL 571 | Natural Systems for Wastewater Treatment | 3.0 | F1 | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 431 or faculty permission. | |||||
CIVL 575 | Solid and Hazardous Waste Management | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 431 or faculty permission. | |||||
CIVL 585 | Traffic Engineering | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 441 or faculty permission. | |||||
CIVL 586 | Advanced Transportation Engineering Design | 3.0 | SP | ||
Prerequisite: CIVL 441. | |||||
CIVL 598 | Advanced Special Topics | 1.0 -3.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: To be established when courses are formulated. | |||||
CIVL 599 | Special Problems | 1.0 -3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: Faculty permission. |
3 units selected from:
Other technical courses chosen from a list approved by the department.
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 requires 6 units of honors course work completed over two semesters.
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 academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. 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.
Some common features of Honors in the Major program are:
- You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. All 6 units are honors classes (marked by a suffix of H), and at least 3 of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) as specified by your department. You must complete each class with a minimum grade of B.
- You must have completed 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
- Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
- Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
- 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.
- 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 major department or major advisor 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.