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Civil Engineering B.C.E.

College of Science and Engineering (TIOT) 07UGR College of Sci and Engineering 216 - Bachelor of Civil Engineering

Program description

Civil engineering deals with the science and art of engineering applied to solving problems and designing systems related to infrastructure and the environment. Civil engineers analyze, design, and supervise the construction of roads, buildings, water supply systems, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and wastewater treatment systems. They must consider many factors in the design process including regulations and policy issues, sustainability, fabrication costs and constructibility, expected lifetime of a project, and risk assessment of natural events and potential hazards.

Civil engineering is a broad area of engineering and has a tangible impact on the quality of life, human health, and safety. The advances that civil engineers have made in providing clean water supply systems have had a greater impact on human health and longevity than many advances in the medical field. The structures we live and work in, the roads and bridges we drive on, the clean water we drink, and wastewater treatment systems we use, are all designed by civil engineers. Major specialties within civil engineering include construction, environmental, geotechnical, municipal, structural, transportation, and water resources engineering.

Civil engineering jobs are available in both the private and public sector through consulting firms and in government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. Employment can be found in nearly any region, from small communities and remote areas to the largest cities in the world. Graduates of the program have worked on the design of the tallest building and largest dams in the world. Civil engineering is considered to have one of the highest levels of job satisfaction of all professions. Civil engineers can enjoy a fulfilling technical career and also have opportunities for administrative and leadership positions. Many opportunities are available that allow civil engineers to spend time outdoors. The infrastructure required to sustainably maintain modern society ensures the continued demand for civil engineers.

The upper division civil engineering program requires students to take introductory courses in the major areas. In addition, students may emphasize in an area by selecting appropriate technical electives in consultation with their advisor. The infrastructure required to sustainably maintain modern society ensures the continued demand for civil engineers.

The program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.
Programs and courses effective fall 2024. © 2024 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Privacy Statement