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The Undergraduate Program

The art and science of civil engineering help adapt the needs of people and natural resources to the environment. Thus, the civil engineer is involved in the planning, design, and construction of many of the developments that make modern life possible. Dams, tunnels, bridges, buildings, housing, highways, airports, railroads, and water and wastewater systems are all creations of the civil engineer.

Civil engineers work in planning, design, building construction, research, plant operation, government, law, teaching, and administration. Whatever their jobs, civil engineers must combine the technical expertise of the engineering profession with a social awareness and an interest in humanity. Because of the growing dependence of society on engineering technology, the civil engineer will always be in demand.

Educational Objectives for the Undergraduate Program

The following statement of program educational objectives for the undergraduate program in civil engineering at Michigan State University (MSU) was formally adopted by the department in April 2003. These objectives are periodically revisited to ensure their currency.

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering provides opportunities to obtain knowledge and skills needed for:

  • entry to civil engineering practice,
  • life-long learning and
  • continuing professional development.

The undergraduate curriculum, courses, organizations and activities prepare graduates to:

  • apply mathematics, science and contemporary methods to the formulation and solution of engineering problems;
  • specify and conduct standard laboratory analyses, interpret data, formulate recommendations based on test results, and build understanding through experimentation;
  • design systems, components and processes that conform to specifications and produce the intended benefits;
  • communicate effectively in writing and speech;
  • employ interpersonal and social skills required for working on a team, in an organization, and with the general public;
  • honor professional ethics;
  • respect societal and environmental impacts of engineering; and
  • understand contemporary issues in engineering practice.

These educational objectives are promoted and supported by a departmental community of students, faculty and staff characterized by integrity and by respect for individuals, society, the environment, the engineering profession, and engineering education and institutions.

The Bachelor of Science Degree-Overview

At MSU, each civil engineering student takes required courses in mathematics, chemistry, and physics as well as appropriate courses in the humanities and social sciences. The math and science courses provide the foundation for basic engineering courses. These basic courses include a two-course introductory sequence to engineering, an introduction to civil engineering, engineering materials, engineering mechanics, soil mechanics, fluid mechanics, structural mechanics, transportation engineering, and environmental engineering. Once this broad background is established, students are encouraged to select one of six major tracks within civil engineering (see below) as an emphasis and also select individual courses in three other areas. A special "environmental engineering concentration " is also available for students interested in pursuing specialized study in that area. Graduates with the bachelor's degree in civil engineering are qualified to enter directly into the profession or go on to graduate study.

The Civil Engineering B.S. degree program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012; telephone (410) 347-7700.

MSU is accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement.

The program is designed to provide students with both depth and breadth in civil engineering. The six major tracks (or areas) within civil engineering at MSU are:

  • Environmental Engineering: Deals with the control of air, water, and land pollution to protect public health and enhance environmental quality by providing safe water supplies, treatment and disposal of waste water, and solid waste management systems.Students can choose this as a major track, or, for even greater emphasis, choose the environmental engineering concentration while earning a civil engineering degree.
  • Geotechnical Engineering: Design of foundations, retaining walls, roads, slopes, dams, and tunnels using rocks and soil.
  • Pavement Engineering: Design, analysis and rehabilitation of asphalt and concrete pavements.
  • Structural Engineering: Design and analysis of buildings, bridges, industrial facilities, and other structures built with a range of materials from concrete and steel to wood.
  • Transportation Engineering: Addresses the economics, planning, design, construction, maintenance, and administration of transit systems, highways, and airports.
  • Water Resources: Design and operation of systems such as pipelines, pumping stations, dams, reservoirs and channels.

In addition to the major tracks above, courses can also be selected in Construction Engineering and Management. Engineers in this area deal with engineering and management of construction projects and topics such as: construction equipment and methods, productivity, engineering economy, and project management.

Admission

Admission to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the College of Engineering formally occurs after a selection of preparatory courses is completed with a satisfactory gradepoint average. Students can also be admitted to the department as either a current MSU student in another major or a transfer student from another institution if specific admissions criteria have been successfully satisfied.

The homepage of the College of Engineering's undergraduate studies is a good place to check for general information regarding other engineering majors and programs and specific requirements for admission and graduation. There are also links to general information about the university, including transfer information. Finally, admissions information can be checked directly.

Program Requirements

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers a BS degree is civil engineering. The degree can be earned by completing either the traditional civil engineering curriculum requirements or the "environmental engineering concentration." The major difference between the two is that the environmental option requires completion of additional chemistry courses and specialized courses in water and waste water treatment, solid and hazardous waste, and hydraulics. Both the traditional program and the environmental option require core courses in statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, soil mechanics, and structural analysis.

For complete civil and environmental engineering program descriptions and sample programs click here. For advice or to plan your program, contact the undergraduate advisor for civil engineering, Dan King.

Civil Engineering Courses

Civil engineers need to be skilled in a variety of civil engineering sub-disciplines to become licensed professional engineers. Courses taught by the faculty in our department emphasize such areas as structural engineering, geotechnical, materials and pavement engineering, transportation engineering, water resources, and environmental engineering.

General Civil Engineering

Transportation Engineering

Structural Engineering

Water Resources

Geotechnical, Materials and Pavement Engineering

Environmental Engineering

Complete course listings and descriptions can also be viewed at the "on-line" schedule book.

Phone: (517) 355-5107 Fax: (517) 432-1827 E-mail: cee@egr.msu.edu
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
3546 Engineering Building Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1226