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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.
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