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The Undergraduate Program
The science and art 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, designing, building, 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 educational objectives for the undergraduate
program was formally adopted by the department in April 2003.
- 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,
all leading to career success.
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 Michigan State University each civil engineering student is required
to take 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 computer science, engineering materials, engineering mechanics,
soil mechanics, fluid mechanics, structural mechanics, transportation
engineering, and environmental engineering. Once this broad background
is established, the student may select a fairly general set of courses
or become more specialized in one or more of the areas noted below. A
special "environmental engineering option" is also available for students
interested in pursuing specialized study in that area.
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.
Michigan State University is accredited by the North Central Association
Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement.
- Construction Engineering and Management:
Engineering and management of construction projects. Areas include
construction equipment and methods, productivity, engineering economy,
and project management.
- 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. As noted, students can complete an option in this area 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.
Admission
Admission to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and
the College of Engineering is restricted to students with at least junior-level
standing. At the freshman and sophomore level, students pursuing an engineering
degree are considered to be pre-engineering students. Students can be
admitted to the department at the junior level as either a current MSU
student 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. There are also links
to general information about the university, including transfer information.
Finally, admissions
information can be checked directly.
Program Requirements
The Civil and Environmental Engineering Department 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 option." 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 our undergraduate
advisor 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, fluid
mechanics, and environmental engineering.
General Civil Engineering
Transportation Engineering
Structural Engineering
Fluid Mechanics and Hydrology
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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