The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Michigan State University offers BS degrees in both civil engineering and environmental engineering.  Graduates are prepared for careers as professional engineers in consulting, public agencies, and industry as well as for the pursuit of advanced degrees.  Both programs provide students with a broad foundation in the discipline in addition to the opportunity to delve deeper into specific areas of interest.  Both programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.  The programs are designed to be completed in four years (128 credits), although students often obtain internships or study abroad, which may affect the time to degree.  High achieving students (GPA ≥3.5) can also opt to do a “fast track” program in their senior year leading to a master’s degree with an additional 21 credits of coursework.

Civil Engineering

Today’s civil engineers are engaged in areas such as the design and construction of civil works. Civil engineers plan, design and manage construction of bridges, roads, railways, and tunnels. They design and build large structures and  buildings such as multi-story car parks, railroad stations, airport terminals and sports stadiums.  They also work at the cutting edge of technological applications such as the design of sensors for monitoring the "health" of the nation’s infrastructure systems, the development of intelligent transportation networks, and the use of computer models to assess the impacts of development on natural resources.  The department offers courses in construction, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, pavement engineering, structures, transportation, and water resources.

For more information, see the Civil Engineering Program page.

Environmental Engineering

Environmental engineers are involved in the application of scientific and engineering principles to assess, manage and design sustainable environmental systems for the protection of human and ecological health. (adapted from Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors, www.aeesp.org).

Our graduates research, plan, design, and/or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. Work may include water and wastewater treatment, hazardous waste treatment, storm water management, site remediation, or air pollution monitoring and control. (adapted from Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/environmental-engineers.htm

For more information about the department’s programs, see the Environmental Engineering Program page.

Program Educational Objectives

Our accrediting agency, Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, requires that all accredited programs have defined Program Educational Objectives (PEOs). PEOs are broad statements that describe what graduates are expected to attain within a few years of graduation and are based on the expectations of the program’s stakeholders.  The PEOs below are shared by both the civil and environmental engineering programs.  They have been in effect (with relatively minor changes) since 2005,with the most-recent modifications being made in 2013.

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering has adopted the following program educational objectives (PEOs) which are shared by its baccalaureate programs in both civil and environmental engineering.  Recent graduates (e.g., 3-5 years after graduation) of the programs will be enjoying career success and:

• have advanced in civil or environmental engineering practice and/or pursued advanced studies;
• be engaged in life-long learning;
• be engaged in professional practice consistent with the principles of sustainable development;
• have pursued continuing professional development and leadership; and
• have obtained licensure.