The fundamental instructional mission of the department is to prepare students for ethical practice of civil engineering. The broad-based and professionally-oriented curriculum emphasizes the application of science and mathematics to the solution of engineering problems, encourages the development of communications skills, fosters an appreciation for culture and the natural world, affirms the necessity of maintaining the highest ethical standards, stresses the responsibility for protection of the public interest and health and safety and provides a sound basis for maintaining and enhancing professional competence through life-ling learning.
The first two years focus on basic principles, which are applied in the last two years in required and elective courses in major speciality area including construction methods and materials, soils mechanics, highway transportation, hydraulics, structures and environmental engineering. Engineering science and design are integrated throughout, with the design emphasis shifting from introduction of fundamental concepts, principles and tools in the early courses to increasingly realistic situations. The experience culminates in the capstone senior design project.
Graduates are prepared for a variety of entry-level civil engineering positions. By giving careful attention to the selection of technical and design electives and the senior design project, students may choose to emphasize a technical speciality area.
