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Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

Engineering is the application of scientific principles and technical knowledge to real-world problems. Civil engineering is the segment of the engineering profession that strives to provide for the basic needs of humanity. The civil engineer is involved with the physical environment through the planning, design, construction, and operation of building and housing systems, transportation systems, and systems for the protection and use of air and water resources.

The civil engineering student has the opportunity to obtain a broad background in mathematics and the physical sciences and their applications to all areas of civil engineering. This flexible curriculum allows the student to elect eighteen semester hours of approved technical coursework to emphasize the areas of civil engineering of most interest to the student. In addition, courses in the humanities and social sciences are included.

To excel as a civil engineer, a student should have an aptitude for mathematics and science, an interest in the practical application of technical knowledge to societal problems, the motivation to study and prepare for engineering practice, and the desire to be a professional. Civil engineering graduates of the University may seek a wide variety of positions in planning, design, and construction with government agencies, industry, and private consulting firms. Those who plan to pursue graduate work in engineering, or in other professions such as business, medicine, law, or journalism, have an excellent base on which to build.

The objectives of the civil engineering degree program are to educate students for leadership in their profession and to extend engineering knowledge through cutting-edge research. To meet these objectives, the faculty has designed a broad, rigorous, fundamental, flexible, and state-of-the-art program that integrates lectures and laboratory experience in the basic sciences, mathematics, engineering science, engineering design, and the liberal arts. Working in an environment that promotes teamwork and integrity, students are expected to learn to formulate and solve complex problems of importance to society. The program emphasizes active learning, to give students a basis for lifelong development, professional responsibility, and service.

Curriculum

Course requirements are divided into three categories: basic sequence courses, major sequence courses, and other required courses. Enrollment in major sequence courses is restricted to students who have received credit for all of the basic sequence courses and have been admitted to the major sequence by the College of Engineering Admissions Committee. (Requirements for admission to a major sequence are given in this chapter.) Enrollment in other required courses is not restricted by completion of the basic sequence.

Courses used to fulfill technical and nontechnical elective requirements must be approved by the civil engineering faculty before the student enrolls in them. Courses that fulfill the social science and fine arts/humanities requirements are listed in this chapter.

Level I and Level II Technical Electives

The civil engineering curriculum does not require the student to declare a specific technical area option. However, for the guidance of students with particular interests, level I electives in civil engineering are listed in areas of specialization. The fifteen semester hours of level I electives must be chosen from the following civil engineering and architectural engineering courses; in special cases, with the written permission of the chairman, this requirement may be relaxed, provided the student demonstrates in advance that the courses to be substituted for civil engineering or architectural engineering courses are part of a consistent educational plan. To provide a broad general background, at least one technical elective from each of three different areas of specialization must be included in each student's program.

To assure a background in design, each student must take at least one technical area option level II elective. Level II electives may be substituted for technical area option level I electives, but the requirement of at least one technical elective from each of three different areas of specialization still applies.

The following lists reflect current course offerings and are subject to change by the faculty. Current lists are available in the departmental undergraduate office.

Level I Electives

Construction Engineering and Project Management

Architectural Engineering 350, Advanced CAD Procedures
Architectural Engineering 358, Cost Estimating in Building Construction
Architectural Engineering 366, Contracts, Liability, and Ethics
Civil Engineering 352, Civil Engineering Measurements

Environmental Engineering

Civil Engineering 342, Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
Civil Engineering 346, Solid Waste Engineering
Civil Engineering 346K, Hazardous Waste Management
Civil Engineering 369L, Air Pollution Engineering
Civil Engineering 370K, Environmental Sampling and Analysis

Geotechnical Engineering

Civil Engineering 375, Earth Slopes and Retaining Structures

Structures

Architectural Engineering 345K, Masonry Engineering
Architectural Engineering 362L, Wood Engineering Design
Civil Engineering 331, Reinforced Concrete Design
Civil Engineering 335, Elements of Steel Design
Civil Engineering 363, Advanced Structural Analysis

Mechanics and Materials

Civil Engineering 351, Construction Materials
Civil Engineering 366K, Design of Bituminous Mixtures
Civil Engineering 366M, Modern Pavement Materials

Transportation

Civil Engineering 367P, Pavement Design and Performance
Civil Engineering 367T, Traffic Engineering

Water Resources

Civil Engineering 358, Introductory Ocean Engineering
Civil Engineering 374K, Hydrology
Civil Engineering 374L, Groundwater Hydraulics

Level II Electives (Design)

Civil Engineering 378D, Integrated Design

Environmental Engineering

Civil Engineering 364, Design of Wastewater and Water Treatment Facilities

Geotechnical Engineering

Civil Engineering 360K, Foundation Engineering

Structures

Civil Engineering 362M, Advanced Reinforced Concrete Design
Civil Engineering 362N, Advanced Steel Design

Transportation

Civil Engineering 367, Highway Engineering
Civil Engineering 376, Airport Design

Water Resources

Civil Engineering 365K, Hydraulic Engineering Design

Suggested Arrangement of Courses

First Year--Fall Semester

First Year--Spring Semester

Second Year--Fall Semester

Second Year--Spring Semester

Third Year--Fall Semester

Third Year--Spring Semester

Fourth Year--Fall Semester

Fourth Year--Spring Semester

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Undergraduate catalog

Contents
Chapter 1 - The University
Chapter 2 - School of Architecture
Chapter 3 - Red McCombs School of Business
Chapter 4 - College of Communication
Chapter 5 - College of Education
Chapter 6 - College of Engineering
Chapter 7 - College of Fine Arts
Chapter 8 - College of Liberal Arts
Chapter 9 - College of Natural Sciences
Chapter 10 - School of Nursing
Chapter 11 - College of Pharmacy
Chapter 12 - School of Social Work
Chapter 13 - The Faculty
Texas Common Course Numbering System (Appendix A)
Appendix B

Related information

Catalogs
Course Schedules
Academic Calendars
Office of Admissions