Bachelors of Science Degree in Civil Engineering

Bachelors of Science Degree in Civil Engineering with a Specialization in Environmental Engineering

Program Mission, Goals and Objectives

The mission of the Department of Civil Engineering is to provide educational opportunities that will prepare students for effective and productive careers in the Civil Engineering profession. The profession is characterized by continued professional growth, conduct of research related to the discovery, innovation and development of technologies and methods that improve the practice of Civil Engineering and related areas and service to the university community and the profession of Civil Engineering.

In support of these priorities, the primary mission of this department is to educate future members of the Civil Engineering profession for careers that will span forty years or more. Most Civil Engineers will practice their profession through employment by public agencies at the city, county, state and federal levels; by various Industries engaged in one or more aspect of the discipline; and by a variety of large and small consulting firms. The professional Civil Engineer is a conceptualizer, planner, designer and constructor of new and innovative Engineering works and systems. Virtually all of this practice relates in some manner to the welfare of the general public. Technical knowledge of great sophistication and subtlety must be utilized by Civil Engineers. A Civil Engineer will also need to have a real understanding of the interrelated social, political and environmental issues that will be key elements in the decision making process. The Civil Engineer will have to make judgments that extend well beyond the technical domain. To prepare Civil Engineers for this role requires an educational program of technical depth and breadth as well as a broad liberal education.

Therefore, at the undergraduate level, the emphasis is on the academic subjects which form the foundation for Civil Engineering practice. To this end, the undergraduate curriculum is broad based, including topics in mathematics, science and fundamentals of engineering. The Civil Engineering curriculum is also broad based, with required course work in several areas of Civil Engineering, including a specialization in Environmental Engineering. During their senior year students are encouraged to focus their studies in the area of their primary interest. Additionally, the curriculum exposes the student to the social and ethical context of the profession of Engineering and provides the liberal education components vital to successful Engineering careers.

The educational goals of the undergraduate civil engineering program are to provide a quality civil engineering education that will prepare our graduates to become practicing civil engineering professionals able to meet the technological challenges of the 21^st century. To this end we strive to instill in our graduates the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and ethical and social values necessary to be successful civil engineering practitioners. Also, we seek to provide the necessary academic background for successful graduate study in engineering or other fields for those graduates interested in pursuing advanced degrees.  To meet this goal, we have defined the following objectives for our graduating seniors:

1. Our graduates will have the ability to apply technical knowledge and skills to identify problems and formulate solution that are fundamental to civil engineering design.
2. Our graduates will have the ability to successfully pursue advanced degrees.
3. Our graduates will value public health, safety and welfare, professional ethics, and the sustainability of resources.
4. Our graduates will recognize the importance of professional licensure and the need for life-long learning.
5. Our graduates will possess the skills necessary to contribute to multidisciplinary teams.

The Department of Civil Engineering offers programs leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering with a specialization in Environmental Engineering. The civil engineering program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree at SIUC is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202, Phone (410) 347-7700), the recognized agency for accrediting engineering curricula in the United States. The program is designed to provide the students with the broad educational background essential to modern civil engineering practice with emphases in the areas of geotechnical engineering, hydraulic engineering, structural engineering and surveying. Students may choose to specialize in the area of Environmental Engineering.