Civil and Environmental Engineering

201 More

Civil and environmental engineering is a profession which interfaces closely with society in the planning, design, construction, and management of facilities serving the needs of people. These activities focus on: transportation infrastructure and construction; heavy construction; water resources, hydrology, and environmental fluid mechanics; structures, mechanics, and geotechnical engineering; wastewater treatment, and water-quality management; solid- and hazardous-waste disposal; and air quality management.

A civil engineer may specialize in one or several of these activities and may further specialize in a particular function, such as design or management. The work frequently provides close associations with the legal profession, urban and regional planners, economists, public officials, biologists, chemists, financial consultants, architects, and system analysts. Education and practice require a consideration not only of the technological-science aspects of a particular problem but also of its relationship to social, economic, political, and environmental constraints. Civil and environmental engineers create and maintain infrastructure in a heavily human-influenced ecosystem.

To accommodate these wide interests, the department is organized into six academic areas: construction engineering; transportation engineering; geotechnical engineering; structural engineering and mechanics; environmental engineering; and water resources, hydrology, and environmental fluid mechanics.

Undergraduate Program

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers the following program of study:

• The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree

The B.S.C.E. degree is appropriate for students interested in civil and environmental engineering. The B.S.C.E. program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012, Tel: 410-347-7700).

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

Suggested First- and Second-Year Courses: MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126, MATH 308; CHEM 142; PHYS 121, PHYS 122; AMATH 301 (preferred) or CSE 142; A A 210; CEE 220; M E 230; English composition.

Department Admission Requirements

Students typically apply during the sophomore year for admission in the junior year. Admission is competitive. Completion of minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. All applicants have the right to petition and appeal the department's admission decision. Applications are accepted for autumn quarter only; application deadline is July 1. Applications are accepted through the College of Engineering online application form. For more information, see information for prospective students on the department Web site.

1. Course Requirements: MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126, MATH 308; CHEM 142; PHYS 121, PHYS 122; AMATH 301 or CSE 142 (AMATH 301 strongly recommended); AA 210; CEE 220; M E 230; and 5 credits of English composition.
2. Grade Requirements: Minimum grade of 2.0 in each course and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.

Students may also declare into the Civil and Environmental Engineering degree program through the College of Engineering Advanced Admission program (see the College of Engineering section for Advanced Admission entrance and continuation requirements). The department also admits a small number of qualified freshmen directly into the major through its Freshman Direct Admission program (see the department Web site for additional information).

Graduation Requirements

1. General Education Requirements (85-87 credits)
1. Written and Oral Communication (8 credits): English composition (5); TC 231 (3)
2. Visual, Literary, and Performing Arts (VLPA) and Individuals & Societies (I&S) (24 credits): A minimum of 10 credits in VLPA and a minimum of 10 credits of I&S plus 4 additional credits in either area.
3. Economics (4-5 credits): ECON 200 or IND E 250. ECON 200 may also be applied toward the I&S requirement. IND E 250 may also be applied toward the requirement for an additional Engineering Fundamentals course.
4. Natural World (49-50 credits)
   1. Mathematics (21 credits): MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126, MATH 307 (or AMATH 351), MATH 308 (or AMATH 352)
   2. Statistics (3-4 credits): IND 315 (preferred) or STAT 390
   3. Science (25 credits): CHEM 142, CHEM 152; PHYS 121, PHYS 122, PHYS 123

2. Major Requirements (94 credits)
1. Engineering Fundamentals (19 credits): AMATH 301 or CSE 142, A A 210, CEE 220, and ME 230. Students who complete STAT 390 must complete an additional Engineering Fundamentals course from CHEM E 260, IND E 250, IND E 280, M E 123, or MSE 170. Students who complete IND E 315 must complete either an additional Engineering Fundamentals course from the above list, or an additional 300-level math course other than statistics.
2. Civil Engineering Core (45 credits): CEE 306, CEE 316, CEE 320, CEE 342, CEE 345, CEE 350, CEE 363, CEE 366, CEE 379, CEE 380, CEE 390, CEE 391, CEE 392
3. Professional Practice and Capstone Design (6 credits): CEE 440 and one course from CEE 441, CEE 442, CEE 444, or CEE 445. Minimum grade of 2.0 required for both courses in this two-course sequence.
4. Civil Engineering Technical Electives (15 credits): A minimum of 12 credits of CEE 400-level coursework selected from an approved list, with at least one core course from four separate areas of concentration within the department. Plus any additional CEE 400-level course (except CEE 423 and courses taken to fulfill requirement c, above). Minimum grade of 2.0 required for each of the four courses used to fulfill the core courses requirement.
5. Upper-Division Engineering and Science (9 credits): Choice of additional CEE 400-level courses or courses from an approved list from outside the department.
6. Grade Requirements: Minimum 2.00 GPA in all engineering courses with no grade below 1.0 in these courses.

Student Outcomes and Opportunities

• Learning Objectives and Expected Outcomes: The B.S.C.E. program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012, telephone: (410) 347-7700.

  To fulfill its instructional mission, the undergraduate program is based on specific educational objectives. In particular, upon completion of the undergraduate program our students will have:

  1. demonstrated proficiency in applying fundamental mathematical, scientific, and engineering principles in formulating and solving civil engineering problems;
  2. demonstrated sufficient mastery of core civil engineering topics suitable for entry into the profession and/or for graduate study;
  3. gained significant experience in designing systems and components in civil and environmental applications in both individual and team contexts;
  4. acquired up-to-date skills for analysis, data collection, modeling, project management, professional development, communication, and presentation;
  5. developed an understanding of professional and social issues suitable for participation and leadership in their communities.
  6. developed the capacity to think critically and communicate effectively to a broad audience through a foundation in the humanities and sciences offered through the University.
  Achieving the above program objectives requires a series of measurable outcomes consistent with the program objectives as well as the mission of the department, college, and University. The department has adopted the ABET Criterion 3 Program Outcomes as its own program outcomes, and has augmented them to include outcomes based on the required ASCE Curriculum Program Criteria. The resulting program outcomes are that students have:
  1. an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
  2. an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
  3. an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
  4. an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
  5. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
  6. an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
  7. an ability to communicate effectively
  8. the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context
  9. a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
  10. a knowledge of contemporary issues
  11. an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
  12. proficiency in mathematics through differential equations, probability and statistics, calculus-based physics, and general chemistry
  13. proficiency in a minimum of four recognized major civil engineering areas
  14. an understanding of professional practice issues such as procurement of work, bidding versus quality-based selection processes, how the design professionals and the construction professions interact to construct a project
  15. an understanding of the importance of professional licensure and continuing education

• Instructional and Research Facilities: The department has a large and modern computer laboratory as well as substantial research laboratory facilities. The environmental science and hazardous waste research laboratory facilities include more than 7,000 square feet of lab space, well equipped with sophisticated research instruments, including state-of-the-art analytical capability for trace organic compounds. The lake-stream laboratory is equipped with limnological equipment, as well as an autoanlayzer, bench-top incubators, and research microscopes. The structural research laboratory contains an earthquake simulator, a modern MTS testing system, and a 2.4 million pound capacity Baldwin universal hydraulic testing machine. The geotechnical engineering laboratory contains soil testing equipment, including triaxial testing devices, a computer-controlled GDS pressure control system, a Bishop-Wesley cell, a recently developed cuboidal shear device, a CKC cyclic triaxial device, and a SBEL (Stokoe) resonant column.

• Honors Options Available: With College Honors. With Distinction (Departmental Honors). See adviser for requirements.

• Research, Internships, and Service Learning: Students typically work at internships in private companies and government agencies in the summer after their junior year, with some part-time internships continuing during the academic year. Many companies advertise internship and job openings through the department and meet with students for on-campus recruiting sessions.

• Department Scholarships: The department offers numerous annual scholarships. The application deadline for departmental scholarships is April 1. For more information, see department Web site. Scholarships are also available through the College of Engineering, the UW Scholarship Office, and external sources, including professional associations and industry.
• Student Organizations/Associations: American Society of Civil Engineers. Chi Epsilon, national honor society for civil engineering undergraduate and graduate students. See adviser for details.

Graduate Program

Graduate Program Coordinator
201 More, Box 352700
206-543-2574

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers programs of study leading to the degrees of Master of Science in Civil Engineering (M.S.C.E.) and Doctor of Philosophy. The department also provides authorized options leading to the College-wide Master of Science (M.S.) and Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.) degrees.

The three master's programs are intended to accommodate the needs of three categories of students: the M.S.C.E. degree is for those who have completed an undergraduate degree in civil engineering and plan to continue with their professional training; the College-wide M.S.E. degree is for other engineering graduates who wish to do graduate work in civil and environmental engineering; and the College-wide M.S. degree is for those whose bachelor's degree is not in engineering, but who desire to apply their training in science to the solution of problems in some specific sector related to civil and environmental engineering. The non-engineer may be required to take additional course work to obtain an M.S.E. degree.

Graduate work is offered in most fields of civil and environmental engineering, including transportation and construction engineering; geotechnical engineering; structural engineering and mechanics; environmental engineering; and water resources, hydrology, and environmental fluid mechanics.

Master of Science in Civil Engineering

Admission Requirements

Priority for admission is based on an applicant's apparent ability to progress satisfactorily in a graduate degree program. The applicant's scholastic record is of major importance; usually, at least a "B" or 3.00 GPA in the junior and senior years is required. Consideration is also given to Graduate Record Examination scores and other information.

Graduate Online Programs: The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, in collaboration with the Department of Construction Management in the College of Urban Planning and Architecture, offers an online master’s degree program in construction engineering. Designed for working professionals, this program can be completed entirely online and at the student’s own pace. Areas covered include heavy construction project management, infrastructure construction, and qualitative construction management. Each of these areas may also be completed separately as part of a graduate-level certificate program. For more information on the master’s degree in construction engineering or construction engineering certificates, see www.outreach.washington.edu/cengr/about.asp

Degree Requirements

Three options are available -- thesis, non-thesis, and internship. All three options allow for strong flexibility in coursework so that the student may individualize the coursework to an area of research, determined in conjunction with the faculty adviser.

• Thesis option:
  • 30 credits of coursework with at least 15 credits at the 500 level
  • 3 credits (maximum) of CEE 500
  • 9 credits of master's thesis, CEE 700
• Non-thesis option:
  • 36 credits of coursework with at least 18 credits at the 500 level
  • 3 credits (maximum) of CEE 500
  • 3 credits (maximum) of CEE 600 with a minimum grade of 3.0
• Internship option:
  • 30 credits of coursework with at least 15 credits at the 500 level
  • 3 credits (maximum) of CEE 500
  • 3 credits (maximum) of CEE 600 with a minimum grade of 3.0
  • 6 credits of internship, CEE 601

Doctor of Philosophy

Admission Requirements

Degree Requirements

• Students with a master’s degree from outside the U.W. or from outside the CEE department or Ph.D. topic area:
  • Master’s degree credit waiver (30 credits)
  • Numerically graded credits (30 credits)
  • Dissertation (27 credits)
  • CEE seminar (3 credits)
• Students with UW CEE master’s degree in Ph.D. topic area:
  • Numerically graded credits from master’s degree plus Ph.D. graded credits (63 credits)
  • Dissertation (27 credits)

Because the degree is a research-based degree, course requirements are individualized depending on student's background and Ph.D. topic area.

Financial Aid

Research and teaching assistantships are available on a competitive basis. The number of positions depends upon the current level of funding. Additionally, there are a limited number of fellowships, scholarships, and traineeships.

Research Facilities

More Hall has structural, concrete, bituminous materials, soil mechanics, computer, water-quality, solid-wastes, and air-quality laboratories as well as an air-monitoring station and equipment for fieldwork in the construction, water, air, and solid-waste programs. Facilities for experimental studies in hydraulics and environmental fluid mechanics are located in the Harris Hydraulics Laboratory.