Civil Engineering

Overview

The civil engineering program offers a curriculum that provides students with a solid background in mathematics, physical science and civil engineering. Students can choose elective courses in:

Environmental engineering
Geotechnical engineering
Structural engineering
Transportation engineering
Water resources engineering

State-of-the-art laboratory facilities are available for conducting basic environmental analyses, hydraulic experiments, material tests, soil mechanics procedures and transportation studies. Students graduating with a bachelor’s degree are prepared to assist public and private employers, or to pursue graduate study.

What can I do with a degree in civil engineering?

Civil engineers work in a wide range of fields in both technical and managerial positions. Job opportunities can be found in:

Consulting companies
Industry and government agencies
Offices
Job sites

They design, build, inspect, maintain, rehabilitate, and preserve buildings, bridges, treatment systems and roads—all the essential infrastructure for society. Due to the nature and importance of the profession, civil engineers are always needed.

Professional Engineering Licensure

As a civil engineer, it is important to obtain your professional engineer (PE) license. For structural engineers, it is also important to obtain your structural engineer (SE) license. By completing your degree with us and by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam in your senior year, you will be on the road to earning your license. You can find information about registering for the exam in Illinois and Missouri on the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying website, and the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers website.

Accreditation

The civil engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Hands-on Learning

Many civil engineering courses include hands-on activities designed to help students learn core concepts. These include student projects and laboratories where students can learn firsthand about the behavior of civil engineering materials. Students use state-of-the-art equipment during their classes and labs to prepare for the variety of careers that await upon graduation.

Internship opportunities are available at more than 200 locations, including:

America’s Central Port
The Boeing Company
Anheuser-Busch InBev
CBB
Fuhrmann Engineering
GBA
Gonzales
Illinois Department of Transportation
Juneau Associates
McCarthy
Missouri Department of Transportation
MiTek Industries
Oates Associates
SCI Engineering

Many faculty members in the Department of Civil Engineering participate in the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) program, and students are encouraged to engage with faculty members and participate in research opportunities.

Students are also encouraged to participate in one of the more than 30 student organizations in the School of Engineering. These organizations help students strengthen their understanding of engineering design, create a network of fellow engineering students, and have fun.