Civil and Environmental Engineering

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Civil engineering involves the planning, analysis and design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the world’s structures and infrastructure. Civil and environmental engineers design and construct buildings, bridges, highways, dams, water and wastewater treatment facilities, and other public and private works essential to civilized life in a modern society. Civil engineers also apply modern and sophisticated tools to plan and design large-scale systems for the public good, as well as the components and materials that are employed. Civil engineers work primarily in teams, in a broad range of business models and as public servants. The Civil and Environmental Engineering curriculum is designed  to provide graduates with the skills needed to become successful, innovative and socially responsible civil engineers.

Accreditation

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) — B.S.E. in Civil Engineering

Undergraduate Majors

Bachelor of Science in Engineering-Civil Engineering

Mission

It is the mission of the department to produce competent, ethical, and socially responsible graduates. Develop and advance knowledge, and serve the community and the profession in civil and environmental engineering.

Goals

The goals of the department’s accredited baccalaureate programs are to:

• Prepare graduates for the lifelong practice of civil engineering.
• Meet educational requirements for professional licensure in civil engineering.
• Provide graduates with solid academic preparation for graduate study.

Civil Engineering Program—Educational Objectives

The objectives of the Civil Engineering undergraduate degree program are to prepare graduates who can perform at the entry level in civil engineering practice so that, some years after graduation, they can become licensed professionals having responsibility for the planning, design, implementation, operation and continuous improvement of civil engineering structures and infrastructure. They will be provided with skills and tools for life-long learning, continuing professional development, and to pursue advanced degrees.

Measurable Program Outcomes

Civil engineering graduates will have attained the following outcomes: 

1. an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics through differential equations, calculus-based physics, chemistry, and at least one additional area of science, and engineering;
2. an ability to design and conduct civil engineering experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret the resulting 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 multidisciplinary 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. an ability to apply knowledge of four technical areas appropriate to civil engineering; 
13. an ability to design a system, component, or process in more than one civil engineering context;
14. an ability to explain basic concepts in management, business, public policy, and leadership; and an ability to explain the importance of professional licensure. 

Technical Areas:

The CEE Department has developed four required technical areas. The areas and the required course work in each respective area are:

1. Environmental/Water Resources Engineering — ME 242, CEE 367, CEE 413, CEE 450.
2. Geotechnical Engineering — CEE 334, CEE 346.
3. Structural Engineering — CEE 241, CEE 346, CEE 370, CEE 381, CEE 480.
4. Transportation Engineering — CEE 121, CEE 346, CEE 362.

Additionally, four technical elective courses are required in at least two technical areas, with a minimum of two courses in one area. The technical electives available in each technical area are:

1. Environmental/Water Resources Engineering — CEE 404, CEE 406, CEE 407, CEE 451, CEE 452, CEE 454, CEE 455.
2. Geotechnical Engineering — CEE 410, CEE 432, CEE 434, CEE 435, CEE 436.
3. Structural Engineering — CEE 410, CEE 444, CEE 476, CEE 477, CEE 478, CEE 482.
4. Transportation Engineering — CEE 410, CEE 463, CEE 464, CEE 466, CEE 467.

In addition to the courses identified above, students may take other elective courses such as computer applications, project management, construction engineering, and others. CEE 468 may be counted as an elective in Transportation Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or Geotechnical Engineering if a project is undertaken in that area. CEE 491 Independent Study courses and CEE 495 Special Topics courses will be categorized based on their content.

Admission to the Major

General admission follows college requirements. Students transferring from other universities or from other colleges within UNLV who have GPAs of between 2.00 and 2.50 will be admitted on probation and considered to be pre-major students. Admission and transfer policies are described in the College of Engineering section.
 

Department Policies

1. Regardless of catalog of graduation, students must satisfy prerequisite and corequisite course requirements as specified in the most recent Undergraduate Catalog.
2. All required and elective courses in engineering, mathematics, science, business, computer science, and English must be completed with a grade of C or better. Prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better before taking the next course.
3. Students must complete all pre-major courses before promotion to advanced standing. Promotion to advanced standing requires a minimum GPA of 2.00 and a grade of C or better in all courses specified in No. 2 above.
4. All Civil Engineering majors must take the Discipline-Specific Fundamentals of Engineering Examination in Civil Engineering within one year prior to anticipated date of graduation. Students must register for CEE 499, one-credit, during the semester in which they plan to take the examination.
5. Civil Engineering students should register for CEE 498, Civil Engineering Capstone Design, in their last semester prior to anticipated date of graduation. To verify eligibility and permit registration for Civil Engineering Capstone Design, students must submit a completed graduation application prior to the start of instruction in their penultimate semester.

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