Civil and Environmental Engineering
Department Office: 1114 Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory, 205 North Mathews Avenue, Urbana, (217) 333-8038
Curriculum in Civil Engineering
For the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Civil engineering is a profession that applies the basic principles of science in conjunction with mathematical and computational tools to solve problems associated with developing and sustaining civilized life on our planet. Civil engineering works are generally one-of-a-kind projects; they are often grand in scale; and they usually require cooperation among professionals of many different disciplines. The completion of a civil engineering project involves the solution of technical problems in which uncertainty of information and myriad non-technical factors often play a significant role. Some of the most common examples of civil engineering works include bridges, buildings, dams, airports, highways, tunnels, and water distribution systems. Civil engineers are concerned with flood control, landslides, air and water pollution, and the design of facilities to withstand earthquakes and other natural hazards, in addition to protecting our environment for a sustainable future.
The civil engineering program comprises seven main areas (construction engineering and management, construction materials engineering, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, environmental hydrology and hydraulics, structural engineering, and transportation engineering) and three cross-cutting programs (sustainable and resilient infrastructure systems; energy, water, and environmental sustainability; and societal risk management). Although each area has its own special body of knowledge and engineering tools, they all rely on the same fundamental core principles. Civil engineering projects often draw expertise from many of these areas and programs.
CEE’s Program Education Objectives are to educate CEE students to:
1. Successfully enter the civil and environmental engineering profession as practicing engineers and consultants with prominent companies and organizations in diverse areas that include structural, transportation, geotechnical, materials, environmental, and hydrologic engineering; construction management; or other related or emerging fields.
2. Pursue graduate education and research at major research universities in civil and environmental engineering, and related fields.
3. Pursue professional licensure.
4. Advance to leadership positions in the profession.
5. Engage in continued learning through professional development.
6. Participate in and contribute to professional societies and community services.
Program Review and Approval
To qualify for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, each student's academic program plan must be reviewed by a standing committee of the faculty (the Program Review Committee) and approved by the Associate Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering in charge of undergraduate programs. This review and approval process ensures that individual programs satisfy the educational objectives and all of the requirements of the civil engineering program, that those programs do not abuse the substantial degree of flexibility that is present in the curriculum, and that the career interests of each student are cultivated and served.
Overview of Curricular Requirements
The curriculum requires 128 hours for graduation and is organized as follows.
Orientation and Professional Development
These courses introduce the opportunities and resources your college, department, and curriculum can offer you as you work to achieve your career goals. They also provide the skills to work effectively and successfully in the engineering profession.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 1 | CEE 195—About Civil Engineering |
| 0 | CEE 495—Professional Practice |
| 0 | ENG 100—Engineering Orientation1 |
| 1 | Total |
1. External transfer students take ENG 300—Engrg Transfer Orientation instead.
Foundational Mathematics and Science
These courses stress the basic mathematical and scientific principles upon which the engineering discipline is based.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 3 | CHEM 102—General Chemistry I |
| 1 | CHEM 103—General Chemistry Lab I |
| 3 | CHEM 104—General Chemistry II |
| 1 | CHEM 105—General Chemistry Lab II |
| 4 | MATH 221—Calculus I1 |
| 2 | MATH 225—Introductory Matrix Theory |
| 3 | MATH 231—Calculus II |
| 4 | MATH 241—Calculus III |
| 3 | MATH 285—Intro Differential Equations |
| 4 | PHYS 211—University Physics: Mechanics |
| 4 | PHYS 212—University Physics: Elec & Mag |
| 2 | PHYS 213—Univ Physics: Thermal Physics |
| 34 | Total |
1. MATH 220—Calculus may be substituted, with four of the five credit hours applying toward the degree. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus.
Civil Engineering Technical Core
These courses stress fundamental concepts and basic laboratory techniques that comprise the common intellectual understanding of civil engineering.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 3 | CEE 201—Systems Engrg & Economics |
| 3 | CEE 202—Engineering Risk & Uncertainty |
| 3 | CS 101—Intro Computing: Engrg & Sci |
| 3 | GE 101—Engineering Graphics & Design |
| 3 | TAM 211—Statics |
| 3 | TAM 212—Introductory Dynamics |
| 3 | TAM 251—Introductory Solid Mechanics |
| 4 | TAM 335—Introductory Fluid Mechanics |
| 25 | Total |
Mathematics and Science Elective
This elective allows the student either to gain additional depth or breadth in mathematics or science essential to specialization in one of the branches of civil engineering. The specific choice of a course in this category is made through the submission of the Plan of Study, which is subject to approval by the faculty Program Review Committee.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 3 | Mathematics and science elective, selected in accord with recommendations for the chosen primary field in civil engineering as outlined in the Civil Engineering Undergraduate Handbook. |
Civil Engineering Technical Electives
This course work is designed to give each student a broad background in the areas of civil engineering through the core courses and to allow each student to develop a focused program through advanced technical electives in chosen primary and secondary fields. There are seven areas of study which include:
- Construction Engineering and Management
- Construction Materials Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Transportation Engineering
In addition to the areas of study, three cross-cutting programs can be chosen by students. They include:
- Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure Systems
- Energy-Water-Environment Sustainability
- Societal Risk Management
The fundamental principles of civil engineering design and the behavior of civil engineering systems are emphasized throughout the course work. The specific choices of courses in this category are made through the submission of the Plan of Study, which is subject to approval by the faculty Program Review Committee.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 34 to include at least: | Civil engineering technical courses, selected as follows: |
15-16 |
Civil Engineering Core Courses. The courses that are required and recommended for the primary and secondary fields are listed in the Civil Engineering Undergraduate Handbook.. Select at least 5 courses from the following list: |
4 |
CEE 300—Behavior of Materials |
3 |
CEE 310—Transportation Engineering |
3 |
CEE 320—Construction Engineering |
3 |
CEE 330—Environmental Engineering |
3 |
CEE 350—Water Resources Engineering |
3 |
CEE 360—Structural Engineering |
3 |
CEE 380—Geotechnical Engineering |
12-13 |
Primary Field Advanced Technical Electives. Select courses from approved lists for appropriate programs of study within the seven areas or three cross-cutting programs of civil engineering. Design experience is distributed in 200-level, 300-level, and 400-level CEE courses including integrated design courses. Course lists can be found in the Civil Engineering Undergraduate Handbook. |
6 |
Secondary Field Advanced Technical Electives. Select courses from approved lists to complement the primary area and add breadth to the program of study. Course lists can be found in the Civil Engineering Undergraduate Handbook. |
Liberal Education
The liberal education courses develop students’ understanding of human culture and society, build skills of inquiry and critical thinking, and lay a foundation for civic engagement and lifelong learning.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 3 | ECON 102—Microeconomic Principles* or ECON 103—Macroeconomic Principles |
| 3 | Electives from the campus General Education social & behavioral sciences list. |
| 6 | Electives from the campus General Education humanities & the arts list. |
| 6 | Electives either from a list approved by the college, or from the campus General Education lists for social & behavioral sciences or humanities & the arts. |
| 18 | Total |
* Recommended
Students must also complete the campus cultural studies requirement by completing (i) one western/comparative culture(s) course and (ii) one non-western/U.S. minority culture(s) course from the General Education cultural studies lists. Most students select liberal education courses that simultaneously satisfy these cultural studies requirements. Courses from the western and non-western lists that fall into free electives or other categories may also be used satisfy the cultural studies requirements.
Composition
These courses teach fundamentals of expository writing.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 4 | RHET 105—Principles of Composition |
| 3 | BTW 261—Principles Tech Comm (satisfies the Advanced Composition requirement) |
| 7 | Total |
Free Electives
These unrestricted electives, subject to certain exceptions as noted at the College of Engineering advising Web site, give the student the opportunity to explore any intellectual area of unique interest. This freedom plays a critical role in helping students to define research specialties or to complete minors.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 6 | Free electives. Additional unrestricted course work, subject to certain exceptions as noted at the College of Engineering advising Web site, so that there are at least 128 credit hours earned toward the degree.
|
Suggested Sequence
The schedule that follows is illustrative, showing the typical sequence in which courses would be taken by a student with no college course credit already earned and who intends to graduate in four years. Each individual's case may vary, but the position of required named courses is generally indicative of the order in which they should be taken.
First year
| Hours | First Semester |
|---|---|
| 1 | CEE 195—About Civil Engineering1 |
| 3 | CHEM 102—General Chemistry I |
| 1 | CHEM 103—General Chemistry Lab I |
| 0 | ENG 100—Engineering Orientation |
| 4-3 | GE 101—Engineering Graphics
& Design or RHET 105—Principles of Composition2 |
| 4 | MATH 221—Calculus I3 |
| 3 | Liberal education elective4 |
| 15-16 | Total |
| Hours | Second Semester |
|---|---|
| 3 | CHEM 104—General Chemistry II |
| 1 | CHEM 105—General Chemistry Lab II |
| 2 | MATH 225—Introductory Matrix Theory |
| 3 | MATH 231—Calculus II |
| 4 | PHYS 211—University Physics: Mechanics |
| 4-3 | RHET 105—Principles of Composition or GE 101—Engineering Graphics & Design2 |
| 16-17 | Total |
Second year
| Hours | First Semester |
|---|---|
| 3 | CEE 201—Systems Engrg & Economics |
| 4 | MATH 241—Calculus III |
| 4 | PHYS 212—University Physics: Elec & Mag |
| 3 | TAM 211—Statics |
| 3 | Free elective |
| 17 | Total |
| Hours | Second Semester |
|---|---|
| 3 | CEE 202—Engineering Risk & Uncertainty |
| 3 | CS 101—Intro Computing: Engrg & Sci |
| 2 | PHYS 213—Univ Physics: Thermal Physics |
| 3 | TAM 212—Introductory Dynamics |
| 3 | TAM 251—Introductory Solid Mechanics |
| 3 | Liberal education elective4 |
| 16 | Total |
Third year
| Hours | First Semester |
|---|---|
| 3 | MATH 285—Intro Differential Equations |
| 4 | TAM 335—Introductory Fluid Mechanics |
| 7 | Civil engineering technical courses5 |
| 3 | Mathematics and science elective6 |
| 17 | Total |
| Hours | Second Semester |
|---|---|
| 3 | BTW 261—Principles Tech Comm |
| 9 | Civil engineering technical courses5 |
| 3 | Liberal education elective4 |
| 15 | Total |
Fourth year
| Hours | First Semester |
|---|---|
| 0 | CEE 495—Professional Practice |
| 9 | Civil engineering technical courses5 |
| 6 | Liberal education electives4 |
| 15 | Total |
| Hours | Second Semester |
|---|---|
| 10 | Civil engineering technical courses5 |
| 3 | Liberal education elective4 |
| 3 | Free elective |
| 16 | Total |
1. Offered in the fall semester only and should
be taken no later than the first or second semester of enrollment
in Civil Engineering.
2. RHET 105 may be taken in the first or second semester of the first
year as authorized. The alternative is GE 101.
3. MATH 220—Calculus may be substituted, with four of the five credit hours applying toward the degree. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus.
4.
Liberal education electives must include 6 hours of social & behavioral sciences and 6 hours of humanities & the arts course work from the campus General Education lists. ECON 102 or ECON 103 must be one of the social & behavioral sciences courses. The remaining 6 hours may be selected from a list maintained by the college, or additional course work from the campus General Education lists for social & behavioral sciences or humanities & the arts. Students must also complete the campus cultural studies requirement by completing (i) one western/comparative culture(s) course and (ii) one non-western/U.S. minority culture(s) course from the General Education cultural studies lists. Most students select liberal education courses that simultaneously satisfy these cultural studies requirements. Courses from the western and non-western lists that fall into free electives or other categories may also be used satisfy the cultural studies requirements.
5. Civil engineering technical courses are defined as core courses and advanced technical electives and must total 34 hours of credit. Five courses and a minimum of fifteen hours must be core courses as outlined in the Civil Engineering Undergraduate Handbook. Advanced technical electives are selected to correspond with chosen primary and secondary areas of emphasis in civil engineering as outlined in the Civil Engineering Undergraduate Handbook. A minimum of twelve and six hours must be taken for the primary and secondary areas, respectively.
6. The mathematics and engineering science elective is selected in accord with recommendations for the chosen primary area of emphasis in civil engineering as outlined in the Civil Engineering Undergraduate Handbook.