Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Science

Description

Website:  https://cee.unl.edu/

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers a complete undergraduate program to students on the Lincoln and Omaha campuses of the University of Nebraska. Curriculum requirements are nearly identical on both campuses. The goal is to prepare students for entry into the civil engineering profession immediately after graduation or to pursue graduate-level studies.

The general educational objectives of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln civil engineering undergraduate program are to prepare our graduates so that, with a University of Nebraska–Lincoln BSCE degree, a few years beyond graduation, alumni will:

  • Be employed in civil and environmental engineering or a closely related field; or, graduates will be pursuing an advanced degree in civil and environmental engineering or a closely related field.
  • Contribute to society and address societal and environmental needs through engagement in professional, community, or service organizations.
  • Agree that the civil engineering program prepared them for success in their careers in terms of knowledge and skillsets as embodied in the program and the Complete Engineer ™ Initiative.

As a professional discipline, civil engineering is closely related to the total human environment. In all professional endeavors, the civil engineer must consider ecological effects as well as the social, economic, and political needs of people. The civil engineer designs systems to control and manage our water resources to provide electric power, agricultural irrigation, flood control, recreation, water supplies, and wastewater treatment systems for our urban and industrial needs.

The civil engineer plans, designs, and constructs our transportation systems—including highways, railroads, waterways, and airports—to connect rural, urban, and industrial areas. The civil engineer also designs and constructs housing and facilities for recreational, industrial, and commercial complexes, which comprise the urban environment. It is the responsibility of civil engineering to minimize air, water, and land pollution and protect the environment.

Instructional emphasis is placed on fundamental engineering principles derived from mathematics, chemistry, physics, and engineering science. These subjects provide a sound background for the subsequent introductory courses in environmental, geotechnical, structural, transportation, and water resources engineering. Students are introduced to design concepts in the freshman year. Design is incorporated throughout the curriculum that culminates in two senior-level courses, CIVE 401 Civil Engineering Design I and CIVE 402 Civil Engineering Design II.

Instructional laboratories in environmental engineering, hydraulics, geotechnical engineering, structures, and surveying provide each student with an opportunity to learn, through individual participation, the operation of the testing equipment used to establish engineering design criteria and to monitor and model engineering facilities such as water and wastewater treatment plants, river control systems, and structural systems.

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering also offers a major and a minor in Environmental Engineering.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the civil engineering program will have:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

The above student outcomes have been approved by the ABET Engineering Area Delegation for use beginning with the 2019-20 academic year, and have been adopted by the faculty of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Criteria for Professional Admission to the Civil Engineering Degree Program

Students are expected to meet minimum college entrance requirements. After being admitted to the college as pre-civil engineering students, students wishing to pursue a degree in civil engineering must further be admitted to the degree program. Students who have completed 43 credit hours applicable to their civil engineering degree are considered for formal admission to the civil engineering degree program.  Transfer students must have at least 12 credit hours of coursework from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln on record before an application will be considered.  Students must receive a grade of C or better in the following classes to be professionally admitted to the civil engineering program:

CHEM 1180 General Chemistry I and CHEM 1184 General Chemistry I Laboratory ;

MATH 1950 Calculus I , MATH 1960 Calculus II , and MATH 2350 Differential Equations ;

CIST 1600 Introduction to Programming Using Practical Scripting;

PHYS 2110 General Physics I ; and

MECH 223 Engineering Statics , and MECH 325 Mechanics of Elastic Bodies .

PLEASE NOTE:

This document represents a SAMPLE 4-year plan for degree completion with this major. Actual course selection and sequence may vary and should be discussed individually with your college or department academic advisor. Advisors also can help you plan other experiences to enrich your undergraduate education such as internships, education abroad, undergraduate research, learning communities, and service learning and community-based learning.

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterCredits
CIVE 101 INTRODUCTION TO CIVIL ENGINEERING (This fulfills the ENGR 10 requirement) 3
CHEM 1180 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (Students must receive a "C" or better in this course.) 3
CHEM 1184 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY 1
MATH 1950 CALCULUS I (Students must receive a "C" or better in this course.) 5
MATH 1950 becomes critical to your success in the major if not completed by the end of the first term of enrollment. Not compng MATH 1950 in the first term can delay completion of your degree.
 
ACE 2 Communication Skills Elective See note below 3
 Credits15
Second Semester
CIVE 102 GEOMATICS FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING 3
CIST 1600 INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING USING PRACTICAL SCRIPTING (Students must receive a "C" or better in this course.) 3
PHYS 2110 GENERAL PHYSICS I - CALCULUS LEVEL (Students must receive a "C" or better in this course.) 4
PHYS 2110 becomes critical to your success in the major if not completed by the end of the second term of enrollment. Not completing PHYS 2110 in the second term can delay completion of your degree.
 
MATH 1960 CALCULUS II (Students must receive a "C" or better in this course.) 4
MATH 1960 becomes critical to your success in the major if not completed by the end of the second term of enrollment. Not completing MATH 1960 in the second term can delay completion of your degree.
 
ACE 1 Writing Elective See note below 3
 Credits17
Third Semeseter
CIVE 201 CIVIL ENGINEERING ANALYSIS I 2
MECH 223 ENGINEERING STATICS (Students must receive a "C" or better in this course.) 3
MECH 223 becomes critical to your success in the major if not completed by the end of the third term of enrollment. Not completing MECH 223 in the third term can delay completion of your degree.
 
PHYS 2120 GENERAL PHYSICS-CALCULUS LEVEL (or CHEM 1190 and CHEM 1194) 4
MATH 1970 CALCULUS III 4
ACE 5 Humanities Elective See note below 3
ENGR 20 SOPHOMORE ENGINEERING SEMINAR 0
 Credits16
Fourth Semester
CIVE 202 CIVIL ENGINEERING ANALYSIS II 2
CIVE 371Materials of Construction 3
MECH 325 MECHANICS OF ELASTIC BODIES (Students must receive a "C" or better in this course.) 3
MECH 325 becomes critical to your success in the major if not completed by the end of the fourth term of enrollment. Not completing MECH 325 in the fourth term can delay completion of your degree.
 
MECH 373 ENGINEERING DYNAMICS 3
MATH 2350 DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS (Students must receive a "C" or better in this course.) 3
ACE 6 Social Science Elective See note below 3
 Credits17
Fifth Semester
CIVE 301 CIVIL ENGINEERING SYNTHESIS I 1
CIVE 310 FLUID MECHANICS 3
CIVE 310L HYDRAULICS LAB 1
CIVE 341 STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS FUNDAMENTALS 3
CIVE 342 STRUCTURAL DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS 1
CIVE 361 PRINCIPLES OF TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING 3
STAT 3800 APPLIED ENGINEERING PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS 3
CIVE 310, CIVE 310L, CIVE 341, CIVE 342, and CIVE 361 become critical to your success in the major if not completed by the end of the fifth term of enrollment. Not completing CIVE 310, CIVE 310L, CIVE 341, and CIVE 361 in the fifth term can delay completion of your degree.
 
 Credits15
Sixth Semester
CIVE 302 CIVIL ENGINEERING SYNTHESIS II 1
CIVE 321 PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 3
CIVE 321L ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY 1
CIVE 331 INTRODUCTION TO GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 4
CIVE 351 INTRODUCTION TO WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING 3
ACE 7 Arts Elective See note below 3
CIVE 321, CIVE 321L, CIVE 331, and CIVE 351 become critical to your success in the major if not completed by the end of the sixth term of enrollment. Not completing CIVE 321, CIVE 321L, CIVE 331, and CIVE 351 in the sixth term can delay completion of your degree.
 
 Credits15
Seventh Semester
CIVE 401 CIVIL ENGINEERING DESIGN I 3
CIVE Depth Elective (Environmental and Water) 3
Choose 1 from CIVE 420, CIVE 425, CIVE 427, CIVE 419, CIVE 452
 
Science Elective 4
 
Technical Elective 3
Work with your advisor to correctly select this elective.
 
ACE 8 Ethics Elective See note below 3
 Credits16
Eighth Semester
CIVE 402 CIVIL ENGINEERING DESIGN II 3
CIVE Depth Elective (Geotech/Materials, Structures, and Transportation) 3
 
CIVE Depth Elective (Choose one that was not used to fulfill another requirement 3
 
Technical Elective 3
Work with your advisor to correctly select this elective
 
ACE 9 Global Awareness and Human Diversity Elective See note below 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits126

NOTE:  List of approved ACE courses offered on the Omaha campus

For more information, call 402-554-2462 or visit www.engineering.unl.edu/civil/

Major Requirements

Requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

The BS degree in civil engineering is offered on both the Lincoln and Omaha campuses.  Degree Requirements - 126 hours

CIVIL ENGINEERING CORE
CIVE 101INTRODUCTION TO CIVIL ENGINEERING (This fulfills the ENGR 10 requirement.)3
CIVE 102GEOMATICS FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING3
CIVE 201CIVIL ENGINEERING ANALYSIS I2
CIVE 202CIVIL ENGINEERING ANALYSIS II2
CIVE 301CIVIL ENGINEERING SYNTHESIS I1
CIVE 302CIVIL ENGINEERING SYNTHESIS II1
CIVE 401CIVIL ENGINEERING DESIGN I3
CIVE 402CIVIL ENGINEERING DESIGN II3
Credit Hours Subtotal:18
CIVIL ENGINEERING BREADTH
CIVE 310FLUID MECHANICS3
CIVE 310LHYDRAULICS LAB1
CIVE 321PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING3
CIVE 321LENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY1
CIVE 331INTRODUCTION TO GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING4
CIVE 341STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS FUNDAMENTALS3
CIVE 342STRUCTURAL DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS1
CIVE 351INTRODUCTION TO WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING3
CIVE 361PRINCIPLES OF TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING3
CIVE 371MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION3
Credit Hours Subtotal:25
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPTH ELECTIVES
Depth Electives in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering3
Choose one from:
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING PROCESS DESIGN
DESIGN OF WATER TREATMENT FACILITIES
FLOW SYSTEMS DESIGN
WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT
Depth Electives in Geotechnical, Structural and Transportation Engineering3
Choose one from:
FOUNDATION ENGINEERING
REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN I
STEEL DESIGN I
HIGHWAY DESIGN
TRAFFIC ENGINEERING (General Civil Engineering Depth Electives)
General Civil Engineering Depth Electives3
Choose three credits from the following that were not used to fulfill another requirement:
Credit Hours Subtotal:9
GENERAL ENGINEERING
CIST 1600INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING USING PRACTICAL SCRIPTING3
MECH 223ENGINEERING STATICS3
MECH 325MECHANICS OF ELASTIC BODIES3
MECH 373ENGINEERING DYNAMICS3
ENGR 20SOPHOMORE ENGINEERING SEMINAR0
Credit Hours Subtotal:12
TECHNICAL ELECTIVES
Choose a total of six credits from:6
Any 400-level CIVE course not taken to fulfill another requirement
Any 200-, 300- or 400-level course in any engineering major not used to fulfill another requirement
Any 200-, 300- or 400-level course in Biology, Chemistry, Public Administration (including PA 1010), Geology, GEOG 2620, Mathematics, Statistics, or Physics not used to fulfill another requirement.
Any course in the following list: ACCT 2000, ANTH 3910, ANTH 3920, BIOL 1020, BIOL 1450, BIOL 1750, BIOS 4940, CHEM 1190, ECON 2200, ENTR 3710, GEOG 1030, (GEOG 3510 and GEOG 3514), GEOL 1170, GEOL 1180, GEOL 1010, MKT 3310 not used to fulfill another requirement.
Credit Hours Subtotal:6
SCIENCE
CHEM 1180
CHEM 1184
GENERAL CHEMISTRY I
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY
4
PHYS 2110GENERAL PHYSICS I - CALCULUS LEVEL4
Select one fo the following:4
GENERAL PHYSICS-CALCULUS LEVEL
GENERAL CHEMISTRY II
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY
Science Elective-Select one of the following:
PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY
FUNDAMENTALS OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
and FUNDAMENTALS OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY
INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
PRINCIPLES OF ASTRONOMY
and INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY LAB
METEOROLOGY
and INTRODUCTION TO METEOROLOGY LABORATORY
BIOLOGY I
Credit Hours Subtotal:16
MATHEMATICS
MATH 1950CALCULUS I5
MATH 1960CALCULUS II4
MATH 1970CALCULUS III4
MATH 2350DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS3
STAT 3800APPLIED ENGINEERING PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS3
Credit Hours Subtotal:19
ACE REQUIREMENTS
ACE 1: Writing3
Choose from the list of approved ACE 1 courses 1
ACE 2: Communication Skills3
Choose from the list of approved ACE 2 courses 1
ACE 3: Math/Stat Reasoning
This requirement is satisfied by MATH 1950, MATH 1960, MATH 1970, MATH 2350, or STAT 3800
ACE 4: Science
This requirement is satisfied by CHEM 1180, CHEM 1190, PHYS 2110, PHYS 2120, BIOL 1020, PHYS 1350, or GEOL 1170
ACE 5: Humanities3
Choose from the list of approved ACE 5 courses 1
ACE 6: Social Sciences3
Choose from the list of approved ACE 6 courses 1
ACE 7: Arts3
Choose from the list of approved ACE 7 courses 1
ACE 8: Ethics3
Choose from the list of approved ACE 8 courses 1
ACE 9: Global Awareness and Human Diversity3
Choose from the list of approved ACE 9 courses 1
ACE 10: Capstone Experience
This requirement is satisfied by CIVE 402
Credit Hours Subtotal:21
Total Credit Hours126
1

List of approved ACE courses offered on the Omaha campus