Undergraduate Majors and Minors
Civil engineering encompasses the planning, design, construction and operation of facilities essential to modern life, ranging from bridges to transit systems.
Civil engineering is the fusion of engineering, design, and aesthetics. Civil engineers call upon science and engineering principles to plan, design, construct, and maintain infrastructure such as buildings, roads, highways, tunnels, bridges, rail systems, airports, seaports, water reservoirs, as well as storm water drainage and control plants.
Civil engineers are problem solvers, meeting the challenges of community planning, water supply, structures, traffic congestion, energy needs, pollution, and infrastructure improvements. Societal needs, economic conditions, and public safety are paramount in the work accomplished by civil engineers. High-tech tools such as computer aided design (CAD), geographical information systems (GIS) and 3-D computer modeling are a necessity in all areas of the field of civil engineering.
What do Civil Engineering Majors do?
The civil engineer's job begins with the consideration of a need. It may be the need to relieve a town from increasing traffic, to provide clean water for an isolated community, or to build a bridge and provide better access. The civil engineer investigates possible sites, analyzes soil and rock samples, predicts environmental impacts, and consults the local community. The civil engineer recommends the best options to meet the need and the design process begins. Computers have become increasingly important in design, allowing the civil engineer to produce detailed drawings of projects and predictions of long term effects. On site, they are employed to oversee the work. Civil Engineers organize and supervise the workforce, plant, materials, and ensure that projects are completed as designed and planned within the promised budget and timeline.
Learn more about our undergraduate majors and minors using the links below:
What do careers look like as a civil engineering major?
Structural engineers collaborate with architects, builders, and project managers to design and analyze structures that are safe, efficient, and resilient. They ensure that materials such as steel, concrete, and timber can withstand loads, environmental forces, and long-term use while meeting building codes and sustainability goals.
Geotechnical engineers study soil, rock, and underground conditions to support safe and effective construction. They work with builders, environmental specialists, and land-use planners on foundations, tunnels, slopes, and land-renewal projects, helping communities build responsibly in challenging terrain.
Transportation engineers design and improve systems that move people and goods safely and efficiently. They work with local, regional, and national planning agencies to develop roads, bridges, transit systems, and traffic solutions that support economic growth, accessibility, and quality of life.
Environmental engineers apply engineering and science to protect public health and the environment. They collaborate with business leaders, government agencies, and communities to reduce pollution, manage waste, improve air and water quality, and develop solutions that balance environmental responsibility with economic viability.
Construction engineers oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of construction projects. By combining technical expertise with leadership and management skills, they ensure projects are built safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with design specifications and regulations.
Hydraulic/Hydrology/Water Resource engineers manage and design systems that control, distribute, and protect water resources. They work with communities, industries, and governments to address flooding, water supply, irrigation, and environmental preservation, ensuring reliable and sustainable water systems for people and ecosystems.