Undergraduate Majors and Minors

The mission of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is to educate a diverse student body to be employed in the engineering profession, to encourage research and scholarship among our faculty and students and to promote service to the engineering profession and society. 

What do our 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.

Environmental engineers develop sustainable solutions to environmental problems. They work with regional, national and global communities to protect the environment and improve water quality. They are essential in planning, designing and constructing water and wastewater treatment plants, solid waste disposal systems, site remediation approaches, and emission control measures. Environmental engineers work closely with business leaders and government officials to institute new air pollution standards that reduce harmful emissions from factories without negatively impacting industrial output.

Learn more about our undergraduate majors and minors using the links below:

• BS in Civil Engineering  |  Courses
• BS in Environmental Engineering  |  Courses
• Minor in Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience in Engineering
• Minor in Environmental Engineering
• Minor in Geosystems

What do careers look like?

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.