Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Civil Engineering, B.S.


Major Code: 7043 Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science
Delivery Mode(s): Classroom Age Restriction: No
Admission Status: Undergraduate Location(s): Main Campus - Melbourne

The curriculum for the civil engineering major is designed to prepare students for professional careers and graduate school. Students begin preparing for a civil engineering career during the first semester. CVE 1000 Introduction to Civil Engineering  is offered in the first semester and includes field trips, introduction to the key disciplines of civil engineering and hands-on activities in laboratories. The one-credit CVE 1001 Computer Applications Lab  introduces students to AutoCAD software. During the freshman year, students learn how to use state-of-the-art civil engineering construction equipment and conduct data analyses. Therefore, students are well-equipped to undertake an internship following the freshman year. Emphasis is placed on foundation courses in chemistry, mathematics, physics, technical writing, communication skills and engineering mechanics during the first two years.

The curriculum covers the entire breadth of civil engineering and requires students to take courses in all of the six main disciplines of civil engineering (construction engineering, construction management, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, transportation engineering, water resources engineering). Students are given the flexibility of taking additional courses in the disciplines of their choice by selecting appropriate restricted and design electives. Thus, students not only get a broad exposure to all major disciplines of civil engineering, but also develop specialization in selected disciplines. Civil engineering majors are required to take five civil engineering laboratory courses to understand fundamental concepts. Engineering fundamentals are emphasized in all courses so students are well-prepared to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination during the senior year. Projects are assigned in each civil engineering design course, which prepares students to find solutions for real-world design problems using appropriate codes and incorporating all design and client-related constraints.

Each student is required to be part of a multidisciplinary design project team that identifies, formulates and designs a real-world project, while addressing sustainable societal and global needs. The team provides engineering and construction cost estimates and construction scheduling. Several courses in the curriculum hone student skills in leadership, teamwork, oral and written communication and ethics. Mandatory electives in the humanities and social sciences provide a broader understanding of the professional work environment, human history and culture.

Education Objectives

The educational objectives of the civil engineering program are to produce graduates who:

  • collaborate in teams and independently appraise and conduct work-related projects to serve their constituents;
  • continuously seek professional growth;
  • display ethical responsibility and leadership qualities; and
  • communicate effectively with their clients, constituents, peers, subordinates and supervisors.

Freshman Year


Sophomore Year


Junior Year


Spring (16 credit hours)


Senior Year


Fall (16 credit hours)


Spring (16 credit hours)


Total Credits Required: 131


Note: A list of approved design and restricted electives is available from the department office.

*Approved Science Electives include BIO 1010 Biological Discovery 1  or BIO 1020 Biological Discovery 2 , ENS 1001 The Whole Earth Course , OCN 1010 Oceanography , OCN 2407 Meteorology , OCN 2602 Environmental Geology  and ENS 3101 Atmospheric Environments .

**Approved Environmental Engineering Electives include CVE 3042 Water and Wastewater Systems for Land Development  or CVE 3052 Municipal Water and Wastewater Systems .