Civil Engineering

Chair: Avinash Unnikrishnan, PhD

The Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering offers a broad education in civil engineering, which covers mechanics and structures, soils, surveying, transportation, water resources, environmental engineering, and construction engineering management. Computer applications are emphasized in all areas. In addition to the Blazer Core, the program is based on a strong foundation of mathematics and physical sciences, and is supported by a series of basic courses from other engineering disciplines. The primary objective of the program is to prepare students for entry into the civil engineering profession as design engineers.

Electives in the academic program may be selected from courses in construction engineering management, environmental engineering, structural engineering, and transportation engineering. These courses allow students to emphasize a particular area in their undergraduate academic program. Judicious selection of these electives may be used as additional preparation for a specific design career or for entry into a specialized civil engineering certificate or engineering graduate program.

Qualified, motivated undergraduate students may also participate in the Departmental Honors Program.

Please refer to the School of Engineering overview for policies regarding admission; change of major; transfer credit; dual degree programs; reasonable progress; academic warning, probation, and suspension; and graduation requirements.

Vision

To be a nationally and internationally recognized, research-oriented Department of Civil, Construction, & Environmental Engineering: a top choice for civil engineering students, faculty, and industry partners.

Mission

To prepare graduates to be immediately productive, to be able to adapt to a rapidly changing environment, and to become leaders who will create and apply knowledge for the benefit of society.

Program Educational Objectives

Three to five years after graduation, our graduates will have:

1. Achieved a level of technical competency that allows them to advance in civil engineering practice.
2. Practiced civil engineering with ethical, social, and environmental responsibility, aiming at the sustainable development of society.
3. Complemented their education through graduate studies, professional licensure, and continuing education, and involvement in professional societies.

Student Outcomes

Upon completion of the BSCE degree program, our graduates 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.

Experiential Learning

The Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering strongly encourages students to participate in experiential learning opportunities, such as industry co-ops, engineering internships, and research with department faculty. These opportunities greatly enhance a student's education and provide the real-world experience employers look for after graduation. The department has partnerships in place with many local engineering employers and will work with students to tailor programs of study that will allow them to participate in these experiences while completing their degrees in a timely manner. The School of Engineering also has a dedicated office to assist students in finding and applying to these opportunities.

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

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EGR 200 preferred; other FYE courses accepted

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CE 280 preferred; other CAC courses accepted

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May substitute MA 227 and MA 252 for EGR 265 and one CE elective

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Students wishing to enroll in graduate level courses (500 and above) must submit an Undergraduate Student Enrollment in Graduate Level Coursework permission form.

Residency Requirement

In addition to UAB's residency requirement, to earn a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from UAB, students must successfully complete 15 credit hours of civil engineering courses at the 400- or higher level at UAB. These 15 credit hours must include CE 499 Capstone Design Project.

Concentration in Sustainable Engineering Design and Construction

Students seeking the degree of BSCE may add a concentration in Sustainable Engineering and Construction by appropriate selection of their Civil Engineering Electives courses (9 credit hours total).

Please refer to the School of Engineering Overview for School policies related to admission, academic progress, reasonable progress toward degree, and graduation.

 Curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE)

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EGR 200 preferred; other FYE courses accepted

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May substitute MA 227 and MA 252 for EGR 265 and one CE elective

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Please refer to Blazer Core as specified for engineering majors.

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Any 400+ level CE course not included as a requirement for the CE major may be selected.

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Satisfies Blazer Core: Scientific Inquiry

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Satisfies Blazer Core: Writing

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Satisfies Blazer Core: Communicating in the Modern World

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Satisfies Blazer Core: Quantitative Literacy

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CE 280 preferred; other CAC courses accepted

Category A certificates are offered by the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering. Any undergraduate or graduate student in good standing who is pursuing a Civil Engineering degree (BSCE, MSCE, or PhD) may elect to simultaneously complete the requirements of his or her degree program and the Certificate Program. These certificates are listed on student transcripts and in the university commencement program. Certificates can be earned in:

• Construction Engineering Management
• Environmental Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Sustainable Engineering
• Transportation Engineering

Civil Engineering (BSCE) graduates who complete the Certificate Program will have greater depth in a specific technical area. The certificates also allow a means for practicing engineers to acquire expertise beyond a Bachelor's degree, and have it formally recognized without completing a program leading to a Master’s degree. This technical expertise will enhance their proficiency and marketability. Up to 12 graduate level credit hours taken for a certificate may be applied toward the MSCE degree.

The requirements are as follows:

• Students must be admitted to the Department as either undergraduate (BSCE) or graduate (MSCE) students in Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering or hold a BS in Civil Engineering or a closely related field from an accredited institution.

• Certificates require a minimum of 15 credit hours consisting of five graduate level courses in the area of specialization. Certificates for undergraduate students will be awarded upon completion of the BSCE degree.

• Graduate level elective courses may be applied to the certificate as well as a MSCE degree.

• One course, up to three semester hours, may be transferred from another institution.

• Graduate courses taken from the University of Alabama, University of South Alabama, and University of Alabama in Huntsville via IITS may be applied to certificates with prior approval of the graduate program director.

• Elective courses may be taken at the 500, 600, or 700 level. Special topics courses (CE 590, CE 690, or CE 790) may be applied to certificates with prior approval of the graduate program director.

• Undergraduate students wishing to enroll in graduate level courses (500 and above) must submit an Undergraduate Student Enrollment in Graduate Level Coursework permission form.

Certificate in Construction Engineering Management

Certificate in Environmental Engineering

Certificate in Structural Engineering

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Only one of these courses can be applied to this certificate

Certificate in Sustainable Engineering

Certificate in Transportation Engineering

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Must be approved by Certificate Director

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Only one of these courses may be applied to this certificate.