University Catalog 2023-2024

Construction Engineering (BS)

To see more about what you will learn in this program, visit the Learning Outcomes website!

Construction Engineering Degree

The Construction Engineering curriculum is designed for the student interested in the planning, design, direction, and management of construction projects. It includes the core course requirements in mathematics, the physical sciences, and the humanities and social sciences. After exposure to engineering fundamentals and design of facilities, the curriculum provides a series of specialty courses in construction engineering related to building construction and systems, construction equipment, construction estimating and planning, and legal aspects of contracting. The student also develops skills in accounting, communication, and management. The curriculum is designed for students interested in delivering sustainable construction projects safely and efficiently by using appropriate resources, and means and methods.

Specific curriculum requirements are available on the Office of Undergraduate Courses and Curricula website.

Educational Objectives in Construction Engineering

Within a few years of graduation alumni of the Construction Engineering program will:

  1. Function successfully in careers emphasizing the application of construction engineering and management principles with the ability to solve a broad set of engineering problems in construction.
  2. Practice construction engineering including the design and management of the construction process to achieve needed safety, quality, durability, sustainability, schedule, and economic objectives for various stakeholders.
  3. Function in team-oriented, multi-disciplinary, open-ended engineering activities considering the societal and economic impacts of construction, and the professional and ethical responsibilities of the construction engineer.
  4. Engage in life-long learning through graduate study, self study, or continuing education; pursue licensure; provide mentoring to those under their supervision and influence; and provide leadership in their employment organizations, industry associations and professional societies.

Plan Requirements

College Requirements
E 101
E 115
Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving
and Introduction to Computing Environments
2
EC 205Fundamentals of Economics3
or EC 201 Principles of Microeconomics
or ARE 201 Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
E 102Engineering in the 21st Century2
Math
MA 141Calculus I4
MA 241Calculus II4
MA 242Calculus III4
Sciences
CH 101
CH 102
Chemistry - A Molecular Science
and General Chemistry Laboratory
4
PY 205
PY 206
Physics for Engineers and Scientists I
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory
4
PY 208
PY 209
Physics for Engineers and Scientists II
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory
4
CE Major
CE 214Engineering Mechanics-Statics3
CE 225Mechanics of Solids3
CE 250Introduction to Sustainable Infrastructure3
CE 263Introduction to Construction Engineering3
CE 282Hydraulics3
CE 301Civil Engineering Surveying and Geomatics3
CE 327Reinforced Concrete Design3
CE 332Civil Engineering Materials4
CE 342Engineering Behavior of Soils and Foundations4
CE 365Construction Equipment and Methods3
CE 367Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Buildings3
CE 463Construction Estimating, Planning, and Control3
CE 464Legal Aspects of Contracting3
CE 466Building Construction Engineering3
CE 469Construction Engineering Project3
Engineering Elective (choose one of the following)3
Structural Steel Design
Undergraduate Research Thesis in Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
Advised elective from the CE course list
Other Major
CSC 111Introduction to Computing: Python3
MEA 101Geology I: Physical3
ACC 280Survey of Financial and Managerial Accounting3
TDE 220Civil Engineering Graphics3
MSE 200Mechanical Properties of Structural Materials3
ST 370Probability and Statistics for Engineers3
COM 110Public Speaking3
or ENG 331 Communication for Engineering and Technology
Basic Science Elective (choose one of the following)3
Soil Science
Forest Ecology
Conservation of Natural Resources
Management Science Electives3
GEP Courses
ENG 101Academic Writing and Research4
GEP Humanities6
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives3
GEP Global Knowledge
Foreign Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
Total Hours126

Management Science Electives

SOC 205Jobs and Work3
SOC 301Human Behavior3
SOC/AFS 305Racial and Ethnic Relations3
PS 202State and Local Government3
PS 310Public Policy3
PS 312Introduction to Public Administration3
PS 314Science, Technology and Public Policy3
PS 320U.S. Environmental Law and Politics3

Semester Sequence

This is a sample.

Term Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
CH 101
CH 102
Chemistry - A Molecular Science
and General Chemistry Laboratory
4
E 101 Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 1
E 115 Introduction to Computing Environments 1
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 4
MA 141 Calculus I 4
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours15
Spring Semester
EC 205 Fundamentals of Economics 1 3
MA 241 Calculus II 4
PY 205
PY 206
Physics for Engineers and Scientists I
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory
4
E 102 Engineering in the 21st Century 1 2
GEP Requirement 1 3
 Hours16
Second Year
Fall Semester
CSC 111 Introduction to Computing: Python 3
CE 214 Engineering Mechanics-Statics 3
TDE 220 Civil Engineering Graphics 3
MA 242 Calculus III 4
CE 250 Introduction to Sustainable Infrastructure 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
PY 208
PY 209
Physics for Engineers and Scientists II
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory
4
ST 370 Probability and Statistics for Engineers 3
CE 225 Mechanics of Solids 3
CE 365 Construction Equipment and Methods 3
CE 263 Introduction to Construction Engineering 3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours17
Third Year
Fall Semester
MSE 200 Mechanical Properties of Structural Materials 3
CE 301 Civil Engineering Surveying and Geomatics 3
CE 327 Reinforced Concrete Design 3
CE 282 Hydraulics 3
CE 463 Construction Estimating, Planning, and Control 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
CE 332 Civil Engineering Materials 4
CE 342 Engineering Behavior of Soils and Foundations 4
CE 367 Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Buildings 3
MEA 101 Geology I: Physical 3
GEP Requirement 1 3
 Hours17
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
CE 466 Building Construction Engineering 3
Select one of the following Engineering Electives: 4 3
Structural Steel Design
Undergraduate Research Thesis in Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
ACC 280 Survey of Financial and Managerial Accounting 3
COM 110
Public Speaking
or Communication for Engineering and Technology
3
Select one of the following Basic Science Electives: 3
Forest Ecology
Conservation of Natural Resources
Soil Science
 Hours15
Spring Semester
CE 464 Legal Aspects of Contracting 3
CE 469 Construction Engineering Project 3
Management Science Elective 1,2 3
GEP Requirement 1 3
GEP Requirement 1 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours126
1

GEP Requirements to be selected from the appropriate lists in consultation with the advisor.

2

Management Science Elective (2nd Soc Sci GEP) - Select one: SOC 205, SOC 301, SOC 305/AFS 305 (USD), PS 202, PS 310, PS 312, PS 314, or PS 320.

3

Basic Science Elective - Select one: SSC 200, FOR 260, or FW 221

4

Engineering Elective – Select one: CE 426, CE 499, or an advised elective from CE course list

*

Foreign Language Proficiency at the FL_102 level is required for graduation.

GEP Courses
GEP Humanities6
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP Additional Breadth (Humanities/Social Sciences/Visual and Performing Arts)3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives3
GEP U.S. Diversity (verify requirement)
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
Foreign Language Proficiency (verify requirement)

Career Opportunities

Society will always need constructed facilities to live, work, and sustain their lives and environment, and civil, construction, and environmental engineers will always be needed to plan, design, and construct these facilities. Civil, construction, and environmental engineering comprise such diversified fields that graduates have a wide choice in types and locations of employment. Jobs range from federal, state, or municipal agencies to a variety of manufacturing and processing industries, consulting firms or construction companies. The work may be performed partially or wholly in an office or in the field and may be located in a small community, a big city, an industrial center, or even in a foreign country. Careers in either professional practice or teaching and research are common for many graduates who complete advanced degrees.