University Catalog 2024-2025

Civil Engineering (BS)

Civil Engineering Degree

The Civil Engineering curriculum provides academic discipline in mathematics, the physical sciences, and the technical aspects of civil engineering. Upon mastering the fundamental principles of engineering mechanics, the student builds additional breadth in several of the civil engineering disciplines such as coastal and water resources, computing and systems, construction, environmental, geotechnical, materials, structural, and transportation engineering.  Students learn to include principles of sustainability in civil infrastructure designs and develop skills in communication, leadership, and professional ethics.

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

Educational Objectives in Civil Engineering

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

  1. Function successfully in a professional environment by utilizing and enhancing their leadership, technical, critical thinking, and communication skills.
  2. Develop lifelong learning skills through graduate or other professional education and obtaining licensure where appropriate.
  3. Function in team-oriented, multidisciplinary open-ended engineering activities considering the societal, economic, public health, and environmental impacts of engineering decisions, and the professional and ethical responsibilities of civil engineers.
  4. Promote organizational success with consideration of cost and time management while practicing and promoting ethical behavior and stewardship of a sustainable environment.

Plan Requirements

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
CH 101 Chemistry - A Molecular Science 1 3
CH 102 General Chemistry Laboratory 1 1
E 101 Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 2 1
E 115 Introduction to Computing Environments 1
MA 141 Calculus I 1 4
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 2 4
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours15
Spring Semester
MA 241 Calculus II 1 4
PY 205
PY 206
Physics for Engineers and Scientists I
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory 1
4
Select one of the following Economics Courses: 3
Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
Principles of Microeconomics
Fundamentals of Economics
E 102 Engineering in the 21st Century 2
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours16
Second Year
Fall Semester
CE 214 Engineering Mechanics-Statics 2 3
CE 250
Introduction to Sustainable Infrastructure (Footnote 2 for either course) 2
or Introduction to Construction Engineering
3
TDE 220 Civil Engineering Graphics 3
MA 242 Calculus III 4
CSC 111 Introduction to Computing: Python 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
CE 225 Mechanics of Solids 2 3
CE 282 Hydraulics 2 3
MA 305
Introductory Linear Algebra and Matrices
or Applied Differential Equations I
3
MSE 200 Mechanical Properties of Structural Materials 3
PY 208 Physics for Engineers and Scientists II 3
PY 209 Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory 1
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours17
Third Year
Fall Semester
CE 332
Civil Engineering Materials
or Engineering Behavior of Soils and Foundations
4
Select one of the following: 3
Introduction to Transportation Systems
Reinforced Concrete Design
Civil Engineering Systems
Hydrology and Urban Water Systems
CE Junior Elective 3
ST 370 Probability and Statistics for Engineers 3
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
CE 332
Civil Engineering Materials
or Engineering Behavior of Soils and Foundations
4
Select one of the following: 3
Introduction to Transportation Systems
Reinforced Concrete Design
Civil Engineering Systems
Hydrology and Urban Water Systems
CE Junior Elective 3
Basic Science Elective 3
Select one of the following Engineering Science Electives: 3
Principles of Electrical Engineering
Thermal-Fluid Sciences
Engineering Dynamics
 Hours16
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
Select one from the following: 3 3
Select one from the following: 3 3
Senior Elective 3
COM 110
Public Speaking
or Communication for Engineering and Technology
3
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
Select one from the following: 3 3
Select one from the following: 3 3
CE 420
Structural Engineering Project
or Civil Engineering Project
3
GEP Requirement 3
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours126
1

A grade of C or higher is required.

2

A grade of C- or higher is required.

3

A minimum of two CE Senior Design Electives are required for graduation. These courses should be in two different areas as defined in the CE Worksheet.

GEP Courses
GEP Humanities6
GEP Social Sciences3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives3
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
Foreign Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
Total Hours17

CE Junior Electives

CE 301Civil Engineering Surveying and Geomatics3
CE 305Introduction to Transportation Systems3
CE 325Structural Analysis I3
CE 327Reinforced Concrete Design3
CE 339Civil Engineering Systems3
CE 367Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Buildings3
CE 373Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering3
CE 383Hydrology and Urban Water Systems3

Basic Science Electives

BIO 181Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity4
BIO 183Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology4
FOR 260Forest Ecology4
FW 221Conservation of Natural Resources3
MEA 101Geology I: Physical3
MEA 110Geology I Laboratory1
MEA 200Introduction to Oceanography3
MEA 210Oceanography Lab1
SSC 200Soil Science3

CE Senior Electives

CE 401Transportation Planning3
CE 405Railroad System Planning, Design, and Operation 3
CE 435Engineering Geology3
CE 437Civil Engineering Computing3
CE 466Building Construction Engineering3
CE 478Energy and Climate3
CE 479Air Quality3
CE 487Introduction to Coastal and Ocean Engineering3
CE 488Water Resources Engineering3
CE 501Transportation Planning3
CE 505Railroad System Planning, Design, and Operation 3
CE 578Energy and Climate3
MEA 479Air Quality3
Junior Elective not previously used
CE Senior Design Elective not previously used

Senior Electives

ARC 521Daylighting and Passive Energy Systems for Architecture3
ARC 522Building Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy3
ARC 523Building Energy Modeling and Simulation3
CE 401Transportation Planning3
CE 402Traffic Operations3
CE 403Transportation System Design3
CE 405Railroad System Planning, Design, and Operation 3
CE 425Advanced Structural Analysis3
CE 464Legal Aspects of Contracting3
CE 468Building Information Modeling in Construction3
CE 478Energy and Climate3
CE 488Water Resources Engineering3
CE 499Undergraduate Research Thesis in Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering1-3
CE 501Transportation Planning3
CE 502Traffic Operations3
CE 503Transportation System Design3
CE 504Airport Planning and Design3
CE 505Railroad System Planning, Design, and Operation 3
CE 507Sensors, Instrumentation, and Data Analytics for Transportation Networks3
CE 509Highway Safety3
CE 515Advanced Strength of Materials3
CE 522Theory and Design Of Prestressed Concrete3
CE 523Theory and Behavior Of Steel Structures3
CE 524Analysis and Design Of Masonry Structures3
CE 525Advanced Structural Analysis3
CE 526Finite Element Method in Structural Engineering3
CE 527Structural Dynamics3
CE 528Structural Design in Wood3
CE 529FRP Strengthening and Repair of Concrete Structures3
CE 530Properties of Concrete and Advanced Cement-Based Composites3
CE 536Introduction to Numerical Methods for Civil Engineers3
CE 537Computer Methods and Applications3
CE 538Information Technology and Modeling3
CE 548Engineering Properties Of Soils I3
CE 549Soil and Site Improvement3
CE 557Engineering Measurement and Data Analysis3
CE 561Construction Project Management3
CE 562Lean Construction Concepts and Methods3
CE 564Legal Aspects of Contracting3
CE 565Construction Safety Management3
CE 567Risk and Financial Management in Construction3
CE 568Building Information Modeling in Construction3
CE 571Physical Principles of Environmental Engineering3
CE 573Biological Principles of Environmental Engineering3
CE 574Chemical Principles of Environmental Engineering3
CE 576Engineering Principles Of Air Pollution Control3
CE 577Engineering Principles Of Solid Waste Management3
CE 578Energy and Climate3
CE 579Principles of Air Quality Engineering3
CE 581Fluid Mechanics in Natural Environments3
CE 582Coastal Hydrodynamics3
CE 583Engineering Aspects Of Coastal Processes3
CE 584Hydraulics Of Ground Water3
CE 585Principles of Surface Water Quality Modeling3
CE 586Engineering Hydrology3
CE 588Water Resources Engineering3
CE 590Special Topics In Civil Engineering1-6
CE 591Special Topics in Civil Engineering Computing1-6
CE 592Special Topics in Construction Engineering1-6
CE 593Special Topics in Geotechnical Engineering1-3
CE 594Special Topics in Structures and Mechanics1-6
CE 595Special Topics in Transportation Engineering1-6
CE 596Special Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering1-6
FB 528Structural Design in Wood3
MA 302Numerical Applications to Differential Equations1
MA 305Introductory Linear Algebra and Matrices3
MA 315Mathematics Methods in Atmospheric Sciences4
MA 351Introduction to Discrete Mathematical Models3
MAE 440Non-Destructive Testing and Evaluation3

CE Senior Design Electives 

CE 402Traffic Operations3
CE 403Transportation System Design3
CE 413Principles of Pavement Design3
CE 426Structural Steel Design3
CE 443Seepage, Earth Embankments and Retaining Structures3
CE 444An Introduction to Foundation Engineering3
CE 466Building Construction Engineering3
CE 476Air Pollution Control3
CE 477Principles of Solid Waste Engineering3
CE 484Water Supply and Waste Water Systems3
CE 488Water Resources Engineering3
CE 502Traffic Operations3
CE 503Transportation System Design3
CE 576Engineering Principles Of Air Pollution Control3
CE 577Engineering Principles Of Solid Waste Management3
CE 588Water Resources Engineering3

Semester Sequence

This is a sample.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
CH 101 Chemistry - A Molecular Science 1 3
CH 102 General Chemistry Laboratory 1 1
E 101 Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 2 1
E 115 Introduction to Computing Environments 1
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 2 4
MA 141 Calculus I 1 4
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours15
Spring Semester
EC 205 Fundamentals of Economics 3
MA 241 Calculus II 1 4
PY 205
PY 206
Physics for Engineers and Scientists I
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory 1
4
E 102 Engineering in the 21st Century 2
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours16
Second Year
Fall Semester
CE 214 Engineering Mechanics-Statics 2 3
CE 250
Introduction to Sustainable Infrastructure (Footnote 2 for either course) 2
or Introduction to Construction Engineering
3
CSC 111 Introduction to Computing: Python 3
TDE 220 Civil Engineering Graphics 3
MA 242 Calculus III 4
 Hours16
Spring Semester
CE 225 Mechanics of Solids 2 3
CE 282 Hydraulics 2 3
PY 208 Physics for Engineers and Scientists II 3
PY 209 Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory 1
MA 341
Applied Differential Equations I
or Introductory Linear Algebra and Matrices
3
MSE 200 Mechanical Properties of Structural Materials 3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours17
Third Year
Fall Semester
CE 332
Civil Engineering Materials
or Engineering Behavior of Soils and Foundations
4
CE Core Course – Elective I 3
CE Junior Elective I 3
ST 370 Probability and Statistics for Engineers 3
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
CE 332/342 Civil Engineering Materials 4
CE Core Course – Elective II 3
CE Junior Elective 3
Basic Science Elective 3
Select one of the following Engineering Science Electives: 3
Principles of Electrical Engineering
Thermal-Fluid Sciences
Engineering Dynamics
 Hours16
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
Select one from the following for CE Senior Elective or CE Senior Design Elective I: 3 3
Select one from the following for CE Senior Elective or CE Senior Design Elective II: 3 3
Senior Elective 3
COM 110
Public Speaking
or Communication for Engineering and Technology
3
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
Select one from the following for CE Senior Elective or CE Senior Design Elective III: 3 3
Select one from the following for CE Senior Elective or CE Senior Design Elective IV: 3 3
Select one of the following CE Capstone courses: 3
Structural Engineering Project
Civil Engineering Project
GEP Requirement 3
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours126
1

C or better grade required

2

C- or better grade required

3

A minimum of two CE Senior Design Electives are required for graduation. These courses should be in two different areas as defined in the CE Worksheet.

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.

Career Titles

  • Civil Engineer
  • Coastal Engineer
  • Geotechnical Engineer
  • Geoenvironmental Engineer
  • Structural Engineer
  • Transportation Engineer
  • Water/Wastewater Engineer
  • Municipal Engineer
  • Project Manager
  • Engineering Professor

Learn More About Careers

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Occupational Outlook Handbook
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Focus 2 Career Assessment (NC State student email address required)
This career, major and education planning system is available to current NC State students to learn about how your values, interests, competencies, and personality fit into the NC State majors and your future career. An NC State email address is required to create an account. Make an appointment with your career counselor to discuss the results.

American Society of Civil Engineers
American Water Resources Association
Institute of Transportation Engineers
National Society of Professional Engineers