Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Civil engineers plan, design, construct, and operate the physical works and facilities essential to modern life. Civil engineers are responsible not only for creating the facilities required by a modern civilization, but also are committed to the conservation and preservation of the environment. Examples of these facilities include bridges, highways, buildings, airports, flood control structures, purification plants for drinking water, waste treatment and disposal facilities, offshore structures, tunnels, irrigation systems, space satellites, and launching facilities.

The program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

The mission of the undergraduate program of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is to provide a broad and comprehensive education that prepares our students to be successful in professional practice and advanced studies. The objectives of our undergraduate program are as follows: 1) to educate and equip a new generation of civil engineers to meet future challenges and needs of our profession; 2) to foster an environment that stimulates learning, provides excellence in instruction, and provides leadership in the development of new teaching methods; 3) to promote interdisciplinary education and integration of new technology and research within the undergraduate experience; 4) to provide our students with a high quality education in basic principles and practical applications; and 5) to instill a sense of social and ethical responsibility among our graduates. Courses can be selected to provide in-depth studies in environmental, geotechnical, hydraulic, structural, and/or transportation engineering.

Design and planning are essential in the civil engineering profession. Accordingly, these activities are introduced in early C E courses. As students advance, they face open-ended assignments with alternative solutions, feasibility studies, safety considerations, economics, social and environmental impacts and other concerns that test their creative ability. All students complete a senior design class in which much of earlier course work is applied.

All seniors are required to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam prior to graduation. Two purposes of this exam are: (1) It is a required step in becoming a professional engineer; (2) It serves as an assessment tool for meeting the department's objectives.

Because of the ever-increasing knowledge required to practice at high levels of competence in the specialized branches of civil engineering, an educational preparation of five or more years of college study is becoming more important. By an appropriate choice of electives the undergraduate curriculum may be integrated with a graduate program to provide a continuous schedule of studies leading to both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

The department offers courses of study leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Master of Science in Environmental Engineering, and Doctor of Philosophy (Civil Engineering). The department participates in interdepartmental programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science in Environmental Science, and Master of Regional Planning.

Computer Requirement

All incoming Civil and Environmental Engineering students are required to purchase laptop computers. Please contact the department for details and specifications and/or visit http://www.ce.wsu.edu.

Transfer Students

Students who are planning to transfer to civil engineering at Washington State University from other institutions should coordinate their program with the department chairperson to establish an integrated program leading to the bachelor’s degree. Inquiries concerning specific questions are welcome. A strong preparation in mathematics and physics is necessary prior to transfer to minimize the time required to complete the degree requirements. The requirements for direct entry into the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering upon transfer are the same as listed above for certification. The Admissions Office will handle admissions applications from transfer students and the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering will handle certification applications.

Preparation for Graduate Study

As preparation for academic work toward an advanced degree in civil engineering or environmental engineering, a student should have completed substantially the equivalent of the schedule of studies.