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.泭 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 .
Educational Objectives in Civil Engineering
Within a few years of graduation, alumni of the Civil Engineering program will:
- Function successfully in a professional environment by utilizing and enhancing their leadership, technical, critical thinking, and communication skills.
- Develop lifelong learning skills through graduate or other professional education and obtaining licensure where appropriate.
- 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.
- Promote organizational success with consideration of cost and time management while practicing and promoting ethical behavior and stewardship of a sustainable environment.
Plan Requirements
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| 唬晨泭101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science 1 | 3 |
| 唬晨泭102 | General Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| 楚泭101 | Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 2 | 1 |
| 楚泭115 | Introduction to Computing Environments | 1 |
| 紼插泭141 | Calculus I 1 | 4 |
| 楚捧勞泭101 | Academic Writing and Research 2 | 4 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| 泭 | Hours | 15 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MA泭241 | Calculus II 1 | 4 |
| PY泭205 &泭PY泭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泭102 | Engineering in the 21st Century | 2 |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| 泭 | Hours | 16 |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CE泭214 | Engineering Mechanics-Statics 2 | 3 |
| CE泭250 or CE泭263 | Introduction to Sustainable Infrastructure (Footnote 2 for either course) 2 or Introduction to Construction Engineering | 3 |
| TDE泭220 | Civil Engineering Graphics | 3 |
| MA泭242 | Calculus III | 4 |
| CSC泭111 | Introduction to Computing: Python | 3 |
| 泭 | Hours | 16 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CE泭225 | Mechanics of Solids 2 | 3 |
| CE泭282 | Hydraulics 2 | 3 |
| MA泭305 or MA泭341 | Introductory Linear Algebra and Matrices or Applied Differential Equations I | 3 |
| MSE泭200 | Mechanical Properties of Structural Materials | 3 |
| PY泭208 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II | 3 |
| PY泭209 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory | 1 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| 泭 | Hours | 17 |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CE泭332 or CE泭342 | 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泭370 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 3 |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| 泭 | Hours | 16 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CE泭332 or CE泭342 | 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 | ||
| 泭 | Hours | 16 |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Select one from the following: 3 | 3 | |
| Select one from the following: 3 | 3 | |
| Senior Elective | 3 | |
| COM泭110 or ENG泭331 | Public Speaking or Communication for Engineering and Technology | 3 |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| 泭 | Hours | 15 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Select one from the following: 3 | 3 | |
| Select one from the following: 3 | 3 | |
| CE泭420 or CE泭450 | Structural Engineering Project or Civil Engineering Project | 3 |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| 泭 | Hours | 15 |
| 泭 | Total Hours | 126 |
- 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.
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEP Courses | |||
| GEP Humanities | 6 | ||
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | ||
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | ||
| GEP Elective | 3 | ||
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 3 | ||
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | |||
| Foreign Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | |||
| Total Hours | 17 | ||
CE Junior Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| CE泭301 | Civil Engineering Surveying and Geomatics | 3 | |
| CE泭305 | Introduction to Transportation Systems | 3 | |
| CE泭325 | Structural Analysis I | 3 | |
| CE泭327 | Reinforced Concrete Design | 3 | |
| CE泭339 | Civil Engineering Systems | 3 | |
| CE泭367 | Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Buildings | 3 | |
| CE泭373 | Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering | 3 | |
| CE泭383 | Hydrology and Urban Water Systems | 3 |
Basic Science Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO泭181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity | 4 | |
| BIO泭183 | Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 | |
| FOR泭260 | Forest Ecology | 4 | |
| FW泭221 | Conservation of Natural Resources | 3 | |
| MEA泭101 | Geology I: Physical | 3 | |
| MEA泭110 | Geology I Laboratory | 1 | |
| MEA泭200 | Introduction to Oceanography | 3 | |
| MEA泭210 | Oceanography Lab | 1 | |
| SSC泭200 | Soil Science | 3 |
CE Senior Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| CE泭401 | Transportation Planning | 3 | |
| CE泭405 | Railroad System Planning, Design, and Operation | 3 | |
| CE泭435 | Engineering Geology | 3 | |
| CE泭437 | Civil Engineering Computing | 3 | |
| CE泭466 | Building Construction Engineering | 3 | |
| CE泭478 | Energy and Climate | 3 | |
| CE泭479 | Air Quality | 3 | |
| CE泭487 | Introduction to Coastal and Ocean Engineering | 3 | |
| CE泭488 | Water Resources Engineering | 3 | |
| CE泭501 | Transportation Planning | 3 | |
| CE泭505 | Railroad System Planning, Design, and Operation | 3 | |
| CE泭578 | Energy and Climate | 3 | |
| MEA泭479 | Air Quality | 3 | |
| Junior Elective not previously used | |||
| CE Senior Design Elective not previously used | |||
Senior Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARC泭521 | Daylighting and Passive Energy Systems for Architecture | 3 | |
| ARC泭522 | Building Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy | 3 | |
| ARC泭523 | Building Energy Modeling and Simulation | 3 | |
| CE泭401 | Transportation Planning | 3 | |
| CE泭402 | Traffic Operations | 3 | |
| CE泭403 | Transportation System Design | 3 | |
| CE泭405 | Railroad System Planning, Design, and Operation | 3 | |
| CE泭425 | Advanced Structural Analysis | 3 | |
| CE泭464 | Legal Aspects of Contracting | 3 | |
| CE泭468 | Building Information Modeling in Construction | 3 | |
| CE泭478 | Energy and Climate | 3 | |
| CE泭488 | Water Resources Engineering | 3 | |
| CE泭499 | Undergraduate Research Thesis in Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering | 1-3 | |
| CE泭501 | Transportation Planning | 3 | |
| CE泭502 | Traffic Operations | 3 | |
| CE泭503 | Transportation System Design | 3 | |
| CE泭504 | Airport Planning and Design | 3 | |
| CE泭505 | Railroad System Planning, Design, and Operation | 3 | |
| CE泭507 | Sensors, Instrumentation, and Data Analytics for Transportation Networks | 3 | |
| CE泭509 | Highway Safety | 3 | |
| CE泭515 | Advanced Strength of Materials | 3 | |
| CE泭522 | Theory and Design Of Prestressed Concrete | 3 | |
| CE泭523 | Theory and Behavior Of Steel Structures | 3 | |
| CE泭524 | Analysis and Design Of Masonry Structures | 3 | |
| CE泭525 | Advanced Structural Analysis | 3 | |
| CE泭526 | Finite Element Method in Structural Engineering | 3 | |
| CE泭527 | Structural Dynamics | 3 | |
| CE泭528 | Structural Design in Wood | 3 | |
| CE泭529 | FRP Strengthening and Repair of Concrete Structures | 3 | |
| CE泭530 | Properties of Concrete and Advanced Cement-Based Composites | 3 | |
| CE泭536 | Introduction to Numerical Methods for Civil Engineers | 3 | |
| CE泭537 | Computer Methods and Applications | 3 | |
| CE泭538 | Information Technology and Modeling | 3 | |
| CE泭548 | Engineering Properties Of Soils I | 3 | |
| CE泭549 | Soil and Site Improvement | 3 | |
| CE泭557 | Engineering Measurement and Data Analysis | 3 | |
| CE泭561 | Construction Project Management | 3 | |
| CE泭562 | Lean Construction Concepts and Methods | 3 | |
| CE泭564 | Legal Aspects of Contracting | 3 | |
| CE泭565 | Construction Safety Management | 3 | |
| CE泭567 | Risk and Financial Management in Construction | 3 | |
| CE泭568 | Building Information Modeling in Construction | 3 | |
| CE泭571 | Physical Principles of Environmental Engineering | 3 | |
| CE泭573 | Biological Principles of Environmental Engineering | 3 | |
| CE泭574 | Chemical Principles of Environmental Engineering | 3 | |
| CE泭576 | Engineering Principles Of Air Pollution Control | 3 | |
| CE泭577 | Engineering Principles Of Solid Waste Management | 3 | |
| CE泭578 | Energy and Climate | 3 | |
| CE泭579 | Principles of Air Quality Engineering | 3 | |
| CE泭581 | Fluid Mechanics in Natural Environments | 3 | |
| CE泭582 | Coastal Hydrodynamics | 3 | |
| CE泭583 | Engineering Aspects Of Coastal Processes | 3 | |
| CE泭584 | Hydraulics Of Ground Water | 3 | |
| CE泭585 | Principles of Surface Water Quality Modeling | 3 | |
| CE泭586 | Engineering Hydrology | 3 | |
| CE泭588 | Water Resources Engineering | 3 | |
| CE泭590 | Special Topics In Civil Engineering | 1-6 | |
| CE泭591 | Special Topics in Civil Engineering Computing | 1-6 | |
| CE泭592 | Special Topics in Construction Engineering | 1-6 | |
| CE泭593 | Special Topics in Geotechnical Engineering | 1-3 | |
| CE泭594 | Special Topics in Structures and Mechanics | 1-6 | |
| CE泭595 | Special Topics in Transportation Engineering | 1-6 | |
| CE泭596 | Special Topics in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering | 1-6 | |
| FB泭528 | Structural Design in Wood | 3 | |
| MA泭302 | Numerical Applications to Differential Equations | 1 | |
| MA泭305 | Introductory Linear Algebra and Matrices | 3 | |
| MA泭315 | Mathematics Methods in Atmospheric Sciences | 4 | |
| MA泭351 | Introduction to Discrete Mathematical Models | 3 | |
| MAE泭440 | Non-Destructive Testing and Evaluation | 3 |
CE Senior Design Electives泭
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| CE泭402 | Traffic Operations | 3 | |
| CE泭403 | Transportation System Design | 3 | |
| CE泭413 | Principles of Pavement Design | 3 | |
| CE泭426 | Structural Steel Design | 3 | |
| CE泭443 | Seepage, Earth Embankments and Retaining Structures | 3 | |
| CE泭444 | An Introduction to Foundation Engineering | 3 | |
| CE泭466 | Building Construction Engineering | 3 | |
| CE泭476 | Air Pollution Control | 3 | |
| CE泭477 | Principles of Solid Waste Engineering | 3 | |
| CE泭484 | Water Supply and Waste Water Systems | 3 | |
| CE泭488 | Water Resources Engineering | 3 | |
| CE泭502 | Traffic Operations | 3 | |
| CE泭503 | Transportation System Design | 3 | |
| CE泭576 | Engineering Principles Of Air Pollution Control | 3 | |
| CE泭577 | Engineering Principles Of Solid Waste Management | 3 | |
| CE泭588 | Water Resources Engineering | 3 |
Semester Sequence
This is a sample.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| 唬晨泭101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science 1 | 3 |
| 唬晨泭102 | General Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| 楚泭101 | Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 2 | 1 |
| 楚泭115 | Introduction to Computing Environments | 1 |
| 楚捧勞泭101 | Academic Writing and Research 2 | 4 |
| 紼插泭141 | Calculus I 1 | 4 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| 泭 | Hours | 15 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| EC泭205 | Fundamentals of Economics | 3 |
| MA泭241 | Calculus II 1 | 4 |
| PY泭205 &泭PY泭206 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| E泭102 | Engineering in the 21st Century | 2 |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| 泭 | Hours | 16 |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CE泭214 | Engineering Mechanics-Statics 2 | 3 |
| CE泭250 or CE泭263 | Introduction to Sustainable Infrastructure (Footnote 2 for either course) 2 or Introduction to Construction Engineering | 3 |
| CSC泭111 | Introduction to Computing: Python | 3 |
| TDE泭220 | Civil Engineering Graphics | 3 |
| MA泭242 | Calculus III | 4 |
| 泭 | Hours | 16 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CE泭225 | Mechanics of Solids 2 | 3 |
| CE泭282 | Hydraulics 2 | 3 |
| PY泭208 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II | 3 |
| PY泭209 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory | 1 |
| MA泭341 or MA泭305 | Applied Differential Equations I or Introductory Linear Algebra and Matrices | 3 |
| MSE泭200 | Mechanical Properties of Structural Materials | 3 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| 泭 | Hours | 17 |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CE泭332 or CE泭342 | Civil Engineering Materials or Engineering Behavior of Soils and Foundations | 4 |
| CE Core Course Elective I | 3 | |
| CE Junior Elective I | 3 | |
| ST泭370 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 3 |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| 泭 | Hours | 16 |
| 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 | ||
| 泭 | Hours | 16 |
| 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泭110 or ENG泭331 | Public Speaking or Communication for Engineering and Technology | 3 |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| 泭 | Hours | 15 |
| 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 | |
| 泭 | Hours | 15 |
| 泭 | Total Hours | 126 |
- 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
Explore North Carolinas central online resource for students, parents, educators, job seekers and career counselors looking for high quality job and career information.
Browse the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to view state and area employment and wage statistics. You can also identify and compare similar occupations based on your interests.
View videos that provide career details and information on wages, employment trends, skills needed, and more for any occupation. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
(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 to discuss the results.
泭(Available to prospective students)
A career assessment tool designed to support prospective students in exploring and choosing the right major and career path based on your unique personality, interests, skills and values. Get started with Focus 2 Apply and see how it can guide your journey at NC State.