Nov 23, 2024  
2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Civil and Environmental Engineering


Phillip Thompson, PhD, PE, Chair

Civil engineering is the knowledge of mathematical and physical sciences to provide structures, improve and protect the environment, and provide facilities for community living, industry, and transportation for the use of mankind.

The mission of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department is to provide educational opportunities for students seeking to enter the civil engineering profession, so that they can achieve competence in the field while recognizing their social responsibilities. The program provides a strong foundation in the areas of mathematics, basic and engineering sciences, and the humanities and social sciences. It encourages further self development and life-long intellectual achievement. The program seeks to build student skills in written and oral communication, and a sense of poise and professionalism.

Analysis and design courses in the fields of environmental, geotechnical, hydraulic, structural, and water resources engineering are offered in addition to preparatory courses in sciences and basic mechanics. A broad base of theory is provided, along with its application to current practices of the profession.

Program Educational Objectives

Our civil engineering program strives to provide a personalized, world-class educational experience that enables our graduates to:

  • Professional: Attain a position in civil engineering or related field.
  • Technical: Be recognized as competent professionals as demonstrated by the completion of professional licensure or specialized certification
  • Personal: Participate in ongoing personal and professional growth and learning as demonstrated by completion of advanced degrees or through other forms of continuing education.
  • Societal: Contribute to society or the profession through involvement in professional organizations or other service activity

Departmental Requirements

In addition to the prerequisites, departmental candidacy in one of the engineering departments is required for entry into 300- and 400-level courses. Candidacy is achieved by successfully completing all required 100- and 200-level engineering, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics courses with a combined grade point average of at least 2.50, as well as ENGL 110 . Only courses graded C (2.00) or higher may be transferred into the department to offset degree requirements.

For graduation, a minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average is required, as well as a minimum 2.50 average in Seattle University classes in science, computer science, physics, mathematics, and engineering courses.

Taking the Washington state Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination is required for the degree. The civil engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET http://www.abet.org.