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College of Engineering - Curriculum Guide

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Mishac K. Yegian, PhD, Professor and Chair
Associate Professors
Dionisio Bernal, PhD
Peter G. Furth, PhD
David E. Langseth, ScD
Richard J. Scranton, SM
Thomas C. Sheahan, ScD
Ali Touran, PhD
Sara Wadia-Fascetti, PhD
Irvine W. Wei, PhD

Assistant Professors
Akram N. Alshawabkeh, PhD
James Y. Wang, PhD

Professors Emeriti
Paul H. King, PhD
Kenneth M. Leet, ScD

Civil engineers judiciously apply their knowledge of mathematics and physical sciences to improve and protect the environment and to provide facilities and structures for community living, industry, and transportation. Civil engineering encompasses several disciplines, including structural engineering, environmental engineering, transportation planning and engineering, and geotechnical engineering. They supervise the construction of bridges, tunnels, buildings, dams, and aqueducts. Civil engineers also plan, design, construct, and manage highways, railroads, canals, and airports; regulate rivers and control floods; design and build systems for water distribution, wastewater treatment, refuse disposal, and environmental remediation.

The civil engineering program has four educational objectives. The first is that our students gain an understanding of the natural and cultural world. Mathematics, physics, and chemistry are the foundation of civil engineering. Such a foundation enables students to properly understand and apply engineering principles, and makes the Northeastern education one that can keep pace with the advances in this dynamic field. Likewise, it is important for students to understand the historical and cultural context in which engineering takes place and to understand the social and environmental impact of engineering projects.

The second objective is that our students become technically prepared for engineering practice. Students acquire a common base of knowledge in the engineering sciences, including mechanics and environmental science. In more advanced courses, students learn to analyze and design building frames and bridges, water and wastewater treatment systems, highways and traffic systems, hydraulic systems, earth dams, building foundations, and construction management systems. Our program is designed to give students proficiency in at least four areas of civil engineering. Students may also earn an optional concentration in structural engineering or environmental engineering.

The third program objective is that our students develop skills in critical-thinking, communication, information literacy, and aesthetics. These subjects are integrated into courses throughout the program. Particular emphasis is placed on the importance of effective writing and public speaking.

The fourth program objective is that our students develop a personal and professional ethic‹that is, an understanding of the profession, its ethical codes, history, contemporary issues, and the need for lifelong learning. Course work, cooperative education, and participation in the activities of the College's award-winning student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers help students meet this goal.

The civil engineering program provides students with a broad education appropriate for a variety of career choices and lifelong learning. Experience tells us that civil engineering graduates will enter almost every field imaginable. The knowledge and skills acquired‹understanding science, critical thinking, effective communication, and understanding the social context, among them‹form an excellent foundation for a host of careers, as well as for a fulfilling life outside the world of work. The civil engineering program has been designed with seven general electives that permit students to explore or acquire further depth in other fields of interest. Students can use these electives to earn a minor in business, architecture, music, computer science, or any number of other fields.

The co-op program parallels the academic program in level of responsibility and sophistication. A beginning job might involve layout at a construction site or laboratory testing; in senior level co-op assignments, students are often working alongside engineers on design teams. See course descriptions for more information.

Quarters 1­3	See intro.
Quarter 4	CIV 1210, Structural Mechanics 1; CIV 1510, Materials; CIV 1511, Materials Lab; MTH 1223, Calculus for Engineering Majors 4; GE 1003, Reflection on Cooperative Education; and one historical perspective elective.
Quarter 5	CIV 1211, Structural Mechanics 2; CIV 1620, Engineering Measurements; CIV 1621, Engineering Measurements Lab; ECN 1116, Principles of Microeconomics; and MTH 1225, Differential Equations (Engineering) 1.
Quarter 6	CIV 1220, Structural Analysis 1; CIV 1226, Structural Analysis and Design Lab; CIV 1310, Fluid Mechanics; one math/science elective; and one general elective.
Quarter 7	CIV 1240, Concrete Design 1; CIV 1340, Environmental Engineering 1; CIV 1410, Soil Mechanics; CIV 1411, Soil Mechanics Lab; GE 1004, Professional Issues in Engineering; and one general elective.
Quarter 8	MIM 1215, Engineering Economy; one civil engineering breadth elective; one social/cultural context elective; and one general elective.
Quarter 9	CIV 1640, Applied Probability Theory for Civil Engineers; CIV 1665, Professional Issues for Civil Engineers; ENG 1125, Technical Writing; GE 1005, Career Management; and two technical electives.
Quarter 10	One technical elective; one math/science elective; and two general electives.
Quarter 11	CIV 1695, Senior Design Project; and two general electives.

Environmental Engineering Concentration Curriculum

To qualify for a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a concentration in environmental engineering, students must fulfill the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering curriculum, and the set of chosen electives must include CIV 1320, Hydraulic Engineering; CIV 1341, Environmental Engineering 2; CIV 1350, Environmental and Hydraulics Design Laboratory; POL 1334, Environmental Policy and Politics or ECN 1323, Environmental Economics; or SOC 1145, Population and Society; BIO 1122, Basic Microbiology or BIO 1174, Introduction to Marine Biology together with BIO 1675, Introduction to Marine Biology Laboratory; and one of the following: CHM 1271, Organic Chemistry for Chemistry and Biochemistry Majors and Chemical Engineering Students 1; CHM 1381, Physical Chemistry 1; CHM 1221, Analytical Chemistry; GEO 1412, Geochemistry; GEO 1446, Hydrogeology; GEO 1447, Groundwater Modeling; or GEO 1448, Groundwater Geochemistry.

Structural Engineering Concentration Curriculum

To qualify for a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a concentration in structural engineering, students must fulfill the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering curriculum, and the set of chosen electives must include the following: CIV 1222, Structural Analysis 2; CIV 1241, Concrete Design 2; CIV 1250, Steel Design 1; MTH 1230, Linear Algebra for Engineers; and CIV 1420, Foundation Engineering or ART 1355, Environmental Systems.

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