Educational Objectives
Within a few years of graduation, graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) program in civil engineering will:
- be productive and contributing members of the civil engineering profession as practitioners, entrepreneurs, researchers, or teachers;
- be engaged in learning, understanding, and applying new ideas as the field develops;
- pursue advanced studies, if qualified and interested; and
- promote the safety, health, and welfare of the public and the environment through professional practice and civic leadership.
The Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) with a major in civil engineering requires a minimum of 128 s.h. of credit. At the time of graduation, students must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.00 in all college work used to complete degree requirements and in all UI coursework in order to be awarded the BSE.
All BSE students are required to take the same collegiate curriculum. For information about these collegiate requirements, see the Bachelor of Science in Engineering, BSE in the catalog. Students completing the major in civil engineering fulfill the collegiate statistics requirement by completing STAT:2020 Probability and Statistics for the Engineering and Physical Sciences. Some focus areas may suggest or require specific courses to fulfill the General Education Component of the collegiate curriculum; see the section titled "Focus Area."
The major in civil engineering requires the following coursework. Students who begin in the college fall semester of their first year also complete ENGR:1000 Engineering Success for First-Year Students (1 s.h.). Students who have transferred into the College of Engineering or did not complete ENGR:1000 their first year are required to substitute the seminar with a different course; depending on the student's major, the college may waive this requirement. Students transferring from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or Tippie College of Business typically use 1 s.h. from CSI:1600 Success at Iowa to cover this requirement.
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| Collegiate Curriculum | 49 |
| Major Requirements | 58 |
| Focus Area | 21-22 |
Major Requirements
Major requirements include a set of common courses (45 s.h.), four professional skills courses (4 s.h.), two design courses (6 s.h.), and one capstone design course (3 s.h.).
Common Courses
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| CEE:1030 | Introduction to Earth Science (no lab required) | 3 |
| CEE:2015 | Civil Engineering Tools | 2 |
| CEE:3155 | Principles of Environmental Engineering | 4 |
| CEE:3371 | Principles of Hydraulics and Hydrology | 3 |
| CEE:3530 | Geomechanics | 4 |
| CEE:3533 | Principles of Structural Engineering | 4 |
| CEE:3586 | Civil Engineering Materials | 3 |
| CEE:3763 | Principles of Transportation Engineering | 3 |
| ENGR:2110 | Statics | 2 |
| ENGR:2130 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| ENGR:2510 | Fluid Mechanics | 4 |
| ENGR:2710 | Dynamics | 3 |
| ENGR:2750 | Mechanics of Deformable Bodies | 3 |
| And one of these: | ||
| CHEM:1120 | Principles of Chemistry II | 4 |
| PHYS:1612 | Introductory Physics II (with lab) | 4 |
Professional Skills
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| CEE:2010 | Civil and Environmental Engineering Professional Practice and Ethics | 1 |
| CEE:3001 | Leadership Skills for Engineers | 1 |
| CEE:3002 | Technical Communication in Civil and Environmental Engineering | 1 |
| CEE:3003 | Project Management Skills | 1 |
Design Courses
Some focus areas require specific courses to fulfill part of this requirement; see "Focus Area." Students cannot count both CEE:4506 Design of Concrete Structures and CEE:4535 Design of Steel Structures towards the design requirement for the major.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Two of these: | ||
| CEE:4157 | Environmental Engineering Design | 3 |
| CEE:4374 | Water Resource Design | 3 |
| CEE:4506 | Design of Concrete Structures | 3 |
| or CEE:4535 | Design of Steel Structures | |
| CEE:4762 | Design of Transportation Systems | 3 |
Capstone Design Course
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| CEE:4850 | Project Design and Management in Civil Engineering | 3 |
Focus Area
Students must select focus area courses according to guidelines established by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Civil engineering students may choose from several standard focus areas developed by the department or create an individual focus area tailored to their interests.
Standard focus areas are offered in the broad field of civil practice and in the four technical areas: environmental engineering; hydraulics and water resources; structures, mechanics, and materials; and transportation engineering. Other areas of focus include informatics, management, pre-architecture, and urban studies. To see guidelines related to tailored focus areas, visit Civil Engineering Focus Areas on the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering website.
Focus areas in civil engineering consist of content area courses, design courses, and elective courses; carefully selected elective courses may contribute to earning a minor and/or certificate. Some focus areas also may suggest or require specific courses to fulfill the design requirement of the major curriculum or the General Education Component of the collegiate curriculum.
Civil Practice
Students complete five civil and environmental engineering electives (15 s.h.) and two additional elective courses (6 s.h.).
Civil and Environmental Engineering Electives
Students complete 15 s.h. in civil and environmental engineering electives. These electives may include any Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering course (prefix CEE) not already taken for the major numbered 3000 or above.
It is recommended that students select from the following courses.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CEE:3783 | Surveying and Remote Sensing | 3 |
| CEE:3790 | Resilient Infrastructure and Emergency Response | 3 |
| CEE:4102 | Groundwater | 3 |
| CEE:4119 | Hydrology | 3 |
| CEE:4158/OEH:4920 | Solid and Hazardous Wastes | 3 |
| CEE:4159/CBE:4459/IGPI:4159 | Air Pollution Control Technology | 3 |
| CEE:4371 | Water Resources Engineering | 3 |
| CEE:4539 | Foundations of Structures | 3 |
| CEE:4763 | Traffic Engineering | 3 |
Additional Electives–Civil Practice
Students complete 6 s.h. in additional electives. These electives may include any Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering course (prefix CEE) numbered 3000 or above and not already taken for the major, or preapproved courses taken outside of the College of Engineering; see PreApproved Non-Engineering Electives in this section of the catalog. Students should consult with an academic advisor.
The following courses are suggested electives in the civil practice focus area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGR:2120 | Electrical Circuits | 3 |
| ENGR:2730 | Computers in Engineering | 3 |
| ENGR:3110 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Engineering | 3 |
| ISE:2500 | Engineering Economy | 3 |
Environmental Engineering
Students complete one required course (4 s.h.), four focus area electives (12 s.h.), and two additional elective courses (6 s.h.).
Students in the environmental engineering focus area are required to complete CEE:4157 Environmental Engineering Design as one of their design courses for the civil engineering major. The second design course may be selected from the approved list; see "Design Courses."
Required Environmental Course
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| CEE:3430 | Water Treatment | 4 |
Environmental Electives
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Four of these: | ||
| CEE:4102 | Groundwater | 3 |
| CEE:4107/CBE:4410 | Sustainable Systems | 3 |
| CEE:4119 | Hydrology | 3 |
| CEE:4150/CBE:4420 | Environmental Chemistry | 3 |
| CEE:4158/OEH:4920 | Solid and Hazardous Wastes | 3 |
| CEE:4159/CBE:4459/IGPI:4159 | Air Pollution Control Technology | 3 |
Additional Electives–Environmental Engineering
Students complete 6 s.h. in additional electives. These electives may include any Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering course (prefix CEE) numbered 3000 or above and not already taken for the major, or preapproved courses taken outside of the College of Engineering; see Preapproved Non-Engineering Electives in this section of the catalog. Students should consult with an academic advisor.
The following courses are suggested electives in the environmental engineering focus area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGR:2120 | Electrical Circuits | 3 |
| ENGR:2730 | Computers in Engineering | 3 |
| ENGR:3110 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Engineering | 3 |
| ISE:2500 | Engineering Economy | 3 |
Hydraulics and Water Resources
Students complete two required courses (6 s.h.), three focus area electives (9–10 s.h.), and two additional elective courses (6 s.h.).
Students in the hydraulics and water resources focus area are required to complete CEE:4374 Water Resource Design as one of their design courses for the civil engineering major. The second design course may be selected from the approved list; see "Design Courses."
Required Hydraulics and Water Resources Courses
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Both of these: | ||
| CEE:4119 | Hydrology | 3 |
| CEE:4371 | Water Resources Engineering | 3 |
Hydraulics and Water Resources Electives
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Three of these: | ||
| CEE:3430 | Water Treatment | 4 |
| CEE:3783 | Surveying and Remote Sensing | 3 |
| CEE:4102 | Groundwater | 3 |
| CEE:4107/CBE:4410 | Sustainable Systems | 3 |
| CEE:4157 | Environmental Engineering Design | 3 |
| CEE:4180 | Fundamentals of Atmospheric Science | 3 |
| CEE:4370 | Open Channel Flow and Sediment Transport | 3 |
Additional Electives–Hydraulics and Water Resources
Students complete 6 s.h. in additional electives. These electives may include any Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering course (prefix CEE) numbered 3000 or above and not already taken for the major, or preapproved courses taken outside of the College of Engineering; see Preapproved Non-Engineering Electives in this section of the catalog. Students should consult with an academic advisor.
The following courses are suggested electives in the hydraulics and water resources focus area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGR:2120 | Electrical Circuits | 3 |
| ENGR:2730 | Computers in Engineering | 3 |
| ENGR:3110 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Engineering | 3 |
| ISE:2500 | Engineering Economy | 3 |
Informatics
Students complete three required courses (10 s.h.), two focus area electives (6 s.h.), and two additional electives (6 s.h.).
Required Informatics Courses
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| CS:2110 | Programming for Informatics | 4 |
| CS:2420 | Analyzing Data for Informatics | 3 |
| CS:2520 | Human-Computer Interaction for Informatics | 3 |
Informatics Electives
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Two of these: | ||
| CEE:3783 | Surveying and Remote Sensing | 3 |
| CEE:3790 | Resilient Infrastructure and Emergency Response | 3 |
| CEE:4102 | Groundwater | 3 |
| CEE:4119 | Hydrology | 3 |
| CEE:4158/OEH:4920 | Solid and Hazardous Wastes | 3 |
| CEE:4159/CBE:4459/IGPI:4159 | Air Pollution Control Technology | 3 |
| CEE:4371 | Water Resources Engineering | 3 |
| CEE:4539 | Foundations of Structures | 3 |
| CEE:4763 | Traffic Engineering | 3 |
| An additional course with prefix CEE numbered 3000 or above | 3 | |
Additional Electives–Informatics
Students complete 6 s.h. in additional electives.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Two of these: | ||
| ENGR:2730 | Computers in Engineering | 3 |
| ENGR:3110 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Engineering | 3 |
| ISE:2500 | Engineering Economy | 3 |
| An additional design course; see "Design Courses" | 3 | |
| An additional course with prefix CEE | 3 | |
Management
Students complete five required courses (15 s.h.) and two additional elective courses (6 s.h.). Students in the management focus area must complete the minor in business administration in the Tippie College of Business; this typically requires additional coursework outside of the civil engineering major.
Required Management Courses
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| ACCT:2100 | Introduction to Financial Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT:2200 | Managerial Accounting Analytics and Data Visualization | 3 |
| FIN:3000 | Introductory Financial Management | 3 |
| or ISE:2500 | Engineering Economy | |
| MGMT:2100 | Introduction to Management | 3 |
| MKTG:3000 | Introduction to Marketing Strategy | 3 |
Additional Electives–Management
Students complete 6 s.h. in additional electives. These electives may include any Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering course (prefix CEE) numbered 3000 or above and not already taken for the major. Students should consult with an academic advisor.
The following courses are suggested electives in the management focus area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CEE:3783 | Surveying and Remote Sensing | 3 |
| CEE:3790 | Resilient Infrastructure and Emergency Response | 3 |
| CEE:4102 | Groundwater | 3 |
| CEE:4119 | Hydrology | 3 |
| CEE:4158/OEH:4920 | Solid and Hazardous Wastes | 3 |
| CEE:4159/CBE:4459/IGPI:4159 | Air Pollution Control Technology | 3 |
| CEE:4371 | Water Resources Engineering | 3 |
| CEE:4539 | Foundations of Structures | 3 |
| CEE:4763 | Traffic Engineering | 3 |
Pre-Architecture
Students complete one required course (3 s.h.), one pre-architecture elective (3 s.h.), two structures electives (6 s.h.), one civil and environmental engineering elective (3 s.h.), and two art electives (6 s.h.). Students in the pre-architecture focus area must complete the minor in art in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; this typically requires additional coursework outside of the civil engineering major.
Students in the pre-architecture focus area are required to take CEE:4506 Design of Concrete Structures as one of their design courses for the civil engineering major. The second design course may be selected from the approved list, with the exception of CEE:4535 Design of Steel Structures; see "Design Courses."
Required Pre-Architecture Course
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| TDSN:2210 | Introduction to 3D Design | 3 |
Pre-Architecture Elective
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| DRAW:2310 | Life Drawing I | 3 |
| DSGN:2500 | Graphic Design I | 3 |
| PHTO:2600 | Photography I | 3 |
| PNTG:2410 | Painting I | 3 |
| PRNT:2610 | Introduction to Printmaking | 3 |
Structures Electives
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Two of these: | ||
| CEE:4164 | Design of Wood Structures | 3 |
| CEE:4535 | Design of Steel Structures | 3 |
| CEE:4539 | Foundations of Structures | 3 |
Civil and Environmental Engineering Elective
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| A third structures course; see "Structures Electives" | 3 | |
| An additional design course; see "Design Courses" | 3 | |
| An additional course with prefix CEE numbered 3000 or above | 3 | |
Art Electives
Students complete 6 s.h. in additional electives chosen from courses that count toward the art minor in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Students should consult with an academic advisor.
The following courses are suggested electives in the pre-architecture focus area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CEE:2240/TDSN:2240 | Digital Drafting with AutoCAD | 3 |
| CERM:2010 | Ceramics I: Handbuilding | 3 |
| INTM:2710/CINE:2869 | Introduction to Intermedia | 3 |
| MTLS:2910 | Introduction to Jewelry and Metal Arts | 3 |
| SCLP:2810 | Undergraduate Sculpture I | 3 |
| TDSN:2250 | Digital Prototyping | 3 |
Structures, Mechanics, and Materials
Students complete CEE:4535 Design of Steel Structures, four focus area electives (12 s.h.), and two additional elective courses (6 s.h.).
Students in the structures, mechanics, and materials focus area are required to take CEE:4506 Design of Concrete Structures as one of their design courses for the civil engineering major. The second design course may be selected from the approved list; see "Design Courses."
Required Structures, Mechanics, and Materials Course
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| CEE:4535 | Design of Steel Structures | 3 |
Structures, Mechanics, and Materials Electives
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 12 s.h. from these: | ||
| CEE:3783 | Surveying and Remote Sensing | 3 |
| CEE:4135/BME:4135/ME:4235 | Health Monitoring of Structural and Mechanical Systems | 3 |
| CEE:4160 | Introduction to Bridge Engineering | 3 |
| CEE:4162 | Structural Systems for Buildings | 3 |
| CEE:4164 | Design of Wood Structures | 3 |
| CEE:4511/ME:4111 | Scientific Computing and Machine Learning | 3 |
| CEE:4512/ME:4112 | Engineering Design Optimization | 3 |
| CEE:4532/ME:4153 | Fundamentals of Vibrations | 3 |
| CEE:4533/IGPI:4115 | Finite Element I | 3 |
| CEE:4539 | Foundations of Structures | 3 |
| CEE:5179/ME:5179 | Continuum Mechanics | arr. |
| CEE:5236/BME:5720 | Optimization of Structural Systems | 3 |
| CEE:5540/ME:5150 | Intermediate Mechanics of Deformable Bodies | 3 |
Additional Electives–Structures, Mechanics, and Materials
Students complete 6 s.h. in additional electives. These electives may include any Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering course (prefix CEE) numbered 3000 or above and not already taken for the major, or preapproved courses taken outside of the College of Engineering; see Preapproved Non-Engineering Electives in this section of the catalog. Students should consult with an academic advisor.
The following courses are suggested electives in the structures, mechanics, and materials focus area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGR:2120 | Electrical Circuits | 3 |
| ENGR:2730 | Computers in Engineering | 3 |
| ENGR:3110 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Engineering | 3 |
| ISE:2500 | Engineering Economy | 3 |
Transportation Engineering
Students complete five focus area electives (15 s.h.), and two additional elective courses (6 s.h.).
Students in the transportation engineering focus area are required to take CEE:4762 Design of Transportation Systems as one of their design courses for the civil engineering major. The second design course may be selected from the approved list; see "Design Courses."
Transportation Electives
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 15 s.h. from these: | ||
| CEE:3142/ISE:3600/STAT:3620 | Quality Control | 3 |
| CEE:3783 | Surveying and Remote Sensing | 3 |
| CEE:3790 | Resilient Infrastructure and Emergency Response | 3 |
| CEE:3998 | Individual Investigations: Civil Engineering | arr. |
| CEE:4160 | Introduction to Bridge Engineering | 3 |
| CEE:4176/URP:4262 | Transportation Research Methods and Analysis | 3 |
| CEE:4560 | Pavement Engineering | 3 |
| CEE:4730 | Transportation Infrastructure Construction and Management | 3 |
| CEE:4763 | Traffic Engineering | 3 |
| CEE:5678/URP:5678 | Application Simulation to Transportation | 3 |
Additional Electives–Transportation Engineering
Students complete 6 s.h. in additional electives. These electives may include any Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering course (prefix CEE) numbered 3000 or above and not already taken for the major, or preapproved courses taken outside of the College of Engineering; see Preapproved Non-Engineering Electives in this section of the catalog. Students should consult with an academic advisor.
The following courses are suggested electives in the transportation engineering focus area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGR:2120 | Electrical Circuits | 3 |
| ENGR:2720 | Materials Science | 3 |
| ENGR:2730 | Computers in Engineering | 3 |
| ENGR:3110 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Engineering | 3 |
| ISE:2500 | Engineering Economy | 3 |
Urban Studies
Students complete one required course (3 s.h.), four focus area electives (12 s.h.), and two additional elective courses (6 s.h.).
Students planning to pursue the combined Bachelor of Science in Engineering/Master of Science program in urban and regional planning should complete URP:6202 Land Use Planning: Law and Practice and URP:6203 The Making of Cities: Histories and Theories of Planning. These courses can be counted toward the collegiate curriculum General Education Component approved course subjects requirement. See Combined Programs in this section of the catalog.
Required Urban Studies Course
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| URP:3001/GEOG:3920 | Planning Livable Cities | 3 |
Urban Studies Electives
In addition to the following courses, students also may select courses that fulfill requirements for the minor in urban studies.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 12 s.h. from these: | ||
| CRIM:4120 | Environmental Criminology | 3 |
| PBAF:3560/POLI:3560/RHET:3560/SJUS:3560 | Public Policy and Persuasion | 3 |
| PBAF:3570/GHS:3570/POLI:3570 | Poverty Policy | 3 |
| URP:2020/PBAF:2020 | Environment and Society: Sustainability, Policy, and Politics | 3 |
| URP:4170 | Megacities Seminar | 1-3 |
| URP:4225/PBAF:4225 | Applied GIS for Planning and Policy Making | 3 |
| URP:4253/PBAF:4253 | Designing Sustainable and Healthy Cities | 1-3 |
| URP:4260/PBAF:4260 | Transportation Policy and Planning | 3 |
| URP:4266/PBAF:4266 | Transportation, Urban Form, and Sustainability | 3 |
| URP:4273/PBAF:4273 | Community Development Through Creative Placemaking | 3 |
| URP:4280/PBAF:4280 | Planning for Disaster Mitigation and Recovery | 2-3 |
| URP:4295 | Economic Development Policy | 3 |
Additional Electives–Urban Studies
Students complete 6 s.h. in additional electives. These electives may include any Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering course (prefix CEE) numbered 3000 or above and not already taken for the major. Students should consult with an academic advisor.
The following courses are suggested electives in the urban studies focus area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CEE:3783 | Surveying and Remote Sensing | 3 |
| CEE:3790 | Resilient Infrastructure and Emergency Response | 3 |
| CEE:4102 | Groundwater | 3 |
| CEE:4119 | Hydrology | 3 |
| CEE:4158/OEH:4920 | Solid and Hazardous Wastes | 3 |
| CEE:4159/CBE:4459/IGPI:4159 | Air Pollution Control Technology | 3 |
| CEE:4371 | Water Resources Engineering | 3 |
| CEE:4539 | Foundations of Structures | 3 |
| CEE:4763 | Traffic Engineering | 3 |
Preapproved Non-Engineering Electives
Students pursuing a technical focus area (civil practice; environmental engineering; hydraulics and water resources; structures, mechanics, and materials; and transportation) may also choose from the following courses to satisfy their additional electives.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CEE:2240/TDSN:2240 | Digital Drafting with AutoCAD | 3 |
| CEE:3328/EES:3380 | Fluvial Geomorphology | 3 |
| CPH:3400/GEOG:3210 | Health, Work, and the Environment | 3 |
| ECON:3625/URP:3135 | Environmental and Natural Resource Economics | 3 |
| EES:3360/GEOG:3360 | Soil Genesis and Geomorphology | 3 |
| EES:3390 | Integrated Watershed Analysis | 3 |
| GEOG:1070 | Contemporary Environmental Issues | 3 |
| GEOG:2050 | Foundations of GIS | 4 |
| GEOG:3520/IGPI:3520 | GIS for Environmental Studies | 3 |
| LAW:8992 | Water Law | arr. |
| OEH:4240 | Global Environmental Health | 3 |
| URP:3350/ECON:3750/GEOG:3940 | Transportation Economics | 3 |
BSE/MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering
The College of Engineering offers the combined Bachelor of Science in Engineering/Master of Science program for civil engineering undergraduate students who intend to earn an MS in civil and environmental engineering. BSE/MS students may attend the departmental graduate seminar and work on a master's thesis or research project while they are still undergraduates. They may count a limited amount of coursework toward both degrees. Once students complete the requirements for the bachelor's degree, they are granted the BSE, and they are expected to complete the MS one year later.
To be admitted to the degree program, students must have completed at least 80 s.h. and have a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.25. They must submit an application form to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, along with a letter stating their proposed area of specialization and the name of a department faculty member willing to be their primary MS advisor. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores are not required for the degree program.
Applications are due by May 15.
BSE/MS in Urban and Regional Planning
The College of Engineering and the School of Planning and Public Affairs offer the combined Bachelor of Science in Engineering/Master of Science program in urban and regional planning. The program, which is completed in five years, is designed for students who wish to pursue a public or private sector career in planning, a field that encompasses the development of alternatives to improve the quality of life in cities and regions.
Graduates are technically oriented professionals who have a clear understanding of policy development and implementation, which they apply to civil and industrial engineering problems. They fill positions such as public works director, transportation engineer, and public utilities staff member.
Each student in the combined program has two advisors, one in civil engineering and one in planning and public affairs. Students enroll in the College of Engineering for their first four years in the program and in the Graduate College for their fifth year. They follow the standard curriculum of their BSE program during the first two years and begin adding courses from the planning and public affairs program during the third year. Successful students receive a BSE at the end of the fourth year and an MS in urban and regional planning at the end of the fifth year.
Students in the combined program must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 in order to graduate with an MS in urban and regional planning.
For more information, see the MS in urban and regional planning (Graduate College) in the catalog. Contact Engineering Student Services for information about applying to the combined program.
When it comes to building the nation’s infrastructure or protecting the natural environment, civil engineers are at the forefront. They not only design roads, bridges, and structures, provide clean drinking water, and protect people from natural hazards like flooding or earthquakes, they also engage with the public to create a more sustainable future. On average, 93–98% of graduates are employed in their field of study or pursuing advanced education within seven months of graduation.
Engineering Career Services develops and promotes experiential education and professional opportunities for students in the College of Engineering. Professional staff coordinate the college's co-op and internship program, engage in employer outreach, and provide opportunities for students to network with employers, including engineering career fairs and other programming related to career development.
Engineering Career Services offers individual advising and class presentations on résumé and cover letter preparation, job and internship search strategies, interviewing skills, job offer evaluation, and much more. Engineering Career Services partners with the Pomerantz Career Center to facilitate on-campus interviewing, postgraduation outcome collection, and the university's online recruiting system, Handshake.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Civil Engineering, BSE
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| RHET:1030 | Rhetoric a | 4 |
| MATH:1550 | Engineering Mathematics I: Single Variable Calculus b, c | 4 |
| CHEM:1110 | Principles of Chemistry I b, d | 4 |
| ENGR:1100 | Introduction to Engineering Problem Solving e | 3 |
| ENGR:1000 | Engineering Success for First-Year Students e | 1 |
| CSI:1600 | Success at Iowa | 0 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| GE: Approved Course Subjects f | 3 | |
| MATH:1560 | Engineering Mathematics II: Multivariable Calculus b | 4 |
| MATH:2550 | Engineering Mathematics III: Matrix Algebra b | 2 |
| PHYS:1611 | Introductory Physics I b | 4 |
| ENGR:1300 | Introduction to Engineering Computing b | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MATH:2560 | Engineering Mathematics IV: Differential Equations b | 3 |
| PHYS:1612 or CHEM:1120 |
Introductory Physics II b or Principles of Chemistry II |
4 |
| ENGR:2110 | Statics a | 2 |
| ENGR:2130 | Thermodynamics a | 3 |
| CEE:1030 | Introduction to Earth Science b | 3 |
| CEE:2015 | Civil Engineering Tools e | 2 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| GE: Cultural Perspectives, Values, and Society g | 3 | |
| STAT:2020 | Probability and Statistics for the Engineering and Physical Sciences b | 3 |
| ENGR:2710 | Dynamics a | 3 |
| ENGR:2750 | Mechanics of Deformable Bodies a | 3 |
| CEE:3763 | Principles of Transportation Engineering h | 3 |
| CEE:2010 | Civil and Environmental Engineering Professional Practice and Ethics h | 1 |
| CEE:3002 | Technical Communication in Civil and Environmental Engineering h | 1 |
| Students select their focus area by submitting a Focus Area Selection form (https://workflow.uiowa.edu/form/ce-enve-fa-submission) | ||
| Hours | 17 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CEE:3530 | Geomechanics e | 4 |
| CEE:3533 | Principles of Structural Engineering e | 4 |
| ENGR:2510 | Fluid Mechanics b | 4 |
| Focus Area: required or elective course i | 3 | |
| CEE:3001 | Leadership Skills for Engineers e | 1 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| GE: Engineering Be Creative j | 3 | |
| CEE:3155 | Principles of Environmental Engineering h | 4 |
| CEE:3371 | Principles of Hydraulics and Hydrology h | 3 |
| CEE:3586 | Civil Engineering Materials h | 3 |
| Focus Area: required or elective course i | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GE: Approved Course Subjects f | 3 | |
| Major: design course k | 3 | |
| Major: design course k | 3 | |
| Focus Area: required or elective course i | 3 | |
| Focus Area: elective course i | 3 | |
| CEE:3003 | Project Management Skills e | 1 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| GE: Approved Course Subjects f | 3 | |
| CEE:4850 | Project Design and Management in Civil Engineering b | 3 |
| Focus Area: required or elective course i | 3 | |
| Focus Area: elective course i | 3 | |
| Focus Area: elective course i | 3 | |
| Degree Application: apply on MyUI before deadline (typically in February for spring, September for fall) l | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 129 | |
- a
- Typically this course is offered in fall, spring, and summer sessions. Check MyUI for course availability since offerings are subject to change.
- b
- Typically this course is offered in fall and spring semesters. Check MyUI for course availability since offerings are subject to change.
- c
- Enrollment in math courses requires completion of a placement exam.
- d
- Enrollment in chemistry courses requires completion of a placement exam.
- e
- Typically this course is offered in fall semesters only. Check MyUI for course availability since offerings are subject to change.
- f
- See General Catalog for list of approved course subjects.
- g
- Students select a course from one of two GE CLAS Core areas: Understanding Cultural Perspectives or Values and Society.
- h
- Typically this course is offered in spring semesters only. Check MyUI for course availability since offerings are subject to change.
- i
- Students select one of several standard focus areas developed by the department or create an individual focus area tailored to their interests. Focus areas in civil engineering include at least 21 s.h. in content area courses and electives; carefully selected elective courses may contribute to earning a minor and/or certificate. See General Catalog or consult an advisor for more information.
- j
- See General Catalog for list of approved courses. Students who intend to enroll in a Be Creative course with prerequisites must request a waiver by completing the Request Prerequisite Special Permission form on MyUI.
- k
- Students are required to complete two design courses (6 s.h.). Some focus areas require specific design courses; refer to General Catalog or consult an advisor for more information.
- l
- Please see Academic Calendar, Office of the Registrar website for current degree application deadlines. Students should apply for a degree for the session in which all requirements will be met. For any questions on appropriate timing, contact your academic advisor or Degree Services.