Civil Engineering (CVEG)

Micah Hale
Head of the Department
4190 Bell Engineering Center
479-575-4954

Department of Civil Engineering Website

Civil engineering is the oldest of all engineering fields, yet it is as contemporary as the need to provide solutions to today’s environmental, geotechnical, structural and transportation problems. The civil engineer plans, designs, builds, and operates projects for the advancement and well-being of society while coordinating and conserving human and natural resources. Civil engineering projects range from small to monumental and include public water systems, buildings, bridges, rail and highway networks, water and wastewater treatment plants, solid and hazardous waste disposal facilities, airports, and soil conservation and flood diversion controls.

The civil engineering profession offers a vast array of opportunities. Civil engineers may work in private employment or with public agencies. They may work indoors in activities such as planning and design, or outdoors in areas such as construction supervision. Employment is possible anywhere in the world.

The objective of the Civil Engineering undergraduate program is to produce graduates who are prepared to pursue:

  • Careers in the broad field of civil engineering
  • Licensure as a professional engineer
  • Advanced education

To fulfill this objective, all students must take courses in geotechnical, environmental, transportation, and structural engineering. Courses are designed to present “real world” applications without sacrificing conceptual and theoretical basics. Students complete design problems in each of these areas; and, as part of the senior year, they participate in two major design projects.

Completion of degree requirements provides graduates with the following learning outcomes:

  • An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
  • An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
  • An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  • An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
  • An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
  • An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
  • An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Courses

CVEG 20002. Introduction to Civil Engineering Plans and CADD. 2 Hours.

Development and preparation of design and construction plans; plan terminology and features; introduction to computer-aided drafting and design (CADD) software. Prerequisite: Civil Engineering major or departmental consent. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

CVEG 20103. Civil Engineering Mechanics I. 3 Hours.

CVEG 20103 provides the student with a foundation in the theory and principles of statics for use in subsequent civil engineering courses. The course applies mathematics and physics to solve practical problems of structural systems. Corequisite: MATH 26004. Prerequisite: MATH 25004 with a C or better and PHYS 20304 with a C or better. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

CVEG 20203. Civil Engineering Mechanics II. 3 Hours.

CVEG 20203 provides the student with a foundation in the theory and principles of mechanics of materials for use in subsequent civil engineering courses. This course applies mathematics and physics to solve problems in mechanics. Prerequisite: CVEG 20103 with a C or better or MEEG 20003 with a C or better. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

CVEG 20501. Surveying Systems Laboratory. 1 Hour.

Laboratory exercises demonstrating the principles and practices of surveying systems. Corequisite: CVEG 20503. (Typically offered: Fall)

CVEG 20503. Surveying Systems. 3 Hours.

Coordinate geometry, measurements, and total integrated surveying systems; total stations, electronic data collection, and reduction; error analysis; applications to civil engineering and surveying practice. Corequisite: CVEG 20501. Prerequisite: MATH 24004 with a C or better or MATH 24005 with a C or better. (Typically offered: Fall)

CVEG 21103. Structural Materials. 3 Hours.

Production, properties, behavior, and structural applications of concrete, steel, timber, masonry, and plastic. Statistical analysis methods for quality control are also covered. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours per week. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: MEEG 20003 with a C or better or CVEG 20103 with a C or better. Pre- or Corequisite: MEEG 30103 or CVEG 20203. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

CVEG 28501. Engineering Professional Practice Issues. 1 Hour.

Study of various issues related to the professional practice of engineering including ethics, professionalism, professional licensure, project procurement, social and political issues, globalism, and other legal issues. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

CVEG 31301. Soil Mechanics Laboratory. 1 Hour.

Index, strength, and consolidation properties of soils; test methods and specifications for soil sampling and testing. Corequisite: CVEG 31302. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

CVEG 31302. Soil Mechanics. 2 Hours.

Introduction to geotechnical engineering. Properties of soils related to foundations, retaining walls, earth structures, and highways. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours per week. Corequisite: CVEG 31301. Pre- or Corequisite: CVEG 32103 and MATH 25804. Prerequisite: ((MEEG 30103 or CVEG 20203) with a C or better), GEOL 11103 with a C or better, and CVEG 20002 with a C or better. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

CVEG 32103. Hydraulics. 3 Hours.

Study of incompressible fluids. Topics include fluid properties, fluid statics, continuity, energy and hydraulic gradients, fundamentals of flow in pipes and open channels, flow measurement devices, pump selection and analysis. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: CVEG 20103 with a C or better or MEEG 20003 with a C or better. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

CVEG 32203. Hydrology. 3 Hours.

Flood routing procedures in storage reservoirs and channels. Hydrologic planning including storage reservoir design, frequency duration analysis, and related techniques. Prerequisite: (CVEG 20503 or BENG 26403) with a C or better, and (CVEG 32103 or MEEG 35003 or CHEG 21303) with a C or better. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

CVEG 32403. Environmental Engineering. 3 Hours.

Introduction to theories and fundamentals of physical, chemical, and biological processes with emphasis on water supply and wastewater collection, transportation, and treatment. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours per week. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: MATH 25804 with a C or better and CHEM 14103 with a C or better. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

CVEG 33003. Structural Analysis. 3 Hours.

Truss analysis, influence lines for beams and frames, and effects of moving loads. Deformation of beams, frames, and trusses. Analysis of indeterminate structures by moment area, slope deflection, and moment distribution methods; approximate methods of analysis. Lecture 3 hours, drill 3 hours per week. Corequisite: Drill component. Prerequisite: MEEG 30103 with a C or better or CVEG 20203 with a C or better. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

CVEG 34103. Transportation Systems Engineering. 3 Hours.

Transportation Systems Engineering: Introduction to transportation systems engineering and planning. Includes the following topics: transportation governance, financing, and the effect on the environment; traffic flow theory; safety; traffic operations and control; capacity; and travel demand modeling. Prerequisite: CVEG 20503 with a C or better and (INEG 23104 or INEG 33103) with a C or better. (Typically offered: Fall)

CVEG 41403. Foundation Engineering. 3 Hours.

Analysis and design of retaining walls, footings, sheet piles, and piles. Determination of foundation settlements in sand and clay. Prerequisite: CVEG 31302 with a C or better and INEG 24103 with a C or better. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

CVEG 42003. Environmental Regulations and Permits. 3 Hours.

Topics include federal and state environmental regulations, the permitting process, permit requirements and related issues. Prerequisite: CVEG 32403 with a C or better and senior standing. (Typically offered: Fall)

CVEG 42403. Environmental Engineering Design. 3 Hours.

Application of physical, biological, and chemical operations and processes to the design of water supply and wastewater treatment systems. Prerequisite: CVEG 32403 with a C or better and INEG 24103 with a C or better. (Typically offered: Spring)

CVEG 42603. Air Pollution Control. 3 Hours.

Fundamentals of air pollution causes, effects, and measurements; as well as, control methods with application to current industrial problems. Prerequisite: CVEG 32103 with a C or better or MEEG 35003 with a C or better. (Typically offered: Spring)

CVEG 42703. Open Channel Flow. 3 Hours.

Open Channel Flow includes advanced open channel hydraulics, flow measurement techniques, a hydrology review, culvert and storm drainage design, natural channel classification (fluvial geomorphology) and rehabilitation, computer methods and environmental issues. Prerequisite: CVEG 32103 and CVEG 32203. (Typically offered: Spring)

CVEG 43003. Reinforced Concrete Design I. 3 Hours.

Design of reinforced concrete elements with emphasis on ultimate strength design supplemented by working stress design for deflection and crack analysis. Prerequisite: CVEG 21103 with a C or better and CVEG 33003 with a C or better. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

CVEG 43103. Structural Steel Design I. 3 Hours.

Design of structural steel elements by elastic design the Load and Resistance Factor Design method. Intensive treatment of tension members, beams, columns, and connections. Pre- or Corequisite: CVEG 21103. Prerequisite: CVEG 33003 with a C or better. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

CVEG 43203. Structural Loadings. 3 Hours.

Theoretical background to and practical code requirements for various structural loadings. These include dead loads, occupancy loads, roof loads and ponding, snow loads, granular loads, vehicular loads, wind loading, and seismic loads. Prerequisite: CVEG 33003 with a C or better, INEG 24103 with a C or better, and ((CVEG 43003 or CVEG 43103) with a C or better). (Typically offered: Spring)

CVEG 43403. Reinforced Masonry Design. 3 Hours.

Properties of masonry materials and assemblages. Masonry workmanship and quality control. Design of reinforced masonry elements against gravity and lateral loads. Design of masonry connections and joints. Application to 1- and 2-story buildings. Prerequisite: CVEG 43003 with a C or better. (Typically offered: Irregular)

CVEG 43503. Timber Design. 3 Hours.

Selection of timber beams, columns, and beam-columns. Physical properties of wood, analysis and design of timber connections. Truss design, glulam members, timber bridge design, treatment for decay, and fire protection. Pre- or Corequisite: CVEG 21103. Prerequisite: CVEG 33003 with a C or better. (Typically offered: Irregular)

CVEG 44103. Pavement Evaluation and Rehabilitation. 3 Hours.

Introduction of concepts and procedures for pavement condition surveys; evaluation by nondestructive and destructive testing; maintenance strategies; rehabilitation of pavement systems for highway and airfields; pavement management systems. Prerequisite: CVEG 44303 with a C or better. (Typically offered: Irregular)

CVEG 44203. Transportation Infrastructure. 3 Hours.

Transportation infrastructure includes discussion on the geometric design of roadways, roadway drainage, roadway materials, roadway structural design, and an economic analysis of roadways. This includes the design of horizontal and vertical alignment, cross section, intersections, pavement materials, and structural capacity. Prerequisite: CVEG 34103 with a C or better and INEG 24103 with a C or better. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

CVEG 44303. Transportation Pavements and Materials. 3 Hours.

Study of the engineering properties and behavior of materials commonly used in transportation facilities as they relate to the design and performance of flexible and rigid pavement systems. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours per week. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: CVEG 31302 with a C or better, CVEG 34103 with a C or better, and ((INEG 23104 or INEG 33103) with a C or better). (Typically offered: Irregular)

CVEG 45103. Construction Management. 3 Hours.

Introduction to methods and procedures for management of civil engineering construction projects including organization, plans and specs, cost estimating and bidding, project planning and finance, quality control/ assurance, construction safety, cost management, labor issues, change orders, and subcontractor issues. Prerequisite: Senior standing and Civil Engineering majors only. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

CVEG 48102. Environmental Design Project. 2 Hours.

Comprehensive engineering design project primarily related to environmental issues. Corequisite: CVEG 42403. (Typically offered: Spring)

CVEG 48202. Geotechnical Design Project. 2 Hours.

Comprehensive engineering design project primarily related to geotechnical issues. Corequisite: CVEG 41403. Prerequisite: CVEG 43003 with a C or better. (Typically offered: Fall)

CVEG 48302. Structural Design Project. 2 Hours.

Comprehensive engineering design project primarily related to structural issues. Corequisite: CVEG 43203. Prerequisite: CVEG 43003 with a C or better and CVEG 43103 with a C or better. (Typically offered: Spring)

CVEG 48402. Transportation Design Project. 2 Hours.

Comprehensive engineering design project primarily related to transportation issues. Corequisite: CVEG 44203. Prerequisite: CVEG 20002 with a C or better. (Typically offered: Fall)

CVEG 48603. Sustainability in Civil Engineering. 3 Hours.

Qualify and quantify the economic, environmental, societal, and engineering drivers behind sustainability in Civil Engineering. Justification of the feasibility and benefits of sustainability in environmental, geotechnical, structural, and transportation engineering through verbal and written communications. Prerequisite: Senior standing. (Typically offered: Irregular)

CVEG 4880V. Special Problems. 1-6 Hour.

Special problems. Prerequisite: Senior standing. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.

CVEG 491HV. Honors Studies in Geotechnical Engineering. 1-6 Hour.

The study of advanced topics in the geotechnical engineering field. May include participation in geotechnical engineering courses normally available only to graduate students. Prerequisite: CVEG 31302 with a grade of C or better. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.

CVEG 493HV. Honors Studies in Structural Engineering. 1-6 Hour.

The study of advanced topics in the structural engineering field. May include participation in structural engineering courses normally available only to graduate students. Prerequisite: CVEG 33003 with a grade of C or better. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.

CVEG 494HV. Honors Studies in Transportation Engineering. 1-6 Hour.

The study of advanced topics in the transportation engineering field. May include participation in transportation engineering courses normally available only to graduate students. Prerequisite: CVEG 34103 with a grade of C or better. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.

CVEG 498H3. Honors Undergraduate Thesis. 3 Hours.

Thesis research for civil engineering students enrolled in the honors college. Prerequisite: Honors College. (Typically offered: Irregular)