Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

What do civil engineers do?

Civil engineers plan, design, construct and maintain the built environment. Are you interested in a career that has a lasting impact on others? Civil engineers help safeguard people through assisting with post-disaster clean-up efforts. We design building systems, community parks, and arboretums. Civil engineers designed and led the construction of inspiring infrastructure including the Golden Gate Bridge, the Hoover Dam, and the Eiffel Tower. Civil engineers design structures, analyze the energy efficiency of building systems, study traffic patterns, and so much more. Regardless of what aspect of civil engineering one is involved with; civil engineers are all required to perform efficiently on a team, act ethically, and communicate effectively. Civil engineers are creative problem solvers!

What's great about careers in civil engineering?

Because civil engineers are involved with so many different types of projects, we have opportunities to spend time on project sites or in an office setting, and the ability to customize a career path that aligns with personal interests. We have opportunities for career growth through professional licensure, pursuing graduate degrees, specialized technical training and certification programs, and management. In part due to aging infrastructure, civil engineers are in high demand with employment opportunities projected to grow by 11 percent between 2016 and 2026 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019). Competitive salary and diverse job opportunities make civil engineering graduates highly sought after and lead to high job satisfaction rates.

What makes the King's civil engineering program different?

• Authentic engineering experiences. Our students do design throughout the program. They use the tools that real engineers do, such as structural analysis and building information modeling software, AISC Steel Construction Manual and RS Means data, surveying equipment, and engineering measurement tools, to solve complex, open-ended problems.
• Service-learning projects. Civil engineers are deeply involved with designing and overseeing the construction of the built environment. Our students are assigned service-learning projects that involve working with clients from the local community while allowing students to begin working in a team to apply creative problem-solving skills.
• Industry connections and networking opportunities. Our program is structured to allow students to gain perspective on what a civil engineering career involves. Construction site visits, engineering office tours, and opportunities to attend local professional engineering meetings are encouraged and a part of the classroom experience.
• Integration of professional and technical skills. To design infrastructure that works for people, civil engineers need to start by understanding the client’s needs. They must work in teams to do the research, design, and analysis necessary to meet those needs. Communication and incorporating stakeholder feedback is an important component of a successful project. Therefore, our students don’t just learn technical skills, they practice those skills in a professional context.

Program Educational Objectives

Within a few years of graduation, alumni of the King’s College Civil Engineering program are expected to:

1. Complete engineering projects by following codes and standards, using technical knowledge, applying Civil engineering design principles, and demonstrating problem-solving skills.
2. Grow professionally and engage in life-long learning by engaging in actives such as completing graduate degrees or pursuing other training, obtaining licensure or professional certifications, remaining current with contemporary issues, and receiving guidance from mentors.
3. Function effectively in a professional environment while following office standards, coordinating with professionals from other disciplines, multitasking, and pursuing leadership roles.
4. Act as citizen-engineers and members of the engineering profession by living and working ethically and with concern for society and the environment.

Listed below is a suggested four-year plan of study for the Civil Engineering program:

1st Year - Fall (15 credits)

• CHEM 113 General Chemistry I (3 credits)
• CHEM 113L General Chemistry I Lab (1 credit)
• PHYS 113 Physics for Scientists & Engineers I (3 credits)
• PHYS 113L Physics for Scientists & Eng I Lab (1 credit)
• MATH 129 Calculus I (4 credits)
• ENGR 150 Engineering Seminar (2 credits)
• HCE 101 Holy Cross Experience (1 credit)

1st Year - Spring (18* credits)

• CHEM 114 General Chemistry II (3 credits)
• CHEM 114L General Chemistry II Lab (1 credit)
• PHYS 114 Physics for Scientists & Engineers II (3 credits)
• PHYS 114L Physics for Scientists & Eng II Lab (1 credit)
• MATH 130 Calculus II (4 credits)
• CORE (3 credits)
• CORE (3 credits)

2nd Year - Fall (16.5 credits)

• CE 200 Introduction to Civil Engineering (3 credits)
• CE 200L Intro to Civil Engineering Lab (.5 credits)
• MATH 231 Calculus III (4 credits)
• MATH 238 Differential Equations (3 credits)
• CS 111 Programming for Science and Engineering (2 credits)
• CS 111L Programming for Science and Engineering Lab (1 credit)
• PHYS 241 Statics (3 credits)

2nd Year – Spring (19.5* credits)

• ENGR 250 System Design & Analysis (3 credits)
• ENGR 250L System Design & Analysis Lab (1 credit)
• ENGR 350 Engineering Materials(3 credits)
• ENGR 350L Engineering Materials Lab (.5 credits)
• PHYS 242 Mechanics of Solids (3 credits)
• MATH 237 Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences (3 credits)
• CORE (3 credits)
• CORE (3 credits)

3rd Year – Fall (19.5* credits)

• ENGR 320 Fluid Mechanics (3 credits)
• ENGR 320L Fluid Mechanics Lab (.5 credits)
• ENGR 330 Project Management (3 credits)
• CE 300 Dynamics and Modeling (3 credits)
• ENST 201 Environmental Science I (3 credits)
• ENST 201L Environmental Science I Lab (1 credit)
• CORE (3 credits)
• CORE (3 credits)

3rd Year – Spring (17 credits)

• CE 320 Civil Engineering Materials (3 credits)
• CE 320L Civil Eng Materials Lab (1 credit)
• CE 340 Hydraulics and Hydrology (3 credits)
• CE 340L Hydraulics and Hydrology Lab (1 credit)
• ENGR 360 Probability & Engineering Statistics (3 credits)
• CORE (3 credits)
• CORE (3 credits)

4th Year - Fall (19* credits)

• CE 400 Structural Design and Analysis I (3 credits)
• CE 400L Structural Design and Analysis I Lab (1 credit)
• CE 360 Geotechnical Engineering (3 credits)
• CE 420 Transportation Engineering (3 credits)
• CORE (3 credits)
• CORE (3 credits)
• CORE (3credits)

4th Year – Spring (18* credits)

• CE 410 Structural Design and Analysis II (3 credits)
• CE 410L Structural Design and Analysis II Lab (1 credit)
• CE 430 Environmental Engineering (3 credits)
• CE 440 Senior Design (3 credits)
• CE 440L Senior Design Lab (1 credit)
• CE 480 Senior CE Seminar (1 credit)
• CORE (3 credits)
• CORE (3 credits)

Total Credits Required for Graduation = 142.5

* Students are encouraged to take a summer course to relieve the credit load during this semester

Student Outcomes

Students graduating from the Civil Engineering program at King’s College should be able to demonstrate the following:

1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics;
2. 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;
3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
4. 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;
5. 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;
6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions;
7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of civil engineers is projected to grow eight percent nationwide from 2014 to 2024. Major industries employing civil engineers include mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction; utilities; construction, including buildings, transportation, and infrastructural projects; manufacturing; transportation, including rail and pipeline; and warehousing. The King's Civil Engineering program features state-of-the-art hydrology and hydraulics equipment, as well as structural design and simulation tools.

Learning Goals for the Civil Engineering Program

The curriculum for the Civil Engineering program has been structured around the "Fundamentals of Engineering – Civil" exam, administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). This exam will serve as an assessment tool for the Civil Engineering major. The curriculum model for the Civil Engineering program includes the following competencies and topics:

• Mathematics
• Probability and Statistics
• Computational Tools
• Ethics and Professional Practice
• Engineering Economics
• Statics
• Dynamics
• Mechanics of Materials
• Material Properties
• Fluid Mechanics
• Hydraulics and Hydrological Systems
• Structural Analysis
• Structural Design
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Transportation Engineering
• Environmental Engineering

Civil engineers are vital to the development and maintenance of critical infrastructure projects. Civil and other related engineers perform duties in planning, designing, and supervising heavy construction and maintenance of structures and facilities, in addition to systems for transportation, information, water, and other resources.

Civil engineers engage in a broad range of infrastructure-related enterprises, including the design and improvement of highways and railroads, airports, bridges and tunnels, dams, harbors, and channels, to name just a few. Civil engineers also serve as professional technical consultants in government, education, and law. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for civil engineers will continue to grow by more than 8 percent annually.