Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Science
Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering
College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences
This program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). (ABET / EAC).
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To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
- All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
- All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
- At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
- At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
- A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
- At least 57 units of preprofessional requirements
- At least 52 units of major courses
- Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements
- For this major the liberal studies prefix is CENE
- Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 129 units
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 129 |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 239 |
| Additional Fees/Program Fees | Required |
| University Honors Program | Optional |
| Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan | Optional |
| AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-S | Recommended |
| Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
Purpose Statement
Society’s demand for essentials such as clean water, efficient transportation systems and sustainable infrastructure pose large-scale, practical problems. Civil engineers design and operate facilities such as bridges, highway systems, waterworks (water supply, storm and sanitary sewer drainage and wastewater treatment), dams/levees and foundations. Civil engineering is the oldest of the engineering disciplines. This exciting engineering field requires a solid understanding of core concepts including mathematics, physics, statics, mechanics of materials, structural analysis, surveying, and fluid hydraulics. These courses serve as a basis for advanced content in:
- Transportation (traffic signal systems, highway design)
- Structural (reinforced concrete, structural steel design)
- Water resources (hydrology and flood control, open channel flow, municipal engineering).
- Geotechnical (soil mechanics and foundations)
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the degree, students will have the ability to:
- Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- 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.
- Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- 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.
- Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Major Requirements
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Take the following 110 - 112 units units.
Preprofessional Requirements (57-58 units)
Mathematics and Science courses (30-31 units)- MAT 136*, MAT 137*, MAT 238*, MAT 239 (15 units)
- CHM 151*, CHM 151L (5 units)
- PHY 161*, PHY 262* (7 units)
- Select from: (GLG 101 and GLG 103), GLG 107, (GLG 112 and GLG 112L), GLG 115, ENV 230 (3-4 units)
- EGR 186* (3 units)
- CENE 180*, CENE 225*, CENE 251*, CENE 253*, CENE 253L, CENE 286* (16 units)
- ME 252, ME 291 (6 units)
Major Courses (52-53 units)
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Select Technical coursework from the following distribution (9 units):
- CENE 280, CENE 330, CENE 332, CENE 335, CENE 410L, CENE 434, CENE 436, CENE 440, CENE 460, CENE 477, CENE 470, CENE 485, CENE 497, CENE 499, CENE 503, CENE 540, CENE 545, CENE 550, CENE 560, CENE 568, CENE 580 or CENE 599 (6-9 units)
- CM 329, CM 388, CM 391, CM 460, CS 122, EE 188, ME 240, ME 435, ME 450, ME 451, ME 454, ME 455 (0-3 units)
*Prerequisites to Engineering coursework that must be completed with grades of "C" or better. In addition, ENG 105 must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
You may not have more than one grade of "D" in your required engineering, mathematics, and science courses.
If you wish to enhance your education in the area of environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, mathematics, or construction management, you can easily pursue a minor in each discipline with the addition of a small number of courses and by consulting with the respective disciplinary advisors.
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Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.
Additional Information
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Our overarching learning goals are stated as our Program Objectives; within three to five years of obtaining a bachelor's degree, a graduate is expected to achieve the following:
- Be employed in the engineering field or a professional field consistent with one’s career goals, or pursuing a graduate degree;
- Participate in continuing education or professional development activities;
- Be a registered professional engineer or be pursuing registration if consistent with one’s career goals;
- Demonstrate a career path that shows development as a leader; and
- Engage in activities that benefit society
General Electives
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Additional coursework is required, if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 129 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you. (Please note that you may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.)
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Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program
This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan. Accelerated Programs provide the opportunity for outstanding undergraduates working on their bachelor’s degree to simultaneously begin work on a master’s degree. Departments may allow students to complete both degrees in an accelerated manner by approving up to 12 units applicable toward both degrees. Students must apply to the accelerated program and the master’s program by the application deadline, and meet all requirements as listed on the Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Programs to be considered for admission. Admission to programs is competitive and qualified applicants may be denied because of limits on the number of students admitted each year. Be sure to speak with your advisor regarding your interest in Accelerated Programs.
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PROGRAM FEE INFORMATION
Program fees are established by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). A program fee of $500 per year in students' Junior and Senior years has been approved for this program.