2024-2025

Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Science

Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering

College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

This program provides a strong foundation in engineering and design, with emphasis in structural, geotechnical, water resources and transportation engineering. Students graduating from this program can design solutions to complex problems with society’s infrastructure systems, and are prepared to become registered professional engineers specializing in civil engineering in their future careers.

This program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org

  • 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:

  • 53 - 54 units of preprofessional requirements
  • 48 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 120 units

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 120
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 239
University Honors Program Optional
Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan Optional
AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-S Recommended
Progression Plan Link Not Available

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)
In addition to this content, our civil engineering curriculum will provide you with a solid foundation in design, project management and preparation for professional licensure.
 

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
  • This major requires 101 - 102 units distributed as follows:

    • Preprofessional Requirements: 53 - 54 units
      • Mathematics and Science Courses: 30 - 31 units
      • Engineering Science Courses: 20 units
      • Additional Requirements: 3 units
    • Civil Engineering Common Courses: 48 units
      • Major Courses: 39 units
      • Technical Coursework: 9 units


    Take the following 101 - 102 units:

  • Preprofessional Requirements (53 - 54 units)
  • Civil Engineering Common Courses (48 units)
  • *Prerequisites to Engineering coursework that must be completed with a Grade 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.

Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program
    • This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a master's degree while simultaneously completing their bachelor's degree.

    • Students enrolled at the Flagstaff campus for both undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and start the Master of Science in Civil Engineering at NAU.

    • Students must apply to the master's program by the graduate program's application deadline, meet all admissions requirements listed in the policy Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Programs, as well as the admissions requirements for the specified master's plan 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 the Master's Program Director/Coordinator regarding your interest in the accelerated plan.
  • Students accepted into the Accelerated Program should complete the following requirements:

    • Major Requirements
       

      This major requires 101 - 102 units distributed as follows:

      • Preprofessional Requirements: 53 - 54 units
        • Mathematics and Science Courses: 30 - 31 units
        • Engineering Science Courses: 20 units
        • Additional Requirements: 3 units
      • Civil Engineering Common Courses: 48 units
        • Major Courses: 39 units
        • Technical Coursework: 9 units


      Take the following 101 - 102 units:

    • Preprofessional Requirements (53 - 54 units)
    • Civil Engineering Common Courses (48 units)
    • *Prerequisites to Engineering coursework that must be completed with a Grade 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.

General Electives
  • 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.)

Additional Information
  • 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.