Civil engineers design infrastructure—transportation networks, bridges, buildings, dams, communities, and water and waste management systems—for the enhancement of human welfare and protection of our environment. Oregon Tech’s freshman-to-master’s Civil Engineering  program equips students to meet industry and societal needs identified by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Degrees Offered

• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) 

• Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE) 

Career Opportunities

Upon completing the core curriculum, civil engineering students have a solid foundation in structural, transportation, water resources, and geotechnical engineering. As seniors or as graduate students they students can target specific careers with specialized technical electives. Graduates have career opportunities with consulting firms, government agencies, heavy construction contractors and industry. They are also very successful in passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam paving the way for professional licensure as a civil engineer.

Geotechnical engineering involves the design and construction of projects built on, in, or with earth materials. These projects include, but are not limited to, foundations for structures, earthen embankments, dams, landfills, and underground structures. In addition, geotechnical engineers predict the performance and behavior of the earthen materials due to changes imposed by other engineered systems.

Structural engineering involves the planning, analysis and design of buildings, bridges and other structures using the principal construction materials of wood, steel, concrete and masonry. Graduates are familiar with current codes and standards, and methods of analysis and design.

Transportation engineering is concerned with the planning, design, construction, operation, safety, performance, and evaluation  of transportation systems and facilities, such as urban streets, highways, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and public transit.

Water resources engineering addresses the spectrum of water issues including supply, transport, use, and discharge, and is at the junction of efforts to provide sustainable human and natural environments, in compliance with regulatory mandates. Graduates have opportunities in planning, design, and operation of hydraulic and water resource projects, floodplain management, or resource management issues.

Civil engineering graduates may consider a dual degree in environmental sciences to expand career opportunities with a broad spectrum of government agencies, consulting firms, and industry. A minor in geomatics allows graduates to obtain professional licensure as both a surveyor and civil engineer.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Oregon Tech Civil Engineering program is to prepare students for professional practice. To be prepared to practice as professionals, engineers must be able to act responsibly and ethically, understand their limits and the limits of the tools they use, communicate effectively, work well in teams, and, amid the changing landscape of the field of civil engineering, be able to pursue graduate-level education.

Objectives

The alumni from the BSCE program at Oregon Tech should be able to:

• Practice in civil engineering or a related field.
• Pursue advanced or continuing education in civil engineering or a related field.
• Act as responsible, effective and ethical citizens.
• Understand and effectively communicate the realistic constraints of civil engineering.
• Perform effectively in a multi-disciplinary environment.

Students enjoy a close relationship with full-time faculty with advanced engineering degrees, many of whom are also licensed professionals with many years of practical experience. Course offerings promote education in the application of theory relevant to our civil engineering technical areas, engineering design, and principles of sustainable development. These concepts are emphasized and integrated throughout the curriculum in a sequential manner.

Early in the curriculum, elements of the creative design process are introduced as students complete first-year design projects. To ensure graduates become responsible, effective citizens and begin building a foundation for lifelong learning, students are required to satisfy Oregon Tech general education requirements in communication, humanities, social sciences, and science/mathematics.

While most first-year and sophomore courses are intended to provide a solid background in mathematics, communications, and basic sciences, lower-division  engineering mechanics and civil engineering courses engage students with more foundational topics in engineering and professional practice.

At the junior level, students develop a broad civil engineering knowledge base. Junior courses include core topics in geotechnical, structural, transportation, and water resources engineering.

In the fourth year, students are required to complete an intensive, two-term, engineering design project. This effort is focused on a professional-quality civil engineering design with real-world context and includes essential elements of technical communications and group dynamics. The design project also involves realistic constraints including cost and sustainability considerations, socioeconomic concerns, aesthetic choices and ethical deliberations. Fourth-year students also take technical electives and prepare for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination as a step toward licensure as professional engineers. In this year, BS students complete their degree requirements while concurrent (BS/MS) degree-seeking students begin their selected program of graduate-level coursework leading to selection of their graduate project.

Finally, in the optional fifth year, concurrent students complete BS and MS coursework and their choice of additional coursework, individual graduate projects or theses.  

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon graduating from the BSCE program, students will have an ability to 

1. Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics   
2. 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. Communicate effectively with a range of audiences
4. 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. Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
6. Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
7. Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Student Preparation

Students interested in the field of civil engineering should emphasize mathematics and science in high school. Two years of algebra and one year each of geometry, trigonometry, chemistry and physics are preferred. Additional courses in mathematics and computer-aided drafting are desirable.

Accreditation

The Civil Engineering Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET, Inc. ABET is a specialized accrediting board recognized by the Council for Higher Education and/or the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

Graduation Requirements

All courses listed in the curriculum for the current catalog year must be completed to be eligible for graduation, unless a student has already completed the requirements for a category that has changed. When changes are made to the curriculum, students who entered the program under a previous catalog will work with their academic advisors to transition to meet the requirements of the current catalog. A final grade of “C” or better must be earned in all math and science courses and those with CE, ENGR, GIS, and GME prefixes as well as all listed prerequisites for these courses. 

For the bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, a minimum of 180 credits must be completed and students must maintain a 2.0 GPA to be eligible for graduation. 

For the concurrent bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Civil Engineering, a minimum of 225 credits must be completed, of which at least 45 credits must be at the graduate level.Students must earn a 3.0 GPA by the end of the third year for progression to the fourth and fifth years of study.

The Master of Science in Civil Engineering requires completing 45 credits of approved graduate work. Students must maintain a 3.0 graduate-level GPA with a final grade of “C” or better in all graduate courses.

Programs

• Civil Engineering, BS
• Civil Engineering, BS/MS
• Civil Engineering, MS
• Civil Engineering/Environmental Sciences, BS