Civil Engineering Major

Program Coordinator/Contact
Nadim Wehbe, Department Head
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Crothers Engineering Hall 120
605-688-5427
E-mail: Diane.Marsh@sdstate.edu
www.sdstate.edu/cvlee
Click here for additional information. 

Program Information
Civil Engineering includes the location, design, construction, and the operation and maintenance of highways, airports, buildings, bridges, dams, water supply and distribution systems, waste water collection systems and treatment plants, irrigation and drainage systems, river and harbor improvements and many other infrastructure facilities essential in modern life. Civil Engineers are responsible for all aspects of the world’s infrastructure.

To prepare students for these responsibilities, the program provides opportunities for them to solve engineering problems, promote original thought, illustrate the work expected of engineers and stimulate interest and enthusiasm for design. Seniors design teams work on comprehensive, open-ended projects involving scope and definition, evaluation of alternatives on the basis of economic, social, environmental, and other factors, concluding with the preparation of a functional design, plans, specifications and final cost estimates.

Student Learning Outcomes
The program’s mission and educational objectives are accomplished by providing undergraduate students with an educational program that will result in the following outcomes by the time of graduation:

1.  an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
2. an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
3. an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
4. an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
5. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
6. an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
7. an ability to communicate effectively
8. the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context
9. a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in lifelong learning
10. a knowledge of contemporary issues
11. an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.    

Accreditation, Certiification, and Licensure
The department has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

The Fundamentals of Engineering examination is a national licensure examination that covers material taught in an ABET-accredited engineering program. This exam is a graduation requirement for Civil Engineers and for any engineer who wishes to be licensed as a Professional Engineer.

Academic Requirements
The following requirements must be met to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering:

• Combined average of “C” or better in the Civil Engineering courses;
• Combined average of “C” or better in the mathematics courses;
• Minimum grade of “C” in Math 123, Math 125, EM 214, EM 215, EM 321, and EM 331.  Students that fail to earn a “C” or better in any of these courses will be required to take them in each subsequent semester until the requirement is met.
• Students must take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination prior to graduation.
  

Course Delivery Format
The Civil Engineering degree requires design coursework in five areas: structural, geotechnical, environmental, transportation, water resources and hydraulics. These skills are applied in classroom, laboratory, and field-based settings.