Civil Engineering (B.S.)

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus

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Student and professor looking at a concrete column.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Nadim Wehbe, John M. Hanson Structural and Construction Engineering Professorship and Department Head
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Crothers Engineering Hall 310
605-688-5427

Program Information

Civil Engineering includes design, construction, and 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 custodians of the built environment and 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.

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

The Civil Engineering (B.S.) program at SDSU is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

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 the B.S. in Civil Engineering program and for any engineer who wishes to become licensed as a Professional Engineer.

Course Delivery Format

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

Program Educational Objectives

The civil engineering program at South Dakota State University is committed to preparing students to achieve the following educational objectives within five years beyond the baccalaureate degree.

Graduates will have obtained professional licensure or specialized certification.
Graduates will have engaged in professional development and life-long learning through earning advanced degrees, attending continuing education forums, or active participation in professional organizations.
Graduates will have become actively involved in their profession, communities, and global society with a trajectory towards leadership positions.

Student 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:

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

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 MATH 123 , MATH 125 , MATH 225 , MATH 321 , and STAT 381 .
Combined average of “C” or better in EM 214 , EM 215 , EM 321 , and EM 331 .
Students must take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination prior to graduation.

Requirements for Civil Engineering Major: 130 Credits

Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication: SGR #1 Elective Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication: SGR #2 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences:
SGR #3 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities:
SGR #4 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics: MATH 123 - Calculus I (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 4
Goal #6 Natural Sciences: PHYS 207 - Fundamentals of Physics I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3 , PHYS 207L - Fundamentals of Physics I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1 , PHYS 209 - Fundamentals of Physics II (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3 , and PHYS 209L - Fundamentals of Physics II Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1

Major Requirements

CEE 101 - Introduction to Civil Engineering Credits: 1
CEE 106 - Elementary Surveying Credits: 3
CEE 106L - Elementary Surveying Lab Credits: 1
CEE 216 - Civil Engineering Materials Credits: 2
CEE 216L - Civil Engineering Materials Lab Credits: 1
CEE 225 - Principles of Environmental Science and Engineering Credits: 3
CEE 282 - Civil Engineering Computer-Aided Design Credits: 3
CEE 311 - Structural Materials Lab Credits: 1
CEE 323 - Water Supply and Wastewater Engineering Credits: 3
CEE 331 - Fluid Mechanics Lab Credits: 1
CEE 340 - Engineering Geology Credits: 2
CEE 340L - Engineering Geology Lab Credits: 1
CEE 346 - Geotechnical Engineering (COM) Credits: 3
CEE 346L - Geotechnical Engineering Lab (COM) Credits: 1
CEE 353 - Structural Theory (COM) Credits: 3
CEE 363 - Highway and Traffic Engineering Credits: 3
CEE 432 - Hydraulic Engineering Credits: 3
CEE 455 - Steel Design Credits: 3
CEE 456 - Concrete Theory and Design (COM) Credits: 3
CEE 464 - Civil Engineering Capstone Design I (COM) Credits: 1
CEE 465 - Civil Engineering Capstone Design II (COM) Credits: 2
CEE 482 - Engineering Administration Credits: 3
CEE 488 - Professional Seminar Credits: 1
CHEM 112 - General Chemistry I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
CHEM 112L - General Chemistry I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
CHEM 114 - General Chemistry II (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3 (CHEM 114L is not required for Civil Engineering majors.)
EM 214 - Statics (COM) Credits: 3
EM 215 - Dynamics Credits: 3
EM 321 - Mechanics of Materials (COM) Credits: 3
EM 331 - Fluid Mechanics (COM) Credits: 3
GE 101 - Introduction to Engineering and Technical Professions Credits: 1
MATH 125 - Calculus II (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 4
MATH 225 - Calculus III (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 4
MATH 321 - Differential Equations (COM) Credits: 3
STAT 381 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics (COM) Credits: 3

Technical Electives

Complete a total of five technical elective courses with no more than three courses in any one of the five technical areas. Technical electives must be in at least two technical content areas. One technical elective must contain substantive design content (designated with an *). Technical electives require approval by the advisor or department head. Credits: 15

Technical Areas:

E – Environmental
G – Geotechnical
S – Structural
T – Transportation
W – Water Resources

CEE 411 - Asphalt Materials and Mix Design Credits: 2 ^T*
CEE 411L - Asphalt Materials and Mix Design Lab Credits: 1 ^T*
CEE 422 - Environmental Engineering Instrumentation Credits: 2 ^E
CEE 422L - Environmental Engineering Instrumentation Lab Credits: 1 ^E
CEE 423 - Municipal Water Distribution and Collection System Design Credits: 3 ^W *
CEE 424 - Industrial Waste Treatment Credits: 3 ^E*
CEE 434 - Hydrology Credits: 3 ^W *
CEE 435 - Water Resources Engineering Credits: 3 ^W
CEE 436 - Advanced Hydraulic Engineering Credits: 3 ^W
CEE 438 - Environmental Fluid Mechanics Credits: 3 ^W
CEE 443 - Matrix Analysis of Structures Credits: 3 ^S
CEE 446 - Advanced Geotechnical Engineering Credits: 3 ^G *
CEE 447 - Foundation Engineering (COM) Credits: 3 ^G *
CEE 452 - Prestressed Concrete Credits: 3 ^S *
CEE 458 - Design of Timber Structures Credits: 3 ^S *
CEE 467 - Urban Transportation Engineering Design Credits: 3 ^T *
CEE 469 - Rural Transportation Engineering Design Credits: 3 ^T*
CEE 492 - Topics (COM) Credits: 1-3
CEE 498 - Research (COM) Credits: 1-6

Total Required Credits: 130

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science
System General Education Requirements*	33 Credit Hours
Major Requirements	97 Credit Hours
Electives**	0 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree shall include a minimum of 30 credit hours. Some general education coursework may be counted for Major Requirements and Supporting Coursework.
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.