Academic Catalog

2024-2025

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Civil Engineering (BSCE)

The undergraduate degree in civil engineering prepares graduates for entry into professional practice and continued intellectual and professional development throughout their career. The program prepares its graduates to serve as master planners, designers, constructors, and operators/managers of the built environment as well as stewards of natural resources and the environment. Civil engineering graduates are also prepared to serve as both innovators and integrators in the application of existing and developing technologies in the creation and maintenance of society's infrastructure. They also serve as evaluators and managers of risk and uncertainty and apply engineering knowledge and science to the protection of the built environment and public health.

The curriculum in civil engineering is designed to provide education in fundamental engineering sciences, certain nontechnical subjects, and all major areas of civil engineering, which will serve as a basis for entrance into civil engineering practice and/or graduate study. Technical elective courses are available that allow pursuit of several programs of study or specialization:

  • Geotechnical
  • Hydraulics and water resources
  • Environmental
  • Transportation
  • Structural
  • Coastal

In addition, course work in General Education skills and ways of knowing is required to assure a well-rounded program of study.

Civil Engineering Program Objectives

The program educational objectives describe the expected accomplishments of graduates during the first few years after graduation. The educational objectives of the civil engineering program, established with participation of all constituencies, are consistent with the mission of Old Dominion University and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

The objectives of the civil engineering program are to produce graduates who will:

  • Successfully practice and/or pursue advanced studies in civil engineering or other fields.
  • Effectively communicate the technical and social implications of civil engineering solutions.
  • Appreciate and apply state-of-the-art practice in their chosen fields.
  • Advance in the professional community through ethical practice, collaboration, and service.

Civil Engineering Program Outcomes

The program outcomes are statements that describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. The program outcomes have been established based on the program educational objectives, in consultation with the advisory council as documented in the minutes of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Visiting Council (CEEVC) meetings.

Students who qualify for graduation will have:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  2. An ability to apply the engineering design process to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration for public health and safety, and global, cultural, social, environmental, economic, and other factors as appropriate to the discipline.
  3. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  4. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  5. 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.
  6. An ability to recognize the ongoing need for additional knowledge, to choose appropriate learning strategies, and to apply this knowledge.
  7. An ability to function effectively as a member or leader of a team that establishes goals, plans tasks, meets deadlines, and creates a collaborative and inclusive environment.

In addition, students will have had opportunities for work experience through internships, practicum, and cooperative education. They will also have had opportunities to participate in student organizations for exposure to community service and for developing leadership skills. The students will be able to apply knowledge in environmental, geotechnical, structural, transportation, and water resources engineering.

In addition to the curriculum detailed below, all students in the Civil Engineering program are required to take the Fundamentals of Engineering exam (http://ncees.org/exams/fe-exam/) prior to graduation.  Any student passing the FE exam prior to graduation will receive a reimbursement for the exam fee paid by the CEEVC.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET www.abet.org.