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You are here: Home / Undergraduate Programs / Majors / Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering addresses the challenges of large-scale engineering projects of importance to society as a whole, such as water distribution, transportation, and building design. Specializations are provided in General Civil Engineering, Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources, Structural Engineering, and Transportation Systems Engineering.  

Civil Engineering
Degree Requirements
  • Degree Requirements
  • Prerequisite Flowchart
  • Sample Programs of Study
Sample Program PDF
Civil 4 year plan POS 7.0Download

The sample template below is to help you create your own 4-year plan. Please note some courses may get full and when that happens you will have to adjust your schedule accordingly. You are welcome to speak to an advisor if this happens or if you have questions about moving classes around.

Basic Science Elective and Lower Division Technical Electives (required)

Civil Engineering Basic Science Electives

Students must complete one basic science elective selected from any Biological
Science or Earth Systems Science course with approved GE II designation.

Civil Engineering Lower-Division Technical Elective

Select two courses; one from two of the following sections:

Section ASection BSection C
Engr 7A & 7B*CHEM 1LEEECS 70A
CHEM 1CENGR 54
ENGRCEE 80
ENGRMAE 91

Notes:

  • *ENGR 7A & 7B must both be taken to count as a lower division technical elective. ENGR 7A & 7B are available only to first-year students in Fall & Winter quarters.
  • CHEM 1LE cannot be completed after CHEM 1C & 1LC.
  • Basic Science Electives and Lower-Division Technical Electives are taken in addition to a selected area of specialization. Refer to catalogue for specialization requirements.
Specialization (required)

Specializations are required for the civil engineering major. Students must choose one of the 4 listed specializations. For each specialization, 3 of the 4 required courses must be specialization specific, but the 4th course can be any upper-division ENGRCEE course.

  • Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources (4 courses):
    • It focuses on the hydrologic cycle, and the design and operation of systems for collecting, moving, and cleaning water. Includes courses in hydrology, watershed modeling, open channel design, wastewater treatment design, etc.
      • Recommended specialization if you enjoyed ENGRCEE 170 and 171
  • Structural Engineering (4 courses):
    • Focuses on the analysis and design of structural components to resist loads. Courses available include steel design, timber design, foundation design, earthquake engineering, etc.
    • ENGRCEE 155 is required
    • Recommended specialization if you enjoyed ENGRCEE 30, 150, 151A, and 151C
  • Transportation Systems Engineering (4 courses):
    • Focuses on the planning, design, and operation of transportation systems. Courses available include network analysis, freeway operations, control systems, etc.
    • ENGRCEE 122 and 123 are required
    • Recommended specialization if you enjoyed ENGRCEE 121
  • General Civil Engineering (4 courses):
    • Recommended if you want to learn about all 3 specializations
    • Students select 3 courses: 1 from the 4 categories based on the different specializations.
      • The last course can be from any category.


Notes: CEE 199 & 198 cannot count as a specialization course. Students can complete more than one specialization, but the courses cannot overlap (each specialization must have 4 unique courses).
(SUBJECT TO CHANGE) last updated 2022.

Senior Design (required)

Civil and Environmental Engineering Senior Design (ENGRCEE 181A-C). During enrollment, students can sign up for a lecture and lab. No authorization is needed.

Team:

  • Interdisciplinary teams during the fall quarter
    • Teams of 5 (approximately 1 person from each civil engineering specialization and 1 person from environmental engineering major)
    • Teams put together based on the answers from the project survey at the start of the quarter
  • Can change project teams during winter and spring quarters

Course Timeline:

  • 181A (2 units) Fall Quarter
    • Separate tasks and topics from the winter and spring quarters
    • Re-Development Design Project
    • Plan and propose a new creative use for the current site while maximizing the benefits for the client and the surrounding community
    • Write a technical report detailing the proposed redevelopment 2-3 presentations (final technical marketing presentation during week 10)
  • 181B (2 units) Winter Quarter
    • Work with industry professionals to complete a design project based on your specialization
  • 181C (2 units) Spring Quarter
    • Continues the design project from 181B
    • Respond to client questions/concerns, complete the final design, and finish professional reports and presentations

(Subject to Change – Last Update 2021)

Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam Prep
  • A Guide to the FE Exam
  • Path to PE License for CEE Majors (Video)
  • Path to PE License for CEE Majors (Slides)
Additional Resources
  • Buzzfile Company Search Tool (uci.edu)
  • Career Fairs – UCI Division of Career Pathways
  • How to get Involved in Research
    • Research – CEE
  • Student Organizations – CEE
  • Teaching Plan – Engineering

Program Faculty Advisor
Prof. Michael McNally
mmcnally@uci.edu

Academic Counselor
Christy King
clking@uci.edu

Civil Engineering is within the Civil & Environmental (CEE) Engineering Department

Contact Information

286 Multipurpose Science and Technology Building
Irvine, CA 92697-2750

949-824-4334
ugengr@uci.edu

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