University of Arkansas

Civil engineering is the oldest of all engineering fields, yet it is as contemporary as the need to provide solutions to today’s environmental, geotechnical, structural and transportation problems. The civil engineer plans, designs, builds, and operates projects for the advancement and well-being of society while coordinating and conserving human and natural resources. Civil engineering projects range from small to monumental and include public water systems, buildings, bridges, rail and highway networks, water and wastewater treatment plants, solid and hazardous waste disposal facilities, airports, and soil conservation and flood diversion controls.

The civil engineering profession offers a vast array of opportunities. Civil engineers may work in private employment or with public agencies. They may work indoors in activities such as planning and design, or outdoors in areas such as construction supervision. Employment is possible anywhere in the world.

The objective of the Civil Engineering undergraduate program is to produce graduates who are prepared to pursue:

• Careers in the broad field of civil engineering
• Licensure as a professional engineer
• Advanced education

To fulfill this objective, all students must take courses in geotechnical, environmental, transportation, and structural engineering. Courses are designed to present “real world” applications without sacrificing conceptual and theoretical basics. Students complete design problems in each of these areas; and, as part of the senior year, they participate in two major design projects.

Completion of degree requirements provides graduates with the following learning outcomes:

• 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.