Civil and Environmental Engineering

Steven E. Benzley, Chair
368 CB, (801) 422-2811

Rollin H. Hotchkiss, Associate Chair
368 CB, (801) 422-2811

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology Advisement Center
264 CB, (801) 422-4325
www.et.byu.edu/ce/

Admission to Degree Program

The degree program in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is open enrollment.

The Discipline

The BYU Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering prepares students for professional involvement in structural, water resources, environmental, geotechnical (soils), and transportation engineering.

Structural engineers analyze and design buildings, bridges, and other structures. The engineer applies principles of physics, mathematics, and engineering to develop efficient yet safe designs. Sophisticated computer models are used in these analyses. Materials used by structural engineers include steel, aluminum, concrete, masonry, wood, and composites.

Water resource and environmental engineers design pipeline systems, water treatment plants, dams, flood control structures, waste disposal sites, and environmental restoration projects. Computer modeling and analyses are used in design and to forecast storm runoff, flooding, and movement of contaminants in surface and subsurface waters. Environmental engineers evaluate and reduce pollutants from natural, human, agricultural, and industrial sources to preserve the beauty and quality of air, land, and water.

Geotechnical engineers design structures composed of or located within earth materials, including foundations for buildings and bridges, retaining walls, earth dams, highway embankments, tunnels, and liners for landfills. Field and laboratory tests on soil and rock, along with empirical and computer models, are used to assure safety and economy in design.

Traffic and transportation engineers apply scientific principles to the planning, design, construction, operation, and management of transportation systems, including highways, airports, and mass transit facilities. Transportation engineers are responsible for the safe, rapid, comfortable, convenient, economical, and environmentally compatible movement of people and goods. Computer models and simulations are frequently used by traffic engineers for geometric design and for planning, operating, and managing transportation networks, including intermodal systems.

Department Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is to produce graduates who possess technical competence in their chosen specialty area of civil engineering, integrity, and a commitment to the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, that will prepare them to serve and contribute as innovators, professional engineers, and leaders in the global community.

Program Educational Objectives

The undergraduate program in civil engineering has the following educational objectives:

1. Develop innovative engineers who competently apply recognized technical methods to meet human needs for water, shelter, and transportation.
2. Develop leaders with global awareness who hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public while sustaining and protecting the environment.
3. Develop citizens with moral character and commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ who provide life-long service to the public, church, and professional community.

Expected Learning Outcomes

These objectives are intended to develop the following outcomes in students graduating from the civil engineering program:

1. Understand fundamental principles of mathematics and science.
2. Understand fundamental engineering science.
3. Understand geotechnical engineering.
4. Understand structural engineering.
5. Understand transportation engineering.
6. Understand water resources and environmental engineering.
7. Be able to design civil engineering systems and solve constrained problems with innovation.
8. Be able to use modern engineering tools, conduct experiments, and analyze uncertain data.
9. Be able to communicate ideas effectively, work in teams, and lead others.
10. Be familiar with professional practice, business management, and public administration.
11. Be aware of cultural, societal, contemporary, historical, global, and sustainability issues.
12. Be committed to life-long learning and service as licensed engineers of integrity and faith.

Career Opportunities

Civil engineers are employed in industry, private consulting, and government. Industries employing many civil and environmental engineers include construction, transportation, aerospace, petroleum, and mining. Many civil engineers enter private consulting practices, and many eventually establish their own firms. The yellow-page directories for major cities generally list many civil, structural, environmental, geotechnical, and transportation engineering firms.

Civil engineers are also employed by national, state, and local governments. Most cities and counties have engineering departments staffed largely by civil engineers. Departments of transportation, environmental protection agencies, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Bureau of Reclamation hire many civil engineers.

Civil engineering may be used as a preprofessional program for careers in architecture, law, and business.

Because civil engineers design structures that affect public health and safety, licensure as a Professional Engineer is required for most positions. A necessary prerequisite for licensure is graduation from an accredited engineering program. The civil engineering program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

Graduation Requirements

To receive a BYU bachelor's degree a student must complete, in addition to all requirements for a specific major, the following university requirements:

• The university core, consisting of requirements in general and religious education. (See University Core for details. For a complete listing of courses that meet university core requirements, see the current class schedule.)
• A minimum of 30 credit hours in residence
• A minimum of 120 credit hours
• A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
• Be in good standing with the Honor Code Office

Undergraduate Programs and Degrees

BS in Civil Engineering

Students should see the department for help or information concerning the undergraduate program.

Graduate Programs and Degrees

MS in Civil Engineering
PhD in Civil Engineering

For more information see the BYU 2009–2010 Graduate Catalog.

General Information

Students are strongly encouraged to consult with the department regarding their course scheduling.

Qualified students from junior colleges with adequate preengineering programs can normally complete the BS degree in two additional years. Students who transfer into the department from other universities or from other departments at BYU will be placed in the civil engineering program according to an evaluation of completed work. Prospective transfer students should contact the department as soon as possible so that any variations can be accommodated with a minimum loss of time.

A maximum of 9 credit hours with D grades are allowed in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering classes. Clearance for graduation will be denied until D credits are reduced to 9 hours or less.

Integrated Master's Program

Although abundant professional employment is available with a bachelor's degree, professional opportunities are markedly improved by completing a master's degree.

During the junior year of the civil engineering curriculum, those who desire to obtain a master's degree in civil engineering (MS) may enter the integrated master's program. In this program students may work toward both the bachelor's and master's degrees concurrently.

Applicants to the integrated program must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. All credit to be counted toward the master's degree must carry a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. When students are within 30 credit hours of completing the graduate degree, they must also apply for and be admitted to graduate school.

Professional Engineer Registration

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering encourages graduates to become registered Professional Engineers. General qualifications for becoming registered are explained in the Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology section of this catalog. This status is vital to engineering practice in the public sector and to much consulting work. The civil engineering program prepares graduates to successfully complete the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination, an important step in becoming registered. Students who wish to strengthen their preparation for the FE exam should select the required engineering courses with this need in mind.

Awards

The department has the following privately endowed awards: the Russell J Berrett Scholarship, the Joseph Layne Black Scholarship, the W Don and Kaye Budge ASCE Scholarship, the Caleb Tanner Water Resources Scholarship, The Jerry Christiansen Scholarship, the Nancy and Doug Ferrell Scholarship, the D Allan Firmage Scholarship, the Dean K Fuhriman Scholarship, the King and Dianne Husein Professorship, the Ramesh Khona Scholarship, the Marvin E Larson Scholarship, the Billy and Marian Nichols Scholarship, the H Burke Peterson Scholarship, the Ralph and Betty Rollins Scholarship, the John and Bobbie Tanner Scholarship, the Lee and Connie Wimmer Scholarship, and the T Leslie Youd Family Fellowship. In addition, the department has the following private annual awards: the ES² Scholarship, the Keller and Associates Scholarship, the Wayne Y Lee Scholarship, the Washington Group International Scholarship, and the Wright Engineers Scholarship.