2024-25 Edition

Civil Engineering, B.S.

Program Educational Objectives: Graduates of the Civil Engineering program will (1) establish a Civil Engineering career in industry, government, or academia and achieve professional licensure as appropriate; (2) demonstrate excellence and innovation in engineering problem solving and design in a global and societal context; (3) commit to lifelong learning and professional development to stay current in technology and contemporary issues; and (4) take on increasing levels of responsibility and leadership in technical and/or managerial roles. (Program educational objectives are those aspects of engineering that help shape the curriculum; achievement of these objectives is a shared responsibility between the student and UCI.)

The curriculum provides the opportunity to obtain a firm foundation in engineering science and to develop the techniques of analysis and design, which are basic for the successful practitioner. Emphasis is placed on developing problem-solving skills. Students apply principles of sustainability, leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the formulation and solution of environmental problems.

High School Students: See School Admissions information.

Transfer Students: Preference will be given to junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall, and who have satisfactorily completed the following required courses: two years of approved calculus, one year of calculus-based physics with laboratories (mechanics, electricity and magnetism), completion of lower-division writing, one year of general chemistry (with laboratory), and one course in introductory programming. For course equivalency specific to each college, see https://assist.org.

Students are encouraged to complete as many of the lower-division degree requirements as possible prior to transfer. Students who enroll at UCI in need of completing lower-division coursework may find that it will take longer than two years to complete their degrees. For further information, contact The Henry Samueli School of Engineering at 949-824-4334.

All students must meet the University Requirements.
All students must meet the School Requirements.
Major Requirements
Mathematics and Basic Science Courses:
CHEM 1A General Chemistry
or
General Chemistry for Engineers
CHEM 1B General Chemistry
ENGRCEE 11 Methods II: Probability and Statistics
MATH 2A- 2B Single-Variable Calculus I
and Single-Variable Calculus II
MATH 2D Multivariable Calculus I
MATH 3A Introduction to Linear Algebra
MATH 3D Elementary Differential Equations
MATH 2E Multivariable Calculus II
PHYSICS 7C Classical Physics
PHYSICS 7LC Classical Physics Laboratory
PHYSICS 7D Classical Physics
PHYSICS 7LD Classical Physics Laboratory
One basic science elective selected from any Biological Science or Earth Systems Science course with approved GE II designation.
Lower-Division Technical Elective:
Select one course from two of the sections:
Section A:
Introduction to Engineering I
and Introduction to Engineering II *
Section B:
Accelerated General Chemistry Lab
General Chemistry
and General Chemistry Laboratory
Section C:
Network Analysis I
Principles of Materials Science and Engineering
Dynamics
Introduction to Thermodynamics
Engineering Topics Courses:
ENGRCEE 20 Introduction to Computational Problem Solving
ENGRCEE 21 Computational Problem Solving
ENGRCEE 30 Statics
ENGRCEE 81A Civil Engineering Practicum I
ENGRCEE 81B Civil Engineering Practicum II
ENGRCEE 110 Methods III: Modeling, Economics, and Management
ENGRCEE 111 Methods IV: Systems Analysis and Decision-Making
ENGRCEE 121 Transportation Systems I: Analysis and Design
ENGRCEE 130 Soil Mechanics
ENGRCEE 130L Soil Mechanics Laboratory
ENGRCEE 150 Mechanics of Materials
ENGRCEE 150L Mechanics of Materials Laboratory
ENGRCEE 151A Structural Analysis
ENGRCEE 151C Reinforced Concrete Design
ENGRCEE 160 Environmental Processes
ENGRCEE 170 Introduction to Fluid Mechanics
ENGRCEE 171 Water Resources Engineering
ENGRCEE 181A- 181B- 181C Senior Design Practicum I
and Senior Design Practicum II
and Senior Design Practicum III
Engineering Professional Topics Courses:
ENGRCEE 40 Fundamentals of Economic Analysis for Scientists and Engineers
or
Basic Economics I
and Basic Economics II
ENGR 190W Communications in the Professional World
ENGRCEE 60 Contemporary and Emerging Environmental Challenges
or UPPP 8 Introduction to Environmental Analysis and Design
Specialization Electives:
Students must select one of the areas of specialization and complete the associated requirements, as shown below. Students select, with the approval of a faculty advisor, any additional engineering topics courses needed to satisfy school and departmental requirements.
Specialization in General Civil Engineering:
Requires four courses, at least one course each from three of the following four options:
(1) Select one:
Transportation Systems II: Operations and Control
Transportation Systems III: Planning and Forecasting
(2) Select one:
Introduction to Earthquake Engineering
Structural Timber Design
Computer Methods in Structural Analysis and Design
Structural Steel Design
Foundation Design
(3) Select one:
Wastewater Treatment Process Design
Carbon and Energy Footprint Analysis
Physical-Chemical Treatment Processes
Microorganisms and Climate Change
Environmental Microbiology for Engineers
(4) Select one:
Groundwater Hydrology
Watershed Modeling
Hydrology
Fluid Mechanics of Open Channels
Specialization in Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources:
Select four of the following:
Wastewater Treatment Process Design
Carbon and Energy Footprint Analysis
Physical-Chemical Treatment Processes
Microbial Processes for Bioremediation
Microorganisms and Climate Change
Environmental Microbiology for Engineers
Groundwater Hydrology
Watershed Modeling
Hydrology
Fluid Mechanics of Open Channels
Specialization in Structural Engineering:
ENGRCEE 155 Structural Steel Design
Select three of the following:
Introduction to Earthquake Engineering
Structural Timber Design
Computer Methods in Structural Analysis and Design
Foundation Design
Composite Materials and Structures
Lightweight Structures
Specialization in Transportation Systems Engineering:
ENGRCEE 122 Transportation Systems II: Operations and Control
ENGRCEE 123 Transportation Systems III: Planning and Forecasting
Select two of the following:
Network Analysis I (EECS 70A may not be used in this Specialization if used for a Lower-Division Technical Elective.)
Transportation Systems IV: Freeway Operations and Control
Transportation and the Environment
Introduction to Control Systems
Digital Control Systems
*

ENGR 7A-ENGR 7B is available only to lower-division students in Fall and Winter quarters. Both ENGR 7A-ENGR 7B must be taken to be counted as one Lower-Division Technical Elective.

(The nominal Civil Engineering program will require 185 units of courses depending on specialization to satisfy all university and major requirements. Because each student comes to UCI with a different level of preparation, the actual number of units will vary.)

At most an aggregate total of 6 units of 199 or H199 courses may be used to satisfy degree requirements.

The sample program of study chart shown is typical for the accredited major in Civil Engineering. Students should keep in mind that this program is based upon a rigid set of prerequisites, beginning with adequate preparation in high school mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Therefore, the course sequence should not be changed except for the most compelling reasons. Students must have their programs approved by their faculty advisor. Civil Engineering majors are encouraged to consult with academic counselors as needed, and students who are academically at risk are mandated to see a counselor as frequently as deemed necessary by the advising staff.

Sample Program of Study — Civil Engineering
Freshman
Fall Winter Spring
MATH 2AMATH 2BMATH 2D
CHEM 1A or ENGR 1APHYSICS 7CPHYSICS 7D
Lower-Division Technical ElectivePHYSICS 7LCPHYSICS 7LD
General EducationCHEM 1BENGRCEE 81A
 General EducationBasic Science Elective
Sophomore
Fall Winter Spring
MATH 3AMATH 3DMATH 2E
ENGRCEE 20ENGRCEE 11ENGRCEE 21
ENGRCEE 30ENGRCEE 81BLower-Division Technical Elective
General EducationGeneral EducationGeneral Education
Junior
Fall Winter Spring
ENGRCEE 121ENGRCEE 130ENGRCEE 110
ENGRCEE 150ENGRCEE 130LENGRCEE 151C
ENGRCEE 150LENGRCEE 151AENGRCEE 160
ENGRCEE 170ENGRCEE 171General Education
ENGR 190W  
*

Note: ENGR 7A-ENGR 7B is available only to lower-division students in Fall and Winter quarters. Both ENGR 7A-ENGR 7B must be taken to be counted as one Lower-Division Technical Elective. 

The following sample plans of study are provided for the senior year only; the first three years are common to all specializations.

Senior-Year Sample Programs of Study — Civil Engineering
Senior: General Civil Engineering Specialization
Senior
Fall Winter Spring
ENGRCEE 181AENGRCEE 181BENGRCEE 181C
Spec. ElectiveENGRCEE 111Spec. Elective
General EducationSpec. ElectiveSpec. Elective
General EducationGeneral EducationGeneral Education

Senior: Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources Specialization

Senior
Fall Winter Spring
ENGRCEE 181AENGRCEE 181BENGRCEE 181C
Spec. ElectiveENGRCEE 111Spec. Elective
General EducationSpec. ElectiveSpec. Elective
General EducationGeneral EducationGeneral Education

 Senior: Structural Engineering Specialization

Senior
Fall Winter Spring
ENGRCEE 181AENGRCEE 181BENGRCEE 181C
ENGRCEE 155ENGRCEE 111Spec. Elective
Spec. ElectiveSpec. ElectiveGeneral Education
General EducationGeneral EducationGeneral Education

Senior: Transportation Systems Engineering

Senior
Fall Winter Spring
ENGRCEE 181AENGRCEE 181BENGRCEE 181C
Spec. ElectiveENGRCEE 111ENGRCEE 123
General EducationENGRCEE 122Spec. Elective
General EducationGeneral EducationGeneral Education