About our Department
Vision
The Civil Engineering Department will excel in undergraduate and graduate instruction, in research in all sub-areas of civil engineering, and in service to the public consistent with the land-grant mission of the university. The Department will make significant contributions to the economic development of the state, region and nation.
Mission
The mission of the Department of Civil Engineering is to provide quality education to prepare nationally competitive undergraduate students for a successful career in civil engineering; to provide advanced skills and knowledge in state-of-the-art research and design in sub-areas of civil engineering for graduate students; and to provide service to the university, engineering profession, and the public.
Educational Objectives
The following program education objectives are developed with the goal of preparing students to enter a modern civil engineering workforce and to be successful in their career and profession. The educational objectives are consistent with the university, college and department missions as well. The objectives are:
- To ensure that graduates will have a mastery of fundamental knowledge, problem solving skills, engineering experimental abilities, and design capabilities necessary for entering civil engineering career and/or graduate school.
- To produce graduates that have the knowledge and skills necessary for identifying and assessing design alternatives and the related social, economic, environmental, and public safety impacts.
- To produce graduates who have verbal and written communication skills necessary for successful professional practice.
- To prepare graduates to function effectively on teams.
- To prepare graduates to deal with ethical and professional issues, taking into account the broader societal implications of civil engineering.
- To prepare graduates for professional licensure, leadership roles and life-long learning.
Program Outcomes
- An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
- An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
- An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs.
- An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams.
- An ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems.
- An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
- An ability to communicate effectively.
- The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context.
- A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
- A knowledge of contemporary issues.
- An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
Civil Engineering Duties and Responsibilities
Civil engineering includes the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of large and permanent engineering projects of our civilization. Civil engineers are in demand wherever there are people. The major subdivisions of civil engineering are structural, geotechnical, environmental, sanitary, water resources, and transportation engineering.
The civil engineer is responsible for such projects as bridges and large buildings, dams, and other river and harbor work, municipal water supply and sanitation facilities, streets, highways, and other transportation facilities. On many projects, civil engineers work in close cooperation with engineers and scientists from other fields. The Civil Engineering program at NDSU is accredited by the Engineering Accrediting Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).