Civil Engineering

Would you like to make this world a better place in which to live and improve the quality of life for all of us? You could do just that by choosing a career in civil engineering. Civil engineers are involved in a wide variety of projects affecting virtually everyone. These projects may include the designing of transportation networks (land, air or water), water supply and sewage systems, as well as buildings, dams and roads. The civil engineer plays a critical role in determining how our environment looks and functions.

The Program

Civil engineers are people who like to do things rather than just talk about them. They want to be a part of the decision-making process and they enjoy working with people in teams.

 

The graduates from North Dakota State University's Department of Civil Engineering apply their skills in all fields of the profession across the United States and overseas. NDSU civil engineering graduates are sought by companies from all over the country at competitive salaries. They have most certainly put their education to good use, in bettering themselves and the world in which they live. The department also offers graduate degrees leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in civil engineering.

Mission

The mission of the civil engineering program is to:

• Provide quality education to prepare nationally competitive undergraduate students for a successful career in civil engineering;
• Provide advanced skills and knowledge in state-of-the-art research and design in sub-areas of civil engineering for graduate students; and
• pProvide service to the University, engineering profession and the public.

Educational Objectives

 

The following program educational 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:

1. 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,
2. 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,
3. To produce graduates who have verbal and written communication skills necessary for successful professional practice,
4. To prepare graduates to function effectively on teams,
5. To prepare graduates to deal with ethical and professional issues, taking into account the broader societal implications of civil engineering,
6. To prepare graduates for professional licensure, leadership roles and life long learning.

A Flexible Curriculum

First year civil engineering students at NDSU begin their education with fundamental courses in English, chemistry, math and an introduction to the engineering sciences. Second year courses become more specific with an emphasis in surveying, math, physics and engineering science courses. The third year student previews the specialization areas of civil engineering. These are: (1)  geotechnical, (2)  structural, (3)  transportation, (4)  water resources and (5)  environmental engineering. The senior year continues to require certain courses but also provides for 12 hours of technical electives and a senior design project. The technical electives allow the student to take additional courses in those areas of civil engineering in which he or she intends to practice professionally. Currently there are 32 civil engineering courses from which the student may choose.

Faculty

All faculty members in the department have a Ph.D. degree. Most of them are licensed professional engineers. Almost all classes are taught by full-time professors.

A Modern, Well-Equipped Facility

The civil engineering building is part of the eight building engineering and architecture complex. Seven well-equipped laboratories are designed for experimentation in each of the areas of civil engineering and advanced materials. In the last few years there has been a continual upgrading of the laboratory equipment with special emphasis on the environmental, geotechnical, materials, fluid materials and advanced materials laboratories. Laboratory class sections are restricted to l5 or fewer students whenever possible.

Student Organizations

Students participate in several professional student organizations in the department which helps them develop leadership skills and ability to work in teams. The NDSU American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Steel Bridge Team has won 5 national championships, more than any school in the country. Other organizations have also won national and regional awards.

Preparation

High school students who wish to prepare for some phase of engineering at the college level should attempt to complete the following high school credits: one unit of physics, four units of mathematics and one unit of chemistry. Students who have studied two years of pre-engineering at another institution can normally complete the civil engineering degree program in two additional years.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The Department of Civil Engineering awards the George E. Haggart Scholarship to a deserving sophomore, the James and Jean Jorgenson Scholarship to a student with strong academic performance and leadership, and the John A. Oakey Memorial Scholarship to two outstanding juniors. Many other scholarships are awarded to students. The scholarship awards range from $300 to $2,000. The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) and ASCE student chapters recognize students who are active in their respective organizations. Other forms of financial aid are available through the NDSU Office of Student Financial Services.

Career Opportunities

NDSU civil engineering graduates are very successful in finding excellent jobs. Most have selected a job before graduation and others within a few weeks of graduation. The work varies in regard to type of activity and location. Civil engineers can work in the office, in the field or a combination of the two. They can work primarily with numbers involving intricate designs or with people in management or sales.

 

Job placement of recent NDSU civil engineering graduating classes indicates a variety of work experience. About 40% of the graduates have gone to work for consulting engineering firms and another 40% with city, state and federal government. The remainder are employed by industry, contractors and the military or have gone to graduate school at NDSU or other universities. Most graduates are involved in more than one type of civil engineering activity. Some students accept jobs in which they are not involved in a specific civil engineering activity, but use their engineering background in other activities. Job placement of our graduates in the last few years has been almost 100%. The average starting salary accepted by recent civil engineering graduates was about $42,000.

Sample Curriculum

This sample curriculum is not intended to serve as a curriculum guide for current students, but rather an example of course offerings for prospective students. For the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of entrance into a program, consult with an academic adviser or with the Office of Registration and Records.

Contact Information

Department Civil Engineering

North Dakota State University
Dept. #2470
Civil and Industrial Engineering 201
Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Tel: (701) 231-7244
Fax: (701) 231-6185
Email:Dinesh.Katti@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ce.ndsu.nodak.edu

Office of Admission

North Dakota State University
Ceres 114
Dept 5230, PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/prospective_students/

(02/10)