BS in Civil Engineering
Units required for Major: 94 including GE courses
Total units required for BS: 124
Program Description
Civil Engineering involves the application of scientific principles and knowledge of mathematics and computers to the planning, analysis, design, and construction of all types of private and public works. Reduction of air and water pollution, disposal of hazardous wastes, renewal of our old cities, planning and building of new communities, providing water, power, and high-speed ground transportation systems are the responsibilities of the civil engineer. It is a continual challenge to the civil engineer to provide these services efficiently by the construction of dams, buildings, bridges, tunnels, highways, airports, waterways, and waste handling facilities in harmony with the natural environment.
Because of the broad range of demands on the civil engineer's services, the undergraduate program is devoted to fundamental principles in mathematics; basic and engineering sciences; the spectrum of Civil Engineering practice in both analysis and design; and required courses in the humanities and the social sciences, so that engineers may better relate to the world and society they serve. The upper division program permits students to select 12 units (4 courses) of electives. Students may increase the breadth or depth of their knowledge in Civil Engineering by selecting these electives in several areas: environmental and water quality engineering, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, transportation, and water resources engineering.
Courses may be interchanged between semesters to accommodate the student's schedule, as long as prerequisites are observed. Civil engineering is a demanding major, but with devoted study it can be completed in four years. Students who are working half-time or more often find it difficult to successfully pass a full load of classes each semester. Such students should plan to take fewer units per semester and a longer time to finish their degree.
Note: Students must satisfy the requirements of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET). Consult the Civil Engineering Department Chair for specific General Education requirements.
Note: Students graduating with a BS in Civil Engineering will not be subject to the University’s Foreign Language Graduation Requirement. Students who change major may be subject to the University’s Foreign Language Graduation Requirement.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Lower Division Courses (65 Units) | ||
| First Semester Freshman Year | ||
| CE 1 | Civil Engineering Seminar 1 | 1 |
| CE 4 | Engineering Graphics and CAD 1 | 2 |
| CHEM 1E | General Chemistry for Engineering 1 | 4 |
| MATH 30 | Calculus I 1 | 4 |
| Select two General Education courses | 6 | |
| Second Semester Freshman Year | ||
| CE 9 | Plane and Topographic Surveying | 2 |
| CE 9L | Plane and Topographic Surveying Laboratory | 1 |
| MATH 31 | Calculus II 1 | 4 |
| PHYS 11A | General Physics: Mechanics 1 | 4 |
| Select two General Education courses | 6 | |
| First Semester Sophomore Year | ||
| ENGR 45 | Engineering Materials | 3 |
| MATH 45 | Differential Equations for Science and Engineering | 3 |
| PHYS 11C | General Physics: Electricity and Magnetism 1 | 4 |
| Select two General Education courses | 6 | |
| Second Semester Sophomore Year | ||
| ENGL 20 | College Composition II | 3 |
| ENGR 30 | Analytic Mechanics: Statics | 3 |
| MATH 35 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 3 |
| or MATH 100 | Applied Linear Algebra | |
| Select two General Education courses | 6 | |
| Required Upper Division Courses (59 Units) 2 | ||
| First Semester Junior Year | ||
| CE 101 | Computer Applications in Civil Engineering | 3 |
| ENGR 110 | Analytic Mechanics - Dynamics | 3 |
| ENGR 112 | Mechanics Of Materials | 3 |
| ENGR 115 | Statistics For Engineers | 3 |
| ENGR 132 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| Second Semester Junior Year | ||
| CE 100 | Engineering Geology | 2 |
| CE 130 | Water Resources Engineering | 3 |
| CE 130L | Hydraulics Laboratory | 1 |
| CE 150 | Principles of Environmental Engineering | 2 |
| CE 150L | Environmental Engineering Laboratory | 1 |
| CE 160 | Introduction to Structural Analysis 1 | 3 |
| Select General Education course | 3 | |
| First Semester Senior Year | ||
| CE 140 | Transportation Engineering | 3 |
| CE 140L | Transportation Engineering Laboratory | 1 |
| CE 151 | Environmental Engineering Practice | 2 |
| CE 170 | Soil Mechanics | 3 |
| CE 170L | Soil Mechanics Laboratory | 1 |
| Select one Civil Engineering elective 3 | 3 | |
| CE 190 | Civil Engineering Project Skills | 3 |
| Second Semester Senior Year | ||
| CE 160L | Structural Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| CE 191 | Senior Project | 3 |
| Select three Civil Engineering electives 3 | 9 | |
| Total Units | 124 | |
Civil Engineering Electives
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select at least two design electives from the following: 4 | ||
| Design Electives | ||
| Design of Urban Water and Sewer Systems | ||
| Open Channel Hydraulics | ||
| Traffic Analysis and Design | ||
| Geometric Design of Highways | ||
| Stormwater Management | ||
| Design of Water Quality Control Processes | ||
| Structural Steel Design | ||
| Reinforced Concrete Design | ||
| Masonry Design | ||
| Prestressed Concrete Design | ||
| Timber Design | ||
| Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering | ||
| Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering | ||
| Technical Electives | ||
| Hydrology | ||
| Groundwater Engineering | ||
| Transportation Systems | ||
| Geoenvironmental Engineering | ||
| Seismic Behavior of Structures | ||
| Introduction to GIS in Civil Engineering | ||
| Concrete Technology | ||
| Thermodynamics | ||
- 1
Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.
- 2
Students must normally complete all lower division preparation before enrolling in upper division Engineering or Civil Engineering courses.
- 3
At least two Civil Engineering electives must be design courses (indicated by 5).
- 4
Electives are to be chosen from these courses in consultation with a faculty advisor and must include at least two design electives (indicated by 5).
Note: Other electives, such as a CE 196 series course or CE 199E may be chosen with the approval of a faculty advisor and Department Chair.
General Education Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Area A: Basic Subjects (6 Units) | ||
| A1 - Oral Communication | 3 | |
| A2 - Written Communication | 3 | |
| A3 - Critical Thinking | 0 | |
| Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (3 Units) | ||
| B1 - Physical Science 2 | 0 | |
| B2 - Life Forms | 3 | |
| B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5) 2 | 0 | |
| B4 - Math Concepts 2 | 0 | |
| B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. 2 | 0 | |
| Area C: Arts and Humanities (12 Units) | ||
| C1 - Arts | 3 | |
| C2 - Humanities | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area Course C | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area D: The Individual and Society (6 Units) | ||
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. 2 | 0 | |
| Area E: Understanding Personal Development | ||
| Area E Course 2 | 0 | |
| Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units) | ||
| Area F Course | 3 | |
| Total Units | 30 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
Required in Major; also satisfies GE.
Graduation Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (9 Units) | ||
| American Institutions: U.S. History | 3 | |
| American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive (WI) | 3 | |
| Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (3 Units) | ||
| English Composition II 2 | 0 | |
| Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE) | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 3 | 0 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
Required in Major; also satisfies Graduation Requirement.
- 3
If not satisfied before entering Sacramento State, it may be satisfied in General Education Area C2 (Humanities). "C- or better required." The alternative methods for satisfying the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement are described here: https://www.csus.edu/college/arts-letters/world-languages-literatures/foreign-language-requirement.html
Note: Students with a declared major of BS in Civil Engineering are exempt from the Foreign Language Graduation Requirement.