B.S. Civil Engineering
Explore principles of civil and environmental engineering. Earn your B.S. in Civil Engineering.
Our bachelor’s degree program in civil engineering with an emphasis on environmental engineering offers you the opportunity to develop expertise in fundamental engineering principles as well as one of several specialized areas of interest. Through upper-level electives, you’ll focus on your choice of construction engineering and management, environmental and water resources engineering, geotechnical engineering, land surveying, structural engineering or transportation engineering. Read more about these learning tracks below. You can further formalize your studies with a certificate in construction management or a land surveying license.
Learn more information about the program, such as admissions information, course offerings, and requirements, at the undergraduate course catalog Civil Engineering page.
Preparation for Licensure
Obtaining a professional license in Civil Engineering represents mastery in the profession and is necessary to stamp designs of major infrastructure projects. Your degree in Civil Engineering at Ohio University is approved by the ABET and the State of Ohio Engineers and Surveyors Board and constitutes the first step towards becoming a board-certified professional civil engineer. In our program, you will also be required to take the state Fundamentals of Engineering test before graduation, a second major hurdle on the path to licensure.
Undergraduate Tracks
Construction Engineering Management
Civil engineers often manage the construction of large buildings or transportation projects. In this area, you will learn about cost estimating, optimally scheduling construction sequences, and legal aspects of construction.
As part of the CE curriculum, everyone takes CE 2160 Construction and Engineering Management to learn the fundamentals of this discipline. You could take these additional electives to specialize in this area:
| CE 4160 | Construction Estimation and Equipment |
| CE 4170 | Construction Planning and Scheduling |
| CE 4190 | Project Development, Contracts and Law |
| CE 4540 | Sustainable Construction |
With a few extra classes, you could also complete a Certificate in Construction Management
Environmental and Water Resources Engineering
Civil engineers develop water supplies for communities, design treatment facilities to provide clean drinking water, manage river and reservoir systems to prevent flooding and provide other resources, design treatment facilities that prevent wastewater from polluting waterways, and prevent and clean up pollution of water and soil.
As part of the CE curriculum, to learn the fundamentals of this discipline everyone takes:
| CE 3400 | Fluid Mechanics |
| CE 3410 | Hydraulics Lab |
| CE 3420 | Applied Hydrology and Hydraulics |
| CE 4500 | Water and Wastewater Engineering |
You could take these additional electives to specialize in this area:
| CE 3530 | Basics of Environmental Engineering |
| CE 4530 | Solid and Hazardous Waste Management |
| CE 4570 | Water Resources Engineering |
| CE 4580 | Water Quality Engineering |
Geotechnical Engineering
Civil engineers design foundations for structures and transportation systems in a variety of natural soils and design pavement for roadways.
As part of the CE curriculum, to learn the fundamentals of this discipline everyone takes:
| CE 3700 | Geotechnical Engineering |
| CE 3710 | Soil Engineering Lab |
You could take these additional electives to specialize in this area:
| CE 4710 | Foundation Engineering |
| CE 4760 | Soil Stabilization |
| CE 4820 | Paving Materials and Mixtures |
| CE 4830 | Principles of Pavement Design |
Land Surveying
Surveyors are necessary for every construction project to set boundaries and elevations throughout the project and are in high demand.
As part of the CE curriculum, to learn the fundamentals of this discipline everyone takes:
| CE 2220 | Civil Engineering Graphics |
| CE 2100 | Elements of Land Surveying |
You could take these additional electives to specialize in this area:
| CE 4100 | Applied Boundary Surveying |
| CE 4110 | Principles in Boundary Location |
| CE 4150 | Geodetic Surveying |
With a few extra classes, you could also complete the academic requirements for a Surveying License.
Structural Engineering
Civil engineers design complex systems to support buildings and bridges and other structures using a variety of materials.
As part of the CE curriculum, to learn the fundamentals of this discipline everyone takes:
| CE 3300 | Structural Theory I |
| CE 4320 | Structural Design in Concrete |
| CE 4330 | Structural Design in Steel |
You could take these additional electives to specialize in this area:
| CE 3310 | Structural Theory II |
| CE 4240 | Strength of Materials II |
| CE 4370 | Timber Design |
| CE 4380 | Pre-Stressed Concrete Design |
| CE 4912 | Structural Senior Design |
Transportation Engineering
Civil engineers design the layout and interconnections of roadways to provide safe and convenient transportation for communities.
As part of the CE curriculum, to learn the fundamentals of this discipline everyone takes:
| CE 3110 | Route Engineering |
| CE 3610 | Transportation Engineering |
You could take these additional electives to specialize in this area:
| CE 4630 | Introduction to Highway Safety |
| CE 4640 | Transportation Planning Fundamentals |
| CE 4680 | Traffic Signal Systems |
| CE 4910 | Land Development Senior Design |