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Civil Engineering Major B.S.
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Civil Engineering Major B.S.

Our Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Civil Engineering.

Civil engineering evolved as a formal discipline at the start of the 19th century as a response to society’s needs for increased mobility and convenience. Today’s civil and environmental engineers deal primarily with public and private infrastructure and its relation to the environment, which includes planning, design, construction, and maintenance of transportation systems, bridges, dams, buildings, water supply/distribution/treatment systems, wastewater and storm water collection/treatment/disposal systems, irrigation systems, and flood control. Civil and environmental engineers also operate public and private works, and design environmental protection for water, air, and land.

Careers with a Civil Engineering Degree

Because of the broad nature of civil and environmental engineering and the way the program is set up, a wide range of career paths is available to graduates of the program. For example, some graduates can work for private firms as structural or geotechnical engineers. Some graduates may be hired by construction contractors as construction management professionals. Others may find opportunities in government agencies to work as transportation or environmental engineers. The program’s sound foundations in mathematics, basic sciences, fundamental engineering, and various specialty areas of civil and environmental engineering assure that some graduates of the program will be ready to pursue advanced degrees in civil and environmental engineering related graduate programs available throughout the U.S. and beyond.

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 toward 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.

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Admission Requirements

To best prepare for the demands of the academic programs in Russ College, it is necessary to have met general admissions requirements for Ohio University and completed four years of college-prep math, at least one year of chemistry or physics, and at least one additional year of chemistry, physics, or an engineering science such as engineering principles, robotics, computer science, or digital electronics. Students ranked in the top 30 percent of their classes who score at least 24 on the ACT or comparable on the SAT are most likely to be successful in Russ College of Engineering and Technology.

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  • Tuition & Fees

    OHIO is committed to your lifelong success through our Guarantee+, which offers fixed tuition and fees, a graduation plan and lifelong benefits to our students. We're continuously striving to make college more affordable and accessible, while maintaining the high quality and value of an OHIO education.

    Tuition & Fees

  • Financial Aid & Scholarships

    Our Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships provides services to students and parents both in-person and remotely. You can visit our office on the ground floor of Chubb Hall or reach us at financial.aid@ohio.edu or 740.593.4141. 

    Financial Aid & Scholarships

Civil Engineering B.S. Courses & Curriculum

View Civil Engineering Courses & Curriculum in the Academic Catalog

The curriculum builds a sound foundation in basic sciences and mathematics, followed by courses in engineering science and design that provide a solid base for lifelong professional learning. Engineering courses and laboratories provide an opportunity for students to experience those principles and standard practices that they will encounter in their careers. The curriculum is oriented to develop a student’s ability to think logically and to apply the knowledge gained to the design and synthesis of complex civil engineering projects.

Design Experience: The program provides an integration of design experience from the freshman year to the senior year, culminating in a capstone design course. The senior capstone course provides a comprehensive design experience that encompasses ethical, social, economic and safety issues. Engineering design, team problem solving, and communication skills are emphasized throughout the curriculum.

Technical Electives: Students pursue areas of interest by selecting appropriate technical electives in the areas of construction engineering and management, engineering materials, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, pavements, structural engineering, transportation engineering, and water resources engineering.

Professional Licensure: Graduates of the program are prepared to become registered professional engineers. Students are required to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam as part of their graduation requirements. The FE Exam constitutes one of the first steps in becoming a licensed engineer. A certificate program is available for those who wish to become specialized in the area of construction management. Also, another optional program is available for those who want to become registered land surveyors.

Co-op Experience: A co-op program is open to qualified civil engineering students, who can obtain technical experience and income by working for private or government organizations while still in school. Students who participate in the co-op program typically take more than four years to complete degree requirements.

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