School of Engineering

Course Descriptions

Civil Engineering (CE) Undergraduate Courses

To view the complete schedule of courses for
each semester, go to Cardinal Station.

CE 101: Elementary Construction Surveying

2.00 Credits

CE 101-Elementary Construction Surveying (1) Course Description: Introduction to the elements of the discipline of surveying, with concentration on applications for the construction process. Included are topics on: the background and history of the surveying profession and how it interacts with other disciplines; measurement concepts, error consideration, accuracy, precision, and significant figures; methods for distance measuring; elevation measurements and leveling; measuring angles, bearings and azimuths with transits; traverses and traverse computations; basic topography and mapping; a field trip to a major construction project to review surveying procedures; and a team project for completion of a traverse and an as-built survey for an existing building.

CE 102: Introduction to Earth Science

3.00 Credits

The course is intended for all students, regardless of major. It introduces fundamental concepts of the processes that shape our earth. From volcanoes and earthquakes to the factors that control our weather, this course offers a solid approach to basic geology, hydrology, and climatology without requiring prior knowledge of physical science and mathematics.

CE 103: Introduction to Oceanography

3.00 Credits

no description available

CE 110: Computers in Construction

3.00 Credits

Study of the key phases of a construction project, from feasibility studies to facility operations; major emphasis on use of state-of-the-art commercial computer software systems in support of estimation and scheduling functions. Basics of network scheduling concepts, using both activity-on-arrow and precedence diagrams. Basics of the construction estimating processes both by hand and with the latest computerized systems.

CE 301: Construction Systems and Planning

4.00 Credits

Presentation of the entire process of bringing a constructed facility on line. Construction Documents: owner-contractor, owner-architect, owner-CM, and standard subcontract agreements, plans and specifications, shop drawings, general and special conditions, addenda and modifications, types of contracts, bidding and award concepts, change orders, and other key documents. Building Component Systems: foundation, structural, roofing, mechanical, electrical, barrier and fire control systems. Field trips to local construction sites.

CE 302: Civil Engineering Systems Management

4.00 Credits

Engineering and management techniques and systems used in civil engineering projects. Methods for project estimating, cost control, and procurement of materials, equipment, and subcontracts. Options presented for scheduling, with concentration on the computerized Critical Path Method (CPM) of network analysis. Introduction to environmental aspects of civil works: sustainability; environmental impact statements. Also: engineering economics, labor relations, equipment management, productivity improvements, personnel management, and construction safety programs, plus field trips. As major project, student teams create a comprehensive Management Planning, Control, and Information System for a large project.

CE 312: Theory of Structures

3.00 Credits

CE 312-Theory of Structures (3) Course Description: Analysis of determinate structures; Stability and determinacy; Influence lines and moving loads; Deflection methods. Analysis of indeterminate structures using the methods of compatibility of displacements; Slope-deflection method; Moment distribution method. Computer applications. Prerequisite: ENGR 201;ENGR 301

CE 313: Theory of Structures II

3.00 Credits

no description available

CE 366: Introduction to Soil Mechanics

3.00 Credits

Soil properties and identification; Engineered soils and their properties; Soil water and water pressure; Stresses in Soil Mass; Compressibility of Soils; Shear strength of soils; Lateral earth pressure; Slope stability; Bearing capacity of shallow foundations. Prerequisite: ENGR 301

CE 367: Soil Testing for Engineers

2.00 Credits

Laboratory experiments to study physical, mechanical and hydraulic properties of soils and use of these properties to predict the soil behavior in geotechnical structures. Experiments to determine grain size distribution, specific gravity, Atterberg limits, permeability, compaction, consolidation, direct shear and triaxial tests. Prerequisite: CE 366.

CE 372: Engineering Hydraulics

3.00 Credits

Principles of engineering hydraulics as applied in the design of structures and systems for hydraulic developments: water pressure forces, flow in closed conduits, flow in open channels, water pumps; hydraulic modeling. Prerequisite: ENGR 331

CE 374: Introduction to Transportation Systems and Design

3.00 Credits

This is an introductory transportation engineering course that focuses on the highway mode of transportation and provides (1) the depth of coverage needed to serve as a basis for future transportation courses, and (2) the knowledge to answer questions likely to appear on the exam for professional registration in civil engineering. The objectives are to introduce the students to the field of transportation engineering, to acquaint them with the many areas and facets of the discipline, and to make them aware of the professional career opportunities in transportation engineering.

CE 400: Seminar on Public Policy Issues

1.00 Credits

Case studies are developed that involved the interplay of legislative and administrative actions. Where appropriate, the third branch of government, the judiciary, is brought in. Issues cover a number of engineering topics including transportation and water resources development. Federal policy makers from the major agencies as well as Congressional Committee staff make invited presentations. Field trips to congressional hearings and administrative sessions.

CE 402: Structural Steel Design

3.00 Credits

Principles and knowledge of component design for steel structures using the load and resistance factor design (LRFD) method are discussed. Topics include steel material properties, and the behavior and design of steel tension members, compression members (columns), beams and beam-columns, and bolted and welded connections. Prerequisite: CE 312.

CE 403: Reinforced Concrete Design

3.00 Credits

Concrete constituent materials; Design and Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Rectangular Beams and T-Beams; Design of Reinforced Concrete Continuous Beams, One-Way Slabs, Columns, and Footings; Ultimate Strength Method of Design for Flexure, Shear, and Axial Load; Development Length of Reinforcement and Deflections; Use of current Codes and design aids. Computer applications. Prerequisite: CE 312.

CE 432: Laboratory Project

1.00 Credits

Students conduct laboratory projects under the supervision of various faculty members. Experiments must be planned and instrumented and results presented. Fall Semester

CE 433: Laboratory Project

1.00 Credits

Students conduct laboratory projects under the supervision of various faculty members. Experiments must be planned and instrumented and results presented. Spring Semesster

CE 434: Disaster - Mitigating Design and Practice for the Developing World I

3.00 Credits

no description available

CE 435: Disaster-Mitigating Design and Practice for the Developing World II

3.00 Credits

no description available

CE 468: Foundation Engineering

3.00 Credits

Identification and classification of soils. Hydraulic properties of soils and rock. Consolidation characteristics of soils. Stress-strain relationships of soils. Subsurface exploration. Footings and raft foundations. Foundations on compacted fill. Deep foundations. Foundations on clays and sands. Design of various types of foundations. Prerequisites: CE 312, CE 366.

CE 495: Independent Study

1.00-6.00 Credits

no description available

CE 496: Independent Study

1.00-6.00 Credits

no description available