The Civil Engineering Program is widely known for its practical curriculum, high academic standards and student-centered emphasis.  The program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org. Students take courses in the following areas:   Environmental, Geotechnical, Structural and Water Resources Engineering.  Students define their program of study in consultation with their faculty advisor.  All engineering students complete a Senior Design Project, where they apply Civl Engineering design methods towards solution of a real world problem.

• What is Civil Engineering  Civil Engineering is a very broad field covering a number of specialties.  Civil engineers design and supervise the construction of:  1.  Structures of various forms, such as bridges, buildings, industrial plants, stadiums, dams, docks, marine platform, oil drilling rigs, missile bases, and launching faciltiies for space exploration and travel  2.  transportation systems such as highways, railroads, airfields, canals, harbors, and pipelines  3.  systems for water supply, hydropower, irrigation, drainage, flood control, and navigation  4.  systems for waste disposal, and for air and water pollution control  5.  planning of new communities and redevelopment of existing cities.  Because civil engineering is so broad, it is not generally possible to become proficient in all its specialties.  Therefore, a civil engineer usually will specialize in one of the above fields, or sub-area of a field, and will have only a general knowledge of the other fields.

   

• Careers in Civil Engineering  Civil engineers work with private consulting firms, construction companies, large corporations, governmental agencies, research establishments, and universities.  They often work as part of a team with other engineers, architects, geologists, city planners, and sociologists.  Many civil engineers are self-employed and many can be found in top managerial positions.  Depending on responsibilities, a civil engineer many spend most of his or her time in the office or in the field.  As a civil engineer you will find yourself working in many diverse areas such as:  1.  construction engineering  2.  environmental engineering  3. structural engineering  4.  water resources engineering  5.  geotechnical engineering  6.  transportation engineering.
• Degree programs  The requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering include a minimum of 120 units in four areas:  civil engineering, engineering science, mathematics and science, and general education.  The major of Civil Engineering areas emphasized in the curriculum are:  1.  Geotechnical engineering - design and supervise the construction of building foundations, tunnels, dams, and retaining walls  2.  Environmental Engineering - design and supervise the construction of systems for waste disposal, and for air and water pollution control  3.  Structural Engineering - design and supervise the construction of structures of various forms, including bridges and buildings   4.  Water Resources Engineering - design and supervise the construction of systems for water supply, hydropower, irrigation, drainage, flood control, and navigation.

Curriculum

You may choose to complete all the requirements for the degree in 4 years to 5 years (with or without summers) depending on your high school preparedness, desired semester workload and motivation.  Civil Engineering offers such concentrations as environmental, geotechnical, structural and water resources engineering.  Graduates work with private consulting firms, construction companies, large corporations, governmental agencies, research institutes and universities.

Graduates of this program have the knowledge essential for entry into this dynamic field of engineering or to continue their education through graduate studies.  The School of Engineering & Computer Science offers a Masters of Science in Engineering Science with a concentration in Civil Engineering. Through our Blended Program a student can begin graduate course work during his/her senior year at Pacific and complete both a B.S. and M.S. degree in a total of five years! 

Cooperative Education Curriculum Component

Cooperative education (Co-op) is an integral part of civil engineering education at University of the Pacific.  All students who are U.S. Citizens are required to complete 32 units of co-op, which entails a seven month work period.  Consequently, earning a B.S. degree in civil engineering may take longer than four years.  Experience gained during co-op gives Pacific civil engineering graduates a significant advantage when they seek permanent employment.  Co-op coordinators work with students to arrange relevant full-time, paid jobs with engineering employers.

Civil Engineering Program Educational Objectives, Student Outcomes and Current Major Count