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Civil Engineering Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Earn your civil engineering degree at one of the best civil engineering schools in the nation.

Our personalized civil engineering degree will immerse you in unique design and research projects. Participating in project-based learning will bring you new ideas for the planning, design, and construction of civil infrastructure.

Program type:
Major
Format:
On Campus or Online
Est. time to complete:
4-5 years
Credit hours:
128
  • Requirements
  • Tuition & Aid
  • How to Apply

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Why earn a civil engineering bachelor's degree?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
Aug. 15
Spring:
Dec. 15
Summer:
May 1

 

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.


Civil engineers have a direct impact on the world. They create and improve the way we move, interact and live in our communities. Civil engineering combines planning and designing in the office, with hands-on project management in the field.

With UND's Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, you'll weave teamwork, problem solving and design exercises together. You will:

  • Gain the ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering to the field of civil engineering.
  • Conduct experiments to prove or disprove engineering theories or designs.
  • Gain expertise with computer software and other innovative engineering technologies.
  • Develop critical thinking skills needed to excel in a changing workplace.
  • Participate in undergraduate research opportunities.

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Hands on Civil Engineering Degree

At UND you will have many opportunities to lead through hands-on learning that puts theory into practice. You can join one of the many student groups like the Steel Bridge Competition Team, American Society of Civil Engineers, Society for Women Engineers, Engineers without Borders and give back to communities across the world. Through your course work you will participate in hands on labs, internships, and undergraduate research opportunities focusing on areas like the Transportation Technology Research Initiative.

Faculty and staff pride themselves on working directly with students, always lending a hand to ensure you feel welcome and supported in the program. And because of our flexible format, you will be given every opportunity to keep your pursuit of a degree on schedule.

All of your hard work culminates with a senior design project that partners you with industry leaders and business partners that need real-world solutions to their challenges. At graduation you'll have the skills and experience that are needed to be successful in the field. Many of our graduates have job offers upon graduation and many have employment secured prior to leaving UND.

Combined Civil Engineering Degree

Earn your bachelor's degree and master’s degree in civil engineering in less time than it would take to get them separately. With both degrees, you’ll stand out among your peers as you begin your career. The combined program is available online or on-campus.

Civil Engineering Combined Program

ABET EAC Logo

ABET Accredited Program

This undergraduate program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Accreditation is a critical factor to consider if you plan to pursue a license as a Professional Engineer.

On-Campus or Online Civil Engineering Degree

  • Satisfy the eligibility requirement to sit for the NCEES PE examination. Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, this program meets the education requirements to pursue a license as a Professional Engineer in all 50 states.

  • Focus on engineering design, project management, construction, contract administration, technical support and research.

  • Students with an academic major in the College of Engineering & Mines (CEM) have an option to live in the Engineering Living & Learning Community on campus.

  • Get involved. Participate in our Steel Bridge Competition Team, American Society of Civil Engineers, Society of Women Engineers, Engineers Without Borders or Society of Distance Engineering Students.

  • UND is one of the most well-respected engineering colleges in the upper Midwest. We are one of the first to offer engineering degrees online.

  • Learn important skills using AutoCAD, Civil 3D, MATLAB, Python and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) platforms.

What can you do with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering?

100%

Return on tuition investment within five years of graduation

Third Way

90k

Median salary for civil engineers

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Now is an ideal time to pursue a civil engineering bachelor's degree. Civil engineers are needed to manage projects to rebuild structures, bridges, highways, and upgrade levees and dams as the climate changes and the population grows.

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Civil Engineering Degree Jobs

Those with a civil engineering degree from UND can expect a range of job opportunities, including:

  • Engineering design and development: Create an original solution to a technical problem.
  • Construction management: Design and manage large-scale construction projects.
  • Water resources engineering: Modeling water supply for human consumption, agriculture, energy, and fishing.
  • Geotechnical engineering: Ensure the stability of built structures by defining soil and foundation capacity and/or assess landslide and slope failure risk.
  • Structural engineering: Design buildings and infrastructure to be resilient to natural hazards.
  • Site development: Evaluate and plan construction of improvements on a piece of land based on codes and regulations.
  • Transportation engineering: Keep goods and people moving by solving transportation challenges.
  • Environmental regulation: Ensure that the use of water, land, and air resources are sustainable, and that environmental pollution and degradation are minimized.

Graduates of Civil Engineering Colleges

UND civil engineering graduates have gone on to a variety of successful careers with:

  • AE2S
  • Boeing
  • Bolton & Menk
  • Burns & McDonnell
  • CDM Smith
  • Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson
  • PLC Construction
  • WSB & Associates
  • State and Federal Agencies
  • Airport & Tarmac Engineering Firms
  • City/Municipal Engineering Positions
  • Consulting Firms
  • Contractors

Civil Engineering Degree Courses

CE 431. Environmental Engineering I. 3 Credits.

Environmental quality, water quality modeling, water wastewater treatment systems, sludge processing, solid wastes, hazardous wastes, environmental law. Prerequisite: CE 306. S.

CE 313. General Surveying. 2 Credits.

Measurements of distances and angles, EDM, satellite and inertial systems, triangulation, differential leveling, horizontal curves, vertical curves, traverse surveys, U.S. public land surveys, earthwork, boundary surveys and construction surveys. Basic knowledge of geometry and trigonometry required. Prerequisite: MATH 165 and CE 101 or permission of the department. Corequisite: On campus students must take CE 313L along with this class. F.

CE 351. Structural Mechanics. 4 Credits.

Reactions, shear and bending moment, plane and space trusses, influence lines, deflections, virtual work, energy methods, approximate analysis, consistent deformations method, slope deflection and moment distribution methods, introduction to matrix methods. Use of computer for analysis. Prerequisite: ENGR 203. F.

CE 416. Transportation Engineering. 3 Credits.

Introduction to highway engineering, traffic analysis, and transportation systems; road vehicle performance; highway, vehicle, and driver characteristics; highway capacity and level of service analysis; level of service analysis for signalized intersections; principles of traffic flow; geometric design of highways; pavement design and drainage; highway safety and transportation planning; and group design project. Prerequisite: CE 412. S.

CE 483. Civil Engineering Design II. 3 Credits.

This is a comprehensive design course which integrates engineering design and engineering science components of previous and ongoing coursework into a major design experience. Design projects can be in the area of environmental, geotechnical, structural, water resources, or transportation engineering. Course activities include developing and analyzing a detailed design, preparing plans and drawings using graphical communication tool(s), developing design specifications, and estimating construction costs. Other topics include principles of sustainability in design, and professional licensure and professional practice issues. Group design reports and individual oral presentations are required. Prerequisite: CE 482 or departmental consent. S.

CE 423. Hydraulic Engineering. 3 Credits.

Fluid statics and dynamics; open channel flow; transitions and controls; hydraulic structures; hydraulic machinery; hydraulic power conversion; and hydraulic modeling. Prerequisite: CE 306. S.

Best Civil Engineering Bachelor's Programs

#1 OnlineU
#1 The Best Schools
#1 Degree Query
#1 Learn.org
#1 College Cliffs
#2 Affordable Colleges

Several college ranking sites put UND’s Civil Engineering bachelor’s in the Top 5 best online programs in nation. We’re well regarded for our educational quality, affordability and career outcomes.

Ranking sites vary in their methodology, but are generally based on the following criterion:

  • Financial data such as net cost, loan default rate, and return on investment
  • Academic rigor including curriculum standards, accreditation status, and faculty reputation
  • Student gratification, retention rate, and support services
  • Employment rate and graduate salary

 

Online Civil Engineering Bachelor's Degree

9#

best online university in the nation

EDsmart

160+

online programs

UND offers the only online bachelor's of Civil Engineering in North Dakota and Minnesota. Plus, we offer the same affordable online tuition rates regardless of your legal residency.

Flexible Online Civil Engineering Degree Classes

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family, and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

  • Lesson modules
  • Streaming video content
  • Virtual libraries
  • Posted lectures
  • Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls, and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Campus Visit

While the majority of your courses are offered online, you’ll come to campus to complete portions of the program. Here, you’ll extend and apply the knowledge you’ve learned online through hands-on activities. Our students find tremendous value in having the opportunity to personally interact with their instructors and fellow students.

SUMMER LAB REQUIREMENTS

Engineering Club for Online Students

The Society of Distance Engineering Students is a club for online engineering students. You'll have the chance to meet and work with students who study online and those who attend classes on UND's campus. Even though you might be far apart, you can still study and work together easily.

Why consider UND's online chemical engineering bachelor's degree?

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on-campus student.

  • Same degree. All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
  • Same classes. You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
  • Real interaction. You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
  • Your own academic advisor. As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
  • Free online tutoring. We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
  • Unlimited academic coaching. Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
  • Full online access. Dig into virtual research from the Chester Fritz Library. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
  • 24/7 technical support. UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.

Best Online College

Reportedly high alumni salaries and job placement rates, coupled with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other non-profit universities in the upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

  • Affordability
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
  • Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Paysacle.com)

Leaders in Civil Engineering

Brendan Blades began taking classes at UND to further his career as a civil engineer.

Read Brendan's Story

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