Civil Engineering (BS) at Stanford University

The mission of the undergraduate program in Civil Engineering is to provide students with the principles of engineering and the methodologies necessary for civil engineering practice. This pre-professional program balances the fundamentals common to many specialties in civil engineering and includes seven focus areas: structures, construction, environmental, energy/climate, sustainable water, urban systems, sensors/analytics.  Students in the major learn to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and civil engineering to conduct experiments, design structures and systems to creatively solve engineering problems, and communicate their ideas effectively.  The major prepares students for careers in consulting, industry and government, as well as for graduate studies in engineering.

Undergraduates in the Civil Engineering and the Environmental Systems Engineering programs are expected to achieve the following learning outcomes through their major.  These learning outcomes are used both in evaluating students and the department's undergraduate programs.  Students are expected to demonstrate the ability to: 

1. identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics.

2. apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.

3. communicate effectively with a range of audiences.

4. recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.

5. function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.

6. develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.

7. acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

The B.S. in Civil Engineering is an ABET accredited program, which integrates research with engineering education. The B.S. in Civil Engineering offers a core providing a strong foundation in engineering, plus a choice of the following seven focus areas offering students the flexibility to align their studies with their interests: structures; construction; energy and climate; environmental engineering and health; fluid mechanics and hydrology; urban systems; or sensing, analytics and control.

Three educational objectives structure the Civil Engineering degree program. Graduates of the program are expected within a few years of graduation, to have the ability to: 

1.   Establish themselves as practicing professionals in civil or environmental engineering or a related field.

2.   Pursue graduate study in civil or environmental engineering or other fields.

3.   Work effectively as responsible professionals independently or in teams handling increasingly complex professional and societal expectations.

Students who major in Civil Engineering must complete the appropriate requirements for the B.S. degree listed. Because the undergraduate engineering curriculum provides breadth of study, students who intend to enter professional practice in civil engineering should plan to obtain their professional education at the graduate level.

Note that the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department also offers three additional undergraduate majors in Architectural Design, Atmosphere/Energy, and Environmental Systems.  While these are not ABET-accredited majors, they offer specialization in other areas related to engineering and design of the natural and built environment.