CIVIL ENGINEERING, B.S. at University of Wisconsin

Civil and environmental engineers are responsible for the sustainable design of facilities that protect the health and welfare of communities and the environment, while also ensuring society’s financial health. More specifically, they are responsible for the conception, design, and construction of public works such as:

• the highways, streets, and bridges that we walk, bike, and drive on
• the water systems and earthworks that treat the water we drink, manage the water we swim in and boat on, and protect us and our property from floodwaters
• the homes, schools, factories, theaters, and stadiums in which we live, learn, work, and play
• the airports, railways, waterways, and harbors that provide additional mobility for people and the materials they produce and consume
• the treatment and emission systems that ensure the safety of the air we breathe
• the recycling, reuse, and disposal systems used to minimize the production of and also provide for the containment of the solid and hazardous wastes we produce
• the production and transmission facilities for the electricity we use, including generation facilities for both conventional and renewable energy sources

Civil and environmental engineers are also responsible for the operation of these facilities, an aspect of the field that is being rapidly integrated into the Internet of Things with real-time “big data” collection systems for automated control. This makes it possible for society to rely on:

• autonomous cars, trucks, and mass transport systems, providing safer travel with reduced traffic congestion, improved roadway capacity, reduced energy consumption and air emissions
• smart water infrastructure, including systems that will reduce water consumption, save energy, and improve community resiliency in the wake of natural and human-caused disasters
• intelligent buildings, including systems that reduce energy consumption, improve employee and student comfort, and allow for adaptation of structural systems to changing wind and seismic loads

All of the above items require a core knowledge in mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, biology, geology, computer science and computer design tools, as well as breadth in the different civil and environmental engineering disciplines. These disciplines include construction engineering and management, environmental engineering, geological and geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, transportation engineering, and water resources engineering. Civil and environmental engineers perform their work in an interdisciplinary setting requiring strong written and verbal communication skills, understanding of professional and ethical obligations coupled with risk management and decision-making, and commitment to lifelong learning and professional licensure.