Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering (BSConE)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Central Florida

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering (BSConE) at University of Central Florida (UCF) is a 4-year, on-campus, 122-credit-hour program designed for students who want to combine engineering principles with the planning, management, and delivery of construction projects. Students build expertise in project management, cost estimation, scheduling, construction methods, technical engineering design, economics, equipment, and managerial processes, preparing them for careers across construction, design, and government sectors.

Curriculum structure

First Year: Students begin with the mathematical and scientific foundations of engineering through MAC 2311C – Calculus I, CHS 1440 – Principle of Chemistry, and MAC 2312 – Calculus II, alongside EGS 1006C – Introduction to the Engineering Profession and EGN 1007C – Engineering Concepts and Methods. This stage establishes the analytical and engineering fundamentals needed for later construction-focused coursework.

Second Year: Students move into core engineering and construction concepts through EGN 3331C – Mechanics of Materials, CWR 3201 – Fluid Mechanics, and CCE 4003 – Introduction to the Construction Industry. They also develop quantitative, economic, environmental, and computing skills through STA 3032 – Probability and Statistics for Engineers, EGN 3613 – Engineering Economic Analysis, ENV 3001 – Environmental Engineering, and COP 2500C – Concepts in Computer Science.

Third Year: The curriculum becomes increasingly construction-specific, with students studying CEG 4011C – Geotechnical Engineering I, CCE 4402 – Construction Equipment and Productivity, and CCE 4034 – Construction Estimating and Scheduling. CES 4100C – Structural Analysis I and Lab, CGN 3405 – Applied Numerical Methods for Civil Engineering, and CGN 3090 – Engineering Reports & Liability further develop structural analysis, computational, technical communication, and professional skills.

Fourth Year: Students apply their accumulated knowledge to advanced construction engineering through CCE 4810C – Construction Engineering Design, CCE 4004 – Construction Methods, and CCE 4813 – Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Buildings. The final stage also includes CWR 4202C – Hydraulics, CGN 3501C – Civil Engineering Materials, CGN 3700C – Civil Engineering Measurements, and CGN 4808C – CECE Capstone Design, bringing together technical analysis and construction design in a culminating experience.

Focus areas: Construction project management, cost estimation and scheduling, construction methods, construction equipment and productivity, engineering design, building systems, geotechnical engineering, structural analysis, hydraulics, civil engineering materials, managerial accounting, and construction operations.

Learning outcomes: Engineering analysis, construction planning and control, cost estimation, scheduling, project management, construction methods, resource management, technical design, engineering economics, professional reporting, construction equipment and productivity, and integration of engineering and managerial processes to deliver projects within budget, schedule, and quality requirements.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The BSConE is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Construction Engineering. The program also requires students to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam during their senior year, supporting progression toward professional engineering licensure.

Reputation (employability rankings): UCF states that its engineering undergraduate education is consistently ranked among the top schools by U.S. News & World Report, while its Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering department highlights UCF’s strong position in engineering education and proximity to major construction and engineering organizations. UCF also reports that its transportation science and technology program was ranked No. 1 in the nation for 2025 by ShanghaiRanking, providing additional recognition for the department’s broader engineering and transportation expertise.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering (BSConE) at UCF combines engineering theory with practical construction methods, project planning, estimating, scheduling, equipment productivity, building systems, measurements, and design. Students gain hands-on experience through laboratory-based courses, construction design and capstone projects, maker spaces, and major-related internships and co-ops, giving them opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to real construction and engineering environments.

Students can develop practical skills through:

Construction Design Project: CCE 4810C – Construction Engineering Design gives students dedicated experience applying construction engineering principles to a design project before progressing to the senior capstone.
Senior Capstone: CGN 4808C – CECE Capstone Design provides a culminating project experience in which students integrate their civil, environmental, and construction engineering knowledge.
Structural Analysis Laboratory: CES 4100C – Structural Analysis I and Lab combines structural engineering concepts with laboratory experience.
Civil Engineering Measurements: CGN 3700C – Civil Engineering Measurements provides practical measurement experience relevant to engineering and construction applications.
Civil Engineering Materials: CGN 3501C – Civil Engineering Materials gives students practical exposure to engineering materials used in civil and construction applications.
Construction methods and equipment: CCE 4004 – Construction Methods and CCE 4402 – Construction Equipment and Productivity develop applied knowledge of construction processes, equipment, productivity, and project execution.
Estimating and scheduling: CCE 4034 – Construction Estimating and Scheduling provides program-specific preparation in estimating and scheduling construction projects.
Building systems: CCE 4813 – Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Buildings exposes students to the mechanical and electrical systems that form part of constructed facilities.
Computer-based tools: The curriculum includes COP 2500C – Concepts in Computer Science or COP 3223C – Introduction to Programming with C, giving students a formal computing foundation applicable to engineering problem solving.
Maker spaces: UCF’s Engineering II Building, home to the Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering, includes four technology-focused maker spaces: the L3Harris Corporation Gathering Lab, Idea Lab, Texas Instruments Innovation Lab, and Manufacturing Lab, where students can develop ideas into working prototypes.
Major-related internships: CECS students can receive internship credit after securing a major-related internship, meeting the program prerequisites, and completing at least 135 internship hours during the enrolled semester.
Co-op opportunities: UCF provides paid cooperative education experiences where students apply classroom theory through major- or career-related professional work over multiple semesters.
Handshake career platform: Students can use Handshake to search for internships and jobs, schedule career advising, and access interviews and career events.
Knight Shadow Program: UCF’s Knight Shadow Program provides one-day job-shadowing experiences with industry professionals, allowing students to observe professional roles and work environments.
Industry environment: UCF highlights its location near major civil and construction engineering firms including DRMP, HNTB, Atkins, Kiewit, and AECOM, creating access to a significant construction and engineering industry environment in Central Florida.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of UCF’s Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering (BSConE) can move into construction, engineering, project-management, and infrastructure-related roles, with the curriculum combining technical engineering design with project management, estimating, scheduling, economics, and resource management. Typical roles include Civil Engineer, Construction Manager, Site Engineer, and Construction Project Manager; UCF also states that the degree prepares students for professional licensure and certification opportunities.

Students can strengthen their transition from study to professional practice through:

Career services: UCF’s Dixon Career Development Center provides career exploration, employer information, Labor Market Insights, job-search resources, and access to Handshake for employment opportunities.
Industry connections: The UCF College of Engineering and Computer Science has relationships with more than 150 industry partners, while approximately 80% of engineering graduates have job-related experience in their chosen field before graduation.
Construction-industry access: UCF highlights its location near major civil and construction organizations, including Turner Construction, Dave Schmitt Engineering, DRMP, HNTB, Atkins, and AECOM, giving students access to a strong regional engineering and construction environment.
Employment preparation: Students are required to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam during their senior year, providing an important step toward professional engineering licensure.
Professional accreditation: The B.S. in Construction Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Construction Engineering, providing an externally recognized quality framework for the engineering degree.
Graduate outcomes: UCF’s official accreditation data records 8 Construction Engineering degrees awarded in 2024–25, following 13 in 2023–24; the university also reports that construction engineering graduates enter design, construction and construction-related industries, as well as municipal, state and federal government agencies.
Salary and employment data: UCF provides a Labor Market Insights service using real-time labor-market data, employment trends, occupations, education levels, and employer information. UCF’s program page does not publish a specific graduate salary figure for the BS in Construction Engineering, so a program-specific salary should not be inferred.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into UCF’s Construction Engineering B.S.Con.E. to M.S.C.E. pathway through the accelerated BS-to-MS option, which can allow up to 12 credit hours to be shared between the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Qualified students may also pursue a Ph.D. directly after the bachelor’s degree, with the possibility of beginning research planning with a faculty adviser before completing the BS.