BS Construction Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Utah

Program Overview

The BS in Construction Engineering at the University of Utah is a 4-year, on-campus program that combines civil engineering, construction management, and sustainable practices, making it well suited to students who want to plan, design, manage, and deliver complex construction and infrastructure projects. Students build a foundation in mathematics, physics, engineering science, structural design, construction methods, project planning, contracts, scheduling, cost estimation, and technical communication, with substantial practical and design experience.

Curriculum structure

First Year: Students establish their engineering and scientific foundation through courses such as MATH 1210 – Calculus I, CHEM 1210 – General Chemistry I, PHYS 2210 – Physics for Science & Engineers I, and CVEEN 1000 – Introduction to Civil & Environmental Engineering. They also begin developing technical capabilities through CVEEN 1400 – Computer-Aided Design, CVEEN 2010 – Statics, and CVEEN 2750 – Computer Tools.

Second Year: The curriculum moves into core construction and engineering concepts through CVEEN 2140 – Strength of Materials, CVEEN 2410 – Geomatics, CVEEN 2320 – Economics & Management, and CVEEN 3700 – Principles of Construction. Students also develop analytical and professional skills through CVEEN 2310 – Probability & Statistics, CVEEN 3100 – Technical Communication, and CVEEN 3710 – Contract Specifications, connecting engineering principles with construction planning and administration.

Third Year: Students progress into more specialized construction engineering through CVEEN 3210 – Structural Loads & Analysis, CVEEN 3510 – Materials, CVEEN 4221 – Concrete I, CVEEN 3520 – Transportation, and CVEEN 5720 – Project Scheduling. The curriculum also introduces major construction applications through CVEEN 5740 – Horizontal Construction, CVEEN 5790 – Vertical Construction, and technical electives such as CVEEN 5305 – Introduction to Foundations and CVEEN 5510 – Highway Design.

Fourth Year: The final year emphasizes advanced construction practice, technical specialization, and integrated design through courses such as CVEEN 5750 – Engineering Law & Contracts, CVEEN 5730 – Project Management & Contract Administration, and CVEEN 5780 – Facade I. Students complete CVEEN 4920 – Design Capstone, bringing together construction engineering knowledge and technical electives in a comprehensive design experience.

Focus areas: Construction engineering, construction management, structural systems, geotechnical engineering, transportation, materials, water resources, environmental engineering, sustainable construction, project scheduling, contracts, and infrastructure development.

Learning outcomes: Apply engineering, science, and mathematics to complex problems; develop engineering designs that consider safety, sustainability, environmental and economic factors; communicate effectively with diverse audiences; recognize ethical and professional responsibilities; work effectively in teams; and integrate technical and management knowledge into construction projects.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The Construction Engineering undergraduate program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, providing professional alignment with established engineering education standards. The university also states that the program prepares graduates to pursue professional engineering licensure.

Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Utah’s Civil and Environmental Engineering department reports that 93% of its students have job offers upon graduation, alongside access to real-world engineering experiences, state-of-the-art laboratories, and connections with Utah’s engineering and construction industries. The department does not publish a program-specific QS or Guardian employability ranking on its official Construction Engineering page, so no such ranking is stated here.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BS in Construction Engineering at the University of Utah combines civil engineering fundamentals with construction-specific training, giving students hands-on experience in materials testing, surveying, geomatics, hydraulics, computer-aided design, construction planning, and project management. Students work in dedicated undergraduate engineering laboratories and complete design experiences that mirror professional engineering challenges, culminating in a team-based capstone project that integrates construction planning, design, cost, scheduling, and management.

Students gain practical experience through:

Alan W. Layton Building laboratories: The renovated undergraduate teaching facilities include dedicated spaces for hydraulics, cyber research, concrete mixing, and student projects/meetings, with a focus on civic infrastructure and advanced construction materials.
Construction materials testing: Students can make and break concrete and test materials including steel, asphalt, and soils, connecting classroom engineering principles with physical testing.
Hydraulics laboratory: Students gain practical experience studying water and wastewater infrastructure, as well as environmental, geotechnical, and materials engineering applications.
Geo-Mat Lab: CVEEN 3015 – Geo-Mat Lab uses hands-on experimentation with geomaterials, requiring students to design experiments, analyze and interpret data, and apply engineering judgment to their findings.
Field-based laboratory work: CVEEN 3016 – Hydro-Enviro Lab combines laboratory and field-based experiments with instrumental and wet-chemical techniques, data analysis, experimental design, and technical reporting.
Computer-aided design: CVEEN 1400 – Computer-Aided Design introduces students to CAD as part of the construction engineering curriculum, while the College of Engineering's CADE facilities provide licensed software for classes and research.
Surveying and geomatics: The program specifically includes surveying and geomatics fieldwork, giving students experience with measurement and site-related engineering activities.
Team-based capstone: The program includes a comprehensive, team-based capstone design experience. The CVEEN 4920 Construction Capstone uses an actual megaproject case and has students develop construction schedules, cost structures, technical structures, legal structures, management structures, and design solutions.
Industry-connected experience: The department highlights connections with Utah's engineering and construction industries, while University Career Services supports students in finding internships through Handshake and other experiential-learning opportunities.
Industry project experience: Crimson Projects allows University of Utah students to collaborate with industry professionals on real projects and use modern technologies, including AI tools, to deliver outcomes for participating organizations.
Student computing facilities: The College of Engineering provides 24/7 student computing labs and makes licensed software available for classes and research, supporting computer-based engineering work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS Construction Engineering at the University of Utah prepares graduates for professional construction engineering and related roles by combining engineering, construction, project-management, and design knowledge. The university specifically identifies career paths including Project Engineer, Project Manager, Structural Engineer, and Transportation Engineer, while its program objectives also emphasize professional practice, collaboration, and progression toward professional licensure where appropriate.

Typical job roles: Project Engineer, Project Manager, Structural Engineer, Transportation Engineer.

Career development and industry connections:

University career services: U Career Success provides career coaching tailored to majors and industries, resume and interview preparation, Handshake job listings, networking opportunities, career fairs, and professional resources. The university also hosts a dedicated Civil & Construction Engineering Career Expo and an Associated General Contractors Networking Mixer.
Employment outcomes: The University of Utah’s Civil & Environmental Engineering department reports that 93% of its students have job offers upon graduation.
Salary information: The university’s UGuide reports that construction managers had median annual earnings of approximately $85,000 in 2025, with 80% earning between $45,000 and $174,000; these are national figures covering workers at all experience levels rather than specifically new graduates.
Industry advisory board: The Construction Engineering Industrial Advisory Board includes professionals from Okland Construction, Jacobsen Construction, WW Clyde, Stacy Witbeck, Layton Construction, Big-D Construction, Mortenson, Staker/Parson Companies, Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction, Granite Construction, Haskell, Ames Construction, and Wadsworth Brothers Construction, giving the department direct industry input.
Industry engagement: Through the AGC Student Chapter, students participate in industry-focused activities and competitions; a recent student competition involved detailed cost estimates, project schedules, construction plans, and subcontractor-management strategies for projects valued between $10 million and $100 million.
Long-term accreditation value: The BS Construction Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The department states that graduates are prepared for professional practice and a path toward professional licensure when appropriate, providing an established quality framework for an engineering degree.
Graduation preparation: The program’s educational objectives emphasize graduates entering construction engineering or related fields, pursuing advanced knowledge, collaborating on diverse project teams, and applying engineering, communication, and management skills to complex societal challenges.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the bachelor’s degree, students can continue into the University of Utah’s online M.S. in Construction Engineering, which develops advanced expertise in project planning and scheduling, sustainable construction, field operations management, and construction technologies. The university also offers graduate study in Civil Engineering, and its Construction Engineering program provides an approved BS/MS pathway, allowing students to combine undergraduate and graduate study.