BSE Civil Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Arizona State University Tempe

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Civil Engineering at Arizona State University’s Tempe campus prepares students to analyze, plan, design, construct and maintain infrastructure while developing strong technical and problem-solving abilities. The 120-credit program suits students interested in shaping sustainable infrastructure and covers construction, environmental, geotechnical, hydrosystems, structural and transportation engineering.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1: Students establish their engineering foundation through mathematics, physics, chemistry and introductory engineering study, including MAT 265 Calculus for Engineers I, PHY 121 University Physics I: Mechanics and FSE 100 Introduction to Engineering. They also begin developing university-level communication skills through first-year composition while progressing toward the core civil engineering sequence.

Year 2: Students move into fundamental civil engineering mechanics and quantitative analysis with courses such as CEE 210 Engineering Mechanics I: Statics, CEE 212 Engineering Mechanics II: Dynamics and CEE 213 Introduction to Deformable Solids. CEE 241 Introduction to Thermodynamics for Civil Engineering and CEE 290 Probability and Statistics for Environmental and Civil Data further strengthen the analytical foundation needed for advanced civil engineering applications.

Year 3: The curriculum becomes increasingly specialized, with students studying CEE 321 Structural Analysis and Design, CEE 341 Fluid Mechanics for Civil and Environmental Engineers, CEE 351 Geotechnical Engineering and CEE 353 Civil Engineering Materials. Students also encounter environmental and transportation applications through CEE 361 Introduction to Environmental Engineering and CEE 372 Transportation Engineering, connecting engineering theory with infrastructure systems.

Year 4: Students bring their technical knowledge together through CEE 400 Earth Systems Engineering and Management, followed by the two-part CEE 487 Integrated Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering Design I and CEE 488 Integrated Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering Design II sequence. Upper-division design and technical electives allow students to deepen their interests through subjects such as CEE 420 Steel Structures, CEE 441 Water Resources Engineering, CEE 452 Foundations, CEE 475 Highway Geometric Design, or CEE 485 Sustainable Civil and Environmental Systems Engineering.

Focus areas: Construction engineering, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, hydrosystems engineering, structures, transportation, with additional elective options in sustainability and specialized civil engineering applications.

Learning outcomes: Students develop the ability to solve complex engineering problems using engineering, science and mathematics; design solutions that consider public health, safety, welfare, environmental, economic and societal factors; communicate effectively; make ethical and professional judgments; work collaboratively in teams; conduct experiments and interpret data; and acquire new knowledge using appropriate learning strategies.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The BSE in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and Civil Engineering Program Criteria, providing an established quality framework for the professional engineering curriculum.

Reputation (employability rankings): ASU reported that its Fulton Schools of Engineering ranked 16th nationally in civil engineering in the U.S. News & World Report rankings referenced by ASU in September 2024. ASU also reported that its undergraduate engineering program ranked 35th nationally in that same ranking cycle.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BSE in Civil Engineering at Arizona State University’s Tempe campus emphasizes hands-on projects and research opportunities alongside study in transportation systems, water resources, structural design and sustainable urban development. Students can gain practical experience through senior capstone projects, research laboratories, internships, industry interaction and specialized engineering software, giving them opportunities to apply civil engineering concepts to real infrastructure challenges.

Practical learning opportunities and facilities include:

Senior capstone projects: Civil engineering students participate in senior design projects and present their work through SSEBE’s capstone showcase; industry professionals mentor student teams and help connect classroom learning with real-world engineering projects.
Civil engineering internships: ASU provides a dedicated civil engineering internship pathway through CEE 484 – Undergraduate Internship, allowing students to receive academic credit for approved professional work experiences. SSEBE also provides civil engineering recruitment events, company presentations, interviews and career fairs.
Industry engagement: The Friends of Civil and Environmental Engineering (FOCE²) and SSEBE industry partners interact with students throughout the year, mentor senior project teams and create internship opportunities.
Advanced Pavement Laboratory: Students have access within SSEBE’s laboratory environment to facilities supporting pavement and materials research, including equipment for characterization of asphalt concrete mixtures, asphalt binders and unbound materials.
Structures Laboratory: The SSEBE facilities include a dedicated Structures Laboratory, supporting structural engineering instruction and research.
Geotechnical laboratories: Facilities include the E.M. Hoque Geotechnical Laboratory, UNSAT Geotechnical Laboratory, Geotechnical Laboratory and the Center for Bio-mediated & Bio-inspired Geotechnics, giving students exposure to geotechnical testing and research environments.
Hydraulics Laboratory: The dedicated Hydraulics Laboratory provides a specialized environment for civil engineering work involving hydraulic and water-resource systems.
Environmental laboratories: Students can engage with facilities including the Environmental Instructional Laboratory, Environmental Engineering Research–Biodesign laboratory, Environmental Microbiology Laboratory and Water and Sustainability Lab.
Concrete and materials facilities: The Concrete Instructional Laboratory, Cement and Concrete Materials Laboratory and Advanced Cementitious Materials Research Laboratory provide dedicated spaces for concrete and construction-materials experimentation.
Civil engineering software: ASU’s engineering software inventory includes Autodesk Civil 3D, a civil-engineering design and documentation application supporting Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows, as well as AutoCAD, PTC Mathcad and MATLAB.
Cloud-based digital tools: Through FSE Cloud Classroom (Apporto), Fulton engineering students can access course software through a web browser without installing specialized applications locally; listed applications include ArcGIS, AutoCAD, MATLAB, ANSYS and SolidWorks.
BIM and collaborative learning spaces: The Paul C. Helmick Center provides specialized BIM laboratories and team-oriented classrooms where students can create 3D building-system models and identify conflicts between systems.
Research opportunities: Students can pursue research within SSEBE laboratories and interdisciplinary facilities, including the Geosystems Engineering for Global Impact Laboratory (GEGIL), which investigates biocementation, biomineralization, biopolymers for soil stabilization and waste-plastic applications in foundation systems.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BSE in Civil Engineering at Arizona State University prepares graduates for professional roles involving the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure such as bridges, transportation systems, water facilities, buildings, and other urban systems. Graduates can pursue roles such as Civil Engineer, Transportation Engineer, Structural Engineer, and Project Engineer, while the program also provides a foundation for graduate engineering study.

Career development and progression:

University career services: The Fulton Schools Career Center supports students from their first year through graduation with résumé preparation, interview practice, career-preparation workshops, employer events, career fairs, and internship/job-search assistance. ASU CareerLink connects students with job and internship postings, employers, events, and career appointments.
Civil engineering employment and salaries: ASU’s School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment reports median annual salaries of $99,590 for civil engineers, $99,590 for transportation engineers, $99,590 for water/wastewater engineers, and $100,750 for project managers, based on O*NET data sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration.
Employment outlook: ASU for Life reports a 9.1% projected employment increase for civil engineers from 2025–2035, with 399,897 U.S. jobs in 2025 and 436,148 projected in 2035.
Industry connections: SSEBE provides civil engineering students with company recruitment presentations, employer information tables at the Paul C. Helmick Center, interviews, and career fairs specifically focused on civil engineering, construction engineering, and construction management. Industry partners and alumni also collaborate with student organizations, host events, and recruit students for internships and full-time positions.
Internships and practical employment: The Fulton Schools Career Center connects students with internships and employers through CareerLink, while ASU describes internships as opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in professional environments and develop industry knowledge and career competencies.
Accreditation value: The BSE in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and Civil Engineering Program Criteria. ASU states that accreditation signals high academic standards and continuous improvement and supports recognition of the degree by employers and graduate schools.
Graduation outcomes: ASU’s Fulton Schools reports that 86% of new bachelor’s graduates were employed or had received a job offer within six months of graduation, while 16% of undergraduates were accepted into an additional education program; these figures apply to Fulton Schools bachelor’s graduates overall rather than specifically to Civil Engineering.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BSE, students can continue into graduate-level engineering or professional education. ASU’s Civil Engineering program identifies graduate study as one of its post-graduation pathways, while the undergraduate curriculum provides preparation across construction, environmental, geotechnical, hydrosystems, structures, and transportation engineering, creating a foundation for further specialization.