Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCIV)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Drexel University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCIV) at Drexel University prepares students for professional practice across structural, geotechnical, transportation, water resources, environmental, construction, and public facilities engineering, combining engineering theory with laboratory, field, design, and professional experiences. The 4-year on-campus program suits students who want to design, construct, manage, and improve major infrastructure systems while developing analytical, teamwork, communication, and engineering-design skills.

Curriculum structure

First Year: Students build their engineering and scientific foundation through CHEM 101 – General Chemistry I, MATH 121 – Calculus I, and ENGR 111 – Introduction to Engineering Design & Data Analysis. They continue with ENGR 113 – First-Year Engineering Design, MATH 200 – Multivariate Calculus, and PHYS 102 – Fundamentals of Physics II, introducing them to engineering design, quantitative analysis, and problem-solving.

Second Year: Students begin focused civil and engineering-system study through CAEE 202 – Introduction to Civil, Architectural & Environmental Engineering, CAEE 231 – Linear Engineering Systems, and MEM 202 – Statics. They then develop their understanding of engineering applications through CIVE 240 – Engineering Economic Analysis, CIVE 320 – Introduction to Fluid Flow, CIVE 250 – Construction Materials, and CIVE 330 – Hydraulics.

Third Year: The curriculum moves into advanced civil engineering analysis with CIVE 302 – Structural Analysis I, CIVE 312 – Soil Mechanics I, and CIVE 430 – Hydrology, followed by CIVE 303 – Structural Design I, CIVE 315 – Soil Mechanics II, and CIVE 375 – Structural Material Behavior. A dedicated co-op experience is incorporated into the four-year plan, allowing students to apply their academic knowledge in a professional setting.

Fourth Year: Students bring their technical knowledge together through the three-part CAE 491, CAE 492, and CAE 493 – Senior Design Project I, II, and III, working on a substantial design project with a faculty advisor. Students also complete CIVE 477 – Seminar I, CIVE 478 – Seminar II, and professional electives that can develop a focused pathway in structural, geotechnical, transportation, water resources, or environmental engineering.

Focus areas: Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Water Resources, Environmental Engineering, Construction Management, Public Facilities Engineering.

Learning outcomes: Complex engineering problem solving, engineering design, effective communication, ethical and professional judgment, teamwork and leadership, experimentation and data analysis, engineering decision-making, and continued acquisition of professional knowledge.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The Civil Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under its General Criteria and Program Criteria for Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Reputation (employability rankings): Drexel reports strong graduate employment outcomes for its Civil Engineering majors: 99% were employed or in graduate school one year after graduation, the average salary one year after graduation was $71K+, and 85% received job offers from former co-op employers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCIV) at Drexel University connects classroom theory with laboratory work, field projects, collaborative design, faculty research, and professional co-op experience. Students work with specialized civil engineering equipment, structural and geotechnical testing systems, computer laboratories, and design facilities, while Drexel’s Philadelphia location provides access to real infrastructure systems that can serve as a living laboratory.

Students gain hands-on experience through:

Laboratory and field projects: Seven required civil engineering courses include laboratory or field-project components, giving students direct experience with experimentation, measurement, and professional engineering practice.
Construction Materials Laboratory: Students can work with equipment including concrete mixers, vibrating tables, sieve shakers, concrete curing tanks, beam-testing apparatus, load cells, and a 400,000-lb Forney concrete testing machine.
Structural and Geotechnical Research Laboratories: Facilities support research in infrastructure preservation, structural health monitoring, geosynthetics, nondestructive evaluation, earthquake engineering, and ground modification, with sensors and data-acquisition systems from MTS, Campbell Scientific, and National Instruments.
Structural testing: Students involved in research can access 220-kip loading frames, Instron and MTS testing frames, dynamic testing actuators, and a 22-kip ANCO shake table for large-scale structural experimentation.
SAP2000: Drexel’s CAEE department provides SAP2000 structural analysis and design software on its computer-lab workstations and through ENGRAPPS; students can also install it on personal computers for coursework and undergraduate design projects.
Computer laboratories: CAEE maintains a 30-workstation computer lab in Randell 238B and a 16-workstation collaborative design space at University Crossings D302, equipped with scanners and a copier for student coursework.
Senior Design: Students complete a collaborative three-course Senior Design Project sequence (CAE 491, CAE 492, and CAE 493), working in teams to develop substantial engineering projects with faculty guidance.
Co-op experience: Drexel’s civil engineering co-op opportunities allow students to spend six months in professional positions, where they may work on structural analysis and design, transportation planning, construction coordination, field inspections, geotechnical investigations, and water or stormwater projects.
Innovation Studio: Engineering students can use the Innovation Studio, which includes 3D printers, sensor suites, a machine shop, and collaborative work areas supporting projects from first-year design through senior design.
Philadelphia as a living laboratory: Students can connect their studies with nearby bridges, rail and roadway systems, active construction, water and stormwater networks, historic structures, and neighborhood infrastructure challenges.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCIV) prepares graduates for professional roles across structural and geotechnical engineering, transportation, construction, water resources, public works, and infrastructure consulting. Drexel reports that 99% of civil engineering majors are employed or in graduate school one year after graduation, with an average salary of $71,000+ one year after graduation.

Typical job roles: Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer, Transportation Engineer, Construction/Project Engineer.

Career development and employment opportunities:

Steinbright Career Development Center: Students receive dedicated co-op and career support, including COOP 101 career preparation, co-op advising, job-search guidance, employer interviews, and ongoing support during the work placement.
Professional co-op experience: Civil engineering students can work in structural analysis and design, transportation planning, construction coordination, field inspections, geotechnical investigations, and water or stormwater projects through Drexel’s department co-op program.
Employment outcomes: 99% of Drexel civil engineering majors are employed or enrolled in graduate school one year after graduation, and 85% receive job offers from former co-op employers.
Salary: Drexel reports an average salary of $71K+ one year after graduation for civil engineering majors. For co-op positions, the 2024–25 Civil Engineering median was $23/hour, with 100% of reported civil engineering co-op positions paid.
University–industry connections: Drexel Co-op works with more than 1,500 business, industrial, governmental, research, and nonprofit employer partners. Civil engineering co-op examples include opportunities connected with organizations such as the Philadelphia Water Department, Philadelphia Streets Department, Pennoni Associates, Inc., and EwingCole.
Professional accreditation: The Civil Engineering BSCIV is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the criteria for Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. This provides an established professional accreditation framework relevant to engineering practice and progression toward professional licensure.
Graduation outcomes: Across Drexel Engineering, 96% of graduates in the 2024 One-Year-Out Alumni Survey were working or enrolled in graduate/professional education, while 94% of those working full-time were satisfied with their position.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BSCIV, students can progress into graduate study in civil engineering or related fields, including Drexel’s combined BSCIV/MSCE pathway, which allows students to build deeper technical expertise and prepare for advanced industry or future PhD study.