Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Illinois Institute of Technology

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology is a four-year, 130-credit, on-campus program designed for students who want to apply engineering and scientific principles to the planning, design, construction, and operation of the built and natural environment. Students develop broad civil engineering knowledge while building depth through areas such as structural, transportation, geotechnical, environmental and water resources, and construction engineering and management, with an emphasis on practical application and preparation for professional engineering licensure.

Curriculum structure

Year 1: Students begin with the fundamentals of engineering design, mathematics, science, surveying, and programming through courses such as CAE 100 – Introduction to Engineering Drawing and Design, CAE 105 – Surveying, and CAE 101 – Introduction to AutoCAD Drawing and Design. MATH 151 – Calculus I, MATH 152 – Calculus II, CHEM 122/123 – Principles of Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory, and PHYS 123 – General Physics I: Mechanics establish the mathematical and scientific foundation for later civil engineering study.

Year 2: Students progress into engineering mechanics and analytical methods through CAE 286 – Theory and Concept of Structural Mechanics, CAE 287 – Mechanics of Structural Materials, and CAE 302 – Fluid Mechanics. They also study CAE 312 – Engineering Systems Analysis, alongside MATH 251 – Multivariate and Vector Calculus, MATH 252 – Introduction to Differential Equations, and physics, developing the quantitative skills needed for advanced engineering design.

Year 3: The curriculum moves into major civil engineering disciplines with CAE 304 – Structural Analysis I, CAE 303 – Steel Structures I, and CAE 307 – Concrete Structures I. Students also study CAE 315 – Materials of Construction, CAE 323 – Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering, ENVE 401 – Introduction to Water Resources Engineering, and participate in Interprofessional Projects (IPRO), connecting technical learning with collaborative project work.

Year 4: Students undertake advanced professional and design subjects including CAE 419 – Introduction to Transportation Engineering and Design, CAE 431 – Steel Structures II, CAE 432 – Concrete Structures II, CAE 457 – Geotechnical Foundation Design, and CAE 470 – Construction Methods and Cost Estimating. The year culminates in CAE 495 – Capstone Senior Design, supported by 400-level technical electives that allow students to develop deeper expertise in their selected civil engineering area.

Focus areas: Civil-environmental engineering, construction engineering and management, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, transportation engineering, environmental engineering, water resources engineering.

Learning outcomes: Apply mathematics, science, and engineering principles; analyze and design civil infrastructure; use surveying, computer-aided design, structural, materials, geotechnical, transportation, environmental, and water-resources methods; manage engineering projects; communicate and collaborate effectively; and prepare for professional engineering licensure and graduate study.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The B.S. in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under its General Criteria and Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs criteria. Illinois Tech states that graduates are prepared to pursue professional engineering licensure and responsible positions in consulting, industry, and government.

Reputation (employability rankings): Illinois Tech reports that more than 90% of its Class of 2025 graduates were employed or continuing their education within six months, based on a 91% First Destination survey response rate. The university also reports that its 2026 entering class announcement lists Illinois Tech as #1 in Illinois and #22 in the U.S. for Best Salaries of Graduates in the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 ranking, while this figure is a university-wide measure rather than a civil-engineering-specific ranking.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology emphasizes hands-on learning through laboratory practice, surveying, computer-aided design, interdisciplinary projects, and a client-focused senior design experience. Students work with professional engineering technologies and equipment, including surveying instruments, 3D laser scanners, augmented-reality systems, and industry software, while Illinois Tech’s Elevate initiative provides access to internships, research, competitions, and study-away experiences.

Students gain practical experience through:

Surveying and field equipment: CAE 105 – Surveying provides hands-on experience with GPS receivers, total stations, and 3D laser scanners, building skills applicable to fieldwork and professional surveying.
Trimble Technology Lab: Civil engineering students have access to Trimble technologies for 3D modeling, structural analysis, surveying, construction layout, augmented reality, and project management. Equipment includes Trimble XR10 HoloLens, SiteVision AR, 3D laser scanners, and total stations.
Industry software: The Trimble lab provides access to RealWorks, Trimble Business Center, ProjectSight, Tekla Structures, Tekla Structural Designer, Tekla Tedds, Trimble Connect, and SketchUp Pro.
Computer-aided design: The curriculum includes CAE 100 – Introduction to Engineering Drawing and Design and CAE 101 – Introduction to AutoCAD Drawing and Design, giving students practical exposure to engineering drawing and CAD.
Laboratory practice: Professional civil engineering courses incorporate laboratory work covering infrastructure materials, structural engineering, fluid mechanics, environmental and water resources engineering, geotechnical engineering, construction engineering and management, surveying, and computer-aided design.
Interprofessional Projects (IPRO): The degree includes 6 credit hours of IPRO, where students participate in interdisciplinary, project-based work designed to replicate real-world project teams.
Senior design project: CAE 495 – Capstone Senior Design is a project-based course in which students work in teams on a real-world engineering challenge for an actual client, integrating civil engineering knowledge with teamwork, project management, and client communication.
Internships and research: Illinois Tech’s Elevate initiative provides students with access to internships, research, study away, competitions, and mentorship, while the university’s career platform currently lists civil engineering internship and co-op opportunities involving roadway, pavement, geotechnical, land-development, and infrastructure projects.
Virtual engineering tools: Illinois Tech’s Virtual Computing Lab (VCL) provides remote access to many applications available in campus computer laboratories, while university-provided software includes Autodesk and ANSYS Multiphysics.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology prepares graduates for professional engineering careers involving infrastructure, construction, transportation, structures, and environmental systems, with the university specifically identifying roles such as civil engineer, environmental engineer, and construction engineer. The curriculum also supports progression toward professional engineering licensure, while Illinois Tech’s industry-focused experiences and employer network can help students connect their technical preparation with internships and full-time opportunities.

Typical career roles: Civil Engineer, Environmental Engineer, Construction Engineer, Transportation Engineer.

Career support and employment opportunities:

Career Services: Illinois Tech provides access to internships, co-ops, research opportunities, competitions, study away, career fairs, employer networking, resume support, and Handshake job postings through its Elevate and Career Services programs.
Employer connections: Civil, architectural, and environmental engineering graduates have been hired by organizations including Arcadis, Argonne National Laboratory, Army Corps of Engineers, BNSF Railway, ComEd, Ferrovial, Kiewit, Ramboll, Stantec, T.Y. Lin International, Walsh Construction, and WSP.
Employment statistics: For the 2025 graduating class, Illinois Tech reports that its First Destination survey received responses from 91% of graduates and that the vast majority obtained full-time employment or continued their education through graduate studies. The university does not publish a Civil Engineering-specific employment percentage on the cited page.
Salary information: Illinois Tech states that the mean starting salary for its 2024 graduates within six months was above the national average, but this figure is university-wide rather than specific to Civil Engineering. A Civil Engineering position listed through Illinois Tech’s career platform for Clark Dietz advertised a starting salary of $74,880–$79,040, illustrating one current employer opportunity rather than a graduate salary average.
University–industry connections: Illinois Tech hosts fall and spring career fairs where engineering employers recruit for internships, co-ops, and full-time positions, while Career Services also facilitates employer networking events, interviews, job postings, and experiential-learning partnerships.
Long-term accreditation value: The B.S. in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, and the curriculum requires all civil engineering students to register for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination during their senior year, supporting the pathway toward professional engineering licensure.
Graduation outcomes: Illinois Tech tracks graduates’ status within six months through its annual First Destination survey, covering employment, graduate study, military service, and other post-graduation destinations.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the bachelor’s degree, students can continue into Illinois Tech’s M.S. in Civil Engineering, which offers Structural Engineering or Transportation and Infrastructure Systems Engineering specializations and coursework-based or thesis-based options. Students can also progress into Illinois Tech’s M.S. in Construction Engineering and Management or pursue doctoral study through the Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, depending on their professional or research goals.