Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical Engineering)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Illinois Institute of Technology

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical Engineering) at Illinois Institute of Technology is a 4-year, on-campus bachelor’s program that combines core civil engineering with specialized study of soils, foundations, subsurface conditions, and site improvement. It suits students interested in designing and analyzing infrastructure while developing technical skills in structural, transportation, water resources, construction, surveying, and geotechnical engineering.

Curriculum structure

Year 1: Students establish their engineering foundation through CAE 100 – Introduction to Engineering Drawing and Design, CAE 101 – Introduction to AutoCAD Drawing and Design, and CAE 105 – Surveying, alongside Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, and introductory programming. This year introduces technical drawing, computer-aided design, surveying, and the mathematical and scientific concepts needed for later civil engineering study.

Year 2: Students develop their analytical and mechanics foundation through CAE 286 – Theory and Concept of Structural Mechanics, CAE 287 – Mechanics of Structural Materials, and CAE 302 – Fluid Mechanics. CAE 312 – Engineering Systems Analysis adds probability, statistics, economic evaluation, and systems thinking, preparing students to analyze increasingly complex engineering problems.

Year 3: Students move into core civil engineering applications with CAE 304 – Structural Analysis I, CAE 315 – Materials of Construction, and CAE 323 – Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering. The geotechnical course covers soil properties, permeability, seepage, consolidation, earth pressures, bearing capacity, and includes a laboratory component, while ENVE 401 – Introduction to Water Resources Engineering broadens their understanding of civil infrastructure systems.

Year 4: The final year emphasizes advanced design and professional preparation through CAE 457 – Geotechnical Foundation Design, CAE 470 – Construction Methods and Cost Estimating, and CAE 495 – Capstone Senior Design. Students pursuing the Geotechnical Engineering specialization complete at least nine credits from options such as CAE 486 – Soil and Site Improvement, CAE 401 – Hydraulics, Hydrology, and Their Applications, and ENVE 423 – Geoenvironmental Engineering, while the capstone integrates multiple engineering disciplines in a real-project-style team assignment.

Focus areas: Geotechnical engineering, soil and site improvement, foundation design, structural engineering, transportation engineering, environmental and water resources engineering, construction engineering and management.

Learning outcomes: Engineering analysis and design, geotechnical and foundation analysis, surveying and computer-aided design, materials evaluation, infrastructure planning, project management, technical communication, multidisciplinary teamwork, and preparation for professional engineering practice.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under its General Criteria and Program Criteria for Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. All civil engineering students are also required to register for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination during their senior year.

Reputation (employability rankings): Illinois Institute of Technology is ranked #=620 in the QS World University Rankings 2027. Illinois Tech also reports a 92.8% employment rate within six months of graduation for its 2021 graduating class, while its Elevate program provides students with hands-on experiences including internships, research, competitions, and study-away opportunities.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical Engineering) at Illinois Institute of Technology combines classroom instruction with laboratory practice and practical engineering applications. Students can gain hands-on experience in geotechnical engineering, infrastructure materials, surveying, fluid mechanics, structural engineering, and computer-aided design, while Chicago’s strong architecture, engineering, and construction environment provides opportunities for internships and part-time engineering work.

Students can develop practical skills through the following opportunities:

Geotechnical laboratory work: CAE 323 – Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering includes a laboratory component covering soil identification and testing, permeability and seepage, consolidation, earth pressures, failure theories, and bearing capacity.
Geotechnical specialization: Students pursuing the Geotechnical Engineering specialization can take CAE 401 – Hydraulics, Hydrology, and Their Applications, CAE 415 – Pavement Design, Construction and Maintenance, CAE 486 – Soil and Site Improvement, ENVE 423 – Geoenvironmental Engineering, and ENVE 444 – Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage.
Surveying equipment: CAE 105 – Surveying gives students practical experience with GPS receivers, total stations, and 3D laser scanners, providing field-oriented preparation for surveying and civil engineering work.
Computer-aided design: CAE 101 – Introduction to AutoCAD Drawing and Design introduces students to AutoCAD, while computer-aided design is incorporated into the program’s professional coursework.
Construction materials laboratory experience: CAE 315 – Materials of Construction covers construction materials and mechanical testing, including the behavior and properties of materials used in infrastructure.
Professional practice: CAE 110 – Professional Practice I and CAE 111 – Professional Practice II provide dedicated professional-development components within the civil engineering curriculum.
Industry internships: Illinois Tech states that civil engineering students obtain internships as early as their first summer, and many students work part-time with engineering firms in Chicago during their later years.
Civil engineering internship opportunities: Illinois Tech’s Elevate career platform lists civil engineering internships involving real-world projects, including roadway and bridge design, land surveying, construction inspection, geotechnical engineering, and transportation work.
Research experience: Students can gain research experience by working alongside graduate students and CAEE faculty, providing a pathway into research-oriented civil and geotechnical engineering work.
Library and digital resources: The Paul V. Galvin Library serves as Illinois Tech’s central library and combines traditional library services with digital access, supporting students’ academic and research work.
Collaborative engineering environment: Illinois Tech’s CAEE department emphasizes hands-on applications in professional practice, while its Chicago location allows students to engage with the city’s engineering and construction industry.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the B.S. in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical Engineering) at Illinois Institute of Technology are prepared for professional engineering practice, professional licensure, and responsible positions across consulting firms, industry, government, and other engineering settings. The geotechnical specialization provides a pathway toward roles involving foundations, soil and site improvement, geotechnical analysis, infrastructure, and construction, while the degree also prepares students for graduate-level study.

Typical job roles: Civil Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer, Geotechnical Design Engineer, Construction Engineer.

Career development and employment opportunities:

Career Services: Illinois Tech’s Career Services provides access to curated internships, research positions, and job opportunities, career coaching, professional-development workshops, and employer connections; its Elevate Your Experience program guarantees students access to hands-on experiences such as internships, research, competitions, and study-away opportunities.
Employer connections: Illinois Tech maintains an employer network recruiting students for internships, co-ops, and full-time positions, with employers posting opportunities through the university’s Handshake platform.
Employment outcomes: For the 2025 graduating class, Illinois Tech reports that 91% of graduates responded to the First Destination survey; the university states that the vast majority of graduates obtained full-time employment or continued their education through graduate studies.
Salary information: Illinois Tech’s career-outcomes resources provide starting-salary information by industry, sector, and geographic location rather than publishing a geotechnical-engineering-specific starting salary. Its engineering career community cites a $97,310 median salary for Architecture & Engineering Occupations, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024 data; this is an occupation-group figure, not a salary guarantee for Illinois Tech civil engineering graduates.
Industry exposure: Illinois Tech reports that its graduates work across organizations ranging from start-ups and early-stage companies to Fortune 500 corporations, while its career resources provide an employer list specifically for the School of Engineering, Applied Science, and Health.
Professional licensure: All civil engineering students are required to register for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination during their senior year. The program’s educational objectives also emphasize professional licensure and progression into leadership positions in consulting, industry, academia, or government.
Long-term accreditation value: The B.S. in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under its General Criteria and Program Criteria for Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. This provides an established professional-accreditation framework for a degree designed to prepare graduates for engineering practice and licensure.
Graduation outcomes: Illinois Tech’s First Destination reporting tracks graduates within six months of graduation, covering employment, graduate school, military service, and volunteer activity; the university also identifies internships, research, study abroad, and student organizations as experiences associated with post-graduation success.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the bachelor’s degree, students can continue into Illinois Tech’s M.S. in Civil Engineering, which offers coursework-based and thesis-based options and specializations in Structural Engineering or Transportation and Infrastructure Systems Engineering. Students interested specifically in advanced geotechnical research can progress to Illinois Tech’s Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, which includes geotechnical engineering as one of its five major research areas; Illinois Tech also offers a B.S./M.Eng. in Construction Engineering and Management accelerated pathway, allowing eligible students to complete both degrees in as few as five years.