Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) in Civil Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Iowa State University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Iowa State University provides a broad engineering education for students who want to plan, design, construct, maintain, and operate infrastructure such as transportation systems, buildings, bridges, water systems, dams, and drainage facilities. The program suits students interested in applying mathematics, science, engineering analysis, design, and professional skills to real-world civil engineering challenges, with a general curriculum and an environmental engineering option.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1: Students establish their engineering foundation through mathematics, physics, chemistry, communication, and introductory civil engineering courses. Subjects include MATH 1650 Calculus I, CE 1600 Systematic Problem Solving and Computer Applications for Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineers, CE 1110 Geomatics, and CE 1700 Graphics for Civil Engineering, introducing computational problem-solving, surveying, engineering graphics, and core scientific principles.

Year 2: The second year moves into fundamental civil engineering analysis and supporting sciences, with students studying CE 2740 Engineering Statics, EM 3240 Mechanics of Materials, ABE 3780 Mechanics of Fluids, and CE 3060 Project Management for Civil and Environmental Engineers. Students also continue mathematics through MATH 2650 Calculus III and MATH 2660 Elementary Differential Equations, strengthening the quantitative foundation required for advanced engineering work.

Year 3: Students develop deeper technical knowledge across structural, transportation, geotechnical, environmental, hydraulic, and materials engineering through courses such as CE 3320 Structural Analysis I, CE 3550 Principles of Transportation Engineering, CE 3600 Geotechnical Engineering, and CE 3720 Engineering Hydrology and Hydraulics. Practical learning is reinforced through EM 3270 Mechanics of Materials Laboratory, while CE 3820 Design of Concretes introduces applied materials and design considerations.

Year 4: The final year emphasizes professional design and advanced technical study, with students completing courses such as CE 3330 Structural Steel Design I, CE 3340 Reinforced Concrete Design I, CE 3260 Principles of Environmental Engineering, and CE 4850 Civil Engineering Design. Students can use engineering-topic and design electives to develop additional depth, while the curriculum also includes international perspectives, U.S. cultures and communities, and professional outcome assessment.

Focus areas: General Civil Engineering; Environmental Engineering option covering water supply, wastewater, solid and hazardous waste, air pollution, soil contamination, drainage, and environmental systems.

Learning outcomes: Graduates are expected to solve complex engineering problems using engineering, science and mathematics; design solutions while considering public health, safety, environmental, social and economic factors; communicate effectively; recognize ethical and professional responsibilities; work effectively in teams; conduct experiments and interpret data; and acquire new knowledge through appropriate learning strategies.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The Civil Engineering Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under ABET’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. The program also encourages cooperative education, internships, progressive summer engineering employment, study abroad, and professional development relevant to civil engineering careers.

Reputation (employability rankings): Iowa State’s current official Civil Engineering catalog does not state a specific QS, Guardian, or U.S. News employability ranking for this program, so a program-specific ranking is not stated on the official university source. The university does document the program’s ABET accreditation and its professional preparation through technical design, teamwork, communication, internships/co-op opportunities, and professional development.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) in Civil Engineering at Iowa State University combines classroom learning with laboratory work, design projects, field-based activities, and access to professional engineering facilities. Students gain practical experience across areas such as structures, transportation, water resources, geotechnical engineering, and environmental engineering, while senior-level design work gives them opportunities to apply engineering knowledge to realistic civil infrastructure problems. The program is supported by specialized laboratories, computing resources, and research centers within the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering.

Practical learning opportunities include:

Senior design projects: Students complete a Civil Engineering Senior Design experience in which they apply engineering analysis and design principles to a substantial civil engineering project, working collaboratively and developing professional communication and design skills.
Engineering laboratories: The department provides specialized laboratories for areas including structures, geotechnical engineering, transportation, hydraulics and water resources, and environmental engineering, allowing students to test materials, analyze engineering systems, and work with real experimental data.
Structural Engineering Laboratory: Students can gain practical exposure to structural engineering research and testing through facilities equipped for structural materials and systems research.
Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory: The geotechnical facilities support investigation of soil and foundation behavior, giving students access to laboratory methods used to characterize and analyze engineering soils.
Hydraulics and water resources: Department facilities support experimental work involving fluid mechanics, hydraulics, water resources, and environmental systems, connecting theoretical principles with physical engineering applications.
Transportation engineering: Students can engage with transportation research and laboratory resources covering areas such as traffic operations, transportation systems, pavement materials, and infrastructure.
Environmental engineering: Laboratory facilities provide opportunities to investigate environmental processes and engineering solutions involving water and wastewater treatment, environmental chemistry, and related systems.
Computer and digital tools: Civil engineering students use engineering computing and design resources as part of their coursework and project work, developing the digital skills required for analysis, modeling, design, and professional engineering practice.
Research experience: Undergraduate students can participate in faculty-led research within the department, giving them an opportunity to work on current civil and environmental engineering problems and use university research facilities.
Field and project-based learning: Civil engineering coursework incorporates practical applications and project work so students can connect engineering principles with real infrastructure, construction, transportation, water, and environmental challenges.
Professional experience: Iowa State provides opportunities for students to pursue internships and cooperative education experiences, allowing civil engineering students to gain workplace experience before graduation and connect academic preparation with professional engineering practice.

Facilities and research: Students benefit from the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering's laboratories, research facilities, and specialized centers covering civil infrastructure, environmental systems, transportation, structures, geotechnical engineering, and water resources.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BSE in Civil Engineering prepares graduates for professional careers involving the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of infrastructure and other public and private facilities. Iowa State’s curriculum also develops communication, teamwork, leadership, ethics, analysis, and design skills, supporting progression into roles such as Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Transportation Engineer, and Environmental Engineer.

Career progression: Students can build professional experience through internships, cooperative education, summer engineering employment, and connections with engineering employers:

Engineering Career Services: Iowa State’s Engineering Career Services connects students with employers through CyHire, where students can search for full-time positions, internships, and co-ops, while engineering career fairs and on-campus interviews provide additional opportunities to meet recruiters.
Employment outcomes: In Iowa State’s 2024–25 at-graduation College of Engineering report, Civil Engineering had 103 graduates, 96 respondents, 78 employed graduates, and 9 graduates pursuing further education; 92.6% of respondents had a positive career outcome. Reported Civil Engineering salaries ranged from $45,760 to $98,000, with an average of $72,368 among 73 salary reports.
Internship and co-op outcomes: In the College of Engineering’s 2023–24 six-month report, 67 Civil Engineering graduates had available career-outcome data after completing a co-op or internship, with 63 reporting positive career outcomes (94.0%).
Industry employers: Iowa State’s official Civil Engineering employer data lists organizations that have hired Civil Engineering graduates, including Burns & McDonnell, Kimley-Horn, Iowa Department of Transportation, HDR Engineering, Terracon, HR Green, Shive-Hattery, Snyder & Associates, Kiewit, HNTB, Stantec, Bolton & Menk, and Ames Construction.
Industry engagement: Engineering Career Services facilitates employer recruiting through CyHire, engineering career fairs, on-campus interviews, internships, and co-ops; the university describes these experiences as a way for engineering students to apply coursework, develop workplace skills, and prepare for professional employment.
Professional accreditation: The Civil Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. This accreditation provides an established quality framework for the engineering education and is particularly relevant for students planning a long-term professional engineering career and eventual licensure.
Graduation outcomes: Iowa State’s Civil Engineering educational objectives state that, three to five years after graduation, graduates are expected to pursue successful careers and increasing responsibility in civil engineering, construction engineering, environmental engineering, or related professions, while continuing professional development and licensure where appropriate.

Further Academic Progression: Qualified juniors and seniors can apply to Iowa State’s Graduate College to pursue the bachelor’s degree concurrently with either a Master of Science in Civil Engineering or a Master of Business Administration, creating a pathway to complete both degrees in approximately five years. Students can also continue into Iowa State’s graduate Civil Engineering programs, while the undergraduate program’s research, internships, and technical preparation provide a foundation for further specialized study.