Bachelor of Science in Civil Enginnering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Michigan Technological University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Michigan Technological University is a 4-year, on-campus program for students who want to plan, design, build, and manage infrastructure such as roads, bridges, airports, buildings, dams, water systems, and other sustainable civil structures. Students build strong foundations in engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, problem-solving, and design while gaining practical experience through laboratories, fieldwork, research, and project-based learning.

Second Year: Students progress into core engineering analysis through ME 2110 – Statics, ME 2150 – Mechanics of Materials, and CEE 3200 – Thermo/Fluids, supported by MA 3160 – Multivariable Calculus 3 and MA 3521 – Differential Equations. SU 2000 – Surveying adds practical measurement and surveying knowledge relevant to civil engineering projects.

Third Year: The curriculum becomes more specialized with CEE 3620 – Water Resources, CEE 3101 – Civil Engineering Materials, and CEE 3810 – Soil Mechanics, giving students experience with water systems, construction materials, and geotechnical engineering. Students also choose among core options such as CEE 3202 – Structural Analysis, CEE 3401 – Transportation Engineering, or CEE 3503 – Environmental Engineering, alongside a civil engineering design course.

Fourth Year: Students develop professional and digital project skills through CEE 4020 – Digital Project Delivery or CEE 4030 – Building Info Systems, complemented by technical and professional electives that allow deeper specialization. The degree culminates in CEE 4905 – Senior Design or another approved senior-design pathway, bringing together engineering analysis, design, and professional practice.

Focus areas: Structural concrete design, traffic engineering, transportation design, airport planning and design, water resources engineering, railroad engineering, structural engineering, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering.

Learning outcomes: Engineering analysis and problem solving, civil engineering design, technical communication, application of mathematics and physical sciences, professional practice, sustainability, teamwork, and the ability to develop solutions for real-world infrastructure challenges.

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

Reputation (employability rankings): Michigan Tech’s official Civil Engineering page reports that the university is No. 14 among Best Public Schools for Internships and No. 13 for Career Placement according to The Princeton Review; it also reports that 95% of Michigan Tech engineering alumni find successful employment within six months.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Michigan Technological University emphasizes hands-on engineering through laboratory courses, design projects, field-based learning, and access to specialized civil and environmental engineering facilities. Students work with surveying and geomatics equipment, construction and materials testing systems, and environmental engineering laboratory resources while developing practical skills through the program’s design sequence and opportunities for internships and co-ops.

Students can develop practical experience through:

Senior Design: Students complete a civil engineering senior design project, applying engineering analysis and design principles to a substantial real-world engineering problem, often working collaboratively as a team.
Construction materials laboratories: Students gain hands-on experience with concrete, asphalt, aggregate, and other construction materials through laboratory testing and evaluation.
Geotechnical engineering facilities: The program provides access to equipment used for soil mechanics, foundation, and geotechnical testing, connecting classroom concepts with practical engineering applications.
Environmental engineering laboratories: Students can work with laboratory equipment for water and wastewater treatment, environmental chemistry, and contaminant analysis, supporting practical environmental engineering investigations.
Surveying and geomatics: Civil engineering students develop field skills using surveying and measurement equipment and modern geomatics methods to collect and analyze spatial data.
Transportation engineering: Students can gain practical exposure to transportation materials, pavement, traffic, and infrastructure analysis through Michigan Tech's transportation-related teaching and research resources.
Co-op and internships: Michigan Tech's Enterprise and Career Services provide opportunities for students to gain professional experience through internships and cooperative education, allowing civil engineering students to apply their academic training in industry settings.
Transportation Institute: Students have access to the Transportation Institute, where faculty and students conduct research involving transportation infrastructure, materials, mobility, and related engineering challenges.
Center for Technology & Training: The Center for Technology & Training (CTT) provides opportunities connected to transportation infrastructure, including applied research, technology transfer, training, and collaboration with transportation agencies.
Real-world field experience: Michigan Tech's location in Michigan's Upper Peninsula provides opportunities for students to study infrastructure and environmental conditions in a field-oriented setting, complementing laboratory and classroom learning.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Civil Engineering at Michigan Technological University prepares graduates for entry-level engineering roles across infrastructure, construction, transportation, geotechnical, structural, and municipal engineering, with the university specifically identifying roles such as Civil Engineer, Transportation Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer, and Structural Engineer. Michigan Tech also provides pathways into industry through Career Services, career fairs, internships and co-ops, while its civil engineering degree offers preparation for graduate study and an accelerated master’s option.

Career opportunities: Civil Engineer, Transportation Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer, Structural Engineer, with additional opportunities as a Construction Inspector, Design Engineer, or Municipal Engineer.

Employment and career support:

Career Services: Students have access to one-on-one career advising, multiple annual Career Fairs, internship and co-op opportunities, and Handshake for job postings and recruitment activities.
Employment outcomes: Michigan Tech reports 95% of its engineering alumni find successful employment within six months; university-wide, its 2024–25 First Destination Survey reports 92.5% career outcomes for undergraduate and graduate students.
Salary information: Michigan Tech reports a $65,501 mean entry-level salary for civil engineers based on Payscale data accessed in May 2026. It also cites a $108,670 mean annual salary for civil engineers and $163,220 for the top 10%, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data dated May 2025.
Industry connections: Michigan Tech Career Services works with employer partners that support university programs, participate in campus events and career-development activities, and recruit students; listed partners include Alberici Constructors, Caterpillar, Foth, Gerdau, Leidos, Nucor, RS&H, and Zekelman.
Industry-sponsored experience: Civil engineering students can complete industry-sponsored Senior Design capstone projects and participate in Enterprise teams working on real-world projects for industry sponsors.
Accreditation value: The Civil Engineering BS is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Program Criteria, providing an externally recognized quality framework for the engineering curriculum.
Graduation outcomes: Michigan Tech reports that its engineering alumni achieve successful employment within six months, while the university's Career Services First Destination Survey tracks employment, continuing education, military service, and other post-graduation outcomes.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Civil Engineering, students can progress to Michigan Tech's Master of Science in Civil Engineering or PhD in Civil Engineering, with graduate study covering areas such as construction, geotechnical, structural, transportation, civil engineering materials, and water resources engineering. Current Michigan Tech civil engineering undergraduates can also pursue an Accelerated Master's pathway, allowing approved undergraduate credits to count toward the master's degree; the university states that up to 9 approved credits may be applied toward both degrees.