Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Temple University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Temple University prepares students for professional engineering careers involving the design, construction and maintenance of the built environment, combining a broad engineering foundation with practical study across structures, surveying, geotechnical engineering, construction, water resources, transportation and environmental engineering. The 4-year on-campus program suits students interested in designing infrastructure such as bridges, buildings, roads, tunnels and water-treatment facilities while developing the technical and professional skills needed for engineering practice.

Curriculum structure

First Year: Students begin with the fundamentals of engineering, mathematics and science through courses such as ENGR 1101 – Introduction to Engineering and Engineering Technology, MATH 1041 – Calculus I, and CHEM 1035 – Chemistry for Engineers. They also gain early practical exposure through ENGR 1102 – Introduction to Engineering Problem Solving, ENGR 1117 – Engineering Graphics, and CEE 1105 – Surveying.

Second Year: The curriculum develops stronger analytical foundations through MATH 2043 – Calculus III, PHYS 1062 – Elementary Classical Physics II, and ENGR 2331 – Engineering Statics. Students then begin applying these principles to civil engineering through subjects such as CEE 2105 – Mechanics of Materials and CEE 2111 – Fluid Mechanics, building the technical base for later structural, geotechnical, transportation and water-resources study.

Third Year: Students move deeper into professional civil engineering with courses covering areas such as CEE 3211 – Transportation Engineering, CEE 3331 – Structural Analysis, and CEE 4321 – Geotechnical Engineering. Technical electives allow students to explore areas including CEE 3611 – Hydraulic Engineering, CEE 4211 – Bridge Engineering, CEE 4432 – Behavior and Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures, and CEE 4721 – Water and Wastewater Systems Design.

Fourth Year: The final year brings the different areas of civil engineering together through advanced technical electives and the year-long ENGR 4296 – Capstone Senior Design Project, where students apply their engineering knowledge to an integrated design experience. Students can tailor their studies through options such as CEE 4221 – Intelligent Transportation Systems, CEE 4531 – Life Cycle Assessment and Carbon Footprinting, CEE 4631 – Environmental Hydrology, or CEE 4821 – Foundation Engineering.

Focus areas: Structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, construction engineering, transportation engineering, water resources, environmental engineering, surveying and infrastructure design.

Learning outcomes: Complex engineering problem solving, engineering design, technical communication, teamwork and leadership, experimentation and data analysis, ethical and professional judgment, and continuous acquisition of engineering knowledge.

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

Reputation (employability rankings): Temple University reports that the Civil Engineering program prepares graduates for professional engineering careers and provides pathways toward professional licensure, graduate education, design, project planning and research; the program’s published 2024–2025 data records 27 BS Civil Engineering graduates.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Temple University integrates practical learning through laboratory work, engineering design, research, internships, and optional cooperative education. Students can work with faculty on research, access civil and environmental engineering laboratories, use specialized testing and simulation equipment, and gain professional experience with employers such as Amtrak, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Philadelphia Water Department, SEPTA, PGW, and Turner Construction.

Students can develop hands-on experience through:

Civil and Environmental Engineering laboratories: Students have access to dedicated engineering labs with equipment including materials-testing equipment, asphalt ovens, concrete-mixing equipment, digital simulators, and other specialized tools used for teaching and research.
Environmental Laboratory: This 800-square-foot laboratory supports research in microbiology, phytotechnology, and molecular biology and includes equipment such as a real-time PCR system, gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer, high-performance liquid chromatograph, UV-visible spectrophotometer, and TOC analyzer.
Senior design project: The curriculum culminates in a year-long capstone Civil Engineering senior design project, giving students an opportunity to integrate civil engineering knowledge into a substantial design experience.
Cooperative education: Students can choose an optional Co-op concentration to work professionally before graduation, applying classroom knowledge to real-world engineering problems and gaining exposure to current workplace technology and professional engineering practices.
Internships: Civil engineering students can pursue summer internships, with opportunities supported by Temple’s employer relationships and alumni network. Temple specifically lists organizations such as Amtrak, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, PGW, Philadelphia Water Department, SEPTA, and Turner Construction among its internship and collaboration partners.
Research opportunities: Undergraduates are encouraged to participate in faculty-led research and can use open laboratories and simulation software. Civil engineering research areas include construction management, geophysical imaging, instrumentation and sensor technology, nondestructive evaluation, pavement management, bridge scour countermeasures, sustainable infrastructure, and transportation engineering.
Engineering computer facilities: Temple provides a dedicated Civil Engineering Computer Lab and AutoCAD Graphics Lab, giving students access to discipline-specific computing and graphics resources.
IDEAS Hub: The College of Engineering’s Innovation, Design, Engineering and Applied Science (IDEAS) Hub provides access to technologies including 3D printing, motion-capture systems, drone stations, robotics, soldering, and circuitry, supporting collaborative engineering projects and prototyping.
OwlNetwork and career fairs: Students can use OwlNetwork, Temple’s database with more than 1,000 job and internship postings, alongside engineering career fairs that connect students with employers.
Libraries and collaborative spaces: Students have access to Charles Library and Temple’s other libraries, as well as collaborative learning spaces and the 75,000-square-foot TECH Center, which provides computer resources, printing, laptop and tablet loans, breakout rooms, and a 24-hour help desk.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Temple University prepares graduates for careers spanning infrastructure design, construction, transportation, environmental systems, and structural engineering, with opportunities to apply engineering knowledge in professional practice. Graduates can pursue roles such as civil engineer, structural engineer, transportation engineer, and construction engineer, while the degree also provides a foundation for advanced study and professional engineering licensure.

Career and professional opportunities:

Career services: Temple’s Center for Student Professional Development supports students with career advising, résumé and cover-letter development, interview preparation, career fairs, employer events, and internship/job-search resources.
Employment preparation: Civil engineering students can use Temple’s career resources to connect with employers and pursue internships and professional opportunities while completing their degree.
Professional licensure: The program provides an academic foundation for graduates pursuing the Professional Engineer (PE) pathway; licensure requirements are determined by the relevant state engineering board and normally include education, examinations, and professional experience.
Industry connections: Temple’s College of Engineering maintains connections with engineering and technology employers through career fairs, employer engagement, internships, and experiential opportunities, helping students build professional networks.
Salary information: Temple’s official program information does not state a specific salary figure for graduates of the B.S. in Civil Engineering, so a program-specific salary should not be inferred from a general engineering salary statistic.
Employment statistics: Temple’s official B.S. in Civil Engineering page does not publish a program-specific graduate employment rate, so this figure is recorded as not stated rather than using a broader university statistic.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates can enter civil and infrastructure-related engineering careers or continue into graduate-level engineering and related programs. The degree can also support preparation for professional engineering licensure and further specialization.
Long-term professional value: Civil engineering is a profession in which PE licensure can expand the types of engineering work and professional responsibilities graduates may undertake; Temple’s undergraduate degree provides the educational foundation, while additional state-specific requirements apply.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Civil Engineering, graduates can continue into graduate-level study such as a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related engineering specialization, allowing them to develop deeper expertise in areas such as structural, environmental, transportation, geotechnical, or water-resources engineering. Students interested in research or academic careers can subsequently pursue doctoral study in civil engineering or a related field.