Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Arizona

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Arizona prepares students to design, construct, and manage infrastructure while developing a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry, mechanics, fluids, soils, hydrology, structures, and transportation. It suits students who want to work on real-world infrastructure and environmental challenges, with opportunities to develop expertise in construction engineering management, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, hydraulic and water resources engineering, structural engineering, and transportation engineering.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their engineering and scientific foundation through MATH 122A/B or MATH 125 Calculus I with Applications, CHEM 151 Chemical Thinking I, and ENGR 102A/102B Introduction to Engineering, followed by MATH 129 Calculus II, PHYS 141 Introductory Mechanics, and either MCB 181R/L Introductory Biology I or GEOS 251 Physical Geology. This first year combines quantitative skills, foundational science, engineering introduction, communication, and general education.

Year 2: Students begin dedicated civil engineering study with CE 210 Engineering Graphics, CE 214 Statics, and CE 215 Mechanics of Solids, developing the analytical basis for structural and infrastructure design. They then progress to CE 218 Mechanics of Fluids, CE 251 Elementary Surveying, and CE 260 Computer Programming in Civil Engineering, while continuing mathematics through MATH 223 Vector Calculus and MATH 254 Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations.

Year 3: The curriculum moves into core civil engineering applications through CE 301 Engineering Communications, CE 303 Numerical Analysis for Civil Engineers, CE 333 Elementary Structural Analysis, and CE 363 Transport Engineering and Pavement Design. Students then deepen their technical knowledge through CE 323 Hydraulic Engineering and Design, CE 343 Soil Mechanics, CE 335 Structural Design in Concrete or a technical elective, and a civil engineering laboratory requirement.

Year 4: The final year emphasizes advanced engineering practice and design through CE 408A Issues in Civil Engineering Practice, CE 334 Structural Design in Steel, CE 440 Foundation Engineering, and additional technical electives. Students complete the program with CE 408B Civil Engineering Senior Capstone Design, applying their engineering knowledge to a substantial design challenge while completing further laboratory and general education requirements.

Focus areas: Construction engineering management, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering and geomechanics, hydrology and hydraulic engineering, water resources engineering, structural engineering, transportation, traffic, highway and airport engineering.

Learning outcomes: Technical proficiency in civil engineering and related fields, lifelong professional development, management capability, effective communication, professional ethics, and the ability to contribute to engineering projects that address societal and infrastructure needs.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The B.S. in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, providing assurance that the program meets established professional engineering quality standards and incorporates educational objectives developed with input from the department’s industrial advisory board and alumni.

Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Arizona’s Civil and Architectural Engineering and Mechanics department reports 91% student job placement on graduation and a $65,000 starting salary for civil engineering BS graduates; the department also reports that more than 90% of CAEM graduates find jobs immediately after graduation.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BS in Civil Engineering at the University of Arizona combines collaborative classroom learning with hands-on laboratory work, field experience, internships, design competitions, and a year-long senior design experience. Students can apply civil engineering principles to real infrastructure challenges across structural, geotechnical, transportation, hydraulic, environmental, and construction engineering, while gaining practical experience through research and industry engagement.

Students also have opportunities to work with engineering faculty on research, participate in professional organizations such as the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and Institute of Transportation Engineers, and develop physical prototypes through the College of Engineering's design facilities. The department specifically encourages students to complete at least one industry internship, with the university noting that many engineering internships are paid.

Key practical and experiential opportunities include:

Hands-on laboratories: Civil engineering courses include laboratory work alongside collaborative classroom learning, allowing students to apply concepts in areas such as fluids, materials, soils, structures, and environmental engineering.
Industry internships: Civil engineering faculty encourage students to complete at least one internship with an industry partner, while the College of Engineering reports that many student internships are paid and lists employers such as Boeing, Intel, and Raytheon among internship destinations.
Senior design projects: Students complete hands-on senior design projects that address complex engineering challenges and provide opportunities to develop prototypes and products for real-life situations.
Interdisciplinary Capstone: The Craig M. Berge Engineering Design Program culminates in year-long Interdisciplinary Capstone projects, giving students experience working in teams to develop engineering solutions.
Design-build competitions: Civil engineering students can participate in ASCE competitions, including projects such as concrete canoe racing and bridge construction and deconstruction, providing direct experience with design, construction, teamwork, and testing.
Engineering Design Center: The College of Engineering's Engineering Design Center provides a 24–7 makerspace with equipment for 3D printing, circuit building, soldering, and wood and metal fabrication, supporting student engineering projects and prototyping.
Research opportunities: Students can become involved in research involving structural weakness detection, earthquake-resistant buildings, water reuse and supply systems, geopolymers for mine-tailings applications, and concrete-material reuse.
Transportation research tools: University of Arizona civil engineering research includes DynusT (Dynamic Urban Systems for Transportation), a dynamic traffic simulator used for transportation planning and applications such as routing and evacuation analysis.
Construction management experience: Students pursuing the Construction Engineering Management emphasis can study construction scheduling and quantity take-off/cost estimating while gaining experience through internships, construction-site visits, guest speakers, clubs, and competitions.
Professional organizations: Student chapters of ASCE, the Institute of Transportation Engineers, and Women in Civil Engineering provide opportunities for leadership, teamwork, career development, and research engagement.
Engineering research and project spaces: The College provides engineering laboratory, maker, and student project spaces, with engineering lab tours specifically highlighting facilities where students work alongside faculty and industry experts on real-world challenges.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Civil Engineering at the University of Arizona prepares graduates for professional work across construction, infrastructure, water resources, transportation, structural engineering, utilities, mining and government. The department reports that more than 90% of CAEM graduates find jobs right after graduation, while the curriculum also provides routes toward professional licensure and graduate study.

Typical career roles: Civil Engineer, Design Consultant, Construction Engineer, Project Engineer; these roles can lead into construction firms, consulting companies, utilities, transportation organizations and government agencies.

Career development and progression include:

Career services: University of Arizona’s Center for Career Readiness provides career-related support and employment resources, while Engineering directs students to Handshake for job opportunities and provides guidance for employment and graduate-school applications.
Employment outcomes: The CAEM department reports 91% student job placement on graduation and states that more than 90% of CAEM graduates find jobs right after graduation.
Salary information: The CAEM undergraduate page lists a $65,000 starting salary for the Civil Engineering BS, while the College of Engineering reports an $81,198 average projected salary for 2026 engineering graduates; these figures represent different populations and should not be treated as the same measure.
Industry partnerships: CAEM’s industry partners support internships, mentorship and program development. Specific construction-sector partners listed by the department include Granite Construction, Hensel Phelps, KE&G Construction, Sundt Construction and Whiting-Turner, with activities including targeted coursework, leadership seminars, site visits and guest speakers.
Industry exposure: Civil engineering students are encouraged to complete at least one internship with an industry partner, while senior design projects provide opportunities to work on prototypes and products in real-world situations.
Professional licensure: The program’s EAC/ABET accreditation provides an important foundation for professional engineering pathways. The department encourages students to begin preparing for professional licensure from their junior year; typical U.S. licensure pathways involve the FE and PE examinations and relevant professional experience, subject to individual state requirements.
Long-term accreditation value: The BS in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, with accreditation serving as assurance that the program meets established professional engineering quality standards. ABET accreditation is particularly relevant for graduates pursuing engineering careers and professional licensure, although licensing requirements remain jurisdiction-specific.
Graduation outcomes: University of Arizona career-outcomes data tracks graduates’ employment, continuing education and other destinations within six months of graduation. University-wide data shows that about 9 in 10 undergraduates participate in at least one career-related experience, while CAEM specifically reports strong employment outcomes for its graduates.

Further Academic Progression: After the BS, students can continue into graduate-level study, including the University of Arizona’s MS and PhD pathways in civil engineering and related areas. The department also offers an accelerated master’s program, allowing eligible undergraduate students to connect their bachelor’s studies with graduate-level engineering education.