Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BS CE)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Connecticut

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BS CE) at the University of Connecticut is a 128-credit, in-person program at the Storrs Campus that prepares students to solve complex infrastructure and environmental challenges through engineering, science, mathematics, and design. It suits students interested in areas such as construction, environmental, geotechnical, structural, transportation, and water resources engineering, with coursework progressing from engineering fundamentals to advanced analysis, design, and civil engineering projects.

Curriculum structure

First Year: Students build the mathematical, scientific, computing, and engineering foundation needed for the major through courses such as MATH 1131Q – Calculus I, CSE 1010 – Introduction to Computing for Engineers, and ENGR 1166 – Foundations of Engineering, alongside chemistry and the university’s Common Curriculum. This stage establishes the quantitative and technical base before students move into specialized civil engineering coursework.

Second Year: Students begin applying foundational science and mathematics directly to civil engineering through CE 2110 – Applied Mechanics I, CE 2251 – Probability and Statistics in Civil and Environmental Engineering, and CE/ENVE 2411 – Introduction to Computer Aided Design. They also study CE 2710 – Transportation Engineering and Planning and CE 3110 – Mechanics of Materials, introducing transportation systems, structural behavior, engineering statistics, and design tools.

Third Year: The curriculum becomes more specialized, with CE 3220 – Principles of Construction I, CE 3510 – Soil Mechanics, and CE 3520 – Civil Engineering Materials Laboratory developing practical knowledge of construction, geotechnical engineering, and engineering materials. Students also study CE 3610 – Introduction to Structural Analysis and Design, ENVE 2310E – Environmental Engineering Fundamentals, and ENVE 3120 – Fluid Mechanics, broadening their understanding of structures, environmental systems, and fluid behavior.

Fourth Year: Students consolidate their technical knowledge through advanced professional requirements and the two-part CE 4910W – Civil Engineering Projects I and CE 4920W – Civil Engineering Projects II sequence. Depending on their selected technical areas, students can study subjects such as CE 4510 – Foundation Design, CE 3630 – Design of Steel Structures, CE 4720 – Street and Highway Design, ENVE 4810 – Engineering Hydrology, or ENVE 4820 – Hydraulic Engineering.

Focus areas: Construction engineering and management, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, geodetic/site engineering, transportation engineering, and water resources engineering.

Learning outcomes: Students learn to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems; design solutions considering public health, safety, environmental, economic, and societal factors; communicate effectively; recognize ethical and professional responsibilities; work effectively in teams; conduct experiments and analyze 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 its General Criteria and Program Criteria for Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. UConn states that this accreditation supports preparation for engineering careers and progression toward professional engineering licensure.

Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Connecticut is ranked #=458 in the QS World University Rankings 2027; QS's methodology includes employment-related outcomes and reputation among its ranking components. The university's own rankings overview reports UConn at #534 in the QS World University Rankings 2026.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BS in Civil Engineering at the University of Connecticut is strongly practice-oriented, with required laboratory courses, design projects, computer-aided design, GIS, and senior project work built into the curriculum. UConn’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering provides teaching and research laboratories covering structures, materials, transportation, environmental engineering, soils, water quality, and related areas, while students can also gain professional experience through internships and undergraduate research opportunities.

Students can develop practical skills through:

Civil Engineering Materials Laboratory: CE 3520 – Civil Engineering Materials Laboratory provides hands-on experience measuring and interpreting the engineering properties of steel, soils, Portland cement concrete, bituminous cement concrete, and timber.
Computer-Aided Design: CE/ENVE 2411 – Introduction to Computer Aided Design introduces students to CAD-based engineering work, while UConn also provides dedicated CEE computer laboratory resources for students.
GIS and site engineering: Students can take CE 2500 – Introduction to Geographic Information Systems and CE 4410 – Computer Aided Site Design, developing digital skills for spatial analysis and civil-site design.
Senior design projects: CE 4910W – Civil Engineering Projects I and CE 4920W – Civil Engineering Projects II give students an opportunity to integrate their engineering knowledge through project-based work. The Transportation Systems Laboratory is also used as senior-design collaborative space.
Structural and materials facilities: UConn provides Concrete Lab, Materials Testing Lab, Smart Structures and Applied Mechanics Lab, and Structures Lab facilities for teaching and research in structural engineering and applied mechanics.
Transportation facilities: The Transportation Engineering Lab and Transportation Systems Laboratory support teaching, senior design, research activities, and collaboration with academic and industry partners. Students can also study transportation systems, GIS, infrastructure, and urban planning through the School's transportation research activities.
Environmental and water laboratories: UConn’s facilities include Water Quality Lab, Environmental Monitoring Lab, Hydraulics Lab, Environmental Physics Lab, and Geoenvironmental Lab, giving students access to practical environments connected with water resources and environmental engineering.
Geotechnical and soils facilities: The School maintains a Geotechnical/Soils Lab, Advanced Geotechnical Lab, and Geoenvironmental Lab, supporting hands-on and research work involving soils and geoenvironmental engineering.
Research opportunities: UConn CEE offers a competitive research internship program that supports students undertaking research with faculty in the School’s laboratories, including opportunities spanning an academic year and summer.
Industry internships: UConn CEE maintains internship opportunities for civil and environmental engineering students, including positions involving site visits, construction documents, engineering teams, estimating, and CAD/GIS-related work.
Engineering computing resources: Students have access to UConn AnyWare/UConn Software Online, Engineering Computing Services, CEE computer resources, and College of Engineering computer laboratories; the department also provides free poster printing for Senior Design.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Civil Engineering at the University of Connecticut prepares graduates for professional roles across construction, structural, geotechnical, transportation, water resources, and environmental engineering, with the School reporting that its 2026 graduates moved into consulting, construction, transportation, environmental protection, water resources, energy, government, and research. UConn also provides a direct pathway into graduate study, with its Civil and Environmental Engineering School offering M.S. and Ph.D. programs for students seeking advanced technical, research, or academic careers.

Typical job roles: Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer, Transportation Engineer. UConn specifically identifies structural, transportation, construction management, geotechnical, and water resources engineering as major civil engineering career areas.

Career development and progression opportunities include:

University career services: UConn’s Center for Career Development provides resume assistance, interview preparation, career coaching, and internship/job-search support, while the College of Engineering has a dedicated career consultant for engineering students. UConn also organizes engineering, STEM, internship, and co-op career fairs.
Industry networking: The UConn ASCE Student Chapter organizes professional talks, resume reviews with members of the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers, networking activities, and its Future Leaders Internship Night, connecting civil engineering students directly with employers.
University–industry connections: UConn's 2025 ASCE Internship Night brought together more than 100 civil and environmental engineering students and companies including Stantec, Langan Engineering & Environmental Services, WSP USA, HW Lochner, Solli Engineering, Thornton Tomasetti, STV, Connecticut Department of Transportation, and Tighe & Bond.
Employment and graduation outcomes: UConn reports that 90% of Civil Engineering graduates in its 2018 six-month post-graduation survey were placed in employment or graduate school, based on 45 of 50 respondents and 90 degrees awarded. More recently, the School awarded 76 Civil Engineering degrees in 2026, with graduates entering areas including consulting, construction, transportation, environmental protection, water resources, energy, government, and research.
Salary figures: The current UConn Civil and Environmental Engineering careers page directs students to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for civil-engineering compensation but does not publish a current salary figure itself. An older official UConn civil engineering brochure reported a $83,540 median salary and approximately $60,000 typical starting salary, but these figures are historical and should not be treated as current salary data.
Professional accreditation value: The BS in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. UConn states that this accreditation supports preparation for engineering careers and the eventual pursuit of Professional Engineer (PE) licensure, providing an important professional credential for long-term civil engineering practice.
Professional development through industry projects: UConn's Civil Engineering senior design experience involves student teams working with industrial and faculty mentors, visiting project sponsor sites, producing written reports, and presenting their solutions. Recent projects have included sponsors such as the Connecticut Department of Transportation and Jacobs.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS CE, students can continue into UConn's Master of Science in Civil Engineering, with concentrations including Geotechnical Engineering, Structural Engineering, and Transportation and Urban Engineering. UConn states that students can use up to 12 credits from four courses toward a graduate degree and potentially complete the MS within one year after the BS; students seeking advanced research careers can subsequently pursue a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, with concentrations including Applied Mechanics, Structural Engineering, and Transportation and Urban Engineering.