Civil Engineering B.S.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Houston

Program Overview

The Civil Engineering B.S. at the University of Houston provides a broad foundation in civil engineering before allowing students to develop deeper interests in areas such as structural, environmental, geotechnical, water resources, transportation, and geosensing systems engineering. The 4-year program combines mathematics, science, engineering analysis, technical communication, and civil engineering design to prepare students for diverse professional roles and further graduate study.

Curriculum structure

First Year: Students establish their mathematical, scientific, and engineering foundation through MATH 2413 – Calculus I, MATH 2414 – Calculus II, CHEM 1311/1111 – Fundamentals of Chemistry and Fundamentals of Chemistry Lab, and PHYS 2325 – University Physics. They also begin developing engineering and digital skills through ENGI 1100 – Introduction to Engineering and ENGI 1331 – Computing for Engineers.

Second Year: The second year introduces core engineering mechanics and analytical methods through ENGR 2301 – Mechanics I, CIVE 2332 – Mechanics of Solids, and MECE 3336 – Mechanics II (Dynamics). Students also gain practical technical skills through MECT 3341 – Computer Aided Drafting I, while INDE 2333 – Engineering Statistics I and ENGI 2304 – Technical Communications strengthen their quantitative and professional capabilities.

Third Year: Students move into major civil engineering disciplines through CIVE 3331 – Environmental Engineering, CIVE 3337 – Structural Analysis, and CIVE 3339 – Geotechnical Engineering, alongside CIVE 3332 – Engineering Materials, which includes a laboratory component. CIVE 3434 – Fluid Mechanics & Hydraulic Engineering and CIVE 4363 – Concrete Design then extend their understanding of fluids, infrastructure materials, and structural applications.

Fourth Year: The final year emphasizes professional practice, advanced civil engineering applications, and design through CIVE 4311 – Professional Practice in Civil Engineering, CIVE 4312 – Civil Engineering Design Project, CIVE 4332 – Hydrology, and CIVE 4333 – Water & Wastewater Treatment. Students also complete civil engineering electives, allowing them to personalize their studies around particular civil engineering interests.

Focus areas: Structural engineering, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, water resources engineering, geosensing systems engineering, transportation engineering, materials engineering, and related civil engineering disciplines.

Learning outcomes: Complex engineering problem solving, engineering design, effective communication, ethical and professional judgment, teamwork and leadership, experimentation and data analysis, and the ability to acquire and apply new engineering knowledge.

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

Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Houston reported in June 2026 that it ranked No. 4 among Texas universities in the QS World University Rankings, its highest QS position in a decade. For the Civil Engineering program specifically, UH reports 97 B.S. in Civil Engineering degrees awarded in 2024–25, compared with 59 in 2023–24, alongside a program enrollment of 450 students in 2024–25.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Civil Engineering B.S. at the University of Houston combines lab-based coursework, civil engineering design, undergraduate research, and industry exposure so students can develop practical skills alongside their technical studies. Students can work with specialized facilities covering structural engineering, hydraulics, environmental fluid mechanics, computational mechanics, geotechnical and materials engineering, and geosensing, while Houston-based co-op opportunities provide avenues to gain professional experience during the degree.

Students can strengthen their practical experience through:

Civil engineering laboratories: Department facilities include the Thomas Hsu Structural Research Laboratory, UH Hydraulics Laboratory, Environmental Fluid Mechanics Lab, Computational and Applied Mechanics Laboratory, and Shaffer Lab, giving students access to research environments across major civil engineering areas.
Structural Engineering Laboratory: The South Park Annex Structural Engineering Laboratory features strong floors, large-scale testing equipment, a 2.5-million-pound MTS test system, biaxial fatigue testing equipment, a universal panel tester, a concrete casting room, and a welding shop.
Hydraulics Laboratory: Students and researchers can work around facilities including a 35-foot tilting glass-wall flume, 120-foot glass-wall wave tank, sediment basin, and oscillating-grid system, supported by equipment such as 3D Acoustic Doppler Velocimeters and large-scale particle image velocimetry capabilities.
Materials research: The Science and Engineering Research Center (SERC) houses the Civil and Environmental Engineering materials research laboratory, supporting hands-on investigation of engineering materials.
Undergraduate research: Civil engineering undergraduates can become involved in research conducted by department faculty and graduate students, including work associated with the National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping (NCALM) and other civil engineering research areas.
Geosensing and digital technology: The department's geosensing work is connected with NCALM, an NSF-funded national center located at the UH Technology Bridge, giving students exposure to advanced airborne laser mapping and geospatial research.
Course-based design projects: Create@UH supports undergraduate course-based projects by providing real-world design projects together with dedicated design labs, makerspaces, equipment, and project workspace. The program also enables companies to sponsor senior design/capstone projects based on real engineering challenges.
Internships and co-op: The department highlights co-op programs and opportunities with civil and environmental engineering firms in Houston, allowing undergraduate students to gain job experience while studying.
Professional projects and networking: ASCE UH provides civil engineering students with professional-development activities including resume reviews, mock interviews, networking events, competitions, conferences, and access to internship and full-time opportunities.
Specialized research centers: Civil and Environmental Engineering research includes the National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping (NCALM), Hurricane Resilience Research Institute (HuRRI), Center for Innovative Grouting Materials and Technology (CIGMAT), SSPEED Center, and UH Coastal Center.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Civil Engineering B.S. can pursue professional roles across structural, geotechnical, transportation, environmental, and water-resources engineering, with Houston providing access to a large concentration of civil and environmental engineering companies. The University of Houston also reports that its civil engineering alumni work with organizations including the Texas Department of Transportation, City of Houston, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and civil and environmental engineering firms. Typical roles include Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Transportation Engineer, and Geotechnical Engineer:

Career services: The Engineering Career Center provides career counseling, resume and cover-letter reviews, interview preparation, workshops, career fairs, internships, co-op opportunities, and access to the eCONNECTION job and recruiting system.
Employer access: During the Spring 2026 Engineering & Technology Career Fair, UH reported 200 companies, 653 employer representatives, and 2,197 students, giving engineering students opportunities to meet recruiters and explore employment opportunities.
Industry recruitment: Employers that recruited Cullen College students for internships, co-ops, and full-time positions during 2025–2026 included Kiewit, Fluor, Audubon Companies, Austin Industrial/Commercial, Dashiell Corporation, Oncor Electric Delivery, and Wood Group, among many others.
Internships: The Cullen College encourages students to pursue internships through its industry and private-sector connections, while the CEE department specifically highlights internships with local engineering companies as an opportunity for civil engineering students.
Employment statistics: A UH CEE department publication reported that 80% of UH engineering undergraduates were employed within one year of graduation; this figure is a historical college-level statistic rather than a current Civil Engineering B.S.-specific outcome, so it should not be treated as the current BSCE placement rate.
Salary information: UH does not currently publish a Civil Engineering B.S.-specific graduate salary figure on the official program page. A UH engineering publication previously cited U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data showing a $83,540 median annual salary for civil engineers and approximately $138,000 for the top 10%, but these are occupation-wide historical figures rather than UH graduate salaries.
University–industry connections: UH’s CEE research activities have involved organizations including the City of Houston, American Petroleum Institute, Exxon, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Water Environment Research Foundation, and American Water Works Research Foundation, providing an industry and public-sector connection around civil and environmental engineering research.
Research and professional exposure: Students can continue developing expertise through CEE research areas such as geotechnical and materials engineering, hydrosystems, environmental engineering, and geosensing, supported by departmental research centers and consortia.
Long-term accreditation value: The Civil Engineering B.S. is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. The program’s educational objectives explicitly include professional development through licensure, graduate/professional studies, and continuing education, supporting progression toward long-term engineering practice.
Graduation outcomes: UH’s stated program objectives emphasize graduates becoming engineering professionals in public or private sectors, continuing professional development, and contributing to society through engineering organizations and committees.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the Civil Engineering B.S., students can continue into graduate study at UH, including the M.S. in Civil Engineering, with graduate specializations in Geotechnical Engineering, Hydrosystems Engineering, Structural Engineering, and Water Resources Engineering. The department also offers graduate pathways in Environmental Engineering and Geosensing Systems Engineering and Sciences, while the university’s BSCE program specifically identifies graduate and professional study as a continuing-development pathway.