BS Civil Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Illinois Chicago

Program Overview

The BS in Civil Engineering at the University of Illinois Chicago prepares students to apply mathematics, science, engineering principles, design methods, and modern engineering tools to civil infrastructure and environmental challenges. It suits students interested in structural, transportation, water resources, geotechnical, materials, environmental, and related areas, with 128 semester hours combining engineering fundamentals, specialized civil engineering courses, technical electives, and a capstone design experience.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their mathematical, scientific, communication, and engineering foundations through courses such as MATH 180 Calculus I, CHEM 122 Matter and Energy, CHEM 123 Foundations of Chemical Inquiry I, and ENGR 100 Engineering Success Seminar for Freshmen. They also begin civil engineering orientation through CME 197 Introduction to Civil and Environmental Engineering and develop engineering drawing and design skills through ME 250 Introduction to Engineering Design and Graphics or CME 297 Civil and Environmental Engineering Drawing and Design.

Year 2: The second year moves into core engineering analysis, combining MATH 210 Calculus III, MATH 220 Introduction to Differential Equations, and CS 109 Programming for Engineers with MatLab with fundamental civil engineering subjects. Courses including CME 201 Statics, CME 203 Strength of Materials, and CME 211 Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics introduce students to structural behavior, mechanics, computational methods, and fluid systems.

Year 3: Students develop broader civil engineering expertise through CME 205 Structural Analysis I, CME 302 Transportation Engineering, CME 315 Soil Mechanics and Laboratory, and CME 322 Environmental Engineering. They then build further practical and design knowledge through CME 310 Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures, CME 311 Water Resources Engineering, CME 260 Properties of Materials, CME 300 Composition and Properties of Concrete, and CME 301 Behavior and Design of Metal Structures.

Year 4: The final year emphasizes integrated civil engineering design and advanced specialization, beginning with CME 396 Civil Engineering Systems Design and CME 402 Geometric Design of Highway Facilities. Students complete CME 405 Foundation Analysis and Design, CME 497 Capstone Design, and six approved 400-level CME technical electives, allowing them to develop a more focused academic profile.

Focus areas: Structural engineering, transportation engineering, water resources engineering, geotechnical engineering, environmental engineering, construction-related engineering, materials engineering, surveying and infrastructure systems. The curriculum provides six 400-level CME technical electives for students to deepen their interests.

Learning outcomes: Apply mathematics, science, and engineering principles to civil engineering problems; analyze and interpret engineering data; design civil engineering systems; use modern engineering tools; communicate effectively; work in multidisciplinary teams; recognize professional and ethical responsibilities; and understand the societal, environmental, and global context of engineering solutions.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The UIC Civil Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, providing an established quality framework for undergraduate engineering education.

Reputation (employability rankings): UIC’s official College of Engineering reports that the college ranked No. 39 among public national universities in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, while UIC’s 2026 university reporting places the institution No. 43 among public national universities. UIC does not state a current undergraduate-specific U.S. News ranking for the BS Civil Engineering program on the official pages reviewed, so no program-specific ranking is assigned here.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BS in Civil Engineering at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) combines classroom engineering principles with hands-on laboratory work, design activities, computing, and exposure to real civil infrastructure. Students work with engineering tools and facilities while developing practical skills in areas such as structural engineering, transportation, water resources, geotechnical engineering, and construction; the program also provides opportunities for internships, undergraduate research, and senior design experiences.

Practical learning opportunities include:

Senior design projects: Students complete a Civil Engineering Senior Design experience in which they apply civil engineering principles to realistic design problems and work collaboratively to develop engineering solutions.
Laboratory experience: Civil engineering students gain hands-on experience through UIC facilities supporting structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, transportation, construction materials, and water resources/environmental engineering.
Structural engineering facilities: UIC's civil engineering facilities support structural testing and research involving concrete, steel, structural systems, and other construction materials, allowing students to connect structural theory with physical experimentation.
Geotechnical engineering: Students can gain practical exposure to soil and foundation engineering through laboratory facilities used for soil testing, geotechnical characterization, and foundation-related research.
Transportation engineering: UIC provides transportation-focused facilities and research capabilities for studying traffic systems, transportation infrastructure, pavement, and mobility, particularly relevant to the urban environment surrounding the Chicago campus.
Water resources and environmental engineering: Laboratory and research facilities support work involving hydraulics, water quality, environmental processes, and water resources, giving students practical experience with problems faced by urban infrastructure.
Computer-based engineering: Students use engineering computation and modeling as part of their civil engineering education, developing skills that support analysis, design, visualization, and engineering decision-making.
Undergraduate research: UIC provides opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in faculty-led research, allowing civil engineering students to contribute to active projects in areas such as structural engineering, transportation, geotechnical engineering, construction, and environmental/water engineering.
Internships and professional exposure: UIC's College of Engineering Career Center supports students with career advising, employer events, career fairs, internships, co-op opportunities, job-search resources, and connections with engineering employers.
Chicago as a learning environment: UIC's location in Chicago gives civil engineering students access to a major urban infrastructure environment, with opportunities to study and engage with challenges involving transportation networks, buildings, bridges, water systems, construction, and sustainable urban development.
Engineering makerspace and project facilities: UIC provides engineering spaces where students can develop and test projects using hands-on equipment and collaborative work areas, supporting the practical and design-oriented aspects of engineering education.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Civil Engineering at the University of Illinois Chicago prepares graduates for careers in engineering, research and development, construction, infrastructure, and management, with UIC specifically identifying roles such as Structural Engineer, Transportation Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer, and Environmental Engineer among potential career paths. The program also provides a foundation for professional licensure and graduate study, with UIC reporting that graduates are expected to pursue continuing education and that a majority of engineering graduates become licensed Professional Engineers within five years.

Career and employment opportunities: UIC combines dedicated engineering career support, employer engagement, internship opportunities, and professional preparation to help students transition from the classroom into engineering careers:

Engineering Career Center: UIC’s Engineering Career Center provides specialized one-on-one career advising, drop-in advising, résumé and cover-letter support, interview preparation, salary-negotiation guidance, internship and job resources, and employer connections. The center organizes two engineering and computer science career fairs that attract more than 225 companies each year.
Employment and salary figures: UIC Engineering reports that 53% of graduates report starting salaries between $70,000 and $100,000+. UIC’s official NACE Winter 2024 salary report lists $75,836 as the mean and $75,000 as the median projected starting salary for Civil Engineering bachelor’s graduates nationally in the Class of 2024; these are employer-reported national figures rather than UIC-specific civil engineering salaries.
Internship opportunities: UIC Engineering operates a Guaranteed Paid Internship Program for qualifying first-year and transfer engineering students who meet the stated GPA and coursework requirements. The broader UIC internship system also connects students with paid and unpaid opportunities across corporate, government, nonprofit, research, and other professional settings.
University–industry connections: More than 400 companies actively hire UIC Engineering students, while the Engineering Career Center supports employer recruitment through career fairs, Handshake postings, and on-campus interviews. Civil engineering graduates have entered roles such as cost engineer, environmental engineer, geotechnical engineer, structural engineer, transportation engineer, and quality control engineer.
Professional accreditation: The BS Civil Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. This accreditation provides a recognized quality framework for undergraduate engineering education and supports preparation for professional engineering practice.
Professional licensure pathway: UIC states that a majority of graduates working in engineering are expected to become licensed Professional Engineers within five years of graduation, while those practicing structural engineering are expected to pursue Structural Engineer licensure within ten years.
Graduation outcomes: UIC reports that 81 civil engineering majors graduated during the academic year ending August 2026, while the program had 432 civil engineering students enrolled across all class years during 2025–26. UIC’s stated educational objectives also include careers in engineering, research and development, management, professional societies, and continued graduate education.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS Civil Engineering, students can continue into graduate-level study to develop advanced expertise in a particular civil engineering area. UIC’s Department of Civil, Materials, and Environmental Engineering offers graduate education, while the undergraduate program itself identifies graduate education and continuing professional development as important progression routes for motivated graduates.