Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) in Civil Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Iowa

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) in Civil Engineering at the University of Iowa gives students a broad foundation in civil engineering while allowing them to develop deeper expertise through an approved focus area aligned with their interests and career goals. Students study engineering mathematics, science, mechanics, structural engineering, environmental engineering, hydraulics, transportation, materials, design, and project management, preparing for professional roles across the civil engineering field.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1: Students begin with Rhetoric, Engineering Calculus I, Principles of Chemistry I, and Introduction to Engineering Problem Solving, establishing their communication, mathematics, science, and engineering foundations. The second semester adds Multivariable Calculus, Matrix Algebra, Introductory Physics I/Lab, and Introduction to Engineering Computing, building the analytical and computing skills needed for upper-level engineering study.

Year 2: Students move into core engineering principles through Differential Equations, Statics, Thermodynamics, Introduction to Earth Science, and Civil and Environmental Engineering Tools. They then develop their understanding of forces, materials, infrastructure, and professional practice through Dynamics, Mechanics of Deformable Bodies, Principles of Transportation Engineering, Professional Practice and Ethics, and Technical Communication in Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Year 3: The curriculum becomes more specialized with Fluid Mechanics, Geomechanics, and Principles of Structural Engineering, giving students a stronger understanding of fluids, soils, structural behavior, and civil infrastructure. Students also study Principles of Environmental Engineering, Principles of Hydraulics and Hydrology, and Civil Engineering Materials, while beginning coursework within their selected focus area.

Year 4: Students apply their technical knowledge through two approved Civil and Environmental Engineering Design courses and develop professional management skills through Project Management Skills. The program culminates in Project Design & Management in CEE, where students integrate engineering design, project planning, communication, and technical knowledge in their final semester.

Focus Areas: Civil and Environmental Engineering Practice, Environmental, Hydraulics and Water Resources, Management, Pre-architecture, Structures, Mechanics and Materials, Transportation, and Urban and Regional Planning; students may select an approved focus area or work with an advisor to customize one around their interests and career objectives.

Learning Outcomes: Complex engineering problem solving, engineering design, effective communication, ethical and professional responsibility, teamwork and leadership, experimentation and data analysis, and acquisition and application of new engineering knowledge.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): ABET Accredited — the University of Iowa’s undergraduate Civil Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Civil Engineering.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): 95% of Iowa graduates are employed, continuing their education, or not seeking work within six months of graduation, according to the University of Iowa. The university also reports that U.S. News & World Report ranks Iowa’s undergraduate engineering program in the top third of engineering programs nationwide.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the BSE in Civil Engineering at the University of Iowa develop practical engineering skills through hands-on coursework, computer-assisted instruction, research, internships, and project-based experiences. The program is supported by the Seamans Center for the Engineering Arts and Sciences, which provides technology-equipped classrooms, computing laboratories, collaborative spaces, and engineering facilities; civil engineering students can also work with faculty on research addressing real-world problems such as water quality, sustainable infrastructure, and resilient infrastructure.

Practical opportunities and facilities include:

Civil engineering internships: Students can gain professional experience through the College of Engineering's co-op and internship program. Engineering Career Services supports students with internship searches, resumes, interviews, employer connections, and two annual engineering career fairs.
Real-world project experience: Civil engineering students have opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in professional settings; one University of Iowa civil engineering student used Civil 3D for ADA-compliant sidewalk plans and soccer-field layouts and visited six active construction projects during an internship.
Undergraduate research: The CEE Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) provides a one-semester research experience in which undergraduate students can work with faculty on disciplinary, interdisciplinary, or educational research. CEE REU fellows may work up to 15 hours per week, and undergraduate research assistants are paid hourly.
Engineering software: College of Engineering computing facilities provide access to engineering software and computing environments, including ANSYS, Arena, PTC Creo, Maple, Mathematica, and Wolfram Mathematica. Engineering students can also use remote computing resources for software such as MATLAB and Mathematica.
Engineering computer laboratories: The Elder Lab and Hering Lab in the Seamans Center provide Windows and Linux workstations, dual-monitor setups, printers, scanners, and extended access for engineering students. The College reports 127 total workstations across its Elder and Hering computer labs.
Computer-assisted engineering instruction: The Hering Lab South functions both as an engineering classroom and an open computing laboratory, supporting courses where computer-assisted instruction is an integral part of the class and allowing students to work on computing tasks outside scheduled instruction.
Collaborative project space: The Workbench in the Seamans Center is dedicated to engineering students working collaboratively on projects and provides tools and equipment for hands-on project work. The space also supports class and senior design projects.
Civil and environmental engineering laboratories: The department provides access to specialized civil and environmental engineering laboratories, including facilities supporting infrastructure and materials research. University research facilities also include temperature-controlled testing facilities, a civil materials laboratory, and high-performance computing resources.
Engineering library: Students have access to the Lichtenberger Engineering Library, which the CEE department identifies among its dedicated academic support resources for engineering students.
Technology-rich learning environment: The recently renovated Seamans Center includes tech-infused classrooms, laboratories, and open collaborative spaces, giving civil engineering students a dedicated environment for technical learning and project work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A BSE in Civil Engineering from the University of Iowa prepares graduates for professional work across structural, transportation, water resources, environmental, construction, and infrastructure-related fields, while also providing a foundation for graduate study. The university reports a 96% Engineering placement rate for May 2025 graduates, based on graduates who were employed, continuing their education, or not seeking work within six months.

Typical Career Roles: Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Transportation Engineer, Water Resources Engineer.

Career development and professional opportunities include:

Career Services: Engineering Career Services supports students with employer outreach, career fairs, co-op and internship opportunities, resume and cover-letter development, interview preparation, Handshake, Big Interview, and Jobscan.
Internships and Co-ops: Students can complete professional engineering experiences ranging from 10-week summer internships to multi-term co-ops in business, industry, education, or government. Qualified experiences can be documented on the transcript and may count toward Professional Engineering (PE) licensure requirements.
Industry connections: University engineering career fairs attract 100+ companies and 800–1,400 students per in-person fair, creating opportunities for co-ops, internships, and full-time employment. Recent engineering professional experiences have included employers such as Collins Aerospace, John Deere, MSA Professional Services, and Skyworks Solutions.
Employment outcomes: The University of Iowa reports a 96% placement rate for Engineering graduates within six months of graduation based on the May 2025 graduating class. For Civil and Environmental Engineering specifically, the department reports a 98% placement rate within seven months of graduation and cites a $77,370 mean annual wage in Iowa from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Civil engineering employers: Iowa graduates have access to employers across industry, government, consulting, and infrastructure-related organizations; the College of Engineering specifically lists the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers among organizations that have hired Iowa graduates.
Accreditation value: The Civil Engineering program follows ABET student outcomes covering complex engineering problem-solving, engineering design, communication, ethics, teamwork, experimentation and data analysis, and continuing professional learning. This provides an established academic foundation for professional engineering practice.
Graduation outcomes: The Civil Engineering program awarded 46 BSE degrees in 2025–2026, with 227 undergraduate civil engineering students enrolled in 2026–2027.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BSE, students can continue into the University of Iowa's Civil and Environmental Engineering MS or PhD programs. The department also offers a U2G BSE/MS pathway, allowing eligible students to apply 9 semester hours of engineering courses toward both degrees, take additional graduate coursework before completing the BSE, and normally complete the MS one year after the bachelor's degree; eligible U2G students can also receive up to $4,000 in tuition support toward the MS.