Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Oklahoma

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Oklahoma prepares students to design, construct, operate, and maintain essential infrastructure such as buildings, highways, pipelines, water systems, and mass-transit systems, making it well suited to students who enjoy mathematics, science, construction, problem-solving, and decision-making. Students build a strong engineering foundation before developing expertise across environmental, geotechnical, structural, and transportation engineering, with advanced professional electives and a civil engineering capstone.

Curriculum structure

First Year: Students begin with the fundamentals of engineering and science through courses such as CEES 1111 – Exploring CEES, CEES 2113 – Statics, and CEES 2213 – CADD Fundamentals, while mathematics, chemistry, physics, and general education courses establish the technical foundation for later civil engineering study. ENGR 1411 – Pathways to Engineering Thinking and ENGR 2002 – Professional Development also introduce engineering thinking and professional skills.

Second Year: Students move into core engineering analysis through CEES 2153 – Mechanics of Materials, CEES 2223 – Fluid Mechanics, and CEES 3263 – Introduction to Dynamics for Architectural and Civil Engineers. They also develop their understanding of engineering materials and mathematics while beginning more specialized civil engineering preparation.

Third Year: The curriculum becomes more specialized through courses such as CEES 3213 – Water Resources Engineering, CEES 3243 – Water and Wastewater Treatment Design, and CEES 3363 – Soil Mechanics, supported by CEES 3361 – Soil Mechanics Laboratory and CEES 3413 – Structural Analysis I. Students also study CEES 3883 – Transportation Engineering and CEES 4453 – Geomatics Engineering, gaining exposure to major civil engineering practice areas.

Fourth Year: Students apply their accumulated knowledge to advanced professional work through CEES 3663 – Structural Design – Steel I, CEES 3673 – Structural Design – Concrete I, and professional electives aligned with their interests. The final stage culminates in CEES 4901 – Introduction to CE Capstone and CEES 4903 – Civil Engineering Capstone, followed by CEES 4951 – Contemporary Topics in Professional Practice, bringing together engineering design, analysis, and professional preparation.

Focus areas: Environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, transportation engineering, with students completing courses across these areas and selecting upper-division professional electives in their preferred area of emphasis.

Learning outcomes: Complex engineering problem solving; application of engineering, science, and mathematics principles; engineering design; technical communication; teamwork; ethical and professional responsibility; experimentation and data analysis; consideration of societal and environmental impacts; and preparation for lifelong professional development.

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

Reputation (employability rankings): The Gallogly College of Engineering reports an 85% employment rate at graduation for 2023–2024 and more than 150 companies providing experiential-learning opportunities during 2023–2024. The university also reports that its Engineering Job and Internship Fair connects students with employers for internships and full-time opportunities.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Oklahoma combines classroom engineering theory with hands-on laboratory work, design projects, field-based learning, and professional experience. Students work with civil engineering materials, structural systems, surveying and geomatics, water resources, transportation, and environmental engineering concepts, while senior-level design work allows them to apply these skills to realistic engineering problems. The program is supported by specialized facilities within the Gallogly College of Engineering and the School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, giving students opportunities to work with engineering equipment and participate in faculty-led research.

Students can develop practical, industry-focused skills through:

Senior design projects: The curriculum includes a senior design experience where students apply civil engineering knowledge to an integrated engineering design problem and develop solutions subject to realistic technical and professional constraints.
Civil engineering laboratories: Students gain hands-on experience through laboratories supporting areas such as structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, transportation engineering, environmental engineering, and water resources.
Surveying and geomatics: Civil engineering students develop practical surveying skills and work with modern surveying and measurement techniques used for civil infrastructure and site development.
Structural engineering: Specialized structural facilities allow students and researchers to conduct structural testing and materials experimentation, connecting theoretical mechanics with real structural behavior.
Geotechnical engineering: Laboratory facilities support investigation and testing of soil and geotechnical materials, giving students practical exposure to engineering properties relevant to foundations, earth structures, and construction.
Environmental and water resources: Students can gain practical experience with water and environmental engineering systems, including laboratory-based investigation relevant to water quality and treatment.
Transportation engineering: Transportation-focused facilities and research activities provide opportunities to study pavement materials, transportation systems, traffic, and infrastructure performance.
Research opportunities: Undergraduate students can participate in faculty-led research through the School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, providing exposure to current civil and environmental engineering challenges.
Internships and professional experience: The University of Oklahoma provides engineering students with access to internship and career-development opportunities, helping them gain experience in professional engineering environments before graduation.
Gallogly College of Engineering facilities: Students have access to engineering laboratories, instructional spaces, computing resources, and specialized facilities supporting civil engineering education and research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Civil Engineering at the University of Oklahoma prepares graduates for professional roles across environmental, geotechnical, structural, and transportation engineering, with career options including civil engineer, design engineer, engineering analyst, and project engineer. OU also reports an 85% employment rate at graduation for Gallogly College of Engineering students in 2023–2024, while its civil engineering salary page lists an average entry-level salary of $51,000 and a $100,840 median annual salary for civil engineering occupations.

Career development and progression opportunities:

Career support: The Office of Career Development for Engineers and Scientists (CDES) provides engineering students with career-readiness guidance, professional development, leadership preparation, and connections with employers and campus resources.
Employer networking: OU's annual Engineering Job and Internship Fair connects engineering students with employers recruiting for full-time positions, internships, and co-ops.
Professional internship: CEES 4423 – CEES Professional Internship provides hands-on civil and environmental engineering experience through 400 hours of professional internship work, faculty oversight, supervisor evaluations, a written report, and an oral presentation.
Employment outcomes: Gallogly College of Engineering reports an 85% employment rate at graduation in 2023–2024, with 150+ companies hiring students for experiential learning opportunities during that period.
Salary information: OU's current engineering salary page reports $51,000 average entry-level salary, $100,840 median annual salary, and $163,220 salary for the top 10% for civil engineering occupations. OU notes that the entry-level figure comes from Zippia, while the median and top-10% figures come from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook; these are occupation-level figures rather than an OU graduate-specific salary survey.
Industry connections: OU provides a dedicated Corporate Portal that connects companies with university faculty and researchers for industry research partnerships, while the engineering career infrastructure gives employers direct access to OU's engineering student talent through recruiting events.
Accreditation value: The B.S. in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and Civil and Similarly Named Program Criteria, providing an established professional accreditation framework for the degree.
Career breadth: OU specifically identifies potential careers including civil engineer, design engineer, engineering analyst, project engineer, technical support engineer, research scientist, surveyor, and urban and regional planner.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Civil Engineering, students can continue into OU's M.S. in Civil Engineering or related graduate programs in Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Geotechnical Engineering, Structural Engineering, or Transportation Engineering. OU also offers a B.S./M.S. Accelerated Degree Program, through which qualified civil engineering undergraduates can share up to 9 graduate credit hours between the bachelor's and master's degrees and potentially complete the master's degree in less time than through the traditional route.