Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Utah

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Utah is a 4-year, on-campus program that prepares students to design, construct, and manage infrastructure while developing expertise across structural, environmental, water resources, transportation, materials, and geotechnical engineering. Students combine engineering theory with hands-on practice to develop sustainable solutions for projects such as roads, bridges, buildings, and water-treatment facilities.

Curriculum structure

First Year: Students begin by developing core engineering and mathematical foundations through courses such as CVEEN 1000 – Introduction to Civil and Environmental Engineering, CVEEN 1400 – Computer-Aided Design, and PHYS 2210 – Physics for Science & Engineers. This stage introduces students to civil engineering technologies, design thinking, physics, and the quantitative skills needed for advanced engineering study.

Second Year: Students progress into fundamental civil engineering analysis, including CVEEN 2140 – Mechanics of Materials, CVEEN 2310 – Probability & Statistics, and coursework in geomatics, surveying, dynamics, and engineering science. The curriculum strengthens students’ ability to analyze engineering systems and prepares them for the specialized civil engineering subjects introduced in the upper division.

Third Year: Students move into more specialized engineering work across areas such as structural, geotechnical, transportation, water resources, materials, and environmental engineering, supported by laboratory experiences including CVEEN 3016 – Hydro-Environmental Laboratory and CVEEN 3015 – Geotechnical Materials Laboratory. Courses such as CVEEN 3510 – Civil Engineering Materials develop knowledge of metals, wood, aggregates, Portland cement concrete, asphalt concrete, and materials testing.

Fourth Year: The final year emphasizes complex engineering analysis, technical electives, and professional design, allowing students to deepen their interests across the program’s major technical areas. Students also complete the senior Professional Practice & Design sequence, where they work with community stakeholders on integrated, real-world engineering design solutions.

Focus areas: Structural engineering, environmental engineering, water resources, transportation systems, construction materials, geotechnical engineering, and civil engineering design, with Environmental available as an emphasis option.

Learning outcomes: Complex engineering problem solving, engineering design, effective communication, ethical and professional decision-making, teamwork and leadership, experimentation and data analysis, and application of engineering principles within environmental, economic, social, and global contexts.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The B.S. in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Utah is ranked #=533 in the QS World University Rankings 2027, while the Civil and Environmental Engineering department reports that 93% of its students have job offers upon graduation.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Civil Engineering at the University of Utah places strong emphasis on hands-on learning through laboratory courses, fieldwork, design projects, and a team-based capstone. Students work across structural, geotechnical, transportation, water resources, and environmental engineering, with access to modern teaching and research facilities in the renovated Layton Building, including a Maker Space, Hydraulics Laboratory, Cyber Infrastructure Lab, and Structures Lab.

Students can develop practical engineering skills through:

Maker Space: The Layton Building’s Maker Space allows students, particularly at the beginning of the program, to build and test their own civil engineering designs and gain tactile experience with engineering concepts.
Hydraulics Laboratory: Students use the Hydraulics Laboratory to study water and wastewater infrastructure as well as applications involving environmental, geotechnical, and materials engineering.
Structures Lab: The Structures Lab features a large actuator capable of simulating seismic forces up to the equivalent of a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, giving students and researchers a facility for investigating structural durability and resilient infrastructure.
Cyber Infrastructure Lab: The Cyber Infrastructure Lab combines traditional civil engineering with sensor and networking technologies and data-informed approaches to sustainable infrastructure.
Materials testing: Students gain hands-on experience by making and breaking concrete and testing materials such as steel, asphalt, and soils in the department's laboratories.
Fluid mechanics and hydraulics: Laboratory experiences allow students to investigate fluid mechanics and hydraulic systems through practical experimentation.
Surveying and geomatics fieldwork: The curriculum includes surveying and geomatics fieldwork, providing practical experience with measurement and site-related civil engineering activities.
Design projects: Students complete design projects that simulate real engineering challenges, helping them apply technical concepts to practical civil engineering problems.
Team-based capstone: The final Professional Practice & Design sequence (CVEEN 4900 and 4910) involves a comprehensive, team-based project in which senior students engage with community stakeholders to develop integrated engineering design solutions.
Utah Traffic Lab: Students have access to the Utah Traffic Lab, an advanced transportation facility that provides hands-on experience with traffic monitoring.
Student competitions and organizations: The department highlights hands-on student activities through its ASCE Student Chapter, including participation in concrete canoe and timber-structure building competitions.
Research opportunities: Undergraduate students can participate in faculty-led research and field-based learning across areas including water, air, transportation, and structures, giving them opportunities to engage with research alongside their coursework.
Computer-Aided Design: CVEEN 1400 – Computer-Aided Design introduces students to CAD as part of the civil engineering curriculum, providing a digital design foundation for subsequent engineering work.
Industry exposure: The department emphasizes real-world engineering experiences and connections with Utah’s engineering and construction industries, helping students connect classroom learning with professional practice.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the B.S. in Civil Engineering can move into professional roles across structural, environmental, transportation, geotechnical, construction, and water-resources engineering. The University of Utah reports that 93% of its civil engineering students have job offers upon graduation, while its career guidance identifies civil engineering as a field spanning engineering firms, construction companies, and government agencies.

Typical job roles: Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Transportation Engineer, Environmental Engineer.

Career development and progression opportunities:

University career services: U Career Success provides major- and industry-specific career coaching, resume and interview preparation, networking support, career fairs, and access to Handshake for job and internship opportunities.
Employment outcome: 93% of civil engineering students have job offers upon graduation, according to the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering.
Salary information: The University of Utah's UGuide reports that in 2025, civil engineers had median annual earnings of about $100,000, with 80% of reported earnings ranging from approximately $64,000–$170,000; these are national figures covering workers at all experience levels, not specifically new graduates.
Industry connections: The department maintains a Civil Industrial Advisory Board made up of professionals from organizations including Reaveley Engineers + Associates, Jacobsen Construction Companies, Stanley Consultants, Burns & McDonnell, UDOT, Wilson & Company, Hazen and Sawyer, and Deseret Power, providing industry input on professional needs and outlook.
Industry-relevant experience: The department highlights connections with Utah's engineering and construction industries, real-world engineering experiences, hands-on research, mentorship, and access to state-of-the-art laboratories.
Professional accreditation: The B.S. in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The department's stated educational objectives include graduates working in civil engineering or related fields while pursuing professional licensure and continuing their learning through graduate study, certifications, and professional development.
Graduation outcomes: The program reports a 93% job-offer rate upon graduation, while UGuide provides career pathways and curated civil, environmental, infrastructure, construction, and urban-planning job collections through Handshake.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the bachelor's degree, students can continue into the University of Utah's M.S. in Civil & Environmental Engineering, with thesis and non-thesis options and specializations including environmental, geotechnical, materials, structural, transportation, and water resources engineering. The university also offers a direct-admit Ph.D. pathway from a bachelor's degree, alongside the traditional M.S.-to-Ph.D. route, allowing students interested in advanced research to continue into doctoral study.