BS Civil Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Wisconsin Madison

Program Overview

The BS in Civil Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison prepares students to design, investigate, and improve natural and built systems while developing strong foundations in mathematics, science, engineering mechanics, civil engineering analysis, and design. It is well suited to students interested in areas such as structures, water resources, environmental systems, transportation, geotechnical engineering, and construction, with the 128-credit curriculum combining technical coursework, engineering electives, communication, and a senior capstone.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1: Students establish their engineering foundation through MATH 221 – Calculus and Analytic Geometry 1, MATH 222 – Calculus and Analytic Geometry 2, CHEM 109 – Advanced General Chemistry, and E M A 201 – Statics. They also begin practical engineering preparation through INTEREGR 170 – Design Practicum and CIV ENGR 159 – Civil Engineering Graphics, alongside geology and communication coursework.

Year 2: The second year moves into more advanced mathematics, mechanics, and civil engineering applications, including MATH 234 – Calculus—Functions of Several Variables, E M A 202 – Dynamics, E M A 303 – Mechanics of Materials, and E M A/M E 307 – Mechanics of Materials Lab. Students also study CIV ENGR 310 – Fluid Mechanics, CIV ENGR 320 – Environmental Engineering, and STAT 324 – Introduction to Statistics for Science and Engineering, building the analytical skills needed for civil engineering design.

Year 3: Students develop broad civil engineering capability through CIV ENGR 311 – Hydroscience, CIV ENGR/G L E 330 – Soil Mechanics, CIV ENGR 340 – Structural Analysis I, and CIV ENGR 370 – Transportation Engineering. CIV ENGR/G L E 291 – Problem Solving Using Computer Tools, CIV ENGR/E M A 395 – Materials for Constructed Facilities, and CIV ENGR 461 – Construction Project Management add computational, materials, and project-management dimensions to the technical curriculum.

Year 4: The final year emphasizes professional-level design and decision-making through CIV ENGR 494 – Civil and Environmental Engineering Decision Making, civil engineering design electives, engineering electives, and environmental studies. Students complete CIV ENGR 578 – Senior Capstone Design, applying their engineering knowledge to a substantial design experience while developing teamwork, communication, and professional problem-solving skills.

Focus areas: Water Resources, Environmental Engineering, Structural Engineering, Geological/Geotechnical Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Construction Engineering and Management, Materials and Civil Engineering Design.

Learning outcomes: Students develop the ability to solve complex engineering problems, design solutions considering public health and safety as well as environmental, economic and societal factors, communicate effectively, work in teams, apply ethical and professional judgment, conduct experiments and analyze data, and acquire new knowledge using appropriate learning strategies.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The BS in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. The program’s educational objectives also emphasize professional design and construction, investigation and analysis, modern engineering tools, ethical practice, communication, leadership, lifelong learning, and civic or professional service.

Reputation (employability rankings): UW–Madison’s College of Engineering reports the Civil Engineering undergraduate program at #13 among U.S. public universities, according to its published U.S. News & World Report ranking information.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BS in Civil Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison combines classroom engineering principles with hands-on design, laboratory work, field-based learning, and industry exposure. Students can apply civil engineering concepts through the department’s specialized laboratories and facilities, while courses such as CE 351 Engineering Materials Laboratory, CE 370 Soil Mechanics, and CE 376 Hydraulic Engineering Laboratory provide opportunities to work with real engineering materials, soils, fluids, and measurement techniques.

Students can also gain professional experience through internships and cooperative education, work on team-based design assignments, and use specialized computational and engineering tools relevant to civil and environmental engineering; these experiences connect the academic curriculum with practical engineering projects and professional practice:

Engineering materials laboratory: CE 351 Engineering Materials Laboratory provides hands-on experience with construction materials and laboratory testing, complementing the department's civil engineering materials research and instructional facilities.
Hydraulics laboratory: CE 376 Hydraulic Engineering Laboratory gives students practical experience investigating hydraulic engineering principles through laboratory experiments and measurement techniques.
Geotechnical experience: Courses including CE 370 Soil Mechanics expose students to the engineering behavior and properties of soils, supporting practical understanding of geotechnical engineering.
Structural engineering facilities: UW–Madison's structural engineering facilities support experimental research and instruction involving structural systems and construction materials, allowing students to see how engineering theories are applied to real structures.
Environmental engineering facilities: Students interested in environmental engineering can engage with facilities and research focused on water and wastewater treatment, environmental processes, and related engineering applications.
Transportation facilities: The department's transportation engineering research and instructional facilities support work involving transportation systems, traffic operations, pavement materials, and infrastructure.
Computational tools: Civil engineering students use computational methods and engineering software throughout the curriculum for analysis, modeling, design, and problem-solving. Specific software varies by course and specialization rather than being limited to one department-wide package.
Team-based design: The civil engineering curriculum includes collaborative engineering design experiences in which students work in teams to develop and evaluate engineering solutions, strengthening project management, communication, and professional design skills.
Internships and cooperative education: UW–Madison's engineering career resources connect students with internship, co-op, and employment opportunities, allowing civil engineering students to gain professional experience before graduation.
Field and practical exposure: Civil engineering study at UW–Madison incorporates practical observation and application of engineering principles through laboratory activities, project work, and opportunities connected with Wisconsin's extensive infrastructure and construction environment.
Research opportunities: Undergraduate students can become involved in faculty-led research, including research conducted through the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in areas such as structures, transportation, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, and water resources.
Engineering library resources: Students have access to the Wendt Engineering Library, which provides engineering-focused books, journals, databases, study spaces, and research support for civil engineering coursework and projects.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BS in Civil Engineering at UW–Madison are prepared for professional roles across construction, infrastructure, transportation, structural engineering, environmental engineering, and water resources. The program combines technical preparation with hands-on learning, internships and co-ops, research, and professional development, supporting roles such as Civil Engineer, Field Engineer, Design Engineer, and Transportation Engineer.

Career support and progression: UW–Madison provides a strong combination of dedicated engineering career services, employer connections, professional preparation, and pathways into graduate study:

Career services: Engineering Career Services connects engineering students with employers for internships, co-ops, and full-time employment, while UW–Madison’s Handshake platform provides jobs, events, and employers actively recruiting UW students.
Employment outcomes: The Civil & Environmental Engineering department reports that 98% of undergraduates are placed in a job or postgraduate studies within one year of graduation. UW–Madison’s current BS Civil Engineering page lists a $72,000 first-year median salary, with employers including J.H. Findorff & Son, JP Cullen, Kimley-Horn, M.A. Mortenson Construction, and Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
Graduate outcomes: Common graduate positions include Civil Engineer, Field Engineer, Project Engineer, Site Engineer, and Transportation Engineer, with graduates also entering planning and design consulting firms, architectural firms, construction companies, and local, state, and federal agencies.
University–industry partnerships: UW–Madison’s CEE department works with industry through real-world research and professional engagement. The Construction Engineering and Management program specifically identifies partners including The Boldt Company, M.A. Mortenson, ELECTRI International, the Construction Industry Institute, New Horizons Foundation, and SABIC, while the Consortium for Holistic Steel Systems works with Steel Dynamics/New Millennium, Canam Steel Corporation, ASC Steel Deck, Steel Deck Institute, Steel Framing Industry Association, Complete Structural Consulting, and Sputo and Lammert Engineering.
Professional preparation: UW–Madison encourages civil engineering students to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam before or shortly after graduation as the first step toward professional engineering licensure. The university reports a 95% FE pass rate among its students, compared with a stated national average of 70%.
Long-term accreditation value: The BS in Civil Engineering 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 an established quality framework for the engineering education and supports graduates pursuing professional engineering pathways.
Research and professional networks: Undergraduate students can participate in faculty research and gain experience in engineering laboratories, while the department has 30 working professionals who mentor students. The CEE department also reports 11 NCEES engineering education awards, providing additional evidence of its connection with professional engineering practice.
Career-fair access: More than 550 employers annually participate in UW–Madison career fairs, including the Engineering Career Fair, giving students opportunities to meet organizations recruiting for internships, co-ops, and employment.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS in Civil Engineering, students can continue into graduate-level study in civil and environmental engineering and specialize in areas such as construction engineering and management, structural engineering, geosystems engineering, environmental science and engineering, transportation engineering, or water resources. UW–Madison offers both Civil & Environmental Engineering Research MS and Professional MS pathways, while students seeking research-intensive careers can continue toward doctoral study.