The Civil Engineering four-year program begins with courses that provide a foundation of knowledge and skill in the basic arts and sciences. Limited specialization in engineering starts during the sophomore year. In the junior and senior years, the time is devoted essentially to professional subjects. Throughout the four years, the program emphasizes the development of habits of orderly study, investigation, sound reasoning, problem-solving and design, rather than the mere acquisition of factual information. It is stressed that an engineer is a professional thoroughly grounded in engineering science and technology, but also aware of the social, economic, ethical, and ecological implications of professional activities. The Citadel’s Bachelor’s degree program in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org. The curriculum is augmented by off-campus educators and engineers who lecture and moderate a wide array of enrichment activities and learning experiences. Students’ knowledge of the engineering profession is broadened by engagement with practicing engineers and participation in the student chapters of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Institute of Transportation Engineers, Tau Beta Pi (honorary engineering society), Society of American Military Engineers, Society of Women Engineers, and National Society of Black Engineers.

LeTellier Hall was designed for the needs of engineering education and contains five learning laboratories and seven multi-media classrooms. There are three computer facilities located in LeTellier Hall. To help ensure the best use of these facilities, priority access goes to helping students learn application of software and technical capabilities specific to the engineering profession.

All undergraduate courses taken at The Citadel with a subject prefix of CIVL will count towards the major GPA.

Goals and Objectives

Program Educational Objectives

Civil Engineering program and Construction Engineering program educational objectives are for alumni, 3-5 years after graduation, to achieve success through:

1. Design and Construction: Service to society as practicing engineers, or like positions, by providing sustainable design and construction solutions, while holding paramount the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
2. Principled Leadership: Contributions to the engineering profession, or like fields, as principled leaders through selfless service, inclusive collaboration, and ethical decision making.
3. Sustainable Growth: Employment of effective strategies for professional development, self-directed learning, and career advancement.

Departmental Core Values

The Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering programs have adopted the following core values:

Students are our Focus: We believe the education, development, empowerment, and welfare of our students are the primary focus of our efforts.

Civil Engineers and Construction Engineers as Principled Leaders: We believe the engineering profession requires the highest professional and ethical standards, which we seek to model, teach and prepare our students to embrace.

Collaborative Teaching and Learning Environment: We believe a collaborative collegial environment among our faculty, staff and students is critical in sustaining advancement in educational excellence.

Growth through Assessment: We believe data-driven inquiry and improvement will lead us to sustained advancement in educational excellence.

Student Outcomes

At the time of graduation from the Civil Engineering program and Construction Engineering program, a student should achieve an acceptable level of skills and knowledge in the following ABET outcomes:

1. Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
3. Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
5. Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
6. Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Degree: The degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (B.S. in C.E.) or Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering (B.S. in Con. E.) is awarded to those who successfully complete the respective programs of studies outlined in the course offerings section of this catalog.

Fundamentals of Engineering Examination

Each graduating student is required to sit for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination and provide documentation to the department head.

Major Academic Map

Click here to view the Academic Map for this major, which shows the courses and sequence.