• enter the surveying profession and become licensed to practice surveying;
• begin careers in the construction industry;
• or earn advanced degrees in Civil Engineering or other fields.

Courses in the first two years of the program develop a student's mathematical skills and understanding of the physical principles that underlie the practice of civil engineering. Engineering science courses in the second, third, and fourth years develop the student's ability to apply mathematics and basic scientific principles to the solution of practical engineering problems. The third year student develops a broad perspective of the field and establishes the foundation for professional practice and further study. The student completes at least one course in each subarea of civil engineering by the end of this year. Most of these courses are combinations of engineering science and design experiences. The fourth year includes a capstone professional practice and design experience, elective courses in a subarea (or subareas) of civil engineering--most of which are combinations of engineering science and design experiences--and elective courses that help the student develop an appreciation for the role of the professional engineer in society. Additional experience in professional practice and design may be obtained through participation in the department's optional internship program. Contemporary engineering aids are introduced in the first year and used in assignments throughout the rest of the program. Courses and assignments that develop oral and written communication skills are distributed throughout the curriculum and are components of the capstone professional practice and design experience in the fourth year.

Bio-Resources Engineering is an option within Civil Engineering. The first two years of this option are very similar to the first two years of the standard Civil Engineering curriculum. The third and fourth years allow students to build upon the basic Civil Engineering curriculum with courses that focus on soil, water, and environmental concerns. Bio-Resources Engineering students may take upper level professional electives in chosen areas of Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mathematics, Biology, or select courses offered in the College of Agriculture. Professional employment opportunities for Bio-Resources Engineering graduates exist in private industries dealing with land reclamation, soil and water remediation, hydraulic and hydrologic design, environmental impact and assessment, and natural resource management. State and federal agencies have also been frequent employers of engineers with Bio-Resources backgrounds.

Graduating students are required to take the Fundamentals of Engineering exam administered by the Montana Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors as the first step toward professional registration. EGEN 488(Fund of Egineering Exam), a zero-credit course, is used to administer the exam. Students are encouraged to take the discipline-specific version. This examination is administered by the National Council of Engineering Examining Boards and is accepted nationwide through reciprocity with the Montana Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. Students planning to take the comprehensive examination on surveying fundamentals as the initial step in becoming licensed as a registered land surveyor should review the education requirements for admission to this examination. Students electing to fulfill the educational requirements for registration as a land surveyor and for the baccalaureate degree in engineering must complete the requirements for both objectives.

Graduate work leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees is recommended for qualified students desiring advanced professional attainment or careers in academic fields. The Civil Engineering Department offers a Master of Science degree targeted at qualified students interested in an advanced professional degree, for which the civil engineering work place is currently seeing an increased demand. The program consists of a concurrent schedule of undergraduate and graduate classes starting the senior year, allowing a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree to be obtained in a total of ten semesters of study.

Student Performance and Retention Requirements

Freshmen or transfer students entering the Civil Engineering Department must satisfy our Student Performance and Retention Requirements prior to advancement in their degree program. This means that students cannot enroll in advanced courses until a suite of key entry-level courses is completed at a minimum performance level. The following mechanisms will be used in the Student Performance and Retention Initiative efforts:

1. Students will be required to successfully complete a suite of key courses (marked with an *) prior to taking any course from a select list of advanced courses (marked with a ^†), and must attain at least a C- in each of the key courses. In addition, each key course can be repeated at most one time.
   
2. Once the suite of key courses is satisfactorily completed, students are allowed to advance in their degree program. Intentional attempts by a student to circumvent the Student Performance and Retention Requirements will be considered academic misconduct.
   
3. Students who have difficulty meeting these requirements will work with their advisor to discuss changes that may enhance their academic performance.

Curricula in the Department of Civil Engineering

• Civil Engineering
• Bio-Resources Engineering Option
• Construction Engineering Technology

CIVIL ENGINEERING

* Key courses
^† Advanced courses

University Core Electives for Civil Engineering majors must include one of the following courses:

Electives must include: 12 credits of approved professional electives at the 300 level or above. A minimum of 2 courses in CE and not more than 3 courses in any one civil engineering sub-area are required. A maximum of 4 credits total from Individual Problems, Internships (max. 2 cr.), and Undergraduate Research may be counted toward professional electives. The professional electives program must contain a minimum of 2 design intensive courses. Students must successfully complete all key courses prior to taking any professional electives. A maximum of 3 credit-hours may be included from a completed MSU minor, a prior or concurrent BS/BA degree in another major, or courses in a completed MSU Honors Program. A student may petition to include other senior or graduate level courses consistent with the degree program but not listed here (requires Academic Advisor and Department Head approval).

A minimum of 128 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above.

BIO-RESOURCES ENGINEERING OPTION

* Key courses
^† Advanced courses

University Core Electives for Civil Engineering/Bio-Resources Option majors must include one of the following courses:

Additional requirements: Professional electives must include 12 credits total with 1 course from the Water Resources Engineering Group and 1 course from the Environmental Engineering Group. A maximum of 4 credits total from Individual Problems, Internships (max 2 cr.), and Undergraduate Research may be counted toward professional electives. The professional elective program must contain a minimum of 2 design intensive courses. Students must successfully complete all key courses prior to taking any professional electives. A maximum of 3 credit-hours may be included from a completed MSU minor, a prior or concurrent BS/BA degree in another major, or courses in a completed MSU Honors Program. A student may petition to include other senior or graduate level courses consistent with the degree program but not listed here (requires Academic Advisor and Department Head approval).

A minimum of 128 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above.

Construction Engineering Technology

The Construction Engineering Technology Bachelor of Science Program is a technically rigorous, production oriented, and construction specialty neutral program that prepares graduates to enter and advance to leadership positions in the construction industry. The educational objectives of the Construction Engineering Technology Bachelor of Science Program describe what graduates can expect to accomplish during the first years after graduation.

All graduates can expect to be able to:

• enter the construction industry and advance toward leadership positions in the construction industry,
• work on multi-disciplinary teams and effectively communicate with constructors, architects, engineers, the public and public agents, scientists and others to complete construction projects.
• engage in the life-long learning necessary to advance professionally in the construction field;
• contribute to society and the construction industry through involvement in professional related and/or other service activity,
  and
• conduct their affairs in a highly ethical manner holding paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and striving to comply with the principles of sustainable development.

• enter the surveying profession and become licensed to practice surveying; or
• earn a Master of Construction Engineering Management degree from MSU or other graduate degrees.

The curriculum provides a well rounded, four-year, specialized university education culminating in a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Engineering Technology (CET). Knowledge of mathematics and physical sciences along with applied courses in business management, law, and human relations form a background to move design, research or planning ideas to construction applications. The graduate has the training and skills provided by direct hands-on experience and has the additional knowledge and capabilities provided by theory and technological fundamentals. The curriculum prepares the student to be largely responsible for the construction of all types of structures, utilities, transportation facilities, and water and wastewater systems. Emphasis is on current construction applications, surveying, maximizing production, estimating, scheduling, quality control, safety, testing, and field analysis.

Graduates use their skills and abilities to construct transportation systems, utilities, buildings, dams, public health and environmental systems, irrigation, municipal and public works, and also in surveying, mapping, and support of engineering design. Building, industrial, and heavy highway construction are emphasized with particular attention directed toward preparation for employment in management and supervisory positions in both field and office operations.

This curriculum provides the education necessary to work with engineers, architects, contractors, technicians, and owners. The student in this curriculum can be employed as field supervisor, estimator, scheduler, or superintendent; he or she may progress to the highest levels of management in the construction arena such as project and operations managers. Because effective communication is essential in carrying out management responsibilities, students in this curriculum will be required to demonstrate good oral and written communication skills in their undergraduate studies. Other possible positions are employment with consulting engineers and architects in support activities involving plans and planning, acquisition of design data, surveying, construction inspection for quantity and quality control, sales engineering, plant expansion, and maintenance management activities.

Students planning to take the comprehensive examination on surveying fundamentals as the initial step to becoming licensed as a registered land surveyor should review the educational requirements for admission to this examination. Students who desire both the CET degree and land surveyor registration must carefully arrange their elective courses if they plan to graduate in the normal four years.

Students are required to take the Constructor Qualification Examination Level I (CQE) administered by the American Institute of Constructors (AIC) which must be taken the last semester of graduation. Seniors are eligible to take the national comprehensive examination on engineering fundamentals administered by the Montana Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, commonly called the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination. Students who plan to take the FE examination are encouraged to take additional selected courses in calculus, dynamics, and thermodynamics.

* Key courses
^† Advanced courses

Electives must include 7 credits of technical-professional courses of which one must be in CE or CET. A maximum of 4 credits total from Individual Problems, Internships (if taking 2 internships, must be from two separate employers), and Undergraduate Research may be counted toward professional electives. Students must successfully complete all key courses prior to taking any professional electives. A maximum of 3 credit-hours may be included from a completed MSU minor, a prior or concurrent BS/BA degree in another major, or courses in a completed MSU Honors Program. A student may petition to include other senior or graduate level courses consistent with the degree program but not listed here (requires Academic Advisor and Department Head approval).

A minimum of 128 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above.

Land Surveying Minor

This rigorous minor is designed to provide students with perspective and skills to pursue a successful career in surveying or a surveying related field. The focus is on courses related to surveying such as photogrammetry, the global positioning system, U.S. Public Land Survey System, legal principles of surveying, and project design in surveying. Enrollment in this minor is open to all engineering and non-engineering students.

> Back to Table of Contents

Return to regular view	Text-only	Updated: 6/09/06