Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Science (534P, 534) < Western Kentucky University (2024)

Program Coordinator

Jason C. Wilson, jason.wilson@wku.edu, (270) 745-2322

Civil engineers design a better world in which to live. They design, build, and maintain our nation’s infrastructure including: roads and bridges; buildings and foundations; water supply and waste-water facilities; stormwater management systems; and environmental protection facilities.

The mission of the civil engineering program is to prepare students for professional engineering and management positions in all phases of civil engineering projects. The program provides a broad educational background with a foundation in basic engineering and business principles. These basic skills are complemented by advanced topics in engineering design, management, finance, computer applications, and real world civil engineering experiences throughout the baccalaureate degree program. The civil engineering program at WKU focuses on construction, geotechnical engineering, construction materials, structures, surveying, and hydrology.

The teaching philosophy of this program focuses on project-based learning. This is achieved by placing competent, practicing engineers in the classroom as professors, engaging students in the practice of civil engineering through hands-on class projects, and involving students in faculty consulting and applied research activities. Real engineering projects often serve as class projects. Project sites and professional engineering and construction management firm offices often serve as classrooms.

The curriculum requires a minimum of 62-63 technical specialty hours, completion of pre-major courses, additional 32 semester hours of math and science requirements, and completion of Colonnade general education hours.

The WKU Civil Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

Civil Engineering Program Educational Objectives

The program achieves its mission by focusing on specific educational objectives. A few years after graduation, WKU CE graduates are expected to have the following characteristics:

Objective 1: Graduates attain positions of Engineer in Responsible Charge on projects in both the public and private sectors and successfully execute projects using technical and managerial skills while demonstrating professional and ethical behavior.
Objective 2: Graduates attain Engineering licensure and other professional certifications as appropriate to their career.
Objective 3: Graduates continue to pursue life-long learning opportunities through advanced degrees and various continuing education endeavors.
Objective 4: Graduates become leaders within their companies, the profession, and other activities.

The CE student outcomes are listed on the program website at https://www.wku.edu/seas/.

Admission Requirements

Academic Standards for the WKU Civil Engineering Program

Students are admitted as a pre-major in civil engineering. To transition from pre-major to major and to graduate with a degree in civil engineering, students must complete each of the following courses and labs with a grade of “C” or better:

¹

COMM 145 will be replaced with a Human Communications (OC Course).

Students must also complete the following courses with a grade of “C” or better:all pre-major courses, and all major courses except for one. In addition, each student is required to have a 2-course sequence in four (4) different civil engineering areas. The curriculum already includes a 2-course sequence in structures, geotechnical engineering, and construction. Therefore, each student must select one of the technical electives to cover an additional area such as surveying, materials, environmental engineering, hydrology, or transportation.

Program Requirements (62-63 hours)

A baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. More information can be found at www.wku.edu/registrar/degree_certification.php.

Students who began WKU in the Fall 2014 and thereafter should review the Colonnade requirements located at: https://www.wku.edu/colonnade/colonnaderequirements.php.

¹

Students must also complete the following courses with a grade of “C” or better in all in all major courses except for one. In addition, each student is required to have a 2-course sequence in four (4) different civil engineering areas. The curriculum already includes a 2-course sequence in structures, geotechnical engineering, and construction. Therefore, each student must select one of the technical electives to cover an additional area such as surveying, materials, environmental engineering, hydrology, or transportation.

Additional Math and Science Requirements

Finish in Four Plan