Choosing Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering is an exciting, intellectually challenging, and rewarding engineering discipline. The advances made in Civil Engineering have laid the foundation for all other engineering and science disciplines. A baccalaureate degree in Civil Engineering can lead to jobs in private industry, federal/state agencies and local cities.

Our department excels in providing basic and advanced civil engineering education. It has been designed to provide a firm foundation across a wide breadth of activities that fall under the umbrella of Civil Engineering. We offer courses in areas related to Structures, Geotechnical, Architecture, Hydraulics, Environmental, Transportation and Construction Engineering. The curriculum gives the students some flexibility in choosing the electives from their areas of interest. Our constantly evolving lab facilities, ideal computer labs, tutoring facilities, academic support environment and an active teaching and research faculty will ensure that the students graduate with confidence. The department believes that a strong undergraduate program is vital to the success of a civil engineer. Our program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

The Civil and Environmental Engineering department offers a baccalaureate degree in Civil Engineering. Our baccalaureate degree is a 120 unit program.

The undergraduate degree program at California State University, Fullerton provides many opportunities for students beyond classroom study. Many of our students work part-time in local companies thus enriching their educational experience. The theoretical software and experimental skills that students learn in their degree program give them a unique advantage after they complete their program.

California State University, Fullerton has a long tradition of excellence in Civil Engineering. The success of our graduates attests the quality of our program.

Undergraduate Plan of Study

Our BS degree curriculum includes 80 units in the major, 24 General Education units, 13 units of technical electives, 3 units of basic science elective and all university requirements. When selecting courses, students need to consult with a faculty adviser. Students are required to meet with their academic adviser every semester during the first year and at least once a year thereafter.

All required courses toward the degree must be taken for a letter grade. All required mathematics & science courses and EGCE 201 and 203 must be passed with a “C-” (1.7) or better. Graduate courses are not open to undergraduate students without department approval. A GPA of 2.0 or better is required for the major. Course prerequisites are strictly enforced. Coursework taken at another college or university in which “C-” (1.7) or lower grade was earned will not be substituted for the major courses.

Students are required to obtain department preapproval before registering for courses at another college or university. No more than a total of 12 units can be transferred to replace 300 or 400-level major courses.

Students wishing to earn an Architectural Engineering Emphasis must fulfill the requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. When choosing their electives, they must consult with an adviser. At the minimum student with Architectural Engineering, emphasis must take EGCE 415, EGCE 420, and EGCE 425.

The program course flowchart for BS in Civil Engineering lists the required courses as a function of the semester.

Students are encouraged to make their study plan in consultation with the advisor using the study plan template.