Civil Engineering
Civil engineering is a people-oriented profession that has long been in existence to serve the needs of mankind. It evolved as a formal discipline at the start of the 19th century with the advent of society’s need for increased mobility and convenience. The role of the civil engineer has always been one that deals primarily with public works: the planning, design, and construction of airports, bridges, buildings, roadway, irrigation, flood control, water supply and waste disposal systems. These civil engineering works not only manage our environment, but are part of the environment itself and, by their very nature, have important social and economic impacts.
The civil engineering curriculum is designed to give the student a sound education in preparation for this role. The first two years include courses that deal with the principles of mathematics, physical and engineering sciences on which engineering concepts are based, as well as courses in humanities and social sciences and introductory courses in engineering and design. The last two years are devoted to developing the necessary technical competence, as well as the ability to apply the knowledge that the student has acquired to the design and synthesis of complex civil engineering projects. Project-based learning is an essential ingredient, and a year-long, client-based capstone design project highlights the senior year.
The entire curriculum is oriented to develop a student’s ability to think critically and logically. Upon graduation the student will be able to adapt this ability to the engineering environment of his or her choice. The curriculum in civil engineering will provide the student with the capacity for professional growth, either by advanced study or as a practicing professional engineer. A student may also use this academic background as a stepping stone to a position in management, administration, law, or some other non-engineering field.
Civil Engineering Department's Mission Statement
To provide an excellent civil engineering education that prepares graduates to develop into professionals who will exceed the needs of their employers, clients, and community in a continually changing world.
Consulting Engineering Program
If interested in the Consulting Engineering Program, refer to these requirements.
Below is a sample plan of study that illustrates one way to achieve the program requirements. Any given student's plan of study may differ based on a variety of factors (e.g., advanced credit, placement exams, adding a minor). Enrolled students will work with their academic advisor; utilize the degree audit/planner to create a specific plan of study.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| MA 111 | Calculus I | 5 |
| PH 111 | Physics I | 4 |
| PH 111L | Physics I Lab | 0 |
| HUM H190 | First-Year Writing Seminar | 4 |
| RHIT 100 | Foundations for Rose-Hulman Success | 1 |
| CE 101 | Engineering Surveying | 2 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Winter | ||
| MA 112 | Calculus II | 5 |
| PH 112 | Physics II | 4 |
| PH 112L | Physics II Lab | 0 |
| HUM H190 | First-Year Writing Seminar | 4 |
| CE 111 | Geographical Information Systems | 2 |
| EM 102 | Graphical Communications for Civil Engineers | 2 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| MA 113 | Calculus III | 5 |
| EM 103 | Introduction to Design | 2 |
| EM 120 | Engineering Statics | 4 |
| HSSA Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| MA 221 | Matrix Algebra & Differential Equations I | 4 |
| MA 223 | Engineering Statistics | 4 |
| EM 202 | Dynamics | 4 |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 111L | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Winter | ||
| MA 222 | Matrix Algebra & Differential Equations II | 4 |
| EM 203 | Mechanics of Materials | 4 |
| CE 250 | Sustainable Civil Engineering Design | 2 |
| CHEM 113 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 113L | General Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 |
| HSSA Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| EM 301 | Fluid Mechanics | 4 |
| CE 310 | Computer Applications in Civil Engineering | 2 |
| CE 320 | Civil Engineering Materials | 4 |
| CE 380 | Introduction to Transportation Engineering | 4 |
| Science Elective 1 | 4 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| CE 205 | Thermodynamics | 4 |
| CE 321 | Structural Mechanics I | 4 |
| CE 371 | Hydraulic Engineering | 4 |
| CE 460 | Introduction to Environmental Engineering | 4 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Winter | ||
| CE 336 | Soil Mechanics | 4 |
| CE 432 | Structural Design in Concrete I | 3 |
| CE 441 | Construction Engineering | 4 |
| CE 471 | Water Resources Engineering | 4 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CE 431 | Structural Design In Steel I | 3 |
| ENGL H290 | Technical & Professional Communication | 4 |
| Science Elective 1 | 4 | |
| Engineering Elective 2 | 4 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| HSSA Elective | 4 | |
| CE 303 | Engineering Economy | 4 |
| CE 486 | Civil Engineering Design & Synthesis I | 2 |
| CE 450 | Civil Engineering Codes & Regulations | 4 |
| C.E. Elective 3 | 4 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Winter | ||
| CE 487 | Technical System Design & Synthesis | 2 |
| CE 488 | Civil Engineering Design & Synthesis II | 2 |
| C.E. Elective 3 | 4 | |
| Elective (Technical) 4 | 4 | |
| HSSA Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CE 489 | Civil Engineering Design & Synthesis III | 2 |
| Free Elective 5 | 4 | |
| HSSA Elective | 4 | |
| HSSA Elective | 4 | |
| CE 400 | Career Preparation Seminar | 0 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 194 | |
- 1
At least 4 hours of science elective must be in a natural science outside Chemistry or Physics.
- 2
Student shall choose 4 credits of 200 level or higher courses from the following prefixes: BE, CHE, CSSE, ECE, EM, ENGD, ES, ME, NE, OE. Some MDS courses would qualify with permission of Civil & Environmental Engineering Department Head.
- 3
Student shall choose any 400 or 500 level CE elective course, designated with the"CE" prefix, as a CE Elective, in consultation with their advisor.
- 4
Students shall choose, in consultation with their advisor, any four (4) credit course at the 200 level or higher in natural science, computer science, mathematics, biomathematics, engineering, engineering management, or multi-disciplinary studies as the Technical Elective.
- 5
Free elective is a total of four credits which can be from a combination of courses.
Civil Engineering Department’s Program Educational Objectives
Program Educational Objectives
- Graduates will practice technical excellence and value continued growth.
- Graduates will demonstrate an ethical commitment to serving humanity as professionals and global citizens.
- Graduates will positively impact the teams, organizations, and communities around them.
The civil engineering program uses the term "educational objective" to describe the expected accomplishments of our students in three to five years following graduation.
Civil Engineering Department’s Student Learning Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes
1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. An ability to 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. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. An ability to 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. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
8. Engage with diverse beliefs, cultures, languages, or societies.
9. Partner with a community to create positive change.
The term "student learning outcome" is used to describe knowledge and skills at the time of graduation.
The civil engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.