Richard A. Rula School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Department Head: Professor Isaac Howard
Office: 1040 Rula Hall
Civil and Environmental Engineers plans, designs, and supervises construction of almost every facility essential to modern life. Roads, bridges, buildings, water supply and waste disposal systems, transit systems, airfields, dams and irrigation projects are examples of the creative efforts of Civil and Environmental Engineers. The field of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers limitless employment opportunities that range from high-tech computer-aided design to hands-on field engineering. Civil and Environmental Engineers find rewarding careers in government, military, industry or private practice to meet the challenges of pollution control, energy, transportation, housing and other problems that face modern society.
The mission of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is to proactively utilize teaching, research, and service to educate baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral students so they can become competent, dynamic, and ethical engineers of the future. To complement the classroom experience, students are encouraged to reinforce instruction by participating in cooperative education programs, assisting faculty with research, or becoming involved in professional societies. Students are expected to develop an appreciation for life-long learning and pursue professional engineering licensure. The ultimate goal is to prepare students to be future leaders who will positively impact their profession and society.
Furthermore, students should become prepared to combine research and classroom experiences to solve complex interdisciplinary problems. The overall goal of the program is to challenge students to study and innovatively solve the global sustainability challenges that they encounter. Finally, faculty, students, and staff will be engaged in professional organizations, campus committees, consultancy, student organizations, and continuing education. Through these service activities, the department will be a reliable professional resource for the University, alumni, and society.
The educational objectives of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering are to enable graduates to achieve career and professional accomplishments that include:
- Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the principles and fundamentals of civil engineering and their applications through their successful practice as professional civil engineers, their pursuit of graduate or professional degrees, or their engagement in other professional careers that involve the application of the engineering method.
- Achieve success in the multidisciplinary environment of the 21st century and demonstrate their ability to adapt to emerging and evolving technologies, social conditions, professional standards, and career opportunities by attaining leadership, managerial, administrative, supervisory, or other positions of responsibility.
- Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the ethical, societal and professional responsibilities of a civil engineer through professional registration and active membership in professional organizations.
- Demonstrate an appreciation for lifelong learning and for the value of continuing professional development in maintaining their professional competence through participation in graduate and continuing education activities.
The department offers a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. For those interested in Environmental Engineering, the department offers an Environmental Engineering concentration within the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. The B. S. program in Civil Engineering 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.
BS in Civil Engineering
General Education Requirements
| English Composition | ||
| EN 1103 | English Composition I | 3 |
| or EN 1104 | Expanded English Composition I | |
| EN 1113 | English Composition II | 3 |
| or EN 1173 | Accelerated Composition II | |
| Creative Discovery | ||
| Select from General Education courses | 3 | |
| Humanities | ||
| Select from General Education courses | 6 | |
| Social/Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Select from General Education courses | 6 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| MA 1713 | Calculus I | 3 |
| MA 1723 | Calculus II | 3 |
| Natural Sciences | ||
| CH 1213 & CH 1211 | Chemistry I and Investigations in Chemistry I | 4 |
| CH 1223 & CH 1221 | Chemistry II and Investigations in Chemistry II | 4 |
| PH 2213 | Physics I | 3 |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| MA 2733 | Calculus III | 3 |
| MA 2743 | Calculus IV | 3 |
| MA 3253 | Differential Equations I | 3 |
| Major Core | ||
| EG 1143 | Graphic Communication | 3 |
| IE 3913 | Engineering Economy I | 3 |
| ST 3123 | Introduction to Statistical Inference | 3 |
| ME 3513 | Thermodynamics I | 3 |
| EM 2413 | Engineering Mechanics I | 3 |
| EM 2433 | Engineering Mechanics II | 3 |
| EM 3213 | Mechanics of Materials | 3 |
| EM 3313 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| CE 1001 | Introduction to Civil Engineering | 1 |
| CE 2213 | Surveying | 3 |
| CE 2803 | Environmental Engineering Issues | 3 |
| CE 3113 | Transportation Engineering | 3 |
| CE 3311 | Construction Materials Lab | 1 |
| CE 3313 | Construction Materials | 3 |
| CE 3411 | Soil Mechanics Laboratory | 1 |
| CE 3413 | Soil Mechanics | 3 |
| CE 3501 | Water Resource Engineering Lab | 1 |
| CE 3503 | Water Resources Engineering | 3 |
| CE 3603 | Structural Mechanics | 3 |
| CE 3801 | Environmental Engineering and Water Resources Engineering Lab | 1 |
| CE 3823 | Environmental Engineering | 3 |
| CE 4903 | Civil Engineering Comprehensive | 3 |
| Oral Communication Requirement | ||
| Fulfilled in GE 3513 and various CE courses | ||
| Writing Requirement | ||
| GE 3513 | Professional Communication for Engineers | 3 |
| Computer Literacy | ||
| Fulfilled in various Engineering Topics courses | ||
| Civil Engineering Electives | 12 | |
| Choose one course from each of the following two lists: | ||
| List A | ||
| Engineering Hydrology | ||
| Open Channel Hydraulics | ||
| Water and Wastewater Engineering | ||
| Stormwater Management | ||
| List B | ||
| Steel Structures I | ||
| Concrete Structures I | ||
| Choose one course from two of the following four lists: | ||
| List C | ||
| Geometric Design of Highways | ||
| Traffic Engineering | ||
| List D | ||
| Pavement Design | ||
| List E | ||
| Foundations | ||
| List F | ||
| Construction Engineering and Management | ||
| Basic Science Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Additional Civil Engineering Electives | 6 | |
| Any CE course, except CE 4233 or CE 4243, not applied to another curriculum requirement. | ||
| Technical Elective | ||
| GR 4303 | Principles of GIS | 0,3 |
| Total Hours | 130 | |
Environmental Engineering Concentration Electives (in place of Civil Engineering Electives above) | ||
| Environmental Engineering Concentration Electives | Choose one course from each of the following three lists: | 12 |
List A: | ||
| Engineering Hydrology | ||
| Open Channel Hydraulics | ||
List B: | ||
| Stormwater Management | ||
| Water and Wastewater Engineering | ||
List C: | ||
| Steel Structures I | ||
| Concrete Structures I | ||
| Choose one course from the following list: | ||
List D: | ||
| Geometric Design of Highways | ||
| Traffic Engineering | ||
| Pavement Design | ||
| Foundations | ||
| Construction Engineering and Management | ||
| Environmental Engineering Concentration Basic Science Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Restricted Environmental Engineering Concentration Electives 3 | 6 | |
| Environmental Engineering Concentration Technical Electives 4 | 3 | |
| Total hours | 130 | |
- 1
Civil Engineering Basic Science Electives: GG 4153, GG 4433, GG 4503
- 2
Environmental Engineering Concentration Basic Science Electives: BIO 1123, BIO 1134, BIO 1144, BIO 3304, GG 4523, GG 4613, GG 4623
- 3
Restricted Environmental Engineering Concentration Electives: CE 4000, CE 4513, CE 4523, CE 4533, CE 4563, CE 4583, CE 4843, CE 4863, CE 4883, CE 4893, CE 4990
- 4
Environmental Engineering Concentration Technical Electives: ABE 4313, ABE 4803, ABE 4843, BIO 3304, BIO 4324, BL 4263, CHE 4613, GG 4613, GR 4303
Minor in Civil Engineering
Civil engineers design, build, and maintain the infrastructure, the very foundation of any civilization. All undergraduate students at Mississippi State University, with the exception of those already majoring in civil engineering, are eligible to pursue a minor in civil engineering. Civil engineering is an incredibly broad field, and students have a choice of five specialty tracks to match interests and career objectives: Construction Engineering and Management, Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, Geotechnical and Materials Engineering, Structural Engineering, and Transportation Engineering. The civil engineering minor requires at least 15 credit hours of undergraduate coursework, typically at the junior and senior levels. Students develop a program of study in consultation with CEE faculty members.
Students interested in pursuing a civil engineering minor should consult with a CEE advisor for specific information regarding specialty tracks, prerequisites, and other requirements.
Courses
CE 1001 Introduction to Civil Engineering: 1 hour.
Three hours laboratory. Introduction to the Civil Engineering profession. Ethics. Engineering problem-solving, basic computing skills and tools used in Civil Engineering. Engineering communications
CE 1011 First Year Seminar: 1 hour.
One hour lecture. First-year seminars explore a diverse arrary of topics that provide students with an opportunity to learn about a specific discipline from skilled faculty members
CE 2213 Surveying: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:Credit in MA 1323 with a grade of C or better, or Credit,or concurrent registration in MA 1613,or Credit or concurrent registration in MA 1713). Two hours lecture, Four hour field and problem work. Fundamentals of field measurements. Theory, selection, and use of surveying instruments, theories used in adjustment of surveys
CE 2803 Environmental Engineering Issues: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in CH 1223 and credit or concurrent enrollment in MA 1723). Three hours lecture. Principles of environmental quality and sustainability. Environmental measurements. Biological and chemical concepts. Environmental management practices. Legal, ethical, and social aspects. Contemporary challenges and opportunities
CE 2990 Special Topics in Civil & Environmental Engineering: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
CE 3113 Transportation Engineering: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 2213 and ST 3123; Co-requisite EM 2413). Three hours lecture. An introduction to the general modes of transportation, the planning processes associated with the modes of transportation and design of transportation facilities
CE 3311 Construction Materials Lab: 1 hour.
(Co-requiste:Credit or concurrent enrollment in CE 3313.) Three hours laboratory. A laboratory introduction to testing construction materials that includes analysis of data collected and presentation of the findings in written documents
CE 3313 Construction Materials: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:Grade of C or better in CE 3413; credit or enrollment in ST 3123). Two hours lecture. Physical and mechanical properties of basic civil engineering construction materials.Significance of and reasons for testing control and specification of materials
CE 3411 Soil Mechanics Laboratory: 1 hour.
(Prerequisite:Credit or concurrent enrollment in CE 3413). Three hours laboratory. Laboratory tests to determine soil properties and behavior
CE 3413 Soil Mechanics: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:Credit or current enrollment in EM 3213). Three hours lecture . Introduction to soil properties and behavior. Emphasis is placed on relating soil properties to compressibility and shear strength of soils
CE 3501 Water Resource Engineering Lab: 1 hour.
(Co-requisite: Credit or concurrent enrollment in CE 3503). A laboratory introduction to the analysis and design of systems for hydraulic and hydrologic management
CE 3503 Water Resources Engineering: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in CE 2803 and EM 3313). Three hours lecture. Fundamentals of hydrology and hydraulics. Open channel flow. Pipe flow and pumps and reservoirs. Groundwater flow. Stormwater management
CE 3603 Structural Mechanics: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in EM 3213 and MA 3253). Three hours lecture. How structures respond to loads. Support reactions. Axial forces in truss members. Internal loadings in beams and frames. Influence lines. Deflections
CE 3801 Environmental Engineering and Water Resources Engineering Lab: 1 hour.
(Co-requisite: Credit or concurrent enrollment in CE 3823). Three hours laboratory. A laboratory introduction to processes and operations used in systems for water supply and wastewater reclamation
CE 3823 Environmental Engineering: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 2803). Three hours lecture. Environmental process design. Analysis and design of systems for water treatment, wastewater treatment, air pollution control, and hazardous waste engineering
CE 4000 Directed Individual Study in Civil & Environmental Engineering: 1-6 hours.
Hours and Credits to be arranged
CE 4103 Pavement Design: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3313; or consent of major advisor). Three hours lecture. Analysis design of both flexible and rigid pavement structures
CE 4133 Geometric Design of Highways: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3113; or consent of major advisor). Three hours lecture. Highway finance, organization and planning, economic analysis, elements of highway and street design, computer applications to highway engineering
CE 4143 Traffic Engineering: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3113, grade of C or better in ST 3123; or consent of major advisor). Three hours lecture. Human and vehicular characteristics as they affect highway traffic flow; traffic regulation, accident cause/prevention; improving flow on existing facilities; planning traffic systems
CE 4153 Freight Transportation System Analysis: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: CE 3113 and consent of instructor; or consent of major advisor). Three hours lecture. Definition, taxonomy and emerging issues for multi-modal transportation systems with focus on freight transportation and mathematical models for complex logistics and supply chain systems
CE 4163 Urban Transportation Planning: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: CE 3113 and consent of instructor; or consent of major advisor). Three hours lecture. This course will provide an understanding of the nature of travel demand and methods and computer software used to plan for future transportation systems
CE 4173 Travel Behavior Modeling and Forecasting: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: CE 3113 or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. This course gives an overview of travel behavior and demand analysis and forecasting, with primary attention to the statistical and behavioral choice model research techniques used to study and forecast travel demand
CE 4183 Waterborne Transportation Engineering: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3113; or consent of major advisor). Three hours lecture. Navigation vessels and their characteristics. Planning and design of Marine Transportation System facilities including navigation ports, channels and locks
CE 4233 Control Surveys: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:Grade of C or better in CE 2213 ). Two hours lecture. Four hours laboratory. Methods and procedures for performing control surveys
CE 4243 Land Surveys: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in CE 2213 or consent of major advisor). Three hours lecture. Methods of surveying and describing property with emphasis on Mississippi's public land surveys
CE 4433 Foundations: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3413; or consent of major advisor). Three hours lecture. Introduction to exploration and engineering evaluation of subsoil and groundwater conditions for selection and design of foundations for structures and earth masses
CE 4483 Geosynthetics: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3413 or equivalent). Three hour lecture. Understand the behavior of the different types of geosynthetic materials, proper design-by-function and selection of the right material for its intended applications
CE 4513 Engineering Hydrology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: grade of C or better in CE 3503; or consent of major advisor). Three hours lecture. Hydrologic processes; rainfall-runoff analysis; groundwater flow; frequency analysis; hydrologic design
CE 4523 Open Channel Hydraulics: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3503; or consent of major advisor). Three hours lecture. Continuity, energy and momentum principles in open channel flow, flow resistance, uniform and non-uniform flow, channel controls and transitions, unsteady flow routing
CE 4533 Computational Methods in Water Resources Engineering: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3503; or consent of major advisor). Three hours lecture. Review of relevant numerical analysis; numerical methods for kinematic wave, St. Venant, Boussinesq and dept-averaged equations; simulation of one and two dimension free-surface flows
CE 4543 Advanced Reinforced Concrete: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 4973; or consent of major advisor). Three hours lecture. Two-way slab systems, shear walls, retaining walls, bi-axial bending of columns, torsion, brackets and corbels. Introduction to prestressed concrete
CE 4563 Sedimentation Engineering: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3503; or consent of major advisor). Three hours lecture. Processes by which cohesive and non-cohesive sediments are transported in overland flow and in rivers, reservoirs, estuaries and coastlines. Deposition and erosion rates. Design criteria
CE 4583 Stream Restoration: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3503; or consent of major advisor). Three hours lecture. Stream character and functionality. How water and sediments are related to channel evolution and stream functionality. Stream restoration strategies. Steps to develop a Natural Stream Restoration Design
CE 4633 Concrete Structures: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3603). Three hours lecture. Theory and problems in the analysis and design of concrete structures
CE 4703 Construction Engineering and Management: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in IE 3913, Senior standing or consent of instructor; or consent of major advisor). Three hours lecture. Construction contracts and law, cost estimating, and project scheduling
CE 4733 Construction Engineering Equipment and Methods: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in IE 3913, Senior standing or consent of instructor; or consent of major advisor). Three hours lecture. Aspects of planning, operation and management of civil engineering support equipment, site logistics, equipment cost engineering, power systems and environmental considerations of equipment use
CE 4743 Analysis and Mitigation of Conflicts, Claims and Disputes: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Senior standing or consent of instructor; or consent of major advisor). Three hour lecture. Overview of the different techniques used to analyze and mitigate conflicts, claims, and disputes (C2D) in civil engineering projects
CE 4753 Construction Cost Estimating: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Senior Standing). Three hour lecture. Overview of cost estimates, total cost of a project, direct and indirect costs, labor and equipment cost analysis, materials management, overhead; contingency; and profit, bonds and insurance in construction engineering projects
CE 4763 Construction Risk Management: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Senior Standing). Three hour lecture. Overview of Introduction to the concept of risk: Risk, uncertainty, probability, components of a risk event (source, impact etc.), risk reward structure, risk attitude in construction engineering projects
CE 4800 Undergraduate Research: 1-13 hours.
The purpose of this course is to provide a student with the opportunity to participate in research and/or creative project beyond the traditional undergraduate experience, while allowing the university to track undergraduate participation in these activities. Hours, credits and deliverables to be arranged
CE 4843 Environmental Engineering Chemistry: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3823 or consent of instructor; or consent of major advisor). Three hours lecture. Introduction to advanced theoretical concepts in sanitary engineering analysis with special emphasis on inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry
CE 4863 Water and Wastewater Engineering: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: CE 3823 with grade of C or better; or consent of major advisor). Three hour lecture. Evaluation of municipal water and wastewater characteristics and flows; application of various unit processes/unit operations for the treatment of municipal water and wastewater
CE 4883 Stormwater Management: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in CE 3503 and CE 3823). Three hours lecture. Stormwater quantity and quality. Stormwater management options and treatment processes. Regulations and policies. Environmental impacts and sustainability
CE 4893 Hazardous Waste Management: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3823; or consent of major advisor). Three hours lecture. Examination of state-of-the-art technologies available for the handling treatment; storage; and disposal of hazardous waste materials
CE 4903 Civil Engineering Comprehensive: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:Graduation semester, or consent of department head).Engineering,ethical and professional practice considerations in the planning, design, and construction of civil engineering projects
CE 4913 Matrix of Analysis of Structures: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3603, or consent of instructor; or consent of major advisor). Matrix formulation and computer analysis of structures. Linear stiffness analysis of truss and frames structures
CE 4923 Structural Dynamics: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3603, grade of C or better in MA 3253, or consent of instructor; or consent of major advisor). Three hours lecture. Response of a single and multi-degree of freedom structures to dynamic loading: free vibration, harmonic excitation, pulses, and earthquakes
CE 4953 Concrete and Steel Structures: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3603). Three hours lecture. Load on structures. Analysis and design of concrete and steel structures using the ACI and AISC specifications
CE 4963 Steel Structures I: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3603). Three hours lecture. Loads on structures. Analysis, design, and study of steel structures using the AISC specifications. Focus on beams and columns
CE 4973 Concrete Structures I: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3603). Three hours lecture. Loads on structures. Analysis, design, and study of concrete structures using the ACI specifications. Focus on beams and columns
CE 4983 Engineering of Wood Structures: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 3603; or consent of major advisor). Three hours lecture. Loads on structures. Analysis and design of wood structures using the appropriate specifications. Focus on beams and columns
CE 4990 Special Topics in Civil & Environmental Engineering: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
CE 4993 Prestressed Concrete Structures: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CE 4973; or consent of major advisor). Three hours lecture. Loads on structures. Analysis and design of prestressed concrete structures using ACI specifications. Focus on beams