What is Civil and Environmental Engineering?

 

What Do Civil Engineers Do?

Civil Engineers design, construct, and maintain society's infrastructure - the highways, buildings, and water systems we use daily. A few areas in which civil engineers work include: construction management; groundwater contamination; transportation design and planning; design, construction, and monitoring of waste containment facilities; disaster prevention; river mechanics and stream restoration; earthquake engineering; flood prediction, forecasting, and control; community development; surveying and mapping; and wind engineering.

Civil Engineers employ scientific principles to serve society. Many Civil Engineers work internationally to improve the quality of life throughout the world. Civil Engineers apply modern tools such as global positioning systems (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS) to solve problems related to water resources, transportation, or structures. They use information technology to protect infrastructure from natural hazards or terrorist threats.

 

What Do Environmental Engineers Do?

Environmental Engineers are the technical professionals who identify and design solutions for environmental problems. Environmental Engineers provide safe drinking water, treat and properly dispose of wastes, maintain air quality, control water pollution, and remediate contaminated sites due to spills or improper disposal of hazardous substances. They monitor the quality of the air, water, and land, and they develop means to protect the environment.

Environmental Engineers work in many venues, including engineering consulting firms that design and construct air and water pollution-control systems; industries that need to treat air or wastewater discharges; private and municipal groups that supply drinking water; companies that treat and dispose of hazardous chemicals; governmental agencies; laboratories that develop pollution-control systems; agencies that transfer knowledge to the developing world; and public interest groups that advocate environmental protection.

 

How Can You Become an Engineering Student?

In high school, focus on academic courses emphasizing English, mathematics, sciences, social studies, and complete:

• Four units of English including reading, composition, grammar, literature, and speech.
• One unit each of algebra I, geometry, algebra II, and one-half unit of trigonometry/precalculus.
• One unit each of chemistry or physics and natural science (including laboratory work).
• Two units of social science and one additional unit of either natural or social science.
• Three units of academic electives (can include foreign language).

You will also need to develop good study habits and strong time management skills.

 

As a Civil/Environmental Engineering Student, You Will:

• Participate in freshman and senior design projects, allowing you to applu multiple tools to solve engineering problems.
• Understand the impact a civil or environmental engineer has on society.
• Have opportunities to get involved with active student organizations.
• Work with outstanding faculty members who conduct strong research programs, bringing new knowledge to your classes.

 

During Your First Year, You Will:

• Take mathematics and science courses to build a foundation for future civil and environmental courses.
• Learn how to apply important concepts to engineering problems in the introductory civil and environmental courses.
• Practice writing and speaking clearly in composition and arts and humanities courses.
• Explore Fort Collins and discover some of its great recreational and cultural opportunities.

 

FAQ

Frequently asked questions and their answers for students considering enrollment in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

 

Resources for Undergraduates