Civil Engineering

Bachelor of Science Degree

Civil Engineering (CE), one of the oldest engineering disciplines, is the branch of engineering that focuses on building infrastructure which benefits human kind. Civil engineering projects such as the Erie Canal, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Petronis Towers, Hong Kong Airport, and metropolitan water and wastewater systems illustrate the diversity within the field of civil engineering. Since civil engineering projects are frequently in the public arena, civil engineers require strong communication skills, which complement their broad technical training. Civil Engineers, especially those in private practice, usually must be licensed professional engineers.

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) at SUNY Poly provides breadth across the discipline and a balance between theory and application. In addition, a large number of the courses provide students opportunities for hands-on learning. The program provides graduates the skills and knowledge necessary to enter the marketplace in a wide variety of fields, from structural design to environmental engineering to construction management.

The educational and career objectives of the program are to provide graduates that i) further develop expertise in fundamental theory, analysis, and civil engineering design through the role of effective project managers or technical team leaders, to serve the needs of society and the profession; ii) provide leadership in developing comprehensive solutions to complex engineering problems from concept to completion within health and safety constraints; iii) grow professionally and ethically throughout their careers through professional licensure, certifications, continuing professional education, and lifelong learning; and iv) effectively communicate complex engineering concepts and solutions to diverse audiences. SUNY Poly’s engineering facilities include a full suite of surveying equipment, including GPS, specialized software (AutoCad, Microstation, RAM, Highway Capacity Software, StormCad), plotters, and the computers required to run the software. Using a project based learning environment, engineering skills and aptitudes are challenged from theory to practice, enabling and preparing SUNY Poly CE graduates to thrive and capitalize on future research and development opportunities.

The CE program offers three areas of concentration: structural/geotechnical engineering, transportation engineering, and environmental/water resource engineering. The structural/ geotechnical engineering track focuses on designing structures using steel and concrete, foundation design, and prepares students for advanced work in structural and geotechnical design. The transportation engineering track focuses on transportation operations, facility operations, and the design of transportation networks. The environmental/water resource engineering track focuses on water and waste water system design, solid and hazardous waste, and storm water engineering.

The CE curriculum is designed to meet ABET Program Criteria to educate the students with:  an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics ; 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; an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences ; 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; 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; an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions; and an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Degree Requirements Overview
The requirements for the BSCE program at SUNY Poly are governed not only by the State Education requirements, but also those of EAC/ABET. In order to earn the BSCE degree, the student’s coursework must include:

  1. One year of a combination of college-level mathematics and basic sciences (some with experimental experience) appropriate to civil engineering;
  2. Nearly two years of engineering topics, consisting of engineering sciences, engineering design, and engineering topics appropriate to civil engineering;
  3. A general education component that complements the technical content of the civil engineering curriculum and is consistent with the program and institution objectives;
  4. A professional component that covers career issues and provides flexibility to choose electives that support the business side of engineering (e.g., finance and/or other business courses)

B.S. in Civil Engineering—128 total credits

Students shall satisfy the requirements listed below.

I. SUNY General Education Requirements (30 credits)

All SUNY students must satisfy the following requirements.

No fewer than 30 credits must be attained from the SUNY approved General Education Course List with the following provisions:

  • Mathematics (MAT 151 Calculus I recommended by program)*
  • Basic Communication (ENG 101 or equivalent)

At least five (5) out of the following eight (8) SUNY General Education categories:

  • Natural Science (PHY 201, required)
  • Social Science
  • American History
  • Western Civilization
  • Other World Civilization
  • Humanities
  • The Arts
  • Foreign Language

NOTE: The remainder of 2 credits will be met in the BIO XXX (GenEd) below in the Liberal Arts/Sciences Requirements.

II. Liberal Arts/Sciences Requirements (30 credits) 

The New York State Education Department (SED) requires a student earning a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree to attain no fewer than 60 credits of combined SUNY General Education and Liberal Arts/Sciences courses. There may be overlap between courses meeting both the SUNY General Education Requirements and Liberal Arts/Sciences Requirements, but a student may receive course credits only once even if multiple requirements are satisfied by a single course. The total number of combined credit hours must be no fewer than 60 credits.

SUNY Poly degree requirements:

  • Natural Sciences: one course which may be a General Education Natural Science course (PHY 201).
  • Upper-Division Writing Course (e.g. COM 306)

Specific requirements for Civil Engineering majors:

  • MAT 151 Calculus I*
  • MAT 152 Calculus II
  • MAT 260 Ordinary Differential Equations and Series Solutions
  • Mathematics elective
  • CHE 130 Introductory Chemistry I
  • PHY 201 Physics I calc-based
  • CHE 131 Introductory Chemistry II OR PHY 202 Physics II Calc-based
  • BIO XXX (GenEd courses in biology)
  • Mathematics/science elective

Liberals Arts/Sciences Electives (remainder of credits)

III. Engineering Program Coursework (53-54 credits)

  • ESC 110 Introduction to Engineering
  • ESC 120 Design Tools and Processes
  • ESC 210 Engineering Mechanics: Statics
  • ESC 230 Mechanics of Materials
  • CE 210 Elementary Surveying
  • CE 220 Professionalism
  • CE 230 Civil Engineering Materials
  • CE 301 Structural Engineering
  • CE 302 Transportation Engineering
  • CE 303 Environmental Engineering
  • CE 304 Geotechnical Engineering
  • CE 330 Fluid Mechanics
  • CE 335 Water Resources Engineering
  • CE 480 Capstone Design I
  • CE 481 Capstone Design II

Choose TWO of these courses:

  • ESC 240 Dynamics
  • ECE 260 Electrical Circuits
  • ME 330 Thermodynamics I

IV. Civil Engineering Electives (9 credits, TWO courses from ONE area (A, B, or C) listed below and a third CE 4xx course)

A. Structural/Geotechnical Engineering

  • CE 410 Structural Steel Design
  • CE 411 Reinforced Concrete Design
  • CE 412 Finite Element Analysis
  • CE 442 Foundations Engineering and Design
  • CE 444 Slope Stability and Retaining Wall Design

B. Transportation Engineering

  • CE 420 Traffic Engineering
  • CE 421 Highway Design
  • CE 422 Transportation Terminal Design
  • CE 423 Transport Network Analysis

C. Environmental/Water Resource Engineering

  • CE 430 Hydrology & Storm Water Management
  • CE 431 Hazardous & Solid Waste Treatment
  • CE 432 Water & Waste Water Unit Design
  • CE 433 Groundwater Hydrology

D. Additional CE Upper Division Electives

  • CE 440 Construction Management
  • CE 441 Sustainable Development
  • ME 440 Sustainable Energy
  • CE 448 Green Building Strategies: LEED lab
  • CE 4XX (any 400 level courses in A, B, and C)

V. Open Electives (remainder of 6 credits)