Civil Engineering
B.S. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering · UC Irvine · 2026-2027 Catalog
Program Educational Objectives: Graduates of the Civil Engineering program will (1) establish a Civil Engineering career in industry, government, or academia and achieve professional licensure as appropriate; (2) demonstrate excellence and innovation in engineering problem solving and design in a global and societal context; (3) commit to lifelong learning and professional development to stay current in technology and contemporary issues; and (4) take on increasing levels of responsibility and leadership in technical and/or managerial roles. (Program educational objectives are those aspects of engineering that help shape the curriculum; achievement of these objectives is a shared responsibility between the student and UCI.)
The curriculum provides the opportunity to obtain a firm foundation in engineering science and to develop the techniques of analysis and design, which are basic for the successful practitioner. Emphasis is placed on developing problem-solving skills. Students apply principles of sustainability, leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the formulation and solution of environmental problems.
Admission
High School Students: See School Admissions information.
Transfer Students: Preference will be given to junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall, and who have satisfactorily completed the following required courses: two years of approved calculus, one year of calculus-based physics with laboratories (mechanics, electricity and magnetism), completion of lower-division writing, one year of general chemistry (with laboratory), and one course in introductory programming. For course equivalency specific to each college, see https://assist.org.
Students are encouraged to complete as many of the lower-division degree requirements as possible prior to transfer. Students who enroll at UCI in need of completing lower-division coursework may find that it will take longer than two years to complete their degrees. For further information, contact The Henry Samueli School of Engineering at 949-824-4334.
Requirements
All students must meet the University Requirements.
All students must meet the School Requirements.
Major Requirements
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics and Basic Science Courses: | ||
| CHEM 1A | General Chemistry | |
| or | ||
| ENGR 1A | General Chemistry for Engineers | |
| CHEM 1B | General Chemistry | |
| ENGRCEE 11 | Methods II: Probability and Statistics | |
| MATH 2A & MATH 2B | Single-Variable Calculus Iand Single-Variable Calculus II | |
| MATH 2D | Multivariable Calculus I | |
| MATH 3A | Introduction to Linear Algebra | |
| MATH 3D | Elementary Differential Equations | |
| MATH 2E | Multivariable Calculus II | |
| PHYSICS 7C | Classical Physics | |
| PHYSICS 7LC | Classical Physics Laboratory | |
| PHYSICS 7D | Classical Physics | |
| PHYSICS 7LD | Classical Physics Laboratory | |
| One basic science elective selected from any Biological Science or Earth Systems Science course with approved GE II designation. | ||
| Lower-Division Technical Elective: | ||
| Select one course from two of the sections: | ||
| Section A: | ||
| ENGR 7A & ENGR 7B | Introduction to Engineering Iand Introduction to Engineering II * | |
| Section B: | ||
| CHEM 1LC | General Chemistry Laboratory | |
| CHEM 1C & CHEM 1LC | General Chemistry and General Chemistry Laboratory | |
| Section C: | ||
| EECS 70A | Network Analysis I | |
| ENGR 54 | Principles of Materials Science and Engineering | |
| ENGRMAE 80 | Dynamics | |
| ENGRMAE 91 | Introduction to Thermodynamics | |
| Engineering Topics Courses: | ||
| ENGRCEE 20 | Introduction to Computational Problem Solving | |
| ENGRCEE 21 | Computational Problem Solving | |
| ENGRCEE 30 | Statics | |
| ENGRCEE 81A | Civil Engineering Practicum I | |
| ENGRCEE 81B | Civil Engineering Practicum II | |
| ENGRCEE 110 | Methods III: Modeling, Economics, and Management | |
| ENGRCEE 111 | Methods IV: Systems Analysis and Decision-Making | |
| ENGRCEE 121 | Transportation Systems I: Analysis and Design | |
| ENGRCEE 130 | Soil Mechanics | |
| ENGRCEE 130L | Soil Mechanics Laboratory | |
| ENGRCEE 150 | Mechanics of Materials | |
| ENGRCEE 150L | Mechanics of Materials Laboratory | |
| ENGRCEE 151A | Structural Analysis | |
| ENGRCEE 151C | Reinforced Concrete Design | |
| ENGRCEE 160 | Environmental Processes | |
| ENGRCEE 170 | Introduction to Fluid Mechanics | |
| ENGRCEE 171 | Water Resources Engineering | |
| ENGRCEE 181A & ENGRCEE 181B & ENGRCEE 181C | Senior Design Practicum Iand Senior Design Practicum IIand Senior Design Practicum III | |
| Engineering Professional Topics Courses: | ||
| ENGRCEE 40 | Fundamentals of Economic Analysis for Scientists and Engineers | |
| or | ||
| ECON 20A & ECON 20B | Basic Economics Iand Basic Economics II | |
| ENGR 190W | Communications in the Professional World | |
| ENGRCEE 60 | Contemporary and Emerging Environmental Challenges | |
| orUPPP 8 | Introduction to Environmental Analysis and Design | |
| Specialization Electives: | ||
| Students must select one of the areas of specialization and complete the associated requirements, as shown below. Students select, with the approval of a faculty advisor, any additional engineering topics courses needed to satisfy school and departmental requirements. | ||
| Specialization in General Civil Engineering: | ||
| Requires four courses, at least one course each from three of the following four options: | ||
| (1) Select one: | ||
| ENGRCEE 123 | Transportation Systems III: Planning and Forecasting | |
| (2) Select one: | ||
| ENGRCEE 149 | Introduction to Earthquake Engineering | |
| ENGRCEE 151B | Structural Timber Design | |
| ENGRCEE 152 | Computer Methods in Structural Analysis and Design | |
| ENGRCEE 155 | Structural Steel Design | |
| ENGRCEE 156 | Foundation Design | |
| (3) Select one: | ||
| ENGRCEE 163 | Wastewater Treatment Process Design | |
| ENGRCEE 164 | Carbon and Energy Footprint Analysis | |
| ENGRCEE 165 | Unit Operations II in Environmental Engineering | |
| ENGRCEE 167 | Fundamentals of Sustainable Engineering | |
| ENGRCEE 168 | Microorganisms and Climate Change | |
| ENGRCEE 169 | Environmental Microbiology for Engineers | |
| (4) Select one: | ||
| ENGRCEE 172 | Groundwater Hydrology | |
| ENGRCEE 173 | Watershed Modeling | |
| ENGRCEE 176 | Hydrology | |
| ENGRCEE 178 | Fluid Mechanics of Open Channels | |
| Specialization in Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources: | ||
| Select four of the following: | ||
| ENGRCEE 125 | Transportation and the Environment | |
| ENGRCEE 163 | Wastewater Treatment Process Design | |
| ENGRCEE 164 | Carbon and Energy Footprint Analysis | |
| ENGRCEE 165 | Unit Operations II in Environmental Engineering | |
| ENGRCEE 166 | Microbial Processes for Bioremediation | |
| ENGRCEE 167 | Fundamentals of Sustainable Engineering | |
| ENGRCEE 168 | Microorganisms and Climate Change | |
| ENGRCEE 169 | Environmental Microbiology for Engineers | |
| ENGRCEE 172 | Groundwater Hydrology | |
| ENGRCEE 173 | Watershed Modeling | |
| ENGRCEE 176 | Hydrology | |
| ENGRCEE 178 | Fluid Mechanics of Open Channels | |
| Specialization in Structural Engineering: | ||
| ENGRCEE 155 | Structural Steel Design | |
| Select three of the following: | ||
| ENGRCEE 149 | Introduction to Earthquake Engineering | |
| ENGRCEE 151B | Structural Timber Design | |
| ENGRCEE 152 | Computer Methods in Structural Analysis and Design | |
| ENGRCEE 156 | Foundation Design | |
| ENGRMAE 155 | Composite Materials and Structures | |
| ENGRMAE 157 | Lightweight Structures | |
| Specialization in Transportation Systems Engineering must complete four courses as follows: | ||
| ENGRCEE 123 | Transportation Systems III: Planning and Forecasting | |
| ENGRCEE 122 | Transportation Systems II: Operations and Control | |
| orENGRCEE 124 | Transportation Systems IV: Freeway Operations and Control | |
| ENGRCEE 125 | Transportation and the Environment | |
| orENGRCEE 127 | Innovation in Transportation | |
| And select one of the following: | ||
| ENGRCEE 15 | Introduction to Energy Systems | |
| ENGRCEE 50 | Infrastructure Equity | |
| ENGRCEE 122 | Transportation Systems II: Operations and Control | |
| ENGRCEE 124 | Transportation Systems IV: Freeway Operations and Control | |
| ENGRCEE 125 | Transportation and the Environment | |
| ENGRCEE 127 | Innovation in Transportation | |
| ENGRCEE 167 | Fundamentals of Sustainable Engineering | |
| EECS 70A | Network Analysis I | |
| ENGRMAE 170 | Introduction to Control Systems | |
*. ENGR 7A-ENGR 7B is available only to lower-division students in Fall and Winter quarters. Both ENGR 7A-ENGR 7B must be taken to be counted as one Lower-Division Technical Elective.
(The nominal Civil Engineering program will require 185 units of courses depending on specialization to satisfy all university and major requirements. Because each student comes to UCI with a different level of preparation, the actual number of units will vary.)
At most an aggregate total of 6 units of 199 or H199 courses may be used to satisfy degree requirements.
Sample Programs
The sample program of study chart shown is typical for the accredited major in Civil Engineering. Students should keep in mind that this program is based upon a rigid set of prerequisites, beginning with adequate preparation in high school mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Therefore, the course sequence should not be changed except for the most compelling reasons. Students must have their programs approved by their faculty advisor. Civil Engineering majors are encouraged to consult with academic counselors as needed, and students who are academically at risk are mandated to see a counselor as frequently as deemed necessary by the advising staff.
Sample Program of Study — Civil Engineering
Freshman
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 2A | MATH 2B | MATH 2D |
| CHEM 1A or ENGR 1A | PHYSICS 7C | PHYSICS 7D |
| Lower-Division Technical Elective | PHYSICS 7LC | PHYSICS 7LD |
| General Education | CHEM 1B | ENGRCEE 81A |
| General Education | Basic Science Elective |
Sophomore
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 3A | MATH 3D | MATH 2E |
| ENGRCEE 20 | ENGRCEE 11 | ENGRCEE 21 |
| ENGRCEE 30 | ENGRCEE 81B | Lower-Division Technical Elective |
| General Education | General Education | General Education |
Junior
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| ENGRCEE 121 | ENGRCEE 130 | ENGRCEE 110 |
| ENGRCEE 150 | ENGRCEE 130L | ENGRCEE 151C |
| ENGRCEE 150L | ENGRCEE 151A | ENGRCEE 160 |
| ENGRCEE 170 | ENGRCEE 171 | General Education |
| ENGR 190W |
*. Note: ENGR 7A-ENGR 7B is available only to lower-division students in Fall and Winter quarters. Both ENGR 7A-ENGR 7B must be taken to be counted as one Lower-Division Technical Elective.
The following sample plans of study are provided for the senior year only; the first three years are common to all specializations.
Senior-Year Sample Programs of Study — Civil Engineering
Senior: General Civil Engineering Specialization
Senior
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| ENGRCEE 181A | ENGRCEE 181B | ENGRCEE 181C |
| Spec. Elective | ENGRCEE 111 | Spec. Elective |
| General Education | Spec. Elective | Spec. Elective |
| General Education | General Education | General Education |
Senior: Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources Specialization
Senior
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| ENGRCEE 181A | ENGRCEE 181B | ENGRCEE 181C |
| Spec. Elective | ENGRCEE 111 | Spec. Elective |
| General Education | Spec. Elective | Spec. Elective |
| General Education | General Education | General Education |
Senior: Structural Engineering Specialization
Senior
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| ENGRCEE 181A | ENGRCEE 181B | ENGRCEE 181C |
| ENGRCEE 155 | ENGRCEE 111 | Spec. Elective |
| Spec. Elective | Spec. Elective | General Education |
| General Education | General Education | General Education |
Senior: Transportation Systems Engineering
Senior
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| ENGRCEE 181A | ENGRCEE 181B | ENGRCEE 181C |
| Spec. Elective | ENGRCEE 111 | ENGRCEE 123 |
| General Education | ENGRCEE 122 | Spec. Elective |
| General Education | General Education | General Education |