University of Southern California

Viterbi School of Engineering

Civil Engineering — Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (131–132 Unit Program)

The department offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Additionally, there are three possible areas of emphases within this civil engineering program major. These are building science, environmental engineering and structural engineering. An area of emphasis appears in parentheses after the primary major name on the transcript.

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

The requirement for the degree is 131–132 units. A cumulative grade point average of C (2.0) is required for all courses taken at USC as well as all upper division courses applied towards the major, regardless of the department in which the courses are taken. In addition, a minimum grade of C must be earned in each of the following courses: CE 205, CE 225, CE 309 and CE 235. See also common requirements for undergraduate degrees.

Composition/writing requirement Units
WRIT 140* Writing and Critical Reasoning 4
WRIT 340 Advanced Writing 3
General Education Units
General education* + 20
Pre-major requirements Units
Chemistry Requirement
CHEM 105aL General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aL Advanced General Chemistry 4
Math Requirement
MATH 125 Calculus I 4
MATH 126 Calculus II 4
MATH 226 Calculus III 4
MATH 245 Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I 4
Physics Requirement
PHYS 151L** Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics 4
PHYS 152L Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism 4
Other Requirements
GEOL 305Lx Introduction to Engineering Geology, or
BISC 220L General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology 4
Major requirements Units
Engineering
ENGR 102 Engineering Freshman Academy 2
Civil Engineering
CE 106 Design and Planning of Civil Engineering Systems, or 2
CE 110 Introduction to Environmental Engineering 3
CE 107 Introduction to Civil Engineering Graphics 3
CE 108 Introduction to Computer Methods in Civil Engineering 2
CE 205 Statics 2
CE 207L Introduction to Design of Structural Systems 2
CE 225 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies 3
CE 235 Dynamics 3
CE 309 Fluid Mechanics 3
CE 334L Mechanical Behavior of Materials 3
CE 358 Theory of Structures I 3
CE 402 Computer Methods in Engineering 3
CE 408 Risk Analysis in Civil Engineering 3
CE 451 Water Resources Engineering 3
CE 453 Water Quality Control 3
CE 456 Design of Steel Structures 3
CE 467L Geotechnical Engineering 4
CE 471 Principles of Transportation Engineering 3
Capstone Courses
CE 473 Engineering Law, Finance, and Ethics 3
CE 480 Structural System Design, or
CE 465 Water Supply and Sewage System Design 3
Courses from Other Engineering Departments
EE 202L Linear Circuits, or
EE 326L Essentials of Electrical Engineering 4
60-61
major electives Units
Elective Civil Engineering 6
Design Kernel*** Civil Engineering Design Kernel Course 6
Total units: 131-132

*GE Category VI is taken concurrently with WRIT 140.

**Satisfies GE Category III requirement.

***Design kernel courses must be selected from the following list of design courses: CE 457, CE 465, CE 466, CE 476, CE 478, CE 482, CE 484 and CE 485.

+The university allows engineering majors to replace the GE Category IV with a second course in Categories I, II or VI.

Tracks

In addition to the core courses, students are required to select one of the following tracks: General, Construction or Water Resources.

General Track

Choose one of the following: CE 480 as the capstone course and CE 482 as a required design kernel course; or CE 465 as the capstone course and CE 466 or CE 476 as a required design kernel course.

The civil engineering electives may be chosen freely.

Construction Track

Select CE 480 as the capstone course and CE 482 as a required design kernel course. Replace CE 453 with CE 412. CE 460 is a required elective. The other civil engineering elective must be chosen from the following list: CE 461, CE 462, CE 469 and CE 470.

Water Resources Track

Select CE 465 as the capstone course and select one of the following as a required design kernel course: CE 466 or CE 476. The civil engineering electives must be selected from the following list: CE 466, CE 476, CE 477 and CE 490.

All curricula leading to a degree must be approved by the Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; please note this includes transfer credit and units for courses waived for subject credit only, which have been approved through the Degree Progress department.

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Emphasis in Structural Engineering

The requirement for the degree with an emphasis in structural engineering is 131–132 units. A cumulative grade point average of C (2.0) is required for all courses taken at USC as well as all upper division courses applied towards the major, regardless of the department in which the courses are taken. In addition, a minimum grade of C must be earned in each of the following courses: CE 205, CE 225, CE 309 and CE 235. See also common requirements for undergraduate degrees.

COMPOSITION/WRITING REQUIREMENTS UNITS
WRIT 140* Writing and Critical Reasoning 4
WRIT 340 Advanced Writing 3
General Education UNITS
General education* + 20
PRE-MAJOR REQUIREMENTS UNITS
Chemistry Requirement
CHEM 105aL General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aL Advanced General Chemistry 4
Math Requirement
MATH 125 Calculus I 4
MATH 126 Calculus II 4
MATH 226 Calculus III 4
MATH 245 Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I 4
Physics Requirement
PHYS 151L** Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics 4
PHYS 152L Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism 4
Other Requirements
GEOL 305Lx Introduction to Engineering Geology 4
32
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS UNITS
Engineering
ENGR 102 Engineering Freshman Academy 2
Civil Engineering
CE 106 Design and Planning of Civil Engineering Systems, or 2
CE 110 Introduction to Environmental Engineering 3
CE 107 Introduction to Civil Engineering Graphics 3
CE 108 Introduction to Computer Methods in Civil Engineering 2
CE 205 Statics 2
CE 207L Introduction to Design of Structural Systems 2
CE 225 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies 3
CE 235 Dynamics 3
CE 309 Fluid Mechanics 3
CE 334L Mechanical Behavior of Materials 3
CE 358 Theory of Structures I 3
CE 402 Computer Methods in Engineering 3
CE 408 Risk Analysis in Civil Engineering 3
CE 451 Water Resources Engineering 3
CE 456 Design of Steel Structures 3
CE 457 Reinforced Concrete Design 3
CE 458 Theory of Structures II 3
CE 459 Introduction to Structural Dynamics 3
CE 460 Construction Engineering 3
CE 467L Geotechnical Engineering 4
CE 473 Engineering Law, Finance, and Ethics 3
Capstone Courses
CE 480 Structural System Design 3
CE 482 Foundation Design 3
Courses from Other Engineering Departments
EE 202L Linear Circuits, or
EE 326L Essentials of Electrical Engineering 4
69-70
MAJOR ELECTIVES UNITS
Elective*** Civil Engineering 3
Total units: 131-132

*GE Category VI is taken concurrently with WRIT 140.

**Satisfies GE Category III requirement.

***The civil engineering elective must be selected from the following courses: CE 409a, CE 478.

+The university allows engineering majors to replace the GE Category IV with a second course in Categories I, II or VI.

All curricula leading to a degree must be approved by the Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; please note this includes transfer credit and units for courses waived for subject credit only, which have been approved through the Degree Progress department.

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Emphasis in Building Science

The requirement for the degree with an emphasis in building science is 135–136 units. A cumulative grade point average of C (2.0) is required for all courses taken at USC as well as all upper division courses applied towards the major, regardless of the department in which the courses are taken. In addition, a minimum grade of C must be earned in each of the following courses: CE 205, CE 225, CE 309 and CE 235. See also the common requirements for undergraduate degrees section.

COMPOSITION/WRITING REQUIREMENT UNITS
WRIT 140* Writing and Critical Reasoning 4
WRIT 340 Advanced Writing 3
General Education UNITS
General education* + 20
PRE-MAJOR REQUIREMENTS UNITS
Chemistry Requirement
CHEM 105aL General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aL Advanced General Chemistry 4
Math Requirement
MATH 125 Calculus I 4
MATH 126 Calculus II 4
MATH 226 Calculus III 4
MATH 245 Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I 4
Physics Requirement
PHYS 151L** Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics 4
PHYS 152L Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism 4
Other Requirements
GEOL 305Lx Introduction to Engineering Geology 4
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS UNITS
Engineering
ENGR 102 Engineering Freshman Academy 2
Civil Engineering
CE 106 Design and Planning of Civil Engineering Systems, or 2
CE 110 Introduction to Environmental Engineering 3
CE 107 Introduction to Civil Engineering Graphics 3
CE 108 Introduction to Computer Methods in Civil Engineering 2
CE 205 Statics 2
CE 207L Introduction to Design of Structural Systems 2
CE 225 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies 3
CE 235 Dynamics 3
CE 309 Fluid Mechanics 3
CE 334L Mechanical Behavior of Materials 3
CE 358 Theory of Structures I 3
CE 408 Risk Analysis in Civil Engineering 3
CE 456 Design of Steel Structures 3
CE 457 Reinforced Concrete Design 3
CE 458 Theory of Structures II 3
CE 467L Geotechnical Engineering 4
Architecture courses
ARCH 114 Architecture: Culture and Community 2
ARCH 214b History of Architecture 3
ARCH 205abL*** Building Science I 4-4
ARCH 305abL*** Building Science II 4-4
ARCH 405abL*** Building Science III 4-4
MAJOR ELECTIVES units
Elective**** Civil Engineering 3
Total units: 135-136

*GE Category VI is taken concurrently with WRIT 140.

**Satisfies GE Category III requirement.

***The School of Architecture requires a minimum grade of C in ARCH 205ab, ARCH 305ab and ARCH 405ab in order to continue in the building science design sequence.

****The civil engineering elective must be selected from the following courses: CE 451, CE 453, CE 460 and CE 471.

+The university allows engineering majors to replace the GE Category IV with a second course in Categories I, II or VI.

All curricula leading to a degree must be approved by the Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; please note this includes transfer credit and units for courses waived for subject credit only, which have been approved through the Degree Progress department.

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Emphasis in Environmental Engineering

The requirement for the degree with an emphasis in environmental engineering is 129–130 units. A cumulative grade point average of C (2.0) is required for all courses taken at USC as well as all upper division courses applied toward the major, regardless of the department in which the courses are taken. In addition, a minimum grade of C must be earned in each of the following courses: CE 205, CE 225, CE 309 and CE 235. See also common requirements for undergraduate degrees.

composition/Writing requirement Units
WRIT 140* Writing and Critical Reasoning 4
WRIT 340 Advanced Writing 3
General Education Units
General education* + 20
pre-major requirements Units
Chemistry Requirement
CHEM 105aL General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aL Advanced General Chemistry 4
CHEM 105bL General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115bL Advanced General Chemistry 4
Math Requirement
MATH 125 Calculus I 4
MATH 126 Calculus II 4
MATH 226 Calculus III 4
MATH 245 Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I 4
Physics Requirement
PHYS 151L** Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics 4
PHYS 152L Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism 4
Other Requirement
BISC 220L General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology, or
GEOL 305Lx Introduction to Engineering Geology 4
major requirements Units
Engineering
ENGR 102 Engineering Freshman Academy 2
Civil and Environmental Engineering
CE 106 Design and Planning of Civil Engineering Systems, or 2
CE 110 Introduction to Environmental Engineering 3
CE 108 Introduction to Computer Methods in Civil Engineering 2
CE 205 Statics 2
CE 210L Introduction to Environmental Engineering Microbiology 3
CE 225 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies 3
CE 235 Dynamics 3
CE 309 Fluid Mechanics 3
CE 334L Mechanical Behavior of Materials 3
CE 358 Theory of Structure I 3
CE 408 Risk Analysis in Civil Engineering 3
CE 451 Water Resources Engineering 3
CE 453 Water Quality Control 3
CE 463L Water Chemistry and Analysis 3
CE 467L Geotechnical Engineering 4
CE 473 Engineering Law, Finance, and Ethics 3
CE 485 Wastewater Treatment Design 3
ENE 400 Environmental Engineering Principles 3
ENE 428 Air Pollution Fundamentals 3
ENE 429 Air Pollution Control 3
Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
AME 310 Engineering Thermodynamics I 3
60-61
major elective Units
Design kernel*** 6
Total units: 129-130

*GE Category VI is taken concurrently with WRIT 140.

**Satisfies GE Category III requirement.

***Kernels must be selected from the following list of design courses: CE 465, CE 466, CE 476, CE 482, CE 484, ENE 486.

+The university allows engineering majors to replace the GE Category IV with a second course in Categories I, II or VI.

All curricula leading to a degree must be approved by the Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; please note this includes transfer credit and units for courses waived for subject credit only, which have been approved through the Degree Progress department.

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering (131–134 Unit Program)

The program has two tracks: Track 1: Environmental Systems and Processes (131–132 units); Track II: Environmental Biotechnology (133–134 units). A cumulative grade point average of C (2.0) is required for all courses taken at USC as well as all upper division courses applied towards the major, regardless of the department in which the courses are taken. In addition, a minimum grade of C must be earned in each of the following courses: CE 205 and CE 309 or ENE 410. See also common requirements for undergraduate degrees.

COMPOSITION/WRITING REQUIREMENT UNITS
WRIT 140* Writing and Critical Reasoning 4
WRIT 340 Advanced Writing 3
General Education UNITS
General education* + 20

PRE-MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (Both Tracks) UNITS
Chemistry Requirement
CHEM 105aL General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aL Advanced General Chemistry 4
CHEM 105bL General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115bL Advanced General Chemistry 4
CHEM 322aL Organic Chemistry 4
Math Requirement
MATH 125 Calculus I 4
MATH 126 Calculus II 4
MATH 226 Calculus III 4
MATH 245 Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I 4
Physics Requirement
PHYS 151L** Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics 4
PHYS 152L Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism 4
36
PRE-MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (Track II only) UNITS
Chemistry Requirement
CHEM 322bL Organic Chemistry 4
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (Both Tracks) UNITS
Engineering
ENGR 102 Engineering Freshman Academy 2
Civil and Environmental Engineering
CE 106 Design and Planning of Civil Engineering Systems, or 2
CE 110 Introduction to Environmental Engineering 3
CE 108 Introduction to Computer Methods in Civil Engineering 2
CE 205 Statics 2
CE 210L Introduction to Environmental Engineering Microbiology 3
CE 309 Fluid Mechanics, or
ENE 410 Environmental Fluid Mechanics 3
CE 408 Risk Analysis in Civil Engineering 3
CE 451 Water Resources Engineering 3
CE 453 Water Quality Control 3
CE 463L Water Chemistry and Analysis 3
CE 465 Water Supply and Sewage System Design 3
CE 473 Engineering Law, Finance, and Ethics 3
CE 484 Water Treatment Design 3
CE 485 Waste Water Treatment Design 3
ENE 400 Introduction to Environmental Engineering Principles 3
ENE 428 Air Pollution Fundamentals 3
ENE 486 Design of Solid and Hazardous Waste Engineering Systems 3
Courses from Other Departments
CHE 330 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 4
GEOL 305Lx Introduction to Engineering Geology 4
55-56
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (Track I Only) UNITS
Civil and Environmental Engineering
ENE 429 Air Pollution Control 3
Courses from Other Departments
BISC 220L General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology 4
PTE 463L Introduction to Transport Processes in Porous Media 3
10
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (Track II Only) UNITS
Civil and Environmental Engineering
ENE 487 Environmental Biotechnology and Bioremediation 3
Courses from Other Departments
BISC 320L Molecular Biology 4
BISC 330L Biochemistry 4
11
MAJOR ELECTIVES (Track I Only) UNITS
Design kernel*** 3
Total (Track I): 131-132
Total (Track II): 133-134

*GE Category VI is taken concurrently with WRIT 140.

**Satisfies GE Category III requirement.

***Kernels must be selected from the following design courses: CE 443, CE 466, CE 476, or CHE 442.

+The university allows engineering majors to replace the GE Category IV with a second course in Categories I, II or VI.

Minor in Environmental Engineering

See Environmental Engineering.

Minor in Construction Planning and Management

This program covers the most current theories and practice of construction planning and management. The program provides a valuable adjunct credential to professional school students pursuing careers in business administration, public administration, architecture, environmental studies, and other areas; and a unique opportunity for professional focus to students in the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.

Construction activities are complex. In contemporary society, effective planning and management of these activities requires specialized knowledge of the technical, economic and policy environment. This program couples the knowledge of how construction activities are organized with a broader understanding of the urban system in which construction projects are embedded. With the exception of statistics, all of the required courses are within the Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the USC Price School of Public Policy.

Any USC undergraduate who has completed the equivalent of two full-time semesters in good standing is eligible to pursue the minor program. This minor program is rigorous enough to serve as an introductory credential for students subsequently electing to pursue advanced studies in development, urban planning, construction management, architecture or allied fields.

Courses Required

Seven courses consisting of at least 23 units are required for the minor.

Statistics

Students must complete an adviser approved course in statistics. Candidate courses include ECON 317, EE 364, ISE 220, MATH 208, PPD 303, PSYC 274L, SOCI 314 and similar courses. The statistics course must be at least three units.

Core Courses Units
CE 460 Construction Engineering 3
CE 461 General Construction Estimating 3
CE 462 Construction Methods and Equipment, or
CE 469 Sustainable Design and Construction, or
CE 470 Building Information Modeling and Integrated Practice 3
Theme Requirement: Two courses, both from Theme 1 or Theme 2 or Theme 3
Theme 1
PPD 358 Urban and Regional Economics 4
PPD 362 Real Estate Fundamentals for Planning and Development 4
Theme 2
FBE 400x Introduction to Real Estate Finance and Development 4
FBE 466 Management of Real Estate Development: Feasibility Studies 4
Theme 3
PPD 357* Government and Business 4
PPD 435 Analyzing Real Estate Markets for Planning and Development 4
17
electives (select one) Units
CE 404 Business and Intellectual Property Law for Engineers 3
CE 412 Contracts and Specifications 3
PPD 437* Advanced Finance and Investment for Planning and Development 4

*Prerequisite required.

Advisement is provided by the Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Students will normally complete statistics before enrolling in CE 461 but can be permitted to complete statistics as a corequisite subject to adviser approval. Students are advised to take CE 460 and CE 461 before taking CE 462. Students electing PPD 437 must have completed PPD 362.

Minor in Engineering Technology Commercialization

See listing under the Special Educational Opportunities section.