University of Southern California

Viterbi School of Engineering

Civil Engineering — Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Degree Requirements

Undergraduate Program Educational Objectives

Fulfilling the vision of the Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Viterbi School of Engineering and the University of Southern California, our graduates will:

  1. Be successful in their professional careers, become leaders in industry, academia, government or service, while adapting their technical, collaborative and managerial skills for the benefit of Society’s built and natural environments.

  2. Support the advancement of the practice of science and engineering, while maintaining professional standards and moral and legal obligations to society, while being active in professional organizations and obtaining professional licensure when appropriate.

  3. Be prepared to pursue graduate studies in engineering or other disciplines, while continuously broadening their abilities and enhancing their technical skills to maintain their relevance with technological change.

Undergraduate Program Criteria

The program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering prepares graduates to apply knowledge of mathematics through differential equations, calculus-based physics, chemistry and at least one additional area of basic science, consistent with the program educational objectives; apply knowledge of four technical areas appropriate to civil engineering; conduct civil engineering experiments and analyze and interpret the resulting data; and design a system, component, or process in more than one civil engineering context. The program also explains basic concepts in management, business, public policy, and leadership; and explains the importance of professional licensure.

The program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering prepares graduates to be proficient in mathematics through differential equations, probability and statistics, calculus-based physics, general chemistry; an earth science, e.g., geology, meteorology, soil science, relevant to the program of study; a biological science, e.g., microbiology, aquatic biology, toxicology, relevant to the program of study; fluid mechanics relevant to the program of study; and an introductory level knowledge of environmental issues associated with air, land, and water systems and associated environmental health impacts. The program prepares graduates to be proficient at conducting laboratory experiments and critically analyzing and interpreting data in more than one major environmental engineering focus area, e.g., air, water, land, environmental health; performing engineering design by means of design experiences integrated throughout the professional component of the curriculum; and to be proficient in advanced principles and practice relevant to the program objectives; including understanding of concepts of professional practice and the roles and responsibilities of public institutions and private organizations pertaining to environmental engineering.