Courses of Instruction

Kaprielian Hall 210
(213) 740-0603
FAX: (213) 744-1426
E-mail: civileng@mizar.usc.edu

Chair: L. Carter Wellford, Ph.D.

Faculty

Fred Champion Chair in Civil Engineering: Masanobu Shinozuka, Ph.D., P.E.

Professors: Ahmed Abdel-Ghaffar, Ph.D.; James C. Anderson, Ph.D.*; George V. Chilingar, Ph.D. (Petroleum Engineering); Joseph S. Devinny, Ph.D. (Environmental Engineering); Jiin-Jen Lee, Ph.D., P.E. (Environmental Engineering); Geoffrey R. Martin, Ph.D. (Chair) (Director of Environmental Engineering); Sami F. Masri, Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering); Massoud Pirbazari, Ph.D. (Environmental Engineering, Associate Director of Environmental Engineering); Costas Synolakis, Ph.D. (Aerospace Engineering); Mihailo Trifunac, Ph.D.; Firdaus E. Udwadia, Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering); Victor I. Weingarten, Ph.D.; L. Carter Wellford, Ph.D.; Hung Leung Wong, Ph.D.*; Teh Fu Yen, Ph.D. (Environmental Engineering)

Associate Professors: Jean-Pierre Bardet, Ph.D.; Ronald C. Henry, Ph.D. (Environmental Engineering); Vincent W. Lee, Ph.D.; James Moore, Ph.D. (Urban Planning and Development)

Assistant Professor: Yan Xiao, Ph.D., P.E.

Adjunct Professor: Gregg E. Brandow, Jr., Ph.D., P.E.

Research Assistant Professors: Maria I. Todorovska, Ph.D.; Ruichong Zhong, Ph.D.

Senior Lecturer: Henry M. Koffman, P.E.

Emeritus Professors: Mihran S. Agbabian, Ph.D., P.E.; Edwin L. Bidwell, Ph.D.; Donald E. Hudson, Ph.D.; Kenneth C. Reynolds, Sc.D.; Paul Seide, Ph.D.

*Recipient of university-wide or school teaching award.

Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Honor Society

Chi Epsilon is dedicated to the purpose of maintaining and promoting the status of civil engineering as a profession. Chi Epsilon was organized to recognize the characteristics of the individual civil engineer deemed to be fundamental to the successful pursuit of an engineering career and to aid in the development of those characteristics in the civil engineering student. To contribute to the improvement of the profession, Chi Epsilon fosters the development and exercise of sound traits of character and technical ability among civil engineers.

Chi Epsilon is based on broad principles of scholarship, character, practicality and sociability. Civil engineering students who rank in the upper one-third of the junior or senior class are eligible for membership. These qualifications will make one eligible but not necessarily acceptable. Each member must be well skilled in all four of the basic principles.

Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (131 Unit Program)

A cumulative grade point average of C (2.0) is required for all courses taken at USC as well as for all courses taken within the Department of Civil Engineering. In addition, a minimum grade of C must be earned in each of the following courses: CE 205, 225, 309 and 325. See also common requirements for undergraduate degrees section.

First Year, First SemesterUnits
CE 106Design and Planning of Civil Engineering Systems2
CHEM 105aLGeneral Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aLAdvanced General Chemistry4
MATH 125Calculus I4
General education*Social Issues4
WRIT 140*Writing and Critical Reasoning4
____
18

First Year, Second SemesterUnits
CE 107Introduction to Civil Engineering Graphics3
CE 108Introduction to Computational Methods in Civil Engineering2
MATH 126Calculus II4
PHYS 151L**Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics4
____
13

Second Year, First SemesterUnits
CE 205Statics2
MATH 226Calculus III4
PHYS 152LFundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism4
General education8
____
18

Second Year, Second SemesterUnits
CE 225Mechanics of Deformable Bodies3
MATH 245Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I4
ME 310Engineering Thermodynamics I3
CHEM 105bLGeneral Chemistry, or
CHEM 115bLAdvanced General Chemistry, or
PHYS 153LFundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics, or
GEOL 305Introduction to Engineering Geology4
General education4
____
18

Third Year, First SemesterUnits
CE 309Fluid Mechanics3
CE 325Dynamics3
CE 358Theory of Structures I3
CE 471Principles of Transportation Engineering3
EE 202LLinear Circuits, or
EE 326LEssentials of Electrical Engineering4
____
16

Third Year, Second SemesterUnits
CE 334LMechanical Behavior of Materials3
CE 402Computer Methods in Engineering3
ISE 460Engineering Economics3
Kernel course***3
Electivecivil engineering3
____
15

Fourth Year, First SemesterUnits
CE 408Risk Analysis in Civil Engineering3
CE 453Water Quality Control3
CE 467Geotechnical Engineering4
Kernel course***3
Electivecivil engineering3
____
16

Fourth Year, Second SemesterUnits
CE 451Water Resources Engineering4
CE 480Structural Systems Design3
Kernel course***3
Advanced writing course3
General education4
____
17

*Taken concurrently.

**Satisfies a general education requirement for Category III.

***Kernels must be selected from the following list of design courses: CE 409abL; CE 429; CE 456; CE 457; CE 465; CE 476; CE 478.

The Department of Civil Engineering must approve all curricula leading to a degree; please note this includes transfer credit and units for courses waived for subject credit only, which have been approved through the Degree Progress Department.

Options

If the student chooses at least 15 units of civil engineering electives and other technical electives from certain specific sets of courses in a single specialized area of study, the student may graduate with a special designation on the transcript as follows: construction engineering, structural engineering or water resources engineering. A general Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering without special designation is also given. Specific course requirements for a degree with special designation may be secured by request from the Department of Civil Engineering.

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (Building Science) (135 Unit Program)

A cumulative grade point average of C (2.0) is required in all courses taken at USC, as well as for all courses taken within the Department of Civil Engineering. In addition, a minimum grade of C must be earned in each of the following courses: CE 205, 225, 309 and 325. See also the common requirements for undergraduate degrees section.

First Year, First SemesterUnits
CE 106Design and Planning of Civil Engineering Systems2
CHEM 105aLGeneral Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aLAdvanced General Chemistry4
MATH 125Calculus I4
WRIT 140*Writing and Critical Reasoning4
General education*Social Issues4
____
18

First Year, Second SemesterUnits
ARCH 114Introduction to Modern Architecture2
CE 107Introduction to Civil Engineering Graphics3
CE 108Introduction to Computer Methods in Civil Engineering2
MATH 126Calculus II4
PHYS 151L****Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics4
____
15

Second Year, First SemesterUnits
ARCH 205aL**Building Science I4
CE 205Statics2
MATH 226Calculus III4
PHYS 152LFundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism4
General education4
____
18

Second Year, Second SemesterUnits
ARCH 205bL**Building Science I4
CE 225Mechanics of Deformable Bodies3
GEOL 305Introduction to Engineering Geology, or
PHYS 153LFundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics4
MATH 245Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I4
ME 310Engineering Thermodynamics I3
____
18

Third Year, First SemesterUnits
ARCH 305aL**Building Science II4
CE 309Fluid Mechanics3
CE 325Dynamics3
CE 358Theory of Structures I3
CE 456Design of Steel Structures3
____
16

Third Year, Second SemesterUnits
ARCH 214bHistory and Theory II4
ARCH 305bL**Building Science II4
CE 334LMechanical Behavior of Materials3
CE 457Reinforced Concrete Design3
General education4
____
18

Fourth Year, First SemesterUnits
ARCH 405aL**Building Science III4
CE 408Risk Analysis in Civil Engineering3
CE 467Geotechnical Engineering4
Civil Engineering elective***3
General education4
____
18

Fourth Year, Second SemesterUnits
ARCH 405bL**Building Science III4
CE 458Theory of Structures II3
Advanced writing course3
General education4
____
14

*Taken concurrently.

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

***The Civil Engineering elective must be selected from the following courses: CE 409a, CE 451, CE 453, CE 460, and CE 471.

****Satisfies general education category III.

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (Environmental Engineering) (130 Unit Program)

A cumulative grade point average of C (2.0) is required for all courses taken at USC as well as for all courses taken within the Department of Civil Engineering. In addition, a minimum grade of C must be earned in each of the following courses: CE 205, 225, 309 and 325. See also common requirements for undergraduate degrees section.

First Year, First SemesterUnits
CE 110Introduction to Environmental Engineering2
CHEM 105aLGeneral Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aLAdvanced General Chemistry4
MATH 125Calculus I4
General education*Social Issues4
WRIT 140*Writing and Critical Reasoning4
____
18

First Year, Second SemesterUnits
CE 108Introduction to Computer Methods in Civil Engineering2
CE 210LIntroduction to Environmental Engineering Microbiology2
MATH 126Calculus II4
PHYS 151L**Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics4
General education4
____
16

Second Year, First SemesterUnits
CE 205Statics2
CHEM 105bLGeneral Chemistry, or
CHEM 115bLAdvanced General Chemistry4
MATH 226Calculus III4
PHYS 152LFundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism4
General education4
____
18

Second Year, Second SemesterUnits
CE 225Mechanics of Deformable Bodies3
ENE 400Environmental Engineering Principles3
MATH 245Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I4
ME 310Engineering Thermodynamics3
PHYS 153LFundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics, or
GEOL 305Introduction to Engineering Geology4
____
17

Third Year, First SemesterUnits
CE 309Fluid Mechanics3
CE 325Dynamics3
CE 358Theory of Structures I3
CE 443Environmental Chemistry3
Advanced writing course3
____
15

Third Year, Second SemesterUnits
CE 334LMechanical Behavior of Materials3
CE 451Water Resources Engineering4
CE 453Water Quality Control3
ISE 460Engineering Economics3
Kernel course***3
____
16

Fourth Year, First SemesterUnits
CE 408Risk Analysis in Civil Engineering3
CE 467Geotechnical Engineering4
Kernel course***3
General education4
____
14

Fourth Year, Second SemesterUnits
CE 463LWater Chemistry and Analysis3
CE 485Wastewater Treatment Design3
ENE 428LAir Pollution Fundamentals3
General education4
Kernel course***3
____
16

* Taken concurrently.

**Satisfies a general education requirement for Category III.

***Kernels must be selected from the following design courses: CE 409, CE 457, CE 465, CE 466, CE 476, and CE 484.

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering (132 Unit Program)

A cumulative scholarship average of C (2.0) is required for all courses taken at USC as well as for all courses taken in the Civil Engineering Department. In addition, a minimum grade of C must be earned in each of the following courses: CE 205, 225 and ENE 410. See also common requirements for undergraduate degrees section.

First Year, First SemesterUnits
CE 110Introduction to Environmental Engineering2
CHEM 105aLGeneral Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aLAdvanced General Chemistry4
MATH 125Calculus I4
General education*Social Issues4
WRIT 140*Writing and Critical Reasoning4
____
18

First Year, Second SemesterUnits
CE 108Introduction to Computer Methods in Civil Engineering2
CE 210LIntroduction to Environmental Engineering Microbiology2
MATH 126Calculus II4
PHYS 151L**Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics4
____
12

Second Year, First SemesterUnits
BISC 110LIntroduction to Biology I4
CE 205Statics2
CHEM 105bLGeneral Chemistry, or
CHEM 115bLAdvanced General Chemistry4
MATH 226Calculus III4
PHYS 152LFundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism4
____
18

Second Year, Second SemesterUnits
CE 225Mechanics of Deformable Bodies3
ENE 400Environmental Engineering Principles3
ENE 410Environmental Fluid Mechanics3
MATH 245Mathematics of Physics and Engineering4
General education4
____
17

Third Year, First SemesterUnits
CE 453Water Quality Control3
CHEM 322aLOrganic Chemistry4
ENE 428LAir Pollution Fundamentals3
Advanced writing course3
General education4
____
17

Third Year, Second SemesterUnits
CE 408Risk Analysis in Civil Engineering3
CE 451Water Resources Engineering4
GEOL 305LxIntroduction to Engineering Geology4
Kernel course***3
General education4
____
18

Fourth Year, First SemesterUnits
CE 484Water Treatment Design3
CHE 330Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics4
ISE 460Engineering Economics3
PTE 463LIntroduction to Transport Processes in Porous Media3
Kernel course***3
____
16

Fourth Year, Second SemesterUnits
CE 463LWater Chemistry and Analysis3
CE 485Wastewater Treatment Design3
ENE 429Air Pollution Control3
Kernel course***3
General education4
____
16

*Taken concurrently.

**Satisfies a general education requirement for Category III.

***The three Kernels must be selected from the following list of courses: ENE 428, CE 443, CE 465 and CHE 442.

Minor in Environmental Engineering

See listing.

Master of Science in Civil Engineering

The Master of Science in Civil Engineering is awarded in strict conformity with the general requirements of the School of Engineering. A student may receive the Master of Science in Civil Engineering with a special option by specializing in one of the following courses of study: construction; earthquake engineering; nuclear engineering; ocean engineering; soil mechanics and foundations; structural engineering; structural mechanics; environmental engineering; transportation engineering; and water resources. Students specializing in the transportation option must include in their program either four units of CE 590 or 594ab.

A general Master of Science in Civil Engineering without special designation is also given. Specific course requirements (at least 15 units) for a degree with special designation may be secured by request from the Department of Civil Engineering. A student who wishes to pursue the Master of Science in Civil Engineering but who has an interest in public administration may take a selected sequence of 12 units in the School of Public Administration. Graduate civil engineers may earn the Master of Science degree in the School of Public Administration. The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering will meet all the prerequisites for graduate work in the School of Public Administration except for accounting and statistics.

Master of Science in Applied Mechanics

Students possessing a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, mathematics, or physics may work toward the Master of Science in Applied Mechanics. A student may be required to satisfy certain deficiencies considered prerequisite to the listed courses.

The Master of Science in Applied Mechanics is awarded in strict conformity with the general requirements for the Master of Science in Civil Engineering, except as modified by the following specific requirements. Students must include in their course work: (1) CE 507, 508, 525ab, 541b and AE 510ab; (2) at least six units of electives from the following: CE 541a, 542, 543; (3) other electives may be substituted on approval of department chair; (4) there is no thesis option.

Master of Science in Environmental Engineering

Students with a bachelor's degree in engineering or science may work toward the Master of Science in Environmental Engineering. Students with degrees in fields other than engineering or science may be admitted on the recommendation of a program advisor and program director. Selection of courses will be determined through consultation with a program advisor to provide a maximum of training in the student's area of interest in environmental problems.

Master of Construction Management

Students possessing a bachelor's degree and with sufficient training in capital management and statistics may pursue the Master of Construction Management. This is an interdisciplinary degree program offered jointly by the Department of Civil Engineering and the School of Urban Planning and Development. A single application is made to the Department of Civil Engineering. The purpose of the Master of Construction Management program is to educate and train multidisciplinary professionals to understand and execute the broad array of technical and non-technical activities associated with construction management. The program provides special attention to the function of the constructor in real estate development. The core of the program is drawn from the MSCE program in construction engineering and management, and from the School of Urban Planning and Development's Master of Real Estate Development program. Additional elective courses are available in both units, in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, the School of Architecture, and the Marshall School of Business. In addition, students may seek advisor approval for electives from other units in the university, such as the School of Public Administration, the Law School or the School of Gerontology.

Core CurriculumUnits
CE 501Functions of the Constructor3
CE 556abProject Cost Estimating and Control3-3
CE 502Construction Accounting and Finance, or
GSBA 510Accounting Concepts and Financial Reporting, or
ACCT 538Tax and Accounting Issues in Real Estate3
RED 542Finance of Real Estate Development4
RED 509Market Analysis for Real Estate Development4
ARCH 511LSeminar: Building Systems4
Additional advisor approved technical and advanced electives9
____
Total minimum units33

The minimum requirement for the Master of Construction Management degree is 33 units. At least three elective courses totaling at least 9 units are required for this degree. These may be taken from the Department of Civil Engineering, other engineering departments, the School of Urban Planning and Development, the School of Architecture, the School of Public Administration, the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, the Law School or the Marshall School of Business subject to advisor approval. Admission to some classes requires advanced prerequisites and is subject to availability and approval of the instructor.

General Requirements

Residence and Course Load

The normal time required for earning the Master of Construction Management is three semesters, including one summer semester beginning in July and continuing through the spring semester ending in May. Students are expected to participate in extracurricular activities associated with the Master of Construction Management program, including the speaker series and field trips. A candidate must complete the last four semester units of course work at USC.

Students who wish a leave of absence for a semester or longer must request it from the chairman of the Civil Engineering Department in writing. Such leaves may be granted for up to one year.

For further information see the School of Urban Planning and Development section.

Engineer in Civil Engineering

Requirements for the Engineer in Civil Engineering are the same as set forth in the general requirements.

Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering and Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (Environmental Engineering)

The Doctor of Philosophy with a major in civil engineering and the Doctor of Philosophy with a major in engineering (environmental engineering) are also offered. See general requirements for graduate degrees.

Areas of specialization for Doctor of Philosophy level students are: structural engineering, structural mechanics, earthquake engineering, coastal engineering, water resources engineering, soil mechanics and foundation engineering, hydrology, hydrodynamics and transportation.

Graduate Certificate in Transportation Systems

The graduate certificate in Transportation Systems is an interdisciplinary program administered by the Department of Civil Engineering. The certificate program allows students to specialize in transportation applications, while simultaneously receiving a degree in their home department. The certificate in Transportation Systems combines elements of transportation engineering with transportation policy, planning and project management. The program is especially appropriate for students intending to pursue careers as developers of transportation technologies, or as implementors of technologies within government agencies.

Students electing the certificate program apply to the Department of Civil Engineering. Course prerequisites for the program are:

(1) one course in statistics or uncertainty, equivalent to ISE 225, PLDV 404 or CE 408;

(2) one course in engineering economy, equivalent to ISE 460;

(3) one course in microeconomics, equivalent to ECON 203; and

(4) one course in a high level programming language, such as C or Fortran.

These prerequisites may be satisfied after enrollment in the certificate program by taking the indicated courses or their equivalent. Graduate students cannot receive credit for courses numbered below 400. Detailed admissions requirements are published by the Department of Civil Engineering.

Qualified students holding a bachelor's degree also have the option of enrolling in the certificate program without receiving a separate graduate degree.

The curriculum consists of five graduate courses for a total of 17 units.

Certificate RequirementsUnits
CE 519Transportation Engineering3
CE 585Traffic Engineering and Control3
ISE 515Institutional and Policy Issues in Transportation3
PLUS 580Urban Transportation Planning and Management4
PLUS 581Institutional and Policy Issues in Transportation4

 

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