Civil Engineering
Charles A. Dana Professor Michael Puddicombe; Professor Edwin Schmeckpeper (Chair); Associate Professors Nadia Al-Aubaidy, Michael Kelley, Tara Kulkarni, Jack Patterson, Adam Sevi, and Moses Tefe; Lecturer Mark Atwood
Civil Engineering, the oldest branch of the engineering profession, utilizes knowledge of mathematics and science, while applying judgment, to design economic means for improving the well-being of humanity: by providing designs for community living, industry, and transportation; and by designing structures for the use of humankind. One of the rare historical records of civil engineering within academia is contained in the first catalogue of this university, dated August 1821. Among the description of offerings to students in 1820 was . . . "Civil Engineering, including the construction of roads, canals, locks and bridges." This institution was thus the first private school in the United States where students were taught engineering as a separate branch of education. Two of its earliest alumni, Alfred W. Craven and Moncure Robinson, were prominent in the formation of the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1852.
The Civil & Environmental Engineering field encompasses planning, design, construction, and maintenance of structures, which often includes altering the natural geography to meet human needs. Civil Engineers plan, design, construct, and maintain suspension bridges, dams, tunnels, skyscrapers, the Interstate highway system, airports, ports, shopping centers, residential developments, water delivery and purification facilities, and irrigation systems. During their first two years, students learn the fundamental mathematical and scientific principles essential for engineering analysis and design. Principles of the design process are introduced in the first engineering courses and continually emphasized and practiced in the subsequent engineering courses. The last two years of the curriculum are devoted to providing a sound grounding in five major civil engineering sub-disciplines: water resources, structural, environmental, geotechnical, and construction. The design experience culminates in the senior year with a major design project. Because laboratory experience is deemed essential to learning, participatory laboratories reinforce principles learned in lectures and permit students to learn through inquiry. To this end, laboratory sections are kept small and require student participation. Use of the computer for both analysis and design is an integral part of the curriculum and the department maintains a computer laboratory for the exclusive use of civil engineering students. Software required for all courses and additional software for student inquiry is available. The curriculum is also strengthened by activities of the Norwich student chapters of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Chi Epsilon, Tau Beta Pi, and the Society of American Military Engineers.
Mission:
- Prepare students to excel in civil engineering and related fields.
- Make clear to students that above all else, the Civil Engineering profession is committed to bettering the world.
- Provide fundamental, laboratory-oriented (BSCE level only), hands-on education in the civil engineering field.
- Foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities and motivate students to consider the environmental consequences of their work.
- Enable students to be leaders in their profession, community, nation, and the world.
Goals:
- Lead project teams in their chosen field of Civil Engineering research, design, construction, or management, progressively rising to positions of technical leadership
- Be respected and recognized for technical competence in the creation of solutions that balance sustainability, societal and economic issues.
- Become active citizens in their profession, community, the nation and the world.
- Communicate to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Actively engage in continuing education throughout life.
Outcomes:
- identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
- 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
- communicate effectively with a range of audiences
- 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
- function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
- develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Careers for this Major:
Graduates from this program manage varying job demands and requirements and are capable of adapting to rapidly changing technology. Graduates are also prepared for further formal study in graduate school where a student can specialize in a civil engineering sub-discipline. Whether working for a private engineering firm, construction firm, government agency, or industry, there are many areas in which civil engineers can focus. A few of the major specialties include:
- Structural (buildings, bridges, tunnels)
- Geotechnical (retaining structures, foundations)
- Water and wastewater (water supply, sewage disposal)
- Hydrology (river control, drainage)
- Transportation (highways, airports, railroads)
- Environmental (hazardous waste, air pollution, water quality)
The American Society of Civil Engineers is the largest professional organization that serves Civil and Environmental Engineers, as well as many other types of engineers in associated fields. To learn more about employment opportunities in Civil and Environmental Engineering, please visit: http://careers.asce.org.
Accreditation:
The Civil Engineering Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET, http://www.abet.org, 415 N. Charles Street. Baltimore, MD 21201, Telephone: (410) 347-7700.
Civil Engineering (B.S.) – Curriculum Map 2020-2021 Catalog
| Freshman | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| CH 103 General Chemistry I (General Education Lab Science) | 4 | CH 104 General Chemistry II (General Education Lab Science) | 4 | ||
| EG 109 Introduction to Engineering I | 3 | EG 110 Introduction to Engineering II | 3 | ||
| EN 101 Composition and Literature I | 3 | EN 102 Composition and Literature II | 3 | ||
| MA 121 Calculus I | 4 | MA 122 Calculus II (General Education Math) | 4 | ||
| General Education Leadership | 1-3 | General Education History/Literature/Arts & Humanities/Social Science | 3 | ||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 15-17 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 17 | ||
| Sophomore | |||||
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| CE 211 Surveying | 3 | CE 214 Site Development and Engineering | 4 | ||
| CE 264 Specifications and Estimating | 1 | EG 202 Engineering Mechanics-Dynamics | 3 | ||
| EG 201 Engineering Mechanics-Statics | 3 | EG 206 Thermodynamics I | 3 | ||
| MA 223 Calculus III (General Education Math) | 4 | MA 224 Differential Equations | 4 | ||
| PS 211 University Physics I | 4 | Science Elective * | 3 | ||
| General Education History/Literature/Arts & Humanities/Social Science | 3 | ||||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 18 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 17 | ||
| Junior | |||||
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| EG 350 Engineering Economics and Decision Analysis | 3 | CE 322 Fluid Mechanics Laboratory | 1 | ||
| CE 321 Materials Laboratory | 1 | CE 328 Soil Mechanics | 4 | ||
| CE 336 Introduction to Transportation Engineering | 3 | CE 332 Engineering Hydrology | 3 | ||
| CE 421 Environmental Engineering | 4 | CE 348 Structural Analysis | 3 | ||
| EG 301 Mechanics of Materials | 3 | CE 422 Waste and Water Treatment | 3 | ||
| EG 303 Fluid Mechanics | 3 | EN 204 Professional and Technical Writing | 3 | ||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 17 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 17 | ||
| Senior | |||||
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| CE 419 Foundation Engineering | 3 | CE 444 Reinforced Concrete Design | 3 | ||
| CE 442 Design of Steel Structures | 3 | CE 480 Senior Design Project II (Capstone) | 3 | ||
| CE 460 Construction Management | 3 | General Education History/Literature/Arts & Humanities/Social Science | 3 | ||
| CE 479 Senior Design Project I | 3 | General Education History/Literature/Arts & Humanities/Social Science | 3 | ||
| EE 315 Electrical Energy Systems | 3 | Science Elective * | 4 | ||
| EG 044 Conference | 0 | ||||
| EG 450 Professional Issues (General Education Ethics) | 3 | ||||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 18 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 16 | ||
| TOTAL CREDITS FOR THIS MAJOR: 135-137 | |||||
An undergraduate student, who has completed all degree requirements except for attaining a 2.00 average, must take at least 50 percent of all subsequent course work in technical material (subject to approval by the School Director).
All Civil Engineering majors are required to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (F.E.) exam, administered by the State of Vermont or another state, to receive the BSCE degree.
*Science Electives: BI 101, BI 102, BI 220, BI 205, CH 204, CH 205, CH 327, GL 110, GL 111, GL 156, GL 253, GL 255, GL 257, GL 262, GL 265, ID 110, PS 212. Must include at least one science course that is in an area other than chemistry or physics.
Courses
CE 188 No Norwich Equivalent 1-6 Cr.
CE 211 Surveying 3 Cr.
A course in the theory and practice of plane surveying. Horizontal and vertical control, design of circular and parabolic curves, tachometry, construction surveys and earthwork quantities are covered in lecture. Fieldwork presents the practical applications of lecture material with the use of transits, tapes, levels, electronic distance measuring devices and theodolites. Classroom 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours. Prerequisite: MA 107.
CE 214 Site Development and Engineering 4 Cr.
A course that teaches the tasks and considerations involved in environmentally sound land development. Road design and it's interaction with development sites will be presented. Other topics covered include contours, drainage utilities, cut and fill, and aesthetic considerations. Codes and legal requirements will also be covered. CADD (Computer Aided Drawing and Design) software specific to Civil Engineering work will be introduced and employed extensively on student projects. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours. Prerequisite: CE 211.
CE 220 Introduction to Environmental Technology 4 Cr.
A study of the fundamentals of environmental control technology. The course covers the topics of air pollution, water pollution, solid and hazardous wastes, and radioactive wastes. Noise pollution and control are also covered. The generation and treatment of wastes along with their effects on the environment are included in the course. The laboratory includes the basic methods of measuring pollution. Three Credits: Classroom 3 hours. Four Credits Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisite: CH 103; not open to engineering majors.
CE 264 Specifications and Estimating 1 Cr.
A laboratory in plan reading, quantity analysis and cost estimating of Civil Engineering projects. Students will be exposed to standard formats for specifications and estimating. Students will write sample specifications and will gain experience in construction estimation. Laboratory 3 hours. Prerequisite: CE 211, or concurrent enrollment.
CE 288 No Norwich Equivalent 1-6 Cr.
CE 299 Special Topics 1-4 Cr.
Selected topics in Civil Engineering.
CE 321 Materials Laboratory 1 Cr.
A laboratory course in the application of basic mechanics of materials principles to cement, aggregate, concrete, steel and wood. Operation of various types of testing machines and gauges. Tests of tension, compression, flexure, torsion, impact, shear, hardness and fatigue. Laboratory observations, analysis, interpretation and reports. Classroom 1 hour, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisite: EG 301, or concurrent enrollment; or CE 351, or concurrent enrollment.
CE 322 Fluid Mechanics Laboratory 1 Cr.
A laboratory course in which the principles of fluid mechanics are applied to civil engineering problems. The design and implementation of a laboratory research study, the analysis of data, the presentation of results, and the development of engineering conclusions are integral parts of this course. Lab topics include hydrostatics, pipeflow, open channel flow, flow measurement, and resistance to flow. Classroom 1 hour, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisite: EG 303, or concurrent enrollment.
CE 328 Soil Mechanics 4 Cr.
An introduction to the engineering properties of soil: soil classification; soil structure and mineralogy; water flow through soils; compressibility and consolidation; shear strength. Laboratory testing of soils and soil exploration. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisite: EG 301.
CE 332 Engineering Hydrology 3 Cr.
A study of the location, movement, and distribution of the waters of the earth for practical applications to society. This course includes the study of the engineering aspects of precipitation, evaporation, infiltration, steamflow and flood and drought prediction. The application of hydrological statistics and computer applications are stressed. Classroom 3 hours. Prerequisite: EG 303.
CE 336 Introduction to Transportation Engineering 3 Cr.
An introduction to different modes of transportation with emphasis on roadway and traffic engineering. Topics include transportation planning, highway geometric and pavement design, drainage, construction, traffic-control devices, traffic operations and management, and highway capacity analysis. Classroom 3 hours. Prerequisites: CE 211.
CE 348 Structural Analysis 1-3 Cr.
A course on the analysis of statically determinate and indeterminate beams, frames and trusses. Topics include loads to buildings, shear and moment diagrams, influence lines and classical methods of analysis. Computer applications are introduced using a general frame analysis program. The use of analysis in the overall design process is stressed using a semester-long project. 2 lecture hours and 2 lab hours. Prerequisite: EG 301.
CE 351 Statics and Mechanics of Materials 4 Cr.
A study of elementary, primarily two-dimensional engineering mechanics. Fundamental concepts and basic laws of statics, force systems, structures, and support reactions for loading patterns. Stress-strain relationships to forces: concepts and applications. Consideration of engineering materials and their suitability in various structures and mechanisms. Classroom 4 hours. Prerequisites: MA 107, PS 201; not open to Civil Engineering majors.
CE 388 No Norwich Equivalent 1-6 Cr.
CE 419 Foundation Engineering 3 Cr.
A course on the use of soil properties to determine bearing capacity and settlement of shallow and deep foundations. Design of earth and earth supporting structures. Classroom 3 hours. Prerequisite: CE 328.
CE 421 Environmental Engineering 4 Cr.
This course covers the basics of air, water, waste and noise pollution in the context of quality, control and treatment design using sustainable engineering practices. New and emerging contaminants as well as their impact on the environment will be covered along with a primer on risk assessment and other contemporary environmental engineering issues. Classroom 3 hours, Laboratory 3 hours. Prerequisite: EG 303, CH 104; or concurrent enrollment in each.
CE 422 Waste and Water Treatment 3 Cr.
A study of physical, chemical and biological processes for water and wastewater treatment. The course emphasizes the evaluation of unit processes and the design of water and wastewater treatment facilities. Classroom 3 hours. Prerequisite: CE 421.
CE 432 Solid and Hazardous Waste Engineering 3 Cr.
A course on the state-of-the-art techniques for disposal of solid and hazardous waste material. Aspects covered will be system design, public health protection, and environmental protection. Classroom 3 hours. Prerequisites: CH 104; junior status or higher; majors in engineering or science.
CE 441 Transportation Engineering 3 Cr.
The planning, design, and construction of transportation systems to meet the mobility requirements of society while considering economic, environmental, and societal constraints. System maintenance and administration are also included. Classroom 3 hours. Prerequisite: CE 211 or permission of the instructor.
CE 442 Design of Steel Structures 3 Cr.
An introduction to the design of metal structures using the LRFD-AISC code as the basis. Topics include design of tension, compression and bending members; bolted and welded connections. Classroom 3 hours. Prerequisite: CE 348.
CE 444 Reinforced Concrete Design 3 Cr.
An introduction to the design of reinforced concrete members under bending, shear and axial loading according to ACI 318R code requirements. Topics also include one-way slabs, footings and retaining walls and an introduction to pre-stressed concrete. Use of the computer as a design tool is introduced. Classroom 3 hours. Prerequisite: CE 348.
CE 446 Soils in Construction 4 Cr.
This is the first course in geotechnical engineering, one of the sub-disciplines of Civil Engineering. Its purpose is to impart knowledge of the engineering properties and behavior of soils that are used for construction of foundations and earth structures. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisite: Junior standing or higher; not open to Civil Engineering majors.
CE 450 Air Pollution Control 3,4 Cr.
A course presenting sources of air pollution and the effect on the environment, the measurement of air pollutants, modeling of air pollutant dispersion, and design of control measures. Use of manual monitoring techniques and physical and chemical fundamentals to measure air quality. Course may be taken for three credits without the lab. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours when taken for 4 credits. Prerequisite: EG 206.
CE 451 Air Pollution Control Equipment Design 3 Cr.
This course builds on and amplifies material studied in CE 450. Properties of air pollutant emissions and thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer principles are utilized to design air pollution control equipment. Several major design projects are undertaken by student teams; interim and final design reports are required. In addition, a module on air quality modeling is included. Classroom 3 hours. Prerequisite: CE 450.
CE 452 Introduction to Air Pollution Control 3 Cr.
A course presenting sources of air pollution and the effect on the environment, the measurement of air pollutants, modeling of air pollutant dispersion, and design of control measures. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours. Prerequisite: EG 206.
CE 457 Wood, Steel, and Concrete Structures 4 Cr.
This course builds directly on the material learned in CE 351 and is specifically directed to the study of the response of structural systems to various loadings. Gravity and lateral loads as well as load combinations on a structure are developed using appropriate building codes. The response of the structural system to imposed loading is studied by classical and computer analysis techniques. This course introduces the students to applications - the design of simple structures of wood, steel, concrete and other materials that meet the appropriate building code. Classroom 4 hours. Prerequisite: CE 351; not open to Civil Engineering majors.
CE 458 Structural Issues for Construction 3 Cr.
This course is intended to introduce the students to structural building applications, and to develop knowledge and comprehension of structural design of steel, wood, concrete, and masonry. Particular attention will be given to concrete members, concrete form design requirements, steel connections, failure modes of the member types and materials. Detailed construction issues with each material will be emphasized. Each of the principal member types, beam and column as well as connections, will be studied and members designed to meet the appropriate code. 1 lecture hour and 4 lab hours. Prerequisites: CE 455 or CE 457; not open to Civil Engineering majors.
CE 460 Construction Management 3 Cr.
A course on the organization, scheduling and management of the construction project utilizing CPM and PERT. Survey of management functions by which construction is authorized, purchased, supervised, accomplished, inspected and accepted, including labor management relations and site design. Classroom 3 hours. Prerequisite: MA 107 or 108 or 121 or 122, and CE 264.
CE 479 Senior Design Project I 3 Cr.
This course is the first in the two semester civil engineering capstone design project sequence. Each student will work with a mentor and together will define and analyze a project so that an efficient design can be completed. The project scope and design criteria will be developed, the tasks required to complete the project will be identified and scheduled, data collected and preliminary design proposals will be developed. The design process involves exploring alternate solutions and optimization of the design based upon project criteria and constraints such as economic, political and social factors. The course required nine hours per week of directed reading, data collection, research, calculation and experimentation. All of this will be presented orally and in written form in a project proposal. Prerequisite: CE 460 (Fall).
CE 480 Senior Design Project II 3 Cr.
This course is the second in the two semester civil engineering capstone design project sequence. This course builds on and integrates the engineering concepts developed in prior course work into the complete design of a major civil engineering project. The course will require a written and oral presentation of the complete design to include, where appropriate, plans and specifications. Prerequisites: CE 328, CE 348, CE 421 and CE 479 or departmental approval.
CE 488 No Norwich Equivalent 1-6 Cr.
CE 490 Advanced Topics 4 Cr.
A course that provides instruction in an area of the instructor's special competence and student interests. Advanced topics would be presented in such areas as air pollution control, water and wastewater treatment, bioremediation, and nuclear radiation. Prerequisite: senior standing. (Occasionally).