Program Overview

Introduction to the Civil Engineering Program

The Civil Engineering program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is offered through the College of Engineering and Mines, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The program offers Bachelor of Science (BS), Master of Civil Engineering (MCE), and Master of Science (MS) degrees.

Program Overview

Civil engineers plan, design, and supervise the construction of public and private structures, such as bridges, buildings, tunnels, highways, and water treatment facilities. They use sophisticated technology and computer-aided engineering during design, construction, project scheduling, and cost control phases. The program at UAF has been accredited since 1940 and is currently accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

Educational Objectives

The civil engineering program educational objectives are:

• Graduates will have a strong fundamental scientific and technical knowledge base as well as strong critical thinking skills.
• Graduates will apply their engineering skills to critically analyze and interpret data and be proficient in engineering design accommodating the total project environment.
• Graduates will be able to communicate with the technical, professional, and broader communities in written, verbal, and visual formats, including interacting in interdisciplinary contexts.
• Graduates will demonstrate high standards in ethical, legal, and professional obligations to protect human health, welfare, and the environment.
• Graduates will be active in the professional civil engineering community, actively contribute to the profession, and pursue lifelong learning.

Graduate Programs

Graduate students may enter one of two programs: the Master of Civil Engineering is for students whose goal is broad professional practice, and the Master of Science degree is for those who favor an emphasis on research and specialized study. The department offers specialties in transportation, geotechnical, structures, water resources, hydrology, and environmental studies.

Course Requirements

The following courses are required for the BS degree:

• CE F112: Elementary Surveying (3 credits)
• CE F302: Introduction to Transportation Engineering (3 credits)
• CE F326W: Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering (4 credits)
• CE F331: Structural Analysis (3 credits)
• CE F334: Properties of Materials (3 credits)
• CE F341: Environmental Engineering (4 credits)
• CE F344: Water Resources Engineering (3 credits)
• CE F432: Steel Design (3 credits)
• CE F438W,O: Design of Engineered Systems (3 credits)
• CE F490: Civil Engineering Seminar (0.5 credit)
• CE F491: Civil Engineering Seminar (0.5 credit)
• DRT F210: Intermediate CAD (3 credits)
• ES F101: Introduction to Engineering (3 credits)
• ES F201: Computer Techniques (3 credits)
• ES F209: Statics (3 credits)
• ES F210: Dynamics (3 credits)
• ES F301: Engineering Analysis (3 credits)
• ES F331: Mechanics of Materials (3 credits)
• ES F341: Fluid Mechanics (4 credits)
• ESM F422: Engineering Decisions (3 credits)
• ESM F450W: Economic Analysis and Operations (3 credits)
• GE F261: General Geology for Engineers (3 credits)
• MATH F202X: Calculus III (4 credits)
• MATH F302: Differential Equations (3 credits)
  • Technical electives (12 credits)
    • 3 credits in the field of environmental engineering or transportation
    • 6 credits of CE, ENVE, ESM courses or approved technical courses
    • 3 credits of either ES F307 or ES F346
• Minimum credits required: 134 credits

Technical Electives

Technical electives must include 3 credits in the field of environmental engineering or transportation, 6 credits of CE, ENVE, ESM courses or approved technical courses, and 3 credits of either ES F307 or ES F346. Students must earn a C- grade or better in each technical elective course. Up to two graduate-level courses may be used towards graduation. Graduate-level courses must be approved by the student's advisor, and the student must be within two semesters of graduation and have at least a 3.0 GPA to take graduate-level courses.