Undergraduate

Student LIfe

Program Educational Objectives 

The program in Civil Engineering is designed to provide the basic undergraduate education required for private practice and public service in civil engineering, and/or continue formal education.  Our objectives have been developed to address the needs pf our constituences and to be consistent with and supportive of our mission and programmatic goals.  The civil engineering program educational objectives represent and describe the expected accomplisments of graduates resulting from participation within the program within the first few years after graduation.

Within a few years of graduation, graduates of the undergraduate civil engineering program will be capable of pursuing:

  • careers in the broad field of civil engineering
  • licensure as a Professional Engineer
  • advanced education

These educational outcomes are experienced within the context of geotechnical, environmental, transportation, and structural engineering.  Courses are designed to present "real world" applications without sacrificing conceptual and theoretical basics.  Students complete design problems in each of these areas; and, as part of the senior year, they participate in two major design projects.

Accreditation 

The Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET http://www.abet.org. 

Civil Engineering Student Outcomes represent and describe areas of knowledge or skill that our students can possess and should be able to demonstrate before graduation as a result of learning experience within our curriculum.

  1.  an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  2.  an ability to 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.
  3.  an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgements, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
  4.  an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgements, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
  5.  an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
  6.  an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgement to draw conclusions.
  7.  an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Program Enrollment, Graduation, and Retention 

The tables which are linked here report retention and graduation data.  The data presented in the linked tables is for the first time, full time, new freshmen cohorts who enter the College of Engineering in the fall of the reported year.   All new freshmen are enrolled in a common first year experience and do not declare a major until mid-way through the spring semester of their freshmen year.  The College of Engineering table tracks cohorts over a six-year period for the entire college.  The Department of Civil Engineering table tracks retention and graduation rates for a five-year period starting when those new freshmen join the department in their sophomore year.

Data on total enrollments by year and total graduates by year is presented here.  This student data includes transfer and part-time students who are enrolled in the program.

Advising

Students declare their desired major in March of their first year as they near completion of the First-Year Engineering Program. Those who declare Civil Engineering will be advised by Dr. Eric Fernstrom.  After completion of the second years, Honors students will be transferred to Dr. Rick Coffman, and other students may be transferred to additional Civil Engineering faculty members.  To identify your advisor, log into UAConnect or contact the Civil Engineering main office.  Academic Advising must be completed each semester in order to enroll in classes for the subsequent semester.

Requirements

The University of Arkansas has adopted a "State Minimum Core" of 35 semester-credit-hours of general education courses that are required of all baccalaureate degree candidates. This is in compliance with Arkansas Act 98 of 1989 and the subsequent action of the Arkansas State Board of Higher Education. Beginning in the fall semester of 1991, all state institutions of higher education in Arkansas have a 35-hour minimum core requirement with specified hours in each of six academic areas. The University and the College of Engineering have identified those courses that meet the minimum requirement. For a full list of undergraduate degree requirements, click here.

Honors Students

The College of Engineering participates in the University of Arkansas Honors Program, which challenges superior students with a more in-depth academic program and research experience. The Honors program provides a structure for working more closely with faculty members and other students in a team environment. Participation in the Engineering Honors Program is highly recommended for individuals planning academic or research-related careers that require considerable critical and original independent thinking, but it is also quite useful for students wishing to explore career potential in a number of areas. Check out more information, resources, and requirements here.

Student Organizations

The Department of Civil Engineering houses multiple student group organizations. These students participate and various activities, public services, and even competitions with other Universities.  

Resources