Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering

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Civil engineering focuses on protecting and enhancing our quality of life and sustaining our natural resources and the environment. As a civil engineer, you can design systems to manage water resources, provide power, irrigation, flood control, recreation and water and wastewater treatment. Civil engineers also plan and construct transportation systems, housing and other structures, aiming to minimize pollution and protect the environment.
  • College

  • Hours Required

    126 credit hours
  • Minors Available

    Environmental Engineering

  • Areas of Focus

    Environmental engineering, Geotechnical and materials engineering, Structural engineering, Transportation engineering, Water resources engineering

The Nebraska Difference

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18:1

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

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Kiewit Hall

$115 million student-centric engineering hub

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Be a Complete Engineer®

Unleash your potential and cultivate core competencies

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Innovate. Excel. Engineer.

80% of students receive a job offer before graduation

Students looking at water treatment facility

Program Features

Comprehensive Education in Lincoln and Omaha  

The civil engineering program offers a complete undergraduate curriculum with a broad range of specialized courses in Lincoln and Omaha, preparing students for immediate entry into the profession or further graduate studies. Students are introduced to design concepts early in freshman year and continue to engage in design throughout the program, culminating in senior-level courses focused on civil engineering design. 

Emphasis on Societal Needs  

As a professional discipline, civil engineering is closely related to the total human environment. At Nebraska, you’ll choose from one of these emphasis areas: environmental engineering, geotechnical and materials engineering, structural engineering, transportation engineering or water resources engineering. A high demand for civil engineers means students have many diverse career choices following graduation.

Hands-On Learning 

Students in civil engineering gain practical experience through instructional laboratories. These labs offer opportunities for you to operate testing equipment to establish engineering design criteria and to monitor and model engineering facilities like water and wastewater treatment plants, river control systems and structural systems. 

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Notable Courses

Principles of Environmental Engineering (CIVE 321)

Explore environmental engineering principles, including water and atmospheric quality, pollution prevention and waste engineering. Design water, air and waste management systems for sustainable solutions.

Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering (CIVE 331)

Soil properties, effective stress principles, deformation and failure. Apply analysis techniques to design for bearing capacity, settlement, retaining walls and slope stability. Analyze steady-state seepage.

Structural Analysis Fundamentals (CIVE 341)

Get introduced to the analysis of structural systems. Analyze determinate and indeterminate trusses, beams and frames.

Introduction to Water Resources Engineering (CIVE 351)

Water resources engineering design and planning, surface hydrology, groundwater hydraulics, reservoirs, control structures, field measurement and computational methods for resource analysis.

Highway Engineering (CIVE 361)

Principles of highway engineering, a field that involves the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of roads, bridges and tunnels for safe and efficient transportation.

Materials of Construction (CIVE 371)

Soil, concrete, steel, wood and composite behavior involving stress, strain, axial, torsional, shear and flexural loading, ASTM test procedures, field quality control and statistical applications.

Huskers Do Big Things

Internships

  • Intern project manager, Arco Murray Construction, Chicago, Illinois
  • Transportation intern, Lamp Rynearson & Associates, Omaha, Nebraska
  • Structural engineer intern, KPFF Consulting Engineers, Sacramento, California
  • Roadway design intern, HDR Inc., Omaha, Nebraska
  • Bridge inspection Intern, Nebraska Dept of Roads, Lincoln, Nebraska
  • Airport design overlays intern, Olsson Associates, Lincoln, Nebraska

Careers

  • Assistant traffic engineer, Olsson Associates, Omaha, Nebraska
  • Water resources engineer, Boulder Associates, Atlanta, Georgia
  • Railroad bridge engineer, HDR, Inc., Omaha, Nebraska
  • Hydraulic engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Nebraska
  • Environmental researcher, Ministry of Environment, Seoul, South Korea
  • Geotechnical engineer, United States Army, Omaha, Nebraska

Graduate Schools

  • Master’s in Structural Engineering, Stanford University
  • Ph.D. Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University
  • Master’s in Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles
  • Ph.D. Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign
  • Ph.D. Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Stanford University
  • Master’s in Civil Engineering, University of Michigan

Outside the Classroom

At Nebraska, you’ll have many opportunities to discover both your academic community and stretch your strengths.

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Academics & Experiential Learning

  • Tackle big challenges in your classes and work with faculty on research dedicated to solving global problems and saving lives.
  • Engineering is a global profession. Increase your knowledge and marketability by participating in a study abroad opportunity.
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Career Preparedness

  • You’ll gain career-level experiences right from the start of your academic adventure to prepare you to enter the career or graduate school of your choice.
  • Participate in paid internships for valuable on-the-job experiences and to develop lifelong career connections.
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Community

  • With more than 50 clubs and organizations in the College of Engineering, you’ll build connections with other students and faculty through fun and hands-on experiences.
  • The University of Nebraska–Lincoln offers additional diverse opportunities for involvement and ways to connect with other students.

Have Questions? We're Here to Help

If you have questions about the Civil Engineering major or navigating the application process, contact us.

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Contact Name
Jeff Beavers
Contact Title
Director of Recruitment
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