Undergraduate Degree Program for Civil Engineering

Civil engineers are innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs. They design and build buildings, bridges, dams, roller coasters, space structures, and sound stages for rock concerts. They devise complex systems, such as transportation and water-supply networks, or information systems for design and management of engineering projects.

Students drawn to civil engineering enjoy science and math, and the opportunity to serve society by creating, maintaining, and renewing the infrastructure on which we all rely. Civil engineers know how to evaluate risk and ensure the high reliability of their designs. (As creators of skyscrapers, suspension bridges, and drinking water systems, failure is not acceptable.)

Cornell’s undergraduate program in civil engineering delivers the skills required to make sound business decisions. Many civil engineering graduates go on to take leadership positions in established companies, or start their own. At Cornell, we are educating some of the top engineers in the country, and teaching our students how to use their intellect to participate in the business arena.

Students in the undergraduate program have the opportunity to specialize in one or more areas including Civil Infrastructure, Smart Cities, Fluid Mechanics/Hydrology/Water Resources Infrastructure, Transportation, or they may plan a more general civil engineering curriculum.

CEE also offers a distinct major in Environmental Engineering. In addition, students in CEE can earn a minor in Engineering Management. The coursework required for the minor aligns well with other required courses in CEE and will prepare students for leadership and management positions upon graduation.

Outcomes

Civil engineers are innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs. They design and build buildings, bridges, dams, and devise complex systems, such as transportation and water-supply networks, or information systems for design and management of engineering projects. They innovate new technologies for natural disaster detection and preparedness, and discover new methods for building technologies that are more sustainable and have greater longevity. Many civil engineering graduates go on to take leadership positions in established companies or start their own firms.

Master of Engineering Degree Program

The School of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers a master of engineering ( M.Eng.) degree in civil and environmental engineering and in engineering management. The M.Eng. in civil and environmental engineering allows students to deepen their understanding of one of the field’s specialty areas and is excellent preparation for a career with an engineering firm.

Engineering management is for students who seek leadership positions in management of projects, people, and organizations. It combines engineering competency with managerial skills to bring about the efficient development of technology. Engineering managers play a key role in advancing technology through strategic and operational decision-making. They guide the development of technology with high-level expertise and a broad perspective on how technology impacts economies, enhances social structures, and affects the larger global environment.

Civil Engineering by the Numbers

Number of Civil Engineering undergraduate students: 101

Starting salaries of B.S. Civil Engineering graduates (three-year average):

• Median salary: $67,112
• High salary: $78,500

Post-graduate plans for civil engineers graduates at the time of graduation (three-year average):

Faculty