B.S. in Civil Engineering

icon for civil engineering with a building under construction and a gear

Undergraduate program that emphasizes practice-based engineering, innovation and professional development

Civil Engineers conceive, design, build, supervise, operate, construct and maintain infrastructure projects and systems in the public and private sector, including transportation, buildings, dams, bridges, and systems for water supply, energy and sewage treatment.

 

The new Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering is designed to emphasize the conception, development, design, construction, maintenance, and renewal of systems in a complex urban environment that involve issues in transportation, water resources, the environment, structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, construction engineering, and land development.

Career Pathways for Civil Engineering students include:

  • Civil Engineer

  • Environmental Engineer

  • Construction Engineer

  • Structural Engineer

  • Transportation Engineer

  • Geotechnical Engineer

  • Water Resources Engineer

Application Process Overview

Required to Apply Application Opens Application Deadline Students Notified
Prerequisite courses in progress; see application for conditional admission requirements. Early February July 1 priority deadline

Apps accepted after July 1 until program is full

 Rolling decisions after application opens or until program is full. 

Creating a Community of Fixers

Dr. Emese Hadnagy and her new faculty colleagues are designing UW Tacoma’s new civil engineering program to be inclusive

The world needs fixers — lots of them, from a diverse range of backgrounds and lived experiences. This philosophy is at the heart of the new Civil Engineering program at UW Tacoma. “We want to create an open and welcoming environment because different viewpoints bring creativity,” said Hadnagy. “To come up with different solutions to all the complex problems we’re facing, we really need to bring people to the table and have them offer their opinions and contributions.”

Read full UWT news article

Questions?

Connect with a SET Academic Advisor to schedule an appointment. 

Schedule a Prospective Undergraduate Advising Appointment

How to Apply

Admission Requirements

Admission to the major is competitive. Please review the following prerequisites and application process carefully. 

Prerequisites

Students may be conditionally admitted into the CE program with prerequisites in progress, but all prerequisites must be completed in order to enroll. To qualify for admission tot he CE program, you must first be admitted to UWT and be on track to complete the following by the end of summer quarter before starting the major:

  • Calculus I (TMATH 124), Calculus II (TMATH 125), Calculus III (TMATH 126)
  • Differential Equations (TMATH 207) 
  • Physics I (TPHYS 121), Physics II (TPHYS 122) Physics III (TPHYS 123)
  • General Chemistry I (TCHEM 142)
  • Physical Geology (TGEOS 117)
  • Statics (TME 221 or UWS: AA 210)
  • Mechanics of Materials (TME 222 or UWS: CEE 220)
  • Dynamics (TME 223 or UWS: ME 230)
  • 5 credits of computer programming (Course in Python, Java, C, C++, or the equivalent of AMATH 301: Beginning Scientific Computing will meet this requirement. If you are not sure if the course you plan to take will count, please check with a SET Advisor). 

*All pre-requisite courses must be completed in the last seven years

GPA Requirements 

  • Cumulative prerequisite GPA of at least 2.5, with a minimum grade of 2.0 in each individual prerequisite course
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all college coursework

Students with previous baccalaureate degrees or extensive work experience should meet with an advisor to discuss options. 

Ready to Apply?

  Before starting the application, make sure you're ready to apply:

  • You've been admitted to UW Tacoma and met the requirements to apply to the major.

  • You have completed at least 45 college-level credits.

  • You will complete the prerequisite courses listed in the Admission Requirements tab by the end of summer quarter.

  • You've earned a minimum grade of 2.0 in each prerequisite course completed and maintain a minimum cumulative prerequisite GPA of 2.5.

  • You're meeting the July 1 priority application deadline. The application may close at any time after the priority deadline once the program reaches capacity.

B.S. in Civil Engineering Application

Transfer Admission

Notes for Transfer Students:

  • Transfer students at Washington State community colleges are encouraged to pursue the Associate of Science – Mechanical/Civil/Aero Major Related Program (MRP) or Associate in Science - Transfer Track 2 to meet the admission requirements. Use the UW Course Equivalency Guide to determine the equivalent prerequisites at your school. 
  • UW Seattle and UW Bothell students seeking to transfer to UW Tacoma also need to have a transfer application on file to be considered for admission.
  • If you are not admitted to UWT, you cannot be admitted to the major, but you may hold off on accepting your offer of admission to UWT until you have your program admissions decision. 

Selection Criteria

Strong applicants typically have grades of 3.0 and higher in prerequisite math, science, engineering and programming courses, as well as a solid cumulative GPA.

Applications are evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Completion of all prerequisite courses
  • Grades in prerequisite courses -- individually and cumulatively (competitive applicants will have earned at least a 2.5 in each prerequisite course)
  • Overall previous academic performance
  • Completion of at least 45 college-level credits

Admission Review

The admissions committee reviews applications on a rolling basis with decisions taking 2-3 weeks. Students will be notified of decisions by email.

Curriculum

Courses

A total of 180 quarter credits are required to complete the B.S. CE program. Follow the CE Schedule Planning Grid to make sure you complete all courses required to graduate: 

  • At least 45 of the final 60 credits must be taken in residence at UW Tacoma
  • A minimum of 30 credits of required courses for the B.S. CE major must also be taken in residence at UW Tacoma
  • At least 84 credits must be taken from the CE required courses below and CE Senior Electives list 

Required Prerequisite Courses 

  • Calculus I (TMATH 124), Calculus II (TMATH 125), Calculus III (TMATH 126)
  • Differential Equations (TMATH 207) 
  • Physics I (TPHYS 121), Physics II (TPHYS 122) Physics III (TPHYS 123)
  • General Chemistry I (TCHEM 142)
  • Physical Geology (TGEOS 117)
  • Statics (TME 221 or UWS: AA 210)
  • Mechanics of Materials (TME 222 or UWS: CEE 220)
  • Dynamics (TME 223 or UWS: ME 230)
  • 5 credits of computer programming (Course in Python, Java, C, C++, or the equivalent of AMATH 301: Beginning Scientific Computing will meet this requirement. If you are not sure if the course you plan to take will count, please check with a SET Advisor). 

Civil Engineering Required Courses 

  • TCE 304 Civil Engineering Systems (3)
  • TCE 305 CAD for Civil Engineers (3)
  • TCE 307 Construction Engineering (5)
  • TCE 309 GIS for Civil Engineers (4)
  • TCE 327 Transportation Engineering (5)
  • TCE 337 Construction Materials with Lab (5)
  • TCE 347 Fluid Mechanics (5)
  • TCE 357 Environmental Engineering (5)
  • TCE 367 Geotechnical Engineering with Lab (5)
  • TCE 377 Introduction to Structural Analysis (5)
  • TCE 401 Engineering Project Management (3)
  • TCE 473 Hydraulic Engineering and Hydrology with Lab (5)
  • TCE 488 Senior Project I (2)
  • TCE 489 Senior Project II (5)
  • TEE 225 Engineering Ethics (5)
  • TME 310 Introduction to Computer Modeling I (2)
  • TME 351 Engineering Probability & Statistics (3)
  • TME 403 Engineering Economics (2) 

4-Year Schedule Planning

The CE Schedule Planning Grid shows a sample pathway to complete the B.S. in Civil Engineering degree. Work with your advisor to make sure you are completing required courses for the program and electives for your area of interest.

Download Civil Engineering 4-year Planning Grid

 

5-Year Schedule Planning

The CE Schedule Planning Grid shows a sample pathway to complete the B.S. in Civil Engineering degree. Work with your advisor to make sure you are completing required courses for the program and electives for your area of interest.

 

Download Civil Engineering 5-year planning grid

Senior Electives

Electives must be taken from at least two of the specializations below: 

  • Geotechnical 

    • TCE 435 (4)
  • Structures 
    • TCE 429 (4)
    • TCE 451 (4)
    • TCE 452 (4)
  • Transportation 
    • TCE 411 (4)
    • TCE 416 (4)
    • TCE 417 (4)
  • Environmental 
    • TCE 480 (4)
    • TCE 482 (4)
    • TCE 484 (4)