Undergraduate Programs

Our Programs

Educational Objectives of the CEE Program

CEE Program Measured Outcomes (PMO)

Construction Project Management

The civil engineering program in construction management is directed to students whose interests lie in the design engineering process but who are also concerned with the problems in social science, management, business, labor and legal relations, and the interaction of governmental and private interests as they relate to major construction projects.

Because of the multidisciplinary nature of the program, students are encouraged to complete courses in management. Information and control systems are important to construction management, and competence in utilizing computers in these areas is expected. Students are encouraged to work with the profession through projects and other activities.

Affiliated Faculty

Courses

An understanding of other engineering areas will enhance a construction engineering and management program. Courses such as CE 3044, CE 3050, CE 4071 and CE 3059 will be helpful. Typical project topics include computers in construction, prefabricated buildings, rehabilitative construction strategies, scheduling of construction projects, cost evaluation of construction, and integration of design and construction.

Environmental Engineering

Environmental Engineering primarily focuses on water systems (e.g.: Water Treatment, Wastewater Treatment, Pipe Systems, Industrial Waste Treatment, Hydraulics, ... etc). You are encouraged to take fundamental courses in chemistry, life science and fluid mechanics. Typically, students will begin their environmental engineering studies with the CE 3059 introductory course. Courses from other disciplines such as Chemical Engineering may also be taken to enhance your studies.

At the graduate level, we offer a complete Distance Learning Program as well as courses on campus. Undergraduate students may take grad courses towards their BS degree. We also offer a BS/MSprogram.

Affiliated Faculty

Courses

Geotechnical Engineering

Principles of Geotechnical Engineering are applied to all of the other disciplines of Civil Engineering. Knowledge of the ability for buildings and highways to reliably transmit their loads to the soil or rock beneath them is crucial. Environmental Engineers must consider the flow of groundwater and its potential contamination. Since all engineering works are constructed on or in the ground, a competent construction manager also would need to study aspects of Geotechnical Engineering. CE 3041, Soil Mechanics, is the introductory course in this discipline. Students should prepare for this course by studying geology, chemistry, mathematics, and basic physics in accordance with the Civil Engineering Departments Distribution Requirements. In addition, it is important to also have a working knowledge of mechanics of deformable bodies and fluid mechanics. Students choose to follow CE 3041 with advanced Geotechnical Engineering courses which deal specifically with the other Civil Engineering disciplines that they have interest in.

Affiliated Faculty

Courses

Structural Engineering

The practice of Structural Engineering involves five major areas of activity:

The output from the structural engineer consists of drawings and specifications for construction (which includes fabrication and erection). Students formally begin their study of structures in their sophomore year by completing a sequence of fundamental 2000-level courses: CE2000, CE2001, and CE2002. These courses provide introduction and a foundation in the concepts of statics, material behavior, and structural analysis. Upon completion of this sequence, CE3010 is intended to provide introduction to the structural engineering profession. Students in structural engineering should include CE3006, CE3008, CE3026, CE4007, CE4017 and CE3044 in their curriculum to gain exposure to the design and behavior of different construction materials, advanced methods of structural analysis, and foundation design. One or two courses in the area of Construction Engineering and Project Management are also suggested to provide a background in construction issues. More advanced courses from other disciplines, such as Mathematical Science and Mechanical Engineering, may also be taken as breadth to enhance your studies.

Affiliated Faculty

Courses

Transportation Engineering

The transportation infrastructure is a key component of economic and social development in many regions of the world. The robust economy of the United States is directly dependent on the mobility of good and people. Transportation Engineers design, build, maintain and operate a variety of transportation facilities like highways, railroads, airports, shipping networks and even pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Transportation Engineering involves a broad cross-section of activities that are united by the need to build safe systems to move people and goods.

There are several areas of transportation engineering including traffic engineering, highway materials, safety and transportation structures. Student can explore a wide range of important societal problems that fall within the broad scope of transportation engineering. Students wishing to obtain a further education in the design, construction and maintenance of the highway infrastructure may be interested in WPI's graduate Highway Infrastructure Program.

Affiliated Faculty

Laboratories

Courses

Surveying

Road Building

Asphalt

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Last modified: August 20, 2007 14:33:06