This information is not official. Pick up the latest handbook at the CEES Office for official information.

Carson Engineering Center
202 West Boyd Street, Room 334
Norman, Oklahoma 73019-0631
(405) 325-5911

Download Civil Engineering Curriculum Sheet (PDF file)

Download Environmental Engineering Curriculum Sheet (PDF file)

MISSION STATEMENT OF SCHOOL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

1.0 CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

2.0 ACADEMIC PROGRAM PLANNING

2.1 Accelerated BS/MS Degree
2.2 Engineering Advising Center

3.0 STUDENT ADVISING AND ADVANCE REGISTRATION

4.0 PROFESSIONAL ELECTIVES

4.1 Environmental Engineering Electives
4.2 Geotechnical Engineering Electives
4.3 Structural Engineering Electives
4.4 Professional Electives Outside of CEES

5.0 REQUIRED SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES COURSES

5.1 Foreign Language Requirements

6.0 SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID

7.0 FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGINEERING EXAMINATION

8.0 STUDENT ACTIVITIES

8.1 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
8.2 Chi Epsilon
8.3 Environmental Science Student Association (ESSA)
8.4 Engineers' Club
8.5 Society of Black Engineers (SBE)
8.6 Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

ASCE Student Chapter Advisor - Baxter E. Vieux, CEC 301C

Chi Epsilon Advisor - Bruce W. Russell, CEC 320

ESSA Advisor - Robert W. Nairn, CEC 327D

ABET EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES AND MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science is to provide a high-quality educational experience for undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of environmental, geotechnical, transportation, and structural engineering and environmental science. The educational experience is accomplished through innovative classroom instruction aided by computer and multimedia-based instruction, laboratory experiences and student mentoring. The products of this experience are engineers and scientists capable of critical thinking, devoted to a lifetime of learning, and highly sought after by employers.

Program Objective #1: Graduates will be technically competent in core areas within civil and environmental engineering and related sciences and mathematics.
Program Objective #2: Graduates will be able to work within a team and communicate effectively.
Program Objective #3: Graduates will be able to synthesize diverse information to develop creative design solutions.
Program Objective #4: Graduates will be able to function within an evolving engineering profession.

1.0 CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Civil engineers are responsible for the design and construction of buildings, highways, bridges, mass transit systems, dams and locks, and municipal water and sewage treatment systems. They often are responsible for planning, managing, operating, and maintaining these facilities. Consequently, civil engineering is frequently referred to as "the people serving profession."

Civil engineering is the oldest of the modern engineering disciplines; its historical roots date back to the 1700's. The industrial revolution spurred the construction of canals, roads, and railroads--all responsibilities of the first civil engineers.

Today's civil engineers are constantly challenged by the changing times. As the United States seeks energy independence, structural engineers play an important role in the design of offshore oil rigs and energy efficient buildings. The availability of abundant supplies of clean water is vital to our high standard of living. Environmental and water resources engineers develop the dams and other water control facilities needed for floor control, irrigation, power generation, and drinking water supplies.

Demand for civil and environmental engineers will increase throughout the 1990's and into the 21st century as the nation rebuilds its deteriorating public "infrastructure"-highways, railroads, transit systems, bridges, and water treatment systems. The Congressional Budget Office recently estimated that over $50 billion would be needed annually to repair and construct public works. Civil engineers will also be needed to solve the growing environmental problems of air and groundwater pollution, garbage, and hazardous waste disposal.

The civil engineering student at OU receives training in environmental, geotechnical and structural engineering. The first two years of the curriculum concentrate on mathematics and engineering science; whereas, the last two years use these basic courses as a foundation to study all areas of civil engineering practice. Professional electives enable the student to gain more knowledge in one of the tracks of civil engineering. Environmental engineering students receive expanded training in the natural sciences, then select professional electives from one of several focus areas. Both curricula also include courses in English, the humanities and social sciences. The programs in civil and environmental engineering at OU are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET).

Most civil and environmental engineers work for federal, state, and local governments or for private consultants or construction firms. We encourage students to gain experience in engineering through summer jobs in industry or involvement in research in the school.

2.0 ACADEMIC PROGRAM PLANNING

When you enroll in the School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, we will appoint a faculty member to serve as your advisor. Your advisor will help you prepare an academic program plan, select courses, and offer advice on other matters. If you have a question regarding a specialty area within the School, you are encouraged to discuss the matter with a faculty member in that discipline. You should assume the primary responsibility for planning a coherent academic program that achieves your educational objectives and satisfies the requirements for graduation.

Students graduating from the School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science must meet a number of criteria. The requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (134), Environmental Engineering (133), and Environmental Science (131) are located at the back of this booklet. In order to graduate, you must successfully complete semester hours noted with a minimum retention grade point average of 2.00 in: all University of Oklahoma courses; all courses taken anywhere; all major (at OU & combined) courses; and all courses required for the bachelor of science degree. In addition, you must have a minimum C grade in every course offered for your degree.

You must be admitted to the College of Engineering in order to enroll in all Engineering and Civil Engineering courses numbered 3XXX or greater, as well as in English 3153 (Technical Writing). For College of Engineering admission requirements, refer to "Policy on Admission of Undergraduate Students" in the current OU General Catalog.

It is your responsibility as a student to follow the course requirements for graduation, but your advisor will help you based on his/her knowledge at the time of each advising conference. Advisors can assist you in optimizing your learning experiences at OU. Failure to follow the advisor's recommendations can prolong the time required to earn a degree and result in probation and suspension. Your advisor has the authority to withhold his/her approval if your selection of courses is inappropriate or unwise. Remember that both course and grade prerequisites are necessary for every course.

2.1 Accelerated BS/MS Civil Engineering Degree

The combined BS/MS program is offered for qualified undergraduate students to pursue a graduate education in harmony with the undergraduate degree requirements. Students accepted into this program can use two professional elective courses (i.e., six credit hours) to simultaneously satisfy the requirements of both the BS and MS degrees. With proper planning in the final year, students can initiate thesis research in their senior year and complete the MS in one additional year beyond their BS degree.

Students must apply to this program two semesters prior to their graduation, carry a GPA of 3.0 or better in the civil or environmental engineering curricula, as well as meet all requirements for admission to the Graduate College. This program is not available to students transferring in beyond junior standing, non-thesis students, nor retroactively to students admitted to the graduate program.

Students must complete the application prior to their senior year. In addition, students must complete the application form listing the courses to be taken for graduate credit and obtain the appropriate signatures prior to the semester the courses are taken.

Please see a CEES staff member in CEC 334 for further information and application forms.

2.2 Engineering Advising Center (CEC 104)

The Engineering Advising Center, Carson Engineering Center Room 104, assists students with the following matters:

Retention
Transfer equivalencies (for lower division courses)
Repeat/forgiveness policy
General Education questions
Which curriculum is appropriate
Petitions to add/drop
Suspension petitions
Complete withdrawal
A/DA corrections/updates
Graduation verification
General OU policy information
General assistance if you don't know where to go

3.0 STUDENT ADVISING AND ADVANCE REGISTRATION

If you have been admitted to the College of Engineering, meet current retention standards, and have no unpaid fines, overdue books, parking tickets, etc., you will be allowed to go through advance registration. Advance registration for Fall and Summer is held during the preceding Spring semester, and advance registration for the Spring semester is held during the preceding Fall semester. With a few exceptions, advance registration is conducted according to classification and in varying alphabetical order of students' last names. Proceed in the following steps to go through registration. (See Class Schedule for details.)

During advance registration periods, CEES uses Group Advising for undergraduate students in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Environmental Science. Group Advising periods are scheduled according to class (senior, junior, etc.) each semester. Students should check the bulletin boards or inquire at CEC 334 as to what times are scheduled for Group Advising. Students who do not attend one of the Group Advising periods forfeit their opportunity for advanced registration and will only be advised at the start of the subsequent semester.

If for some reason you do not participate in advance registration, you should see a CEES staff member in CEC 334 one to two weeks before the start of the semester and go through the advising process.

1. Attend a Group Advising Session. After attending a Group Advising Session, special problems or circumstances may necessitate your scheduling an appointment with a faculty advisor. If you do not have a designated advisor, a CEES staff member in CEC 334 will assign a faculty member to help you.

2. Plan your class schedule before attending a Group Advising Session. Consult this guide, the Class Schedule and the General Catalog. Students attending Group Advising will be able to exchange their blue sheet for a Registration Form following the Group Advising Session.

3. Prior to attending Group Advising, you should obtain your records from the Engineering Advising Center, CEC 104. Bring your Blue Sheet (record of advising) and the computer output (A/DA) showing current courses you are taking to your advising conference.

4. If you need special permission for a CEES class, a special permission slip (pink) is completed by you and your advisor. (Obtain special permission for English 3153 in the Engineering Advising Center.)

5. Return your records to the Engineering Advising Center (CEC 104), where you will receive your registration slip, and then report to the Registration Center (230 Buchanan Hall) at your scheduled time.

Before signing up for any course, you should determine that you satisfy the course prerequisites; various CEES curriculum flow charts and the General Catalog will clarify prerequisites. If you request a prerequisite waiver, it must be forwarded by your advisor to the Chair of the CEES Undergraduate Studies Committee for approval. Any course taken without such prior approval will be at your own risk and may not be counted towards the total credit hours taken. Remember that a minimum C grade is needed in all courses and is a part of the prerequisite.

CE 4903 (CE Senior Design) is the "capstone" course that all students must take prior to graduation. CE 4903 is offered only in the spring semester and must be taken by students scheduled to graduate in that spring semester or the subsequent summer or fall semesters. Students planning to graduate in the summer or fall semesters must have completed 120 credit hours of the Civil Engineering or Environmental Engineering curricula prior to enrolling in CE 4903. Students enrolling in CE 4903 are required to attempt the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination. CEES pays the first examination fee for all CEES students attempting the FE examination.

4.0 PROFESSIONAL ELECTIVES

The School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science has three well-defined specialized tracks of engineering: environmental; geotechnical; and structural. In choosing professional electives, you can obtain either a general or specialized background; both paths have merits.

Selecting electives from several areas will give you a chance to explore the various fields before choosing a specialty. Few engineers follow a single track throughout their careers; changes to new areas are common and a broad education allows easy transition. For the person who goes into general civil engineering practice, a broad background is usually required to satisfy the varied demands. Also, most civil engineering projects encompass many areas of design; a general background helps one to communicate across specialty lines.

Specialization may be the choice of those students who have clearly-defined career goals and want to focus on one area only. By selecting courses in a single area, it is possible to be well qualified for a position in that field with only a baccalaureate degree. In addition, specialization can give you impressive qualifications and capabilities for graduate study.

We suggest that you carefully consider both generalization and specialization options and consult with faculty, practicing engineers and your advisor before making a decision. Whatever path you choose, please recognize that some focus in your selection of electives is desirable; there is no wisdom in a random selection of professional electives.

Professional electives are 4000-level senior and 5000-level graduate courses intended for undergraduate students specializing in one of the above tracks. These electives have, as prerequisites, the required engineering and civil engineering core courses in each track. Make certain that you have the appropriate prerequisites (both course and grade) for each professional elective.

Because of university regulations and CEES policy, certain restrictions apply in selecting professional electives. All 6000-level courses cannot be taken by undergraduate students and 5000-level courses cannot be taken by students with junior standing. Also, correspondence courses and the generic course, CE 5020 Problems in CE, are unacceptable as professional electives.

4.1 Environmental Engineering Electives

Environmental engineering began with the demand for better water and wastewater treatment technologies. Later, the field expanded to include hydro-mechanics processes, hydrology, and water resources engineering. Today, environmental impact assessment and pollution control must also be included. At OU, we also work in hazardous and solid waste management and disposal and industrial hygiene. Careers are available in water resources (groundwater and reservoir development), water treatment, sewage treatment, and industrial waste management, air pollution control and solid and hazardous waste management. Graduates typically work for federal (EPA), state and local governments (urban engineer), consulting firms and industries.

Approved Professional Electives and Areas of Emphasis for Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering Degree

1. CE = Civil Engineering; ES = Environmental Science
2. 5 or 6 electives must be selected from three or more different areas of emphasis.
3. One elective can be chosen from list of approved science electives.

NOTE: Asterisk (*) denotes cross-listing with ES or CE.

4.2 Geotechnical Engineering Electives

Geotechnical engineering relates to the behavior of structures, foundations and geologic media such as soils and rocks. The geotechnical engineer designs earth and rock-filled dams, levees, tunnels, braced excavations and structural foundations. This field leads to careers in analysis, design, construction and maintenance of structural foundations, pavements, tunnels, dams and other facilities, and also in material testing and general civil engineering consultant works. Graduates typically work for consulting firms, state departments of transportation and government organizations.

Professional Electives in Geotechnical Engineering

4.3 Structural Engineering Electives

Structural engineering involves the analysis, design and construction of buildings, bridges, offshore platforms and other facilities. Structural engineers select the appropriate materials and ensure that the structure will have sufficient strength and stiffness to fulfill their intended purpose. Careers are available in structural analysis and design, general civil engineering consulting work, and construction. Graduates are frequently employed by private companies, architectural firms and governmental agencies.

Professional Electives in Structural Engineering

* One structural design course required; you may take the other as a professional elective.

4.4 Professional Electives Outside of CEES

Under special circumstances, senior and graduate courses from other departments are acceptable professional electives if they are part of a coherent elective program. Such courses must be approved by your advisor.

Appropriate profession electives can be found in Aerospace Engineering, Architecture, Biological Engineering, Biology, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Microbiology, Petroleum Engineering, Microbiology, Petroleum Engineering, Physics, Statistics, Meteorology,and Geology. However, the following Architecture courses cannot be taken as professional electives by civil engineering undergraduate students: Arch 4333 (Architectural Structures I); Arch 4343 (Architectural Structures II); Arch 4513 (Construction Cost Estimation); Arch 4923 (Construction Management); and Arch 5353 (Architectural Structures III).

5.0 REQUIRED SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES COURSES

Engineers must understand their social responsibilities and be able to consider related factors in making professional decisions. Therefore, studies in the humanities and social sciences should meet both the objectives of a broad education and those of the engineering profession. The humanities consists of those areas concerned with man and her/his culture (e.g., history, literature, philosophy, and religion); whereas, the social sciences are the studies of individual relationships in and to society (e.g., anthropology, economics, psychology, geography, political science, and sociology).

The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) requires that courses taken in humanities and social sciences must provide the student both breadth and depth and should not be a selection of unrelated introductory courses. The College of Engineering (CoE) requires that a minimum of two of these must be upper division and at least two should be in the same or closely- related areas.

In addition to ABET criteria, the University of Oklahoma General Education Requirements mandate that students take two courses (6 credits) in social science and four courses (12 credits) in humanities. The humanities requirement consists of: one course (3 credits) in understanding artistic form; two courses (6 credits) in western civilization and culture; and one course (3 credits) in non-western culture. Furthermore, according to State Regents' ruling, one of the social science courses must be Political Science 1113 (Government of the United States) and the western civilization and culture courses must include either History 1483 (United States, 1492-1865) or History 1493 (United States, 1865-present). For example, these overlaying requirements can be met by taking:

Students may wish to explore other courses in the humanities and social sciences, but it is imperative that they consult with their advisor (or the Engineering Advising Center) to make certain that they are satisfying both ABET and OU General Education Requirements. Western Civilization humanities courses (only one may be used in your curriculum) that may be helpful in an engineering background are:

Social science courses (only one may be used in your curriculum) of specific value to an engineering background are:

5.1 Foreign Language Requirements

To satisfy the OU General Requirements, non-international students must successfully complete two years of the same foreign language in high school or a two-semester sequence of a single language such as: Chinese, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Russian, Spanish, Arabic, and American Indian languages) in college.

An international student, who graduates from a secondary school in which the language of instruction was not English, has satisfied the language requirement through passing the TOEFL exam for admission to OU An international student, who graduates from a secondary school in which the language of instruction was English, must meet the foreign language requirement of non-international students. Transcripts documenting foreign language study or an advanced standing exam must be presented for completion of the general education foreign language requirement.

6.0 SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID

Several scholarship opportunities are available to civil engineering undergraduates, including entering freshmen. Scholarships typically are awarded both for potential academic ability and financial need. Scholarships are awarded by the school, alumni, local consulting firms, and private industry. In addition to the scholarships offered by the School, students may qualify for other forms of financial assistance, including tuition fee waivers, direct student loans, university scholarships, work-study, and coop programs with Oklahoma firms and government agencies. The College of Engineering has several scholarships with yearly stipends of $500 to $1,500 available for academically gifted or minority students.

The Dean's Office has a number of scholarships that are listed in A Guide to Scholarships & Financial Aid available from Prospective Student Services at the University of Oklahoma. There are also scholarships based on ACT or SAT test scores that are available to either incoming freshmen or transfer students. For further information regarding general scholarships, call Prospective Student Services.

The Office of Financial Aid, The University of Oklahoma, 731 Elm Avenue, Norman, OK 73019- 0230, can provide information on the National Direct Student Loan Program, the Guaranteed Loan Program, the University Work-Study Program, and additional programs and opportunities. Whether or not they are eligible for the Work-Study Program, students can obtain assistance in finding part- time jobs on the campus by applying to the Personnel Service Office, 905 Asp Avenue, Norman, OK 73019-0420

7.0 FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGINEERING EXAMINATION

To obtain legal status as a professional engineer, you must graduate from an accredited engineering program, obtain appropriate engineering work experience, and pass two standard examinations. These examinations are administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) examinations are the primary licensure examinations for engineers. The eight-hour FE examination is open book and tests you in basic science, mathematics, engineering science and engineering economics. You are eligible to take the exam if you have completed 90 hours toward your engineering degree. OU offers a zero-credit course to prepare you to take the FE examination. We expect you to take the FE examination before receiving your baccalaureate degree.

8.0 STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Student groups provide an excellent opportunity to supplement classroom education through contact with faculty, practicing engineers, and your fellow students.

8.1 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

ASCE has established over 125 chapters in U.S. engineering colleges. The parent society keeps in touch with students and engineering education through these student chapters. Membership in the Student Chapter is open to all graduate and undergraduate Civil Engineering students regardless of their year in school. ASCE meets each month, usually in the evening, and hosts speakers from the practice of engineering. In addition, they sponsor field trips, attend national, regional and local meetings of the parent organization, and coordinate the College of Engineering Open House. For additional information, contact a student officer in the ASCE office or Dr. Michael A. Mooney, Student Chapter Faculty Advisor.

8.2 Chi Epsilon

Chi Epsilon, the Civil Engineering Honor Society, recognizes outstanding student achievements and promotes development of characteristics for a successful engineering career. The University of Oklahoma Chapter is part of a network of more than 60 chapters formed since the organization was founded at the University of Illinois in 1922. Membership in Chi Epsilon conveys both an honor and an obligation. Consideration for membership in Chi Epsilon requires junior status or higher with a grade point average equal to or greater than 3.00 at the University of Oklahoma. For more information, contact the Chapter Faculty Advisor, Dr. Benjamin Wallace.

8.3 Environmental Science Student Association (ESSA)

ESSA, which was established in 1992, is an independent organization of undergraduate environmental science students. Its major purpose is to invite speakers from academia, government, and industry to provide both technical perspectives on environmental problems, and career guidance. In addition, it provides networking opportunities for environmental science students, who usually do not take ES classes until their junior year, and consequently often don't meet their peers until the third year of the program. Other activities include placement of newspaper recycling bins in Carson Engineering Center, organization of the first Environmental Fair at a local mall to bring current environmental issues to area residents, and field trips to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality laboratories. For more information, contact the Chapter Faculty Advisor, Robert Nairn.

8.4 Engineers' Club

The Engineers' Club fosters the high ideals of the engineering profession, stimulates interest in School and College activities, and develops professional awareness and leadership qualities. Activities of the Engineers' Club include organization of OU Engineers' Week activities and Engineering Open House.

8.5 Society of Black Engineers (SBE)

SBE shares many of the same goals and objectives as the Engineers' Club, while directing attention to the problems and needs of black students.

8.6 Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

SWE is a technical society with the objective of encouraging women who have chosen to study engineering. Through speakers, discussions, and field trips, members are able to examine professional issues and challenges particular to women. Membership is open to both men and women.

For more information please contact:

• Carson Engineering Center
  202 West Boyd, Room 334
  Norman, Oklahoma 73019-0631
  (405) 325-5911