Undergraduate Civil Engineering Program

Program Educational Objectives

The civil engineering program at South Dakota State University is committed to preparing students to achieve the following educational objectives within five years beyond the baccalaureate degree.

1. Graduates will have obtained professional licensure or specialized certification.
2. Graduates will have engaged in professional development and life-long learning through earning advanced degrees, attending continuing education forums or active participation in professional organizations.
3. Graduates will have become actively involved in their profession, communities and global society with a trajectory towards leadership positions.

Student Outcomes

The program's mission and educational objectives are accomplished by providing undergraduate students with an educational program that will result in the following outcomes by the time of graduation:

1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics.
2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors.
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts.
5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives.
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Additionally, the program strives to assist students in developing a commitment to high standards of professional conduct by maintaining a strong, active American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Student Chapter Program; encouraging seniors to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination; and promoting summer and cooperative employment experiences in civil engineering.

When you choose an accredited program, you are choosing wisely.

Accreditation assures that a program has met quality standards set by the profession. To employers and graduate schools, as well as licensure, certification and registration boards, graduation from an accredited program signifies adequate preparation for entry into the profession. Many of these groups require graduation from an accredited program as a minimum qualification.

Undergraduate Advisement

Undergraduate students in the Bachelor of Science in civil engineering program are assigned academic advisors who will provide guidance regarding academic progress and career options. During their freshmen or first year, all civil engineering students are advised by a professional advisor. Students with sophomore, junior or senior standing are advised by civil engineering faculty members. Academic advisors use an Advising Guidesheet for each student to select the appropriate coursework for subsequent academic years and to monitor the student's progress toward graduation.