Civil and Environmental Engineering

The department offers five sub-plan options: architecture and engineering, environmental engineering, geological engineering, structural engineering, and engineering and the liberal arts. In the freshman year, students should complete the mathematics basic science, computing, and writing requirements common to all B.S.E. programs. At the end of the freshman year, the student declares CEE as a major and selects one of the subplans. Course requirements include engineering science courses, engineering design courses, a senior thesis, and program electives. For all but the non-ABET accredited tracks, there are additional math and science requirements that are normally satisfied by taking MAE 305 Mathematics in Engineering, ORF 245 Fundamentals of Engineering Statistics and GEO 203 Fundamentals of Solid Earth Science. In total, a student's program of study must include a minimum of fourteen engineering courses, with the exception of students in the non-ABET accredited tracks.

The selection of a sub-plan provides a guide in the selection of program electives. A student's program electives must provide a coherent sequence in the student's area of interest. Approval is based on agreement from the advisor and the departmental representative. For a list of pre-approved electives, consult the CEE Academic Guide (The Yellow Book). In addition, all candidates for the B.S.E. degree are required to satisfy the general University and School of Engineering and Applied Science requirements.

Architecture and Engineering. Structural engineers should have a sensitivity to the setting and the form of structures such as bridges, towers, and long-span roofs. Studies in architecture give engineering students such a perspective. This program, offered jointly by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the School of Architecture, presents a unique opportunity to integrate engineering and architectural design by combining the curricula of the two schools. A certificate is awarded to all students who successfully complete the program. Students interested in this program must choose between two options, as described below.

Architecture and Engineering: Structural Focus

In the structures-focus option, the requirements include a strong emphasis on civil and environmental engineering. This track is designed for students who intend to become practicing engineers and may go to graduate school in architecture or engineering. This track is accredited by the Engineering Commission of ABET (www.abet.org(link is external)) under the program in civil engineering. This track has architecture course requirements beyond the normal requirements in civil and environmental engineering.

Engineering science requirements (eight courses):

• CEE 205 Mechanics of Solids
• CEE 262A Structures and the Urban Environment
• CEE 207 Introduction to Environmental Engineering, or CEE 302 Practical Models for Environmental Systems, or CEE 304 Environmental Implications of Energy Technologies, or CEE 306 Hydrology, or CEE 307 Field Ecohydrology
• CEE 312 Statics of Structures
• CEE 361 Matrix Structural Analysis and Introduction to Finite-Element Methods
• CEE 364 Materials in Civil Engineering
• CEE 365 Soil Mechanics
• ARC 374 Computational Design or CEE 463 A Social and Multi-Dimensional Exploration of Structures

Engineering design requirements (two courses):

• CEE 366 Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures
• CEE 461 or 462 Design of Large-Scale Structures: Buildings/Bridges

Independent Work (two courses):

• CEE 478 Senior Thesis (Counts as two courses)

Track Specific Requirements (three courses):

• ARC 203 Introduction to Architectural Thinking
• ARC 204 Introduction to Architectural Design
• ARC Junior Independent Work (Fall)

Program elective requirements (one or more courses): Students in this sub-plan must take one more program elective and it must be an engineering course.

Architecture and Engineering: Architecture Focus

In the architecture-focus option, the requirements include a strong emphasis on architecture theory, history, and practice. This track is designed for students planning to do graduate work in architecture or to practice engineering in consultation with architects and planners. Students choosing this option do a senior thesis under the direction of advisers from both the School of Architecture and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Engineering science requirements (six courses):

• CEE 205 Mechanics of Solids
• CEE 262A Structures and the Urban Environment
• CEE 312 Statics of Structures or CEE 361 Matrix Structural Analysis and Introduction to Finite-Element Methods
• CEE 364 Materials in Civil Engineering
• ARC 311 Building Science and Technology: Building Systems
• ARC 374 Computational Design or CEE 463 A Social and Multi-Dimensional Exploration of Structures

Engineering design requirements (two courses):

• CEE 366 Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures
• CEE 461 or 462 Design of Large Scale Structures: Buildings/Bridges

Independent Work (two courses)

• CEE 478 Senior Thesis (Counts as two courses)

Track specific requirements (six courses):

• ARC 203 Introduction to Architectural Thinking
• ARC 204 Introduction to Architectural Design
• ARC 403 Topics in the History and Theory of Architecture
• ARC 404 Advanced Design Studio
• ARC Junior Independent Work (Fall)
• ARC Junior Independent Work (spring)

Program elective requirements (two courses): Students in this program must take two or more program electives, normally selected from a pre-approved list of courses in CEE, architecture and art.

Environmental Engineering. This track is designed for students who wish to pursue a career related to the environment, whether in engineering, law, business, public policy, hydrological, or health and epidemiological sciences, and for students who wish to continue on to advanced graduate studies in environmental engineering (or a related earth science discipline). Course work in environmental engineering focuses on analysis of a large range of environmental problems as well as engineering design of innovative solutions to these problems. This is done through a combination of course work in hydrological sciences, environmental sciences, and geology, applied to different environmental settings, and environmental engineering design. The environmental engineering track is closely linked to the Environmental Studies Program of the Princeton Environmental Institute. This track is accredited by the Engineering Commission of ABET (www.abet.org(link is external)) under the program in Civil Engineering. Students normally take the following courses:

Engineering science requirements (eight courses):

• CEE 205 Mechanics of Solids
• CEE 207 Introduction to Environmental Engineering
• CEE 302 Practical Models for Environmental Systems or CEE 304 Environmental Implications of Energy Technologies
• CEE 305 Environmental Fluid Mechanics
• CEE 306 Hydrology or CEE 307 Field Ecohydrology
• CEE 308 Environmental Engineering Lab
• CEE 311 Global Air Pollution
• CEE 364 Materials in Civil Engineering or CEE 365 Soil Mechanics

Engineering design (two courses):

• CEE 471 Introduction to Water Pollution Technology
• CEE 477 Engineering Design for Sustainable Development

Independent Work (two courses):

• CEE 478 Senior Thesis (Counts as two courses)

Program elective requirements (three courses): No more than one program elective can be at the 200 level. For the environmental engineering track, at least one of the program electives must be an engineering course.

Geological Engineering. Geological engineering is the application of science to problems and projects involving Earth, its physical environment, Earth materials, and natural resources. The curriculum, offered in cooperation with the Department of Geosciences, is specially designed for the student who wishes to build upon the freshman and sophomore mathematics and engineering courses as a basis for studies in the earth sciences. Typical areas of concentration are water resources, engineering geology, earth resources, geotechnical engineering, geophysics, geochemistry, and atmospheres and oceans. This track is accredited by the Engineering Commission of ABET (www.abet.org(link is external)) under the program in Civil Engineering. In addition to the general requirements of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the following courses are required:

Engineering science requirements (eight courses):

• CEE 205 Mechanics of Solids
• CEE 207 Introduction to Environmental Engineering or CEE 302 Practical Models for Environmental Systems
• CEE 304 Environmental Implications of Energy Technologies
• CEE 305 (GEO 375) Environmental Fluid Mechanics or CEE 311 (GEO 311) Global Air Pollution
• CEE 306 Hydrology or CEE 307 Field Ecohydrology
• CEE 308 Environmental Engineering Laboratory or GEO 300 Summer Course in Geologic Field Methods
• CEE 365 Soil Mechanics (lab), or CEE 370 (GEO 370) Sedimentology (field course)

One course selected from the following list:

• CEE 360 (GEO 361) - Physics of the Ocean and Atmosphere
• GEO 363 Environmental Geochemistry
• GEO 366 - Current and Future Climate
• CEE 417 (GEO 417) - Environmental Microbiology
• GEO 418 - Environmental Aqueous Geochemistry
• CEE 424 (GEO 424) - Seismology
• GEO 430 - Climate and The Terrestrial Biosphere
• GEO 441 - Computational Geophysics
• GEO 470 - Environmental Chemistry of Soils
• GEO 499 - Environmental Change, Poverty and Conflict

Engineering design requirements (two courses):

• CEE 471 (GEO 471) Introduction to Water Pollution Technology
• CEE 477 Engineering Design for Sustainable Development

Independent Work (two courses):

• CEE 478 Senior Thesis (Counts as two courses)

Program elective requirement (three courses): No more than one program elective can be at the 200 level. For the geological engineering track, two of the three required program electives must be engineering courses.

Structural Engineering. Structural engineering is concerned with the analysis and design of civil engineering structures with an emphasis on buildings, bridges, stadiums, dams, and foundations. Particular emphasis is given to the design of these structures to resist earthquake and wind loads. The program is designed to meet the needs of students who are interested in continuing to advanced graduate studies or who plan to go into engineering practice and consulting. This track is accredited by the Engineering Commission of ABET (www.abet.org(link is external)) under the program in Civil Engineering. Its basic aim is the preparation of flexible and innovative graduates who can address the novel problems of modern engineering. Students in this program have the chance to interact directly with some of the best design and consulting companies in structural engineering. Students normally take the following courses:

Engineering science requirements (eight courses):

• CEE 205 Mechanics of Solids
• CEE 262A Structures and the Urban Environment
• CEE 207 Introduction to Environmental Engineering, or CEE 302 Practical Models for Environmental Systems, or CEE 304 Environmental Implications of Energy Technologies
• CEE 306 Hydrology, or CEE 305 Environmental Fluid Mechanics, or CEE 307 Field Ecohydrology
• CEE 312 Statics of Structures
• CEE 361 Matrix Structural Analysis and Introduction to Finite-Element Methods

Any two from:

• CEE 308 Environmental Engineering Laboratory, CEE 364 Materials in Civil Engineering, or CEE 365 Soil Mechanics

Engineering design requirements (two courses):

• CEE 366 Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures
• CEE 461 or 462 Design of Large-Scale Structures: Buildings/Bridges

Independent Work (two courses):

• CEE 478 Senior Thesis (Counts as two courses)

Program elective requirements (three courses): For the structural engineering track, three program electives are required and at least one must be an engineering course.

Engineering and the Liberal Arts. This program is designed for students who wish to obtain an engineering background as a foundation for a wide range of careers, such as medicine, law, public policy, visual arts, or engineering studies in materials, ethics, or history. Course work in this track should integrate engineering courses in a coherent manner with the topic of interest to the student. The track is designed to be rigorous, yet allow for a wide degree of flexibility in the course of studies.

All students in engineering and the liberal arts are required to take a minimum of six courses in engineering sciences that stress design and analytical methods in civil and environmental engineering. The program electives should form a coherent sequence of at least four courses in the student's area of interest, and junior independent research is strongly recommended as a program elective. This is followed by the senior thesis. In the junior independent research and senior thesis, students should relate their topics of interest to engineering problems. Students normally take the following courses:

Engineering Science Requirement (six courses):

• A minimum of six CEE courses, of which at least three should be at the 300 level or above. At least one of the 300-level courses has to have a laboratory component.

Program Electives (seven courses):

Seven program electives are required and these should include a coherent sequence of at least four courses in the student's area of interest, three of which should be at the 300 level or above.

Independent Work (two courses):

• CEE 478 Senior Thesis (Counts as two courses)

Collectively the selection of engineering science requirements and electives should form a coherent program of study, which needs to be approved by the advisor. At least eight of these courses must be at the 300 level or above.

Study Abroad

Study abroad can be used to enhance and diversify the educational experience of departmental majors. Courses taken during foreign study may be preapproved for credit as departmental requirements by the departmental representative. Study abroad has served as a valuable option for junior independent work and in providing research material for the senior thesis. Students considering study abroad should consult with the departmental representative as early as possible.

1. Submit
   • A Completed Application. You must submit your application online through either the Common Application, Coalition Application or the Universal College Application. 
   • Princeton's Supplement. In addition to the application provided by the Common Application, Coalition Application or Universal College Application, all applicants must submit the Princeton Supplement. You should submit the Princeton Supplement online through the Common Application, Coalition Application or Universal College Application website. 
   • Application Fee or Fee Waiver. You may submit a fee waiver one of two ways: 1) Select the fee waiver option on the Common Application, Coalition Application or Universal College Application. Your college or guidance counselor must approve your fee waiver request online or submit your fee waiver form by mail or fax. 2) Select one of the following fee waiver options on the Princeton Supplement: Princeton-specific, ACT, College Board, NACAC or Realize Your College Potential. All low-income students are eligible for the Princeton-specific fee waiver. Students named QuestBridge Finalists should select the QuestBridge fee waiver. If you use the Princeton-specific fee waiver, you do not need to get approval from your college counselor. Learn more about fee waivers on the How to Apply page.
2. Request
   • Transcript. An official transcript must be sent by a guidance counselor or school official.
   • School Report (SR). The SR form is available from the Common Application and Universal College Application websites. Please ask your guidance counselor or other school official to complete and submit the SR form. If you are using the Coalition Application, the SR and counselor recommendation are uploaded as one item.
   • Counselor Recommendation. If you are using the Common Application online, please note that the SR and the Counselor Recommendation are separate items. Be sure to 'invite' your guidance counselor or academic adviser to complete both items. If you are using the Coalition Application, please invite your counselor to upload the counselor recommendation and school report.
   • Two (2) Teacher Recommendations. Please ask two of your teachers from different academic areas of study to complete and send the teacher recommendation forms, available on the Common Application, Coalition Application and Universal College Application websites. Choose teachers who have taught you in higher-level courses.
   • Mid-year School Report. Please ask your guidance counselor or other school official to complete and submit this form when your mid-year grades are available. The form may be found on the Common Application, Coalition Application and Universal Application websites.
3. Report
   • SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. Early action applicants are strongly encouraged to complete their SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing test before the Nov. 1 deadline. Regular decision applicants should take the SAT with Essay test by the January test date or take the ACT with Writing by the December date. When registering for the SAT or ACT, use the following codes to ensure your scores are sent to Princeton: SAT: 2672 and ACT: 2588. Learn more about standardized testing for admission.
   • SAT Subject Tests. We recommend, but do not require, the submission of two SAT Subject Tests, which often assist us in the evaluation process. We have no preference for the specific SAT Subject Tests applicants might choose to take. However, if you apply for the Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree, we recommend that you take mathematics Level I or II, and either physics or chemistry. If you decide to submit Subject Tests, early action applicants should take them by the November test date, and regular decision applicants should take them by the January test date. Learn more about standardized testing for admission.
   • TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic scores. If English is not your native language and you are attending a school where English is not the language of instruction, you must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS Academic) or the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), in addition to the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. You are not required to take the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic if English is your native language or if you have spent at least three years at a secondary school where English is the primary language of instruction. Please have your scores sent directly to Princeton: TOEFL: 2672

Optional Application Components

• Arts Form, if applicable. If you've excelled in architecture, creative writing, dance, music, theater or visual arts, and would like us to consider your talent, consult Princeton's online Optional Arts Form. Early action applicants must submit digital arts materials by Nov. 7; regular decision applicants must submit digital arts materials by Jan. 6. You can only submit your online Optional Arts Form after we have received the Common Application, Coalition Application or Universal College Application. If you are unable to submit online, please use the paper Optional Arts Form. For a list of acceptable file formats and submission types, review our Optional Arts Form page. For more information on the optional arts supplement, please visit our FAQs page.
• Interview. Depending on availability, once you have applied, you may be invited to interview with a member of one of our Princeton Alumni Schools Committees. If so, we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. Interviews take place after the Admission Office has received your application. Many Princeton Alumni Schools Committees have enough volunteers to offer every applicant an interview. As the interview is not a required element of the application, you will not be at a disadvantage if an interview is not available in your area. We do not offer on-campus interviews. Please visit our FAQs page for more information.

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