Civil Engineering

Civil engineering is a bridge between science and society. It’s an international profession that provides solutions for challenges that exist for both natural and built environments—a profession that recognizes the reality of limited natural resources, the desire for sustainable practice, and the need for social equity in the consumption of resources.

The bachelor of science in civil engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is designed to satisfy the diverse interests and professional goals of future civil engineers. Accredited by ABET, the undergraduate program allows students to develop study plans that are suited to their individual interests (including extensive options for courses outside of the McCormick School of Engineering) so that they may address the social, physical, and financial challenges of constructing and managing the nation’s infrastructure.

Students also learn how to apply and develop computer models and analytical and experimental methods to explore the response of infrastructure systems to normal and extreme stresses in advance of construction.

The minimum number of units required for the bachelor of science in civil engineering is 48 units. Among them are:

McCORMICK CORE (32 UNITS)

• Mathematics (4 units)
• Engineering Analysis and Computer Proficiency (4 units)
• Design and Communications (3 units)
• Basic Engineering (5 units)
• Basic Sciences (4 units) Physics, Chemistry, and 1 unit of Biological Sciences Earth and Planetary Sciences
• Social Sciences and Humanities (7 units)
• Unrestricted Electives (5 units)

CIVIL ENGINEERING MAJOR (16 UNITS)

• Civil Engineering Core Courses (7 units)
• Mathematical Techniques and Science (2 units)
• Design and Synthesis (2 units)
• Technical Electives (5 units)

Requirements

• Common Application or Coalition Application*
• Official secondary school transcript and school report
• Counselor recommendation
• At least one teacher recommendation
• Official SAT or ACT scores†
• Official TOEFL or IELTS scores (ONLY international applicants whose first language is not English or whose schooling has not been in English)
• Recommended: two SAT subject tests
• Nonrefundable application fee of $75 or fee waiver
• Early Decision Agreement (ONLY Early Decision applicants)
• Midyear transcript (ONLY Regular Decision applicants)
• Music audition (ONLY School of Music applicants)
• Required for home-schooled applicants: 3 SAT subject tests 

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Scholarships

• Northwestern University Scholarship
• No-Loan Arch Scholarship
• No-Loan Pledge Scholarship
• Debt Cap Scholarship
• National Merit Scholarship
• Founders Scholarship
• Karr Achievement Scholarship