Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin is a comprehensive and innovative program designed to prepare students for diverse careers in the engineering and construction industries. The program provides students with a strong foundation in the principles of structural analysis, geotechnical engineering, transportation systems, environmental engineering, and construction management. Emphasizing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, the curriculum integrates rigorous coursework, state-of-the-art laboratories, and real-world projects to ensure graduates are well-equipped to address complex civil engineering challenges.

Students in the Civil Engineering program have access to advanced facilities and research centers, allowing them to engage in cutting-edge research in areas such as sustainable infrastructure, earthquake engineering, water resources, and smart cities. The program encourages innovative problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork, fostering a collaborative environment where students can develop leadership abilities and technical expertise. Throughout their studies, students benefit from mentorship by experienced faculty members, industry partnerships, and internship opportunities that facilitate professional growth and industry readiness.

The program's curriculum is designed to meet accreditation standards set by ABET, ensuring its graduates are recognized worldwide for their academic excellence and professional competence. Career pathways for graduates include roles in infrastructure design, construction project management, environmental consulting, transportation planning, and research and development. The University of Texas at Austin Civil Engineering program is dedicated to producing skilled, responsible engineers who contribute to building safer, more sustainable, and resilient communities worldwide.

Course requirements include courses within the Cockrell School of Engineering and other required courses. In addition, each student must complete the University’s core curriculum. In some cases, a course required for the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering may also be counted toward the core curriculum; these courses are identified below. 

In the process of fulfilling engineering degree requirements, students must also complete coursework to satisfy the following flag requirements: one independent inquiry flag, one quantitative reasoning flag, one ethics and leadership flag, one global cultures flag, one cultural diversity in the US flag, and two writing flags. The independent inquiry flag, the quantitative reasoning flag, the ethics and leadership flag and one writing flag are carried by courses specifically required for the degree; these courses are identified below. Students are advised to fulfill the second writing flag requirement with a course that meets another requirement of the core curriculum. Courses that may be used to fulfill flag requirementsare identified in the Course Schedule.

Level I and Level II Technical Electives

The civil engineering curriculum does not require the student to declare a specific technical area option. However, for the guidance of students with particular interests, level I electives in civil engineering are listed in areas of specialization. The 15 semester hours of level I electives must be chosen from the following civil engineering and architectural engineering courses; in special cases, with the written permission of the department chair, this requirement may be relaxed, provided the student demonstrates in advance that the courses to be substituted for civil engineering or architectural engineering courses are part of a consistent educational plan. To provide a broad general background, at least one technical elective from each of three different areas of specialization must be included in each student's program.

Each student must take at least one technical area option level II elective. Level II electives may be substituted for technical area option level I electives, but the requirement of at least one technical elective from each of three different areas of specialization still applies.

The following lists reflect current course offerings and are subject to change by the faculty. Current lists are available in the departmental undergraduate office.

Level I Electives

Construction Engineering and Project Management

• Architectural Engineering 335, Materials and Methods of Building Construction 
• Architectural Engineering 358, Cost Estimating in Building Construction
• Architectural Engineering 366, Contracts, Liability, and Ethics (carries an ethics and leadership flag)

Architectural Engineering 376, Building Information Modeling for Capital Projects

• Infrastructure Materials Engineering
• Civil Engineering 351, Concrete Materials
• Civil Engineering 366K, Design of Bituminous Mixtures

Environmental Engineering

• Civil Engineering 342, Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
• Civil Engineering 346, Solid Waste Engineering and Management
• Civil Engineering 369L, Air Pollution Engineering

Civil Engineering 369R, Indoor Air Quality

• Civil Engineering 370K, Environmental Sampling and Analysis

Geotechnical Engineering

• Civil Engineering 375, Earth Slopes and Retaining Structures

Structural Engineering

• Architectural Engineering 345K, Masonry Engineering
• Architectural Engineering 362L, Structural Design in Wood
• Civil Engineering 331, Reinforced Concrete Design
• Civil Engineering 335, Elements of Steel Design
• Civil Engineering 363, Advanced Structural Analysis

Transportation Engineering

• Civil Engineering 367P, Pavement Design and Performance

Civil Engineering 367T, Traffic Engineering

Water Resources Engineering

• Civil Engineering 358, Introductory Ocean Engineering
• Civil Engineering 374K, Hydrology
• Civil Engineering 374L, Groundwater Hydraulics

Level II Electives (Design)

Environmental Engineering

• Civil Engineering 364, Design of Wastewater and Water Treatment Facilities (carries an independent inquiry flag)

Geotechnical Engineering

• Civil Engineering 360K, Foundation Engineering (carries an independent inquiry flag)

Structural Engineering

• Civil Engineering 362M, Advanced Reinforced Concrete Design (carries an independent inquiry flag)
• Civil Engineering 362N, Advanced Steel Design (carries an independent inquiry flag)

Transportation Engineering

• Civil Engineering 367G, Design and Evaluation of Ground-Based Transportation Systems (carries an independent inquiry flag)

Water Resources Engineering

• Civil Engineering 365K, Hydraulic Engineering Design (carries an independent inquiry flag)

Requirements

• If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and will not graduate from a Texas high school, select the ApplyTexas option to apply for freshman admission as an international applicant.
• Pay the $75 application fee—$90 for international applicants—when you submit your ApplyTexas application. 
• Along with your ApplyTexas application, submit at least two essays.

• If you are an international applicant, you must submit documentation showing that you have completed an accredited secondary school series equivalent to that of a U.S. high school.

• Submit an official record or transcript (mark sheet) that shows all your secondary school work and grades (or marks) starting with ninth grade and continuing through at least the end of 11th grade. You should also include copies of your official final examinations taken at the end of the secondary school program, including external exams such as the General Certificate of Education (GCE) “O” and “A” level examinations, school leaving certificates and matriculation exams.

• If the documents you are submitting are written in a language other than English, you must also submit complete and official English translations together with the original-language records.

• Send us official transcript(s) documenting any college credit earned while in high school (dual credit counts!).

• TOEFL: 550 (paper test), 213 (computer-based test) or 79 (internet-based test)
• IELTS: An overall band of 6.5 on the Academic Examination

• Résumé

• Ask someone who knows you well to write a letter about your character and accomplishments. Letters of recommendation are appreciated but not required.

Scholarships

• Endowed Scholarships
• Presidential Scholars Program
• Texas Exes Scholarships

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin is a comprehensive undergraduate program designed to prepare students for a variety of careers within the civil engineering field. This program emphasizes the development of core engineering skills, including mathematics, physics, and chemistry, alongside specialized coursework in structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, transportation engineering, environmental engineering, and construction management. Students gain hands-on experience through laboratory work, design projects, and internships, fostering practical knowledge alongside theoretical foundations.

The curriculum integrates advanced technology tools such as computer-aided design (CAD), Building Information Modeling (BIM), and structural analysis software to equip students with the skills needed in modern civil engineering practices. The program also encourages collaboration and project management skills, preparing graduates to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and leadership roles. Emphasizing sustainability, the program introduces concepts related to environmentally responsible engineering design and resilient infrastructure development.

Students are encouraged to participate in research projects, competitions, and student organizations like the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), which enhance professional development and networking opportunities. The program benefits from the university’s strong industry connections within Texas and nationally, providing numerous internship and employment opportunities for students.

Graduate employment prospects for civil engineering majors from UT Austin are excellent, with many alumni entering fields such as infrastructure development, environmental consulting, construction, and public works. The program fosters a strong foundation in ethical engineering practices, critical thinking, and innovative problem-solving, preparing students to address complex engineering challenges in urban development, transportation systems, water resources, and sustainable design.

The Civil Engineering undergraduate degree typically takes four years to complete and culminates in a Bachelor of Science degree. Graduates are well-positioned to pursue professional licensure as engineers and advanced degrees in engineering disciplines. Overall, the program at UT Austin aims to develop versatile civil engineers capable of making impactful contributions to society through innovative and sustainable engineering solutions.