Civil and Environmental Engineering

Chairperson:	Radisav D. Vidic
Phone number:	412-624-9870
Average number of BS degrees awarded per year:	53
Student to faculty ratio:	12.6:1
Percentage of students that co-op:	12%
Average percent placement:	100%
Percent of students that go on to graduate school:	8%
Research laboratories within the program:	Construction Materials Laboratory, Structural Engineering Laboratory, Geotechnical (Soils) Laboratory, Hydraulics Laboratory, Environmental Engineering Laboratories, Photoelasticity and Model Analysis Laboratory

What is Civil Engineering?

Infrastructure and the environment are the focal points of the works of a civil engineer. The decades to come will see a continuing and increased need for civil engineers, not only in their traditional roles in the design and construction of facilities, but also as advisors and decision makers in the public and private sectors.

Civil engineers deal with the essential infrastructure facilities of society, including housing transportation, water resources, and a quality environment. This includes planning, detailed engineering, and construction of buildings, bridges, dams, transit structures, and water, wastewater, and all forms of solid and hazardous waste treatment facilities. The aging of the nation’s infrastructure requires crucial decision about whether to maintain, rebuild, or replace such facilities. New materials and construction techniques, as well as the availability of computers to simulate, compare, and test, mean that the role and complexity of civil engineering is rapidly evolving. Students must be trained to use computers to design, predict, and optimize the life cycle costs and control construction, as well as to assess the environmental consequences of engineered systems and to ensure that all facets of engineering and construction adhere to the principles of sustainable development.

The University of Pittsburgh has a proud tradition in civil engineering education, reinforced by a faculty deeply concerned about their students. The first graduates were in 1854, or 154 years ago, making the program one of the oldest in the nation. Since then, Pitt graduates have become leaders in their profession, serving with government, private consulting firms, and contractors and in research and academic institutions.

Civil engineers at Pitt have the opportunity to engage in undergraduate and graduate programs in a broad range of topics, including structures, environmental, water resources, transportation and geotechnical engineering, construction management, applied mechanics and mathematics, legal issues, and computer-aided design.

What do you think is the biggest misconception about your program and why is it a misconception?

The biggest misconception about the department is that civil engineering is confined to a very narrow field. In fact, civil and environmental engineering is very broad. Although we do not cover all the areas, we have excellent programs in structures, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, hydraulics and water resources, construction management, and transportation engineering.

What sorts of interests would a freshman possess in order to find course work in your program exciting?

CEE caters to a broad range of interests embracing civilization engineering leading to a better infrastructure and community development. If one is interested in designing and building large structures, in how raw materials such as cement, gravel, and steel are transformed into skyscrapers, bridges, dams, and facilities that contribute to the quality of life, civil engineering would excite him/her. If one is concerned about the environment and wants to protect its quality and preserve the ecological balance, CEE would be exciting. If, after graduation, one wants to work out in the field, deal with the public, and manage organizations that provide the conveniences that we take for granted such as highways, bridges, clean water, airports, etc., then civil and environmental engineering would excite him/her.

What types of employment would a student find upon graduation with a degree in your Program? What are some major companies that hire students from your program?

The CEE graduate can find employment in industry. They can join a consulting firm specializing in design and construction. They can work with federal and state agencies in the public works, transportation, or environmental fields. They can work for multi-national firms that can provide opportunities to travel. They can work for a municipality that they choose to raise their family in, or can start their own consulting firms. Many of our alumni have done this very successfully and are now very active supporters of the department. Local companies who hire our graduates include Alcoa, American Bridge, Chester Engineers, Dick Corporation, Michael Baker, HDR Engineering, Gannett Fleming, ICF Kaiser, International Technology, and Turner Construction. Our graduates work for PennDOT, PA Dept. of Environmental Protection, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Which courses are stressed in your program, which are expanded upon, and how much is theory, practical lab application, design, computers (in what way do you use them), etc.?

CEEs are expected to be competent in structural design, environmental engineering, transportation planning, water resources systems, construction materials, and methods. In order to attain this competence, courses in the department build on mathematics, physics, and chemistry that are required of all engineering students at the freshman and sophomore levels. Courses combine design theory and application of concepts including construction techniques and procedures. Hands-on experiences are part of the laboratory courses. Computers are considered indispensable tools not only for solving problems but also in submitting reports on projects and assignments.