College of Engineering

Civil Engineering

Civil engineering is critical to our modern way of life. It integrates socioeconomic, political, environmental, and technical considerations in the planning, design, and construction of the infrastructure that defines our civilization.

Civil Engineering at Boise State

Civil Engineers plan, design and manage the construction, expansion, and repair of infrastructure systems in both the public and private sectors. These systems include wastewater and water supply, transportation, environmental, electric power, and the collection of buildings that make up urban and rural communities.

Civil Engineering at Boise State University is an expansive discipline. Boise State offers a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with emphasis areas of environmental, geotechnical, structural, transportation, and water resources. Modern laboratories and computing facilities allow students to tackle innovative solutions to modern infrastructure issues while partnering with other Boise State departments such as Geosciences, Public Policy and Administration, Community and Regional Planning, and Political Science.

Boise State’s Civil Engineering Club allows students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world engineering through club activities, including the AISC Steel Bridge, ASCE Concrete Canoe, and ASCE Sustainable Solutions.

Civil Engineering Curriculum Change

The Boise State Department of Civil Engineering has spent the last two years redesigning and updating its program curriculum to ensure student success and industrial relevancy. The new curriculum flowchart can be found here. This curriculum provides flexibility and allows students to take civil engineering courses earlier in their academic careers, make connections with other civil engineering students and faculty in the first two years of study, and truly design their own area of focus.

All current freshmen who entered in Fall 2020 will be moved to the new curriculum in Fall 2021. Graduation planning will happen on an individual basis. Students will meet with their academic advisor to develop an official plan during Spring of 2021. These plans will be approved by the Department Chair and added to a students academic advising notes as well as sent to each individual student within one week of meeting with their advisor. During Summer 2020 orientations, all incoming CE students received advising based on the needs of the new curriculum requirements to ensure a smooth transition.

The new curriculum schedule will be phased in with the first two years of the curriculum officially beginning in Fall of 2021 and the second two years (upper-division) beginning in Fall of 2022.

Select students who entered the civil engineering program prior to Fall 2020 (transfers, students with adjusted degree plans prior to Fall 2020, students entering upper-division “backwards,” students with GI Bill requirements, and any students who would be negatively affected by the curriculum change) will require degree plan adjustments. These students will be identified by academic advising, but all students may request a program review through Briceland McLaughlin.

Professional Skill Building Opportunities

You do not need to be enrolled in the Civil Engineering program to take one of our courses. If you have a Civil Engineering degree or have been working in the civil engineering industry and are interested in joining us for a course, let us know. We can work with you to get you enrolled in a course that is appropriate for your background and a great compliment to your professional goals.

Take a senior or graduate level course to brush up on knowledge and skills or learn something new this fall. This is a great way to test out the graduate school waters!

To take these courses you will need to apply to Boise State as a non-degree seeking student. Open enrollment registration begins on December 15th. Please contact Briceland McLaughlin in advising for help signing up for courses.