Learning is a process that looks different for everyone. There is no “one size fits all” civil engineering student. Each student starts (or restarts) at a different level of foundational knowledge and builds upon that knowledge at Boise State. The following information is meant to help you find your starting point in civil engineering, as well as how to succeed once you are working towards your civil engineering degree.
The civil engineering academic advisor can help traditional students, transfer students, second degree-seeking students, and even graduate students. Reach out!
Civil Engineering Academic Advisor
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Briceland McLaughlin
Academic Advisor
All students are strongly encouraged to meet regularly (at least once per semester) with our Civil Engineering academic advisor, Briceland McLaughlin. You can email Brice directly, or schedule an appointment online.
Current students please use the Student Success Hub to make appointments.
If you are not a student make an appointment via YouCanBookMe.
Include your name, student ID number and email address when submitting questions.
All students are strongly encouraged to meet regularly (at least once per semester) with our Civil Engineering academic advisor, Briceland McLaughlin. You can email Brice directly, or schedule an appointment online.
Current students please use the Student Success Hub to make appointments.
If you are not a student make an appointment via YouCanBookMe.
Include your name, student ID number and email address when submitting questions.
Before You Arrive
Determine Math Placement
Students in the Civil Engineering degree program usually begin with Calculus1 (MATH 170), but many students take college algebra and trigonometry (MATH 143/144) or jump directly into Calculus 2 (MATH 175). The goal with math placement is to put you where you will learn the most and have the best chance to succeed. We never recommend that a student take a course they are not ready for as that is a recipe for failure.
Math level placement can be determined with your SAT/ACT/AP scores. It can also be determined by the Accuplacer Exam. You may take the Accuplacer anytime during your senior year, but towards the end is best.
Students who have been out of school or who have not taken a math course in over a year should take the Accuplacer Exam. Review before you take the exam. More likely than not, the information is there, it just needs a bit of a jolt.
The Right Math Class online assessment
Math Placement at Boise State begins with an online assessment, where you provide information regarding previously taken math courses and tests (SAT/ACT/ISAT/AP/IB/CLEP), your academic background, and belief in your math abilities. This assessment will provide an initial category as a starting point for math placement. Every student will receive the Right Math Class online assessment and you must complete it prior to your initial advising appointment. For recent high school graduates, please have a copy of your high school transcript available when taking the survey. Accuracy is important to provide math placement that supports your success.
Take the Right Math Class online assessment: https://boisestatemath.thewriteclass.org/
Advising Topics
The transition from high school or working full time to college can be challenging and believe it or not, most students were never taught how to learn efficiently. There are many resources available to you on the Boise State campus and we highly suggest taking advantage of everything possible. Here are a few strategies that will help you succeed during your time in the Civil Engineering program.
- Attend Faculty Office Hours
- Get Involved – Join the Civil Engineering Club (Mondays @ 6pm in RUCH 103)
- Read a Book About Academic Success Strategies (Learn Like Einstein (Hollins), Teach Yourself How to Learn (McGuire), A Guide to Effective Studying and Learning: Practical Strategies from the Science of Learning (Rhodes))
- Listen to “Learning How to Learn,” an online lecture series.
- Form a study group.
- Put together a detailed study/work plan.
- Start studying early and utilize spaced repetition to retain information.
- Test Yourself – Complete practice exams and problems to test your knowledge before an official exam.
- Take notes by hand in class. You will remember more. It’s science!
- Attend Learning Assistant (LA) Sessions
It is not required that you take AP courses or complete any college level courses while in high school, but with the opportunities available to many high school students it can be overwhelming to make decisions. If you are interested in civil engineering as a potential career, the following coursework at the high school level may be helpful when you enter Boise State.
- Concurrent Enrollment Courses
- Independent Study Idaho (Contact Civil Engineering Advisor before enrolling)
- AP Calculus AB or BC (Score of 3)
- AP Chemistry (Score of 4)
- AP Art History (Score of 3)
- AP English Language Composition (Score of 3,4 or 5)
- AP Environmental Science (Score of 3)
- AP Physics C/Mechanics (Score of 3)
- AP Psychology (Score of 3)
- AP US Government and Politics (Score of 3)
- AP United States History (Score of 3)
- AP World History (Score of 3)
- AP Language (Chinese, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish Language and Culture (Score of 3)
More information can be found about Credit for Prior Learning at the Boise State Registrar’s website.
The Department of Civil Engineering offers the ability to begin a masters program during your senior year at Boise State. You may take up to 9 credits of your undergraduate Design and CE technical electives for graduate credit. This allows you to complete your bachelors and masters in a total of 5 years.
In order to qualify for the Accelerated Masters Program, you must have a 3.25 GPA after completing 75 credits towards your Civil Engineering BS.