Construction engineering majors typically like to build things and figure out ways to do so more quickly and with less waste materials. In the field, construction engineers work on different types of building projects, coordinating with team members to create cities and communities where people live and work.
Program Educational Objectives
The educational objectives of the University of Alabama’s Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering (BSConE) program are to have graduates who, within a few years of graduation, are in demand and lead fulfilling professional careers, in their chosen area of professional practice, through their demonstrated abilities to:
- Apply foundational knowledge of mathematics, science, humanities, and social sciences;
- Synthesize technical knowledge of engineering analysis and design to identify, formulate, and solve problems; and
- Employ their professional practice skills.
Student Outcomes
Students, upon completion of the BSConE, program, will possess:
- An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
- An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgements, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts.
- An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgement to draw conclusions.
- An ability to require and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
All students are strongly encouraged to prepare for and pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination prior to graduation.
Construction Engineering Curriculum
| Freshman |
|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
|---|
| CE 121 or ENGR 111 | 1 | ENGR 171 | 1 |
| ENGR 103 or 123 | 3 | MATH 126 or 146 | 4 |
| MATH 125 or 145 | 0-4 | PH 105 or 125 | 0-4 |
| EN 101 | 3 | EN 102 | 3 |
| CH 100, 101, or 117 | 4 | History (HI) or social and behavioral sciences (SB) elective1,4 | 3 |
| | 11-15 | | 11-15 |
| Sophomore |
|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
|---|
| CE 260 | 2 | CE 262 | 3 |
| AEM 201 | 3 | AEM 250 | 0 or 3 |
| MATH 227 or 247 | 4 | AEM 264 | 0 or 3 |
| Approved natural science (N) elective2 | 4 | MATH 238 | 3 |
| GES 255 | 3 | PH 106 or 126 | 0-4 |
| | 16 | | 6-16 |
| Junior |
|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
|---|
| CE 331 | 3 | CE 418 | 3 |
| CE 340 | 4 | CE 462 | 3 |
| CE 366 | 3 | CE 463 | 3 |
| Engineering systems elective5 | 3 | Engineering systems elective5 | 3 |
| History (HI) or social and behavioral sciences (SB) elective1,4 | 3 | History (HI) or social and behavioral sciences (SB) elective1,4 | 3 |
| | 16 | | 15 |
| Senior |
|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
|---|
| CE 461 | 3 | CE 402 or 404 | 4 |
| CE 468 | 3 | CE 464 | 3 |
| Senior (plan of study) elective3 | 3 | Senior (plan of study) electives3 | 6 |
| COM 123 or 124 | 0-3 | Humanities (HU), literature (L), or fine arts (FA) elective1,4 | 3 |
| Humanities (HU), literature (L), or fine arts (FA) elective1,4 | 3 | |
| | 12-15 | | 16 |
| Total Hours: 103-124 |
The College of Engineering requires a grade of "C-" or better be earned in all courses that are a pre-requisite to classes used to fulfill degree requirements. If a grade lower than "C-" is received in a course that is a pre-requisite, that course must be repeated and a grade of "C-" or higher must be earned before enrolling in the subsequent course.
All construction engineering students are strongly encouraged to prepare for and pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination prior to graduation. A graduate of the program who has passed the FE exam would then be an engineer intern under model law as maintained by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (ncees.org). It is recommended that the FE be taken the semester prior to graduation.
Related department policies and updates of catalog information are posted on the department website.
Construction engineers pursue careers in the public sector, managing projects that benefit society, working on highways, mass transit systems, dams, bridges, and infrastructure. Careers are also available with private sector engineering design and construction firms that manage commercial and industrial projects for clients throughout the world. Construction engineering careers frequently serve as a gateway to executive leadership positions or self-employment. Construction engineers lead and inspire people and effectively manage large budgets and challenging schedules.
Types of Jobs Accepted
Construction engineering graduates often begin their careers with field-based assignments. Many serve as assistant project managers on construction sites. They may assist in the management of a project’s cost and schedule or serve in a variety of engineering functions. Other graduates go directly to positions with major industrial firms serving as corporate client representatives on major projects. Still others find career opportunities with state and federal agencies helping plan and oversee major public sector projects.
Jobs of Experienced Alumni
Experienced construction engineers plan and execute major projects and frequently are directly accountable for overall safety, cost, and schedule performance. Many manage million and billion dollar projects with schedules extending over many years. Most construction engineers have organizational management responsibilities for the corporations or agencies they serve, and many ultimately serve in executive leadership positions.
Learn more about opportunities in this field at the Career Center
