Civil and Environmental Engineering

105 Scrugham Engineering-Mines
(775) 784-6937

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers two bachelors of science degrees: Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering and a M.S. Ph.D. degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering. In addition, it offers minors in each of these areas. These are described in the following sections. The mission of the undergraduate civil and environmental engineering degree programs is to offer a broad fundamental education that emphasizes the creative and analytical skills necessary for the advancement and protection of the world’s infrastructure and environment.

For graduate students, the mission includes the advancement of knowledge through cutting-edge research using fundamental science and engineering to explore complex and sometimes fragile systems.

Civil Engineering

Civil engineers apply scientific and engineering principles to improve the built environment and to provide sustainable infrastructure systems. Civil engineers analyze and design structural components of buildings and bridges; improve seismic safety; investigate soil-structure interactions; design pavements and test new asphalt and concrete mixtures; implement strategies for improving traffic flow within a transportation network; and develop treatment strategies for water, wastewater, and environmental contaminants. Civil engineers use computer design and simulation to envision new systems and to retrofit existing ones..

The Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) for the Civil Engineering B.S. degree program support the mission of the institution and college. They have been developed as part of a continuous improvement process to ensure that graduates from the program are prepared to excel professionally. Within three to five years after graduation from the B.S.-C.E. program at the University of Nevada, Reno, successful graduates will:

• demonstrate engineering competence to successfully solve technical problems within diverse sub-disciplines of civil engineering (e.g., structural, environmental and water resources, pavements/material, geotechnical, or transportation);
• communicate technical information, both in writing and verbally, and effectively work on multidisciplinary teams;
• engage in life-long learning, as evidenced by obtaining licensure as a professional engineer, pursuing graduate education, actively participating in professional societies and community organizations, completing professional development courses, or practicing in allied fields.

A cooperative training program is available for civil engineering students. This program is offered jointly with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and: the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT). The program offers financial assistance to students through summer employment. For further information, contact the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Environmental Engineering

Environmental engineers apply scientific and engineering principles to preserve, restore, and sustain the natural environment while maintaining clean air, water, and land resources. For example, environmental engineers provide safe drinking water supplies, prevent pollution of the aquatic environment, study the fate and transport of contaminants, treat contaminated effluents, and restore polluted sites.

The Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) for the Environmental Engineering B.S. degree program support the mission of the institution and college. They have been developed as part of a continuous improvement process to ensure that graduates from the program are prepared to excel professionally. Within three to five years after graduation from the B.S.-EnvE program at the University of Nevada, Reno, successful graduates will:

• demonstrate engineering competence to successfully solve technical problems within diverse sub-disciplines of environmental engineering (e.g., treatment of drinking water, wastewater, environmental restoration or remediation, monitoring and analysis of water, soil, and air environments, and management of hazardous wastes);
• communicate technical information, both in writing and verbally, and effectively work on multidisciplinary teams;
• engage in life-long learning, as evidenced by obtaining licensure as a professional engineer, pursuing graduate education, actively participating in professional societies and community organizations, completing professional development courses, or practicing in allied fields.