Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Faculty and Fields of Interest

Neil Fennessey hydrology, water resources engineering

John I Finnie (chairperson) hydraulics, hydrology, water resources engineering

Heather J Miller geotechnical engineering

Walaa S Mogawer transportation engineering

Nima Rahbar solid mechanics, biomechanics

Sukalyan Sengupta environmental engineering

Civil and environmental engineering is the engineering of constructed facilities; of buildings, bridges, tunnels, and dams; of harbors and airports; of waterways, railways, and highways; of water power, irrigation, drainage, and water supply; of wastewater and hazardous waste disposal and environmental health systems. Civil Engineers are the professionals who plan, design, direct the construction, and often maintain these facilities.

The department offers the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and the Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering. The department participates in the college’s co-op program.

The program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012.

Mission

The Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at UMass Dartmouth offers a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. The program provides service to meet the needs of students, industry, government, and society. The program offers excellence, access, and value through a strong commitment to teaching, scholarship, outreach, and professionalism. The program contributes to the economic development of the region by providing a resource of practice-oriented education for local industry and business, by conducting research, and by active involvement in community affairs.

Program Educational Objectives

We endeavor to graduate civil engineers who:

Can apply the principles that underlie technological applications related to general engineering and subspecialty areas within civil engineering; structural engineering; geotechnical engineering; hydrology and water resources engineering; environmental engineering and transportation engineering.
Are articulate in communicating science and engineering concepts.
Can apply the tools of contemporary professional practice in civil engineering at the entry level.
Further their education in graduate schools and continue their professional development not only in engineering but also in other professions, and who practice lifelong learning and understand the importance of professional licensure.
Are aware of the interrelated context in which engineering is performed; political; societal; economic; and ethical.

Program Outcomes

Graduates awarded the BS degree in Civil Engineering will be able to demonstrate the following knowledge and skills:

An ability to identify an engineering problem and apply the principles of mathematics and science to aid in the formulation of a solution.
A basic working knowledge and awareness of laws, codes, regulations, standards, and an ability to apply these to design systems, components or processes.
An understanding of and ability to apply the techniques, skills, and tools that are expected of an entry-level engineer in professional practice.
An ability to design and initiate laboratory experiments and site investigations.
An ability to acquire, analyze, and interpret data from a multitude of sources.
An ability to function effectively as an individual member of the profession at the entry level.
An ability to function effectively as a member of a team.
An ability to communicate effectively with the general public as well as other engineers, including oral, written and electronic communications.
An understanding of the profession’s ethical standards as described in the ASCE Code of Ethics.
An understanding of the profession’s contribution to contemporary society in the global context.
A knowledge of contemporary social and cultural issues.
A recognition of the need to engage in lifelong learning to fulfill the requirements of the evolving profession.