Civil and Environmental Engineering Undergraduate Courses

Course Offerings and Descriptions

View the Comprehensive Catalog at lamar.edu/catalog

Civil Engineering (CVEN)

Course Number: 1201
Credit Hours: 2
Title: Introduction to Civil Engineering

Course Description:
This is a project-based introductory course in engineering that focuses specifically on the civil engineering discipline. Students in this course will conduct a variety of team-based projects that will explore some of the physical phenomenon and design concepts in civil engineering systems. Design concepts will also be covered and physically implemented with the use of AutoCAD and a 3D printer. In addition, the students will be introduced to technical communication including reports, presentations and posters. The course will also introduce students to Microsoft Excel and MATLAB.

Course Number: 2301
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Statics

Course Description:
Statics of particles and rigid bodies. Use is made of basic physics, calculus and vector algebra.

Course Number: 2320
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Diff Equations for Civil Eng

Course Description:
The study of linear differential equations of single and multiple variables as well as their solutions as they apply to Civil Engineering topics. Introduction to systems of linear differential equations and the use of modern computing tools to analytically and numerically solve the differential equations.

Course Number: 2370
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Intro to CAD and Surveying

Course Description:
This introductory course is aimed at covering fundamental design concepts of AutoCAD as it relates to civil/construction engineering and the basic principles of surveying. The AutoCAD portion of the course will be aimed at introducing civil/construction plans, comprehending scale, understanding the basic operation of AutoCAD software and 2D drawing skills for civil engineering systems. The surveying portion will cover introduction to surveying, basic surveying measurements and vertical distance measurements.

Course Number: 2372
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Mechanics of Solids

Course Description:
Effect of loads on deformable bodies, Uniaxial and biaxial stress-strain relationships and Indeterminate systems. Study of stresses due to axial, torsional and bending effects. Bucking of columns. Introduction to design.

Course Number: 3290
Credit Hours: 2
Title: Engineering Probability and Statistics

Course Description:
Principles of systems analysis utilized for solving civil engineering problems. Application of probability, statistics, and regression analysis to the engineering design process. Specific examples in civil engineering taken under consideration. Course title and description may vary when taught as a CE Elective.

Course Number: 3300
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Engineering Materials Systems

Course Description:
Engineering Material Systems covers basic principles in materials science with a focus on civil engineering materials. topics covered in this course include mechanical and physical properties of steel, aluminum, aggregate, cement and concrete, asphalt, timber and composite materials. Students will be required to conduct laboratory experiments which include the quantification of the elastic modulus and toughness of hot-rolled steel, cold formed steel and aluminum; fine and coarse aggregate gradation; absorption capacity, bulk-specific gravity; and the characterization of fresh and hardened concrete properties. Students will also complete a broad open-ended engineering design project encompassing structural analysis software, ASCE 7-10, ASTM D3737 and NDS 2015 specifications.

Course Number: 3311
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Introduction to Environmental Engineering

Course Description:
In introduction to Environmental Engineering the laws of conservation of mass and energy and simple models are used to derive formulae and solve basic problems as they relate to the impact of pollutants on the environment, air and water quality.

Course Number: 3340
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Structural Analysis

Course Description:
Analysis of loading for bridges and buildings. Effects of moving loads using influence lines. Shear and bending moment diagrams. Analysis of indeterminate structures. Introduction to structural design. Investigation of frames, girders and bents.

Course Number: 3351
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Fluid Mechanics

Course Description:
This course introduces the students to the fascinating field of fluid mechanics. Fluid mechanics examines the behavior of fluids, both liquids and gases, at rest and in motion (dynamics). This examination will rely on Newton's laws of motion, as well as the fundamental thermodynamic principles and the conservation of mass and energy. This course covers topics including fluid statics, fundamentals of fluid motion, systems and control volumes, basic laws of fluid flow, flow characteristics of closed conduits, friction and drag studies, similitude and dimensional analysis.

Course Number: 3360
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Engineering Hydrology

Course Description:
Precipitation, surface water, infiltration, and sub-surface water. Analysis of rainfall and runoff data. Collection studies. Hydraulics of wells. Net storm rain; peak discharge and flood runoff.

Course Number: 3370
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Water & Wastewater Treatment

Course Description:
General survey of environmental engineering covering water supply and sanitary sewerage treatment systems. Design of drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities.

Course Number: 3390
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Geo-technical Engineering

Course Description:
Basic principles of soil behavior under load. Soil properties and classification. Study of hydraulics as applied to soil mechanics.

Course Number: 4110
Credit Hours: 1
Title: Seminar

Course Description:
Discussion of ethical, professional, and technical topics related to the practice of civil engineering. Presentation of oral and written reports.

Course Number: 4212
Credit Hours: 2
Title: Civil Engineering Systems Design Project

Course Description:
The first course of two senior design project courses providing a major design experience before graduation. Topics include project planning, conceptual design, data collection and code interpretation of a civil engineering project in a term environment. Application of civil engineering principles in a selected civil engineering field. Development of project proposals.

Course Number: 4312
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Civil Engineering System Design Project (I)

Course Description:
The first course of two senior design project courses providing a major design experience before graduation. Topics include project planning, conceptual design, data collection and code interpretation of a civil engineering project in a term environment. Application of civil engineering principles in a selected civil engineering field. Development of project proposals.

Course Number: 4313
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Civil Engineering System Design Project (II)

Course Description:
The second of two senior design project courses providing a major design experience which is to provide senior students the experience of performing comprehensive designs to address the needs of a realistic civil engineering project. This process includes the identification of the engineering goal, scoping and planning of the project, evaluation of viable alternatives, design of engineering components, cost analysis and assessment of social & environmental impacts. Topics include enhanced design process, application of specialty software, material selection, economical evaluation, and technical communication with professionals. Written preparation and oral presentation of the final project report is required.

Course Number: 4320
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Engineering Project Management

Course Description:
Principles governing the effective and efficient management of engineering projects including the application of comprehensive planning, scheduling, and cost estimation procedures. Presentation of oral and written design reports.

Course Number: 4340
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Foundation Engineering

Course Description:
The practice of geotechnical engineering: subsurface explorations; geotechnical analysis and design of shallow footings, deep foundations, and retaining structures; stability of earth slopes, and soil improvement.

Course Number: 4350
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Hydraulic Engineering

Course Description:
Continuation of CVEN 3350-Hydraulics I emphasizing practical design applications of basic fluid mechanics principles in fluid measurement, machinery, closed conduit flow, open channel flow and hydraulic transients. Presentation of oral and written design reports.

Course Number: 4365
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Introduction to Transportation Engineering

Course Description:
An introduction to the principles of transportation engineering with focus on highway engineering and traffic analysis. this course covers fundamental concepts and principles that guide road design as well as movement and control of vehicular traffic; specifically, geometric design, traffic control theory, highway capacity analysis, and traffic signal operations.

Course Number: 4370
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Computer Aided Design

Course Description:
Introduction of graphical computer-aided techniques to design various civil engineering systems. It may include introduction of AutoCAD and MicroStation, and also introduction of geographical information system (GIS - ArcView or Arc/Info) to analyze spatial data for feasibility study. May be repeated for credit when subject matter varies.

Course Number: 4375
Credit Hours: 3
Title: GIS for Civil Engineers

Course Description:
Introduce students to modern GIS and Geospatial analysis and demonstrate their use in civil engineering analysis and design. Students will utilize spatial datasets specific to civil engineering. Students will apply terrain, network and geostatistical methods using LiDAR, InSAR and other data from modern day sensors.

Course Number: 4380
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Reinforced Concrete Design

Course Description:
The design of structural concrete members based upon working stress and strength design methods. Study of standard specifications. Introduction to pre-stressed concrete.

Course Number: 4390
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Structural Steel Design

Course Description:
The design of buildings and bridge components according to standard specifications. Application of load and resistance factor and allowable stress design methods. Introduction to plastic design of steel structures.