Civil Engineering students have spent either a semester or a year abroad in countries such as Australia, Japan, South Africa or Switzerland. The availability of seven free elective courses in the undergraduate curriculum gives considerable flexibility for overseas study. For co-op industrial experiences, students can undertake internships over the summers or opt for a semester and summer combined industrial internship. However, these longer co-op experiences will delay graduation. Undergraduates have worked on research projects ranging from acid mine drainage to construction robots to computer aided design methods.
Courses require hands-on project work in each of the four years of study.
Past projects have included stairways, parks and amphitheaters. Each undergraduate in Civil Engineering is assigned a faculty advisor. Faculty advisors usually stay with a student throughout their undergraduate careers. The faculty advisors and students meet periodically to discuss programs of study, career plans or student problems. Students also seek advice from other faculty members or staff in the department for specialized fields of study or internship opportunities.