Civil Engineering, B.S.E.

Admissions

Entrance Requirements

Admission requirements and processes for freshman, transfer students, and former students seeking readmission are managed by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Transfer applicants from regionally accredited colleges and universities must have a minimum cumulative 2.75 GPA on a 4.00 scale to enter the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing. Current University of South Carolina students, and former students seeking readmission, must have an institutional GPA of 2.50 or better on at least 15 hours earned at USC.

Communications and Ethics

This requirement is satisfied by completing one or more program-accepted Carolina Core courses for CMS and VSR.

Degree Requirements (124-137 hours)

See College of Engineering and Computing for progression requirements and special academic opportunities.

Program of Study

Requirements Credit Hours
1. Carolina Core 34-43
2. College Requirements 0
3. Program Requirements 53-69
4. Major Requirements 25-37

Founding Documents Requirement

All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade in the subject areas of History, Political Science, or African American Studies that covers the founding documents including the United State Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation and one or more documents that are foundational to the African American Freedom struggle, and a minimum of five essays from the Federalist papers.  This course may count as a requirement in any part of the program of study including the Carolina Core, the major, minor or cognate, or as a general elective.  Courses that meet this requirement are listed here.

1. Carolina Core Requirements (34-43 hours)

CMW – Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Written (6 hours)

ARP – Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving (8 hours) 

SCI – Scientific Literacy (8 hours)

GFL – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language  (0-6 hours)

Score two or better on foreign language placement test; or complete the 109 and 110 courses in FREN, GERM, LATN or SPAN; or complete the 121 course in another foreign language.

GHS – ​Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (3 hours) 

GSS – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences (3 hours)

AIU – Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding (3 hours)

CMS – Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component1 (0-3 hours)

Select from the following:

INF – Information Literacy1 (0 hours)

VSR – Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility1 (0-3 hours)

1

Carolina Core Stand Alone or Overlay Eligible Requirements — Overlay-approved courses offer students the option of meeting two Carolina Core components in a single course. A maximum of two overlays is allowed. The total Carolina Core credit hours for this program must add up to a minimum of 34 hours.

2. College Requirements (0 hours)

No college-required courses for this program.

3. Program Requirements (53-69 hours)

Supporting Courses (53-69 hours)

Course Title Credits
Foundational Required Courses6
Elementary Differential Equations
Statistics for Engineers
Probability
Foundational Math Elective3
Select one from the following:
Vector Calculus
Transition to Advanced Mathematics
Applied Linear Algebra
Foundational Math/Science Elective3-4
Select one from the following:
Additional course from Foundational Math Elective category
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Lab
Essentials of Physics II
and Essentials of Physics II Lab
Lower Division Engineering18
Introduction to Civil Engineering
Introduction to Engineering
Introduction to Engineering Graphics and Visualization
Introduction to Computer-Aided Design
Statics
Statics
Computational Methods for Civil Engineering
Introduction to Applied Numerical Methods
Mechanics of Solids
Introduction to the Mechanics of Solids
Fluid Mechanics
Fluid Mechanics
ECIV Laboratory Courses2
Select two from the following:
Civil Engineering Materials Laboratory
Geotechnical Laboratory
Transportation Engineering Laboratory
Introduction to Environmental Engineering Laboratory
Introduction to Water Resources Engineering Laboratory
ECIV Distribution Courses12
Select one course from four of the following five areas:
Environmental Engineering
Elements of Water and Wastewater Treatment
Principles of Municipal Solid Waste Engineering
Air Pollution Control Engineering
Sustainable Construction for Engineers
Environmental Engineering Process Modeling
Structural Engineering
Structural Steel Design
Reinforced Concrete Design
Transportation Engineering
Transportation Systems Planning
Highway Design
Traffic Engineering
Railway Engineering I
Geotechnical Engineering
Foundation Analysis and Design
Design of Earth Structures
Water Resources Engineering
Open Channel Hydraulics
Engineering Hydrology
Subsurface Hydrology
Basic Science Elective3-4
Select one from the following:
General Biology
Introduction to Environmental Biology
Introduction to the Environment
Environmental Pollution and Health
Introduction to the Earth
Environment of the Earth
Oceans and Society
Coastal Environments of the Southeastern U.S.
Engineering, Science, or Mathematics (ESM) Electives0-14
Students must complete 12-14 hours of ESM electives. Students may choose to complete a concentration within the major, in which case ESM Electives are not required.
Select from the following:
Additional courses from Foundational Math Elective category, Foundational Math/Science Elective category and Basic Science
Additional ECIV courses 300 level and higher
Biological Principles I
Biological Principles II
Microbiology (and higher)
Fundamentals of Biomedical Systems (and higher)
Computational Chemistry I (and higher)
Scientific Applications Programming
Algorithmic Design I
Algorithmic Design II
Introduction to Computer Security
Digital Logic Design
Chemical Process Principles (and higher)
Dynamics
Dynamics
Electrical Engineering for Non-Majors
Circuits (and higher)
Thermodynamics (or higher (but not ENCP 360)
Thermodynamic Fundamentals (and higher (but not ENCP 360) 2
Integrating Sustainability (but not ENCP 360)
Special Topics in the Environment
Sustainability Projects Course
Water as a Resource
Advanced Geographic Information Systems
Rocks and Minerals (or above)
Introduction to Computer Hardware and Software (or higher)
Ordinary Differential Equations
Boundary Value Problems and Partial Differential Equations
Linear Algebra
Vector Analysis
Ocean Data Analysis (and higher)
Naval Ships Systems I (and higher)
Naval Ships Systems II
Navigation/Naval Operations I
Einstein’s Relativity: Understanding by Example (and higher)
Probability
Mathematical Statistics
Theory of Statistical Inference
Statistical Methods II
Forecasting and Time Series
Big Data Analytics
Career Electives6
Select two courses from the following:
Additional courses from Foundational Math Elective category, Foundational Math/Science Elective category, Basic Science category and ESM Elective category.
Additional ECIV courses 300 level and higher
Survey of Accounting
Introduction to Economics
Finance and Markets
Principles of Management
Computer Information Systems in Business
Principles of Marketing
Total Credit Hours53-69

4. Major Requirements (25-37 hours)

Major Courses

Course Title Credits
ECIV 303Civil Engineering Materials3
ECIV 307Professional Development for Civil Engineers3
ECIV 320Structural Analysis I3
ECIV 330Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering3
ECIV 340Introduction to Transportation Engineering3
ECIV 350Introduction to Environmental Engineering3
ECIV 362Introduction to Water Resources Engineering3
ECIV 470Civil Engineering Design4
Total Credit Hours25

Concentrations

Students may choose to complete a concentration below in place of the 12 hours of Engineering, Science, or Mathematics (ESM) Electives.

Environmental Engineering Concentration (12 hours)

Course Title Credits
Select any two courses from the following:6
ECIV 551Elements of Water and Wastewater Treatment
ECIV 555Principles of Municipal Solid Waste Engineering
ECIV 556Air Pollution Control Engineering
Select 6 credit hours from the following:6
ECIV 490Special Topics
or ECIV 590 Intermediate Special Topics
ECIV 499Independent Study in Civil and Environmental Engineering
ECIV 502Life Cycle Assessment of Engineered Systems
ECIV 551Elements of Water and Wastewater Treatment
ECIV 555Principles of Municipal Solid Waste Engineering
ECIV 556Air Pollution Control Engineering
ECIV 557Sustainable Construction for Engineers
ECIV 558Environmental Engineering Process Modeling
ECIV 562Engineering Hydrology
ECIV 563Subsurface Hydrology
Total Credit Hours12

Geotechnical Engineering Concentration (12 hours)

Course Title Credits
ECIV 530Foundation Analysis and Design 3
or ECIV 531 Design of Earth Structures
Select 9 hours from the following:9
ECIV 327Reinforced Concrete Design
ECIV 490Special Topics
or ECIV 590 Intermediate Special Topics
ECIV 499Independent Study in Civil and Environmental Engineering
ECIV 530Foundation Analysis and Design
ECIV 531Design of Earth Structures
ECIV 533Geosynthetics and Geotechnical Design of Landfills
ECIV 535Geotechnical Engineering in Transportation
ECIV 539Experimental Methods in Geotechnical Engineering
ECIV 563Subsurface Hydrology
Total Credit Hours12

Structural Engineering Concentration (12 hours)

Course Title Credits
ECIV 325Structural Steel Design3
or ECIV 327 Reinforced Concrete Design
ECIV 520Structural Analysis II3
Select 6 hours of the following:6
ECIV 325Structural Steel Design
ECIV 327Reinforced Concrete Design
ECIV 490Special Topics
or ECIV 590 Intermediate Special Topics
ECIV 499Independent Study in Civil and Environmental Engineering
ECIV 524Structural Vibrations
ECIV 526Timber and Masonry Design
ECIV 530Foundation Analysis and Design
ECIV 588Design of Railway Bridges and Structures
Total Credit Hours12

Water Resources Engineering Concentration (12 hours)

Course Title Credits
Select two of the following:6
ECIV 560Open Channel Hydraulics
ECIV 562Engineering Hydrology
ECIV 563Subsurface Hydrology
Select 6 hours of the following:6
ECIV 490Special Topics
or ECIV 590 Intermediate Special Topics
ECIV 499Independent Study in Civil and Environmental Engineering
ECIV 502Life Cycle Assessment of Engineered Systems
ECIV 531Design of Earth Structures
ECIV 551Elements of Water and Wastewater Treatment
Total Credit Hours12

Major Map

A major map is a layout of required courses in a given program of study, including critical courses and suggested course sequences to ensure a clear path to graduation.

Major maps are only a suggested or recommended sequence of courses required in a program of study. Please contact your academic advisor for assistance in the application of specific coursework to a program of study and course selection and planning for upcoming semesters.

Civil Engineering, B.S.E.