The undergraduate programs in Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering are accredited by: The Engineering Accreditation Commission of (ABET), www.abet.org.
John and Marcia Price College of Engineering
Mailing Address: 110 S. Central Campus Dr., Rm. 2000, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0561
Office Hours: 8 AM- 4:30 PM
Website: www.civil.utah.edu
Phone: 801-581-6931
Email: cveen-support@utah.edu
Department Chair: Tong Qiu, Ph.D.
Undergraduate Advisor: cveenadvising@utah.edu
Graduate Advisor: cveen-graduate@utah.edu
Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of Utah is to advance the smartness, resiliency, and sustainability of civil infrastructure systems.
The Department’s education and research programs are grounded in scientific theories, yet modernized via an amalgam of systems engineering and advanced computing. The intellectual foundations in evolving and critical area address grand societal challenges for planning, designing, constructing and operating interdependent civil infrastructure systems, including building, infrastructure, environmental, energy, and health systems.
We strive to inspire and prepare students for high-impact careers in the engineering profession and in the broader societal context, and develop engineers with strategic skills in areas of emerging need, with the creativity to adapt and innovate in response to dynamic societal needs.
Overview
The department encompasses programs in the fields of Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering and Nuclear Engineering with offerings at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Civil engineers play essential roles in all aspects of the planning, construction and operation of modern technologies essential to everyday life. Some of these technologies include the research and use of sustainable materials, design and implementation of efficient transportation systems, in-depth study and design of wastewater treatment and water reuse facilities and many more applications. Civil engineers also support the ongoing assessment and reconstruction of aging infrastructure throughout the state, and across the country.
The Construction Engineering programs support Utah’s rapidly growing economy by providing skilled professionals to bridge the gap between technical experience and management acumen. This program is designed to equip engineers with the skills needed to lead large projects, dynamic teams, and construction companies. Program graduates will learn the tools, technology, strategy and skills to deliver complex projects for construction firms.
The Utah Nuclear Engineering Program (UNEP) oversees an undergraduate minor, and a Master’s and Doctoral graduate degrees. This program’s mission is “to deliver exceptional education and training to prepare students for careers and leadership in nuclear processes, instrumentation, and systems, while ensuring safeguards that maximize the societal benefits of nuclear energy and radioactive materials.” Current research areas include: radiation detection, nuclear safeguards, medical isotope production and nuclear forensics. Program faculty and students understand the potential of nuclear engineering research to significantly shape society and chart the course for a sustainable and dynamic future.
The department contributes to the state’s economy by providing skilled graduates who fulfill essential roles across all sectors. These hires contribute to the state’s strong economy by boosting state and local revenues. Civil engineering and nuclear engineering remain top priorities listed by the state’s legislate for several consecutive years.
Types of Degrees
Bachelor of Science
Master of Science
Minor
Doctor of Philosophy
Undergraduate Programs
Civil Engineering students take a range of math, science, and technical courses, as well as general interest electives. Through their coursework, our students learn how to apply physical, chemical, and biochemical processes to environmental problems, ultimately improving the quality of life across the globe.
During their senior year students engage with community stakeholders to engineer integrated design solutions in the two-course sequence called Professional Practice & Design (4900 and 4910). This capstone project integrates real-world design experience prior to graduation and prepares these individuals for their career as a working engineer.
Students in the undergraduate programs are supported with 1:1 meetings with academic advisors multiple times throughout their academic career. Advising begins during the mandatory orientation required of all new students. Following orientation, the University has two additional times at which a student is required to meet with an academic advisor. Students are encouraged to schedule additional appointments, as needed through the self-service portal accessible to all enrolled students. Learn more about the University's Milestone Advising Program.
Graduate Programs
At the graduate-level students can pursue a research-based degree, or a coursework-only degree. All graduate-level students are required to have a supervisory committee comprised of University faculty to help oversee the selection of courses relevant to their degree. Students independently manage meetings with members of the supervisory committee as needed.
Students pursing a research degree do so under the direction and supervision of a specific professor. Students are members of that professor's "research group" and participate in ongoing research as advised by the professor. These students are all expected to have a culminating piece of academic literature outlining the research conducted. All students must present their academic work to a supervisory committee of professors and experts in the academic field.
Areas of Specialization
Water Resources Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Structural Engineering
Geotechnical Engineering
Materials Engineering
Transportation Engineering
Construction Engineering
Nuclear Engineering
Additional Information
Scholarship/Fellowship Opportunities
Undergraduate Scholarships: Review available scholarships, and determine eligibility here: www.price.utah.edu/scholarships
Graduate Students: Qualified graduate students may be selected to receive financial support during the pursuit of their degree. All graduate applications are considered for these funding opportunities. No additional steps need to be taken to be considered. Teaching assistants are nominated by the supervising research professor and selected by department leadership.
Facilities, Centers, or Labs
In August 2023, the University of Utah’s John and Marcia Price College of Engineering dedicated its newly renovated Civil & Environmental Engineering undergraduate teaching laboratories to Alan W. Layton, an honorary alumnus- and long-time benefactor of the U. The building was originally built in the 1930s by the U.S. Department of Mines and Reclamation. Its rededication as the Layton Building comes after a $5.3m renovation project, featuring seismic, sustainability, and accessibility upgrades, as well as a suite of new educational and research labs.
The Layton Building’s state-of-the-art facilities support students from multiple departments and disciplines, but focuses on technologies related to civic infrastructure and advanced construction materials. The building’s Maker Space serves as an onramp into the Civil & Environmental Engineering disciplines, allowing freshmen to quickly start making — and breaking — their own designs. Its Hydraulics Laboratory is a critical addition for juniors in the department, who will use it to study water and wastewater infrastructure, as well as environmental, geotechnical, and materials engineering.
The Structures Lab is home to state-of-the-art equipment, including one giant actuator that stretches from the hangar-like ceiling to beneath the concrete floor. It can simulate the effects of seismic activity — with forces up to a 7.0 magnitude earthquake — on whatever is placed inside by vigorously rocking it back and forth in its gigantic rectangular shape. The research conducted in the lab contributes to improving the durability of structures (building, bridges, highways) and the development of more sustainable structural systems.
The University of Utah is one of the few institutions in the nation that houses its own nuclear reactor on campus. The TRIGA reactor has been used for research and since 1975. TRIGA stands for Training, Research, Isotopes General Atomics. There are currently only 40 TRIGA reactors operating in the world, with just 18 in the United States. This nuclear reactor enables students and faculty to conduct research for nuclear medicine, nuclear forensics, radiation detection, and more.
Professional/Career Opportunities
For the second year in a row, the 2024- 2025 University of Utah chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers has earned two of the highest student honors:
2025 Certificate of Commendation, awarded to only the top 5% of student chapters nationwide.
2025 Distinguished Chapter Award for ASCE Region 8, recognizing the most outstanding chapter among 36 universities.