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Undergraduate Program

The Civil Engineering Profession:

From the pyramids of Egypt to the space station Freedom, civil engineers have always faced the challenge of the future — advancing civilization and improving the quality of life. The technological revolution, population growth and environmental concerns all create a challenge to civil engineers. The next few decades will be the most creative, demanding and rewarding times.

Civil engineering is about development and improvement. It involves planning, design, construction and operation of facilities essential to modern life. Civil engineers solve problems to meet the challenges of pollution, traffic congestion, water supplies, energy needs, waste management, urban redevelopment and community planning. Future civil engineers must have the ability to interact with and compete in a global economy. They will have a vital role in improving the quality of life in the 21st century.

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE):

The four-year BSCE degree program prepares graduates to enter the professional practice of civil engineering. The program imparts essential knowledge, tools and skills necessary for civil engineering graduates to become successful engineers and life-long learners. Graduates gain the ability to understand and apply mathematics, science and engineering science to solve engineering problems. They have the ability to design modern engineering systems, to work on multidisciplinary teams and to communicate by written and graphical means. Undergraduates have the opportunity for research experience by working on the many research projects conducted by the department. The program strives to instill a spirit of service and leadership among the students. Development of leadership skills, awareness of professional ethics, and participation in student organizations prepare the BSCE graduate for professional practice. Many graduates continue their education by obtaining a MSCE, MBA and/or Ph.D.

Curriculum:

The BSCE curriculum provides training in the basic sciences, engineering science, general education and design experience. Basic science includes mathematics, chemistry and physics. Engineering science includes statics, dynamics, fluid dynamics, mechanics of solids, soil mechanics, construction materials, surveying, thermodynamics and electrical systems. The broad category of general education includes courses in history, political science, humanities and communication. Design experience entails five subdisciplines of civil engineering: structural, environmental, water resources, geotechnical and transportation engineering. Lecture and laboratory classes train the student in theory and practical applications. The overall objective is to provide design experience which involves open ended problems that are subject to various constraints. The student learns to work on teams, to examine options and make informed decisions regarding the design of a civil engineering system (building, bridge, pipeline, airport, water treatment plant, etc.) The curriculum concludes with a semester-long design project of a typical civil engineering project. The project brings all the knowledge gained from the curriculum to focus on the design. Students practice planning, scheduling, data collection, report writing, oral and graphical (CAD) communication in a simulated design office setting.

Facilities:

The Department of Civil Engineering occupies 91,000 sf of modern classrooms, laboratories, and offices. The building houses laboratories for environmental sciences, geotechnical engineering, fluid mechanics and hydraulics, structural engineering, engineering mechanics and civil engineering materials. The Department also operates a computer lab with 40 high-end PCs connected to the College of Engineering and University network. The lab is equipped with Computer Aided Drafting software, including AUTOCAD and Microstation. Other modern tools for engineering are available.

Faculty:

The civil engineering faculty are well known for their classroom teaching abilities, their interest in students, and their research productivity. All full-time faculty possess the doctoral degree and teach both undergraduate and graduate courses. Most faculty have received multiple college- and university-wide classroom teaching awards. Many of the faculty have achieved national and international recognition for their research accomplishments.

Students:

The civil engineering student body enjoys a cohesive, friendly intermingling of classifications. A helpful, cooperative attitude prevails among the students. The enrollment reflects recent increased interest in civil engineering by women and ethnic minorities. Strong capabilities of the students in math, science, and problem solving are translated into a widely recognized work ethic that makes Texas Tech civil engineering graduates in high demand upon graduation.

Student Advising:

At Texas Tech, each civil engineering student is assigned a faculty member as his or her academic and career guidance advisor. The faculty advisor helps each student develop a personal plan of courses leading to graduation. The faculty believe that the personal attention provided to the students — particularly during their first two years — is very important to the academic success of the student and are committed to this personal method of student advising.

Student Activities:

In addition to course work, Texas Tech offers opportunities for professional activities, social functions and recreational sports. For professional activities, students may choose from the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Texas Society of Professional Engineers or the Society for Environmental Professionals. In addition there are clubs for women engineers and minorities, and the honor societies. Social functions center around fraternities and sororities, service organizations, religious organizations and special interest clubs. Many of the student organizations participate in various recreational sports. Open recreation is also available at the indoor-outdoor aquatic facility and the Student Recreation Center.

Lubbock :

More than 200,000 persons live in the metro­politan area of Lubbock. At an elevation of 3,200 ft above sea level, Lubbock summers are warm and Breezy, its winters are mild, and the city enjoys all four seasons. Although dorm i­tory space for nearly 8,000 students is avail­able on campus, a wide variety of reasonably priced, convenient off-campus housing can also be readily found. In addition to the extensive on-campus entertainment opportunities, Lubbock also offers a wide choice of off-campus entertainment and social activities and nearly all church and religious denominations are represented in the city.

Financial Assistance:

Scholarships are available from the University, the College of Engineering and the Department of Civil Engineering. For scholarship information and application packets, contact the Texas Tech Office of New Student Relations and the College of Engineering as early as possible. 

Office of New Student Relations
Box 45005
Texas Tech University
Lubbock , TX 79409-5005
Tel: (806) 742-1482

Further Information:

Additional information on any of the civil engineering programs or Texas Tech University may be obtained by calling or writing: 

Glenna Andrews
Dept of Civil Engineering
P.O. Box 41023
Texas Tech University
Lubbock , TX 79409 -1 023
Tel: (806) 742-3523 
Fax: (806) 742-3488

We invite you and your parents to visit the Department of Civil Engineering and discuess career opportunities. We suggest calling beforehand to ensure that faculty advisors are available when you arrive on campus.

Texas Tech University is committed to the principle that in no aspects of its programs shall there be differences in the treatment of persons because of race, creed, national origin, age, sex, or disability, and that equal opportunity and access to facilities shall be available to all.

“The B.S. degree in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone: (410) 347-7700.”