Civil and Environmental Engineering FAQs

The answers to questions frequently asked by current civil and environmental engineering students can be found below.

• What is civil engineering?

  According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, History and Heritage of Civil Engineering, publication, Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings.

• What is the difference in construction engineering and construction management?

  The main difference between a construction engineer and a construction manager is licensure. Construction engineers can sit for the Professional Engineer license (PE) but a construction management graduate cannot. In addition, construction managers are not design focused but rather concentrate on construction procedures, methods, and people management. Most will agree that their primary concern is to deliver a project on time, with-in budget, and of the desired quality.

• What type of careers do Civil Engineers pursue?

  Civil engineering has five main career specialties:

  • Environmental engineers remove contaminants from water, reduce non-hazardous solid waste volumes, eliminate pollutants from the air and develop groundwater supplies.
  • Geotechnical engineers develop projects below ground and determine ways to support structures on and in the ground. These engineers perfect mixtures for pavements and other structures by developing methods to stabilize soil conditions.
  • Materials engineers develop concrete and pavement systems for construction and soil stabilization methods.
  • Structural engineers face the challenge of designing structures that can withstand gusting winds, extreme temperatures, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural forces. They design structures for bridges, buildings, airplanes, and more.
  • Transportation engineers determine ways to meet the increasing travel needs of people, goods, and materials on land, air, and water.
• What kind of classes does a civil or construction engineering major consist of?

  Engineering is a discipline that uses calculus to understand physics and other science-related courses which serve as the foundation for the civil and construction engineering curriculum. When these courses are completed, students move into more major specific classes that are related to the five main career specialties in the field.

• Where is the civil engineering department located?

  The Civil Engineering Department is located in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Building (L Building).

• Can I get a Professional Engineers license with a civil engineering degree and a construction engineering degree?

  Yes. Per the National Society of Professional Engineers, in order to obtain a Professional Engineers license, one must earn a four-year degree in engineering from an accredited engineering program. The Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering programs are accredited through the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology at Kennesaw State University.

• How much do civil engineering graduates earn?

  Civil engineers earned a median salary of $82,220 in 2015, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. The highest-paid 10 percent in the profession made $129,850, while the lowest-paid earned $52,900 in 2015.