Civil Engineering, B.S. - Environmental Engineering Emphasis

Contact Information

Dr. Molly M. Gribb, P.E.
Head and Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental
Engineering, Civil/Mechanical 122
(605) 394-1697
E-mail: Molly.Gribb@sdsmt.edu

Faculty

Professors Amos, Bang, Fontaine, Gribb, Hansen and Kenner; Associate Professors Christopher, Stone and Surovek; Assistant Professors Arneson-Meyer, Benning, Cetin, Fick, Nam and Robinson.

Environmental Engineering

Environmental engineering is an important emphasis area in the broad field of civil engineering. Environmental engineers design systems and solve pressing global problems in all areas related to the environment and public health: sustainable design of drinking water treatment and distribution, wastewater treatment, and solid and hazardous waste disposal systems; development of air quality monitoring and pollution prevention programs; design of site remediation and mining reclamation programs; and development of ecosystem protection and restoration efforts, among others.

Students interested in a career in environmental engineering at the School of Mines follow a curriculum with an emphasis in environmental engineering that culminates in a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering that is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

The undergraduate curriculum provides a comprehensive education for students who wish to pursue a professional career directly after graduation. The B.S. program in civil engineering also serves as preparation for graduate study in any of the specialized branches of environmental or civilengineering, construction management or other professional degrees such as medicine or law.

Curriculum

The environmental engineering emphasis curriculum includes courses in the liberal arts, higher mathematics, basic sciences, engineering sciences, and engineering design. Civil and environmental engineers often work on interdisciplinary teams to solve complex system design problems, so a broad background in engineering fundamentals and the natural sciences is essential. Students will take courses in environmental, geotechnical, water resources, construction, and sustainable engineering, as well as related chemical engineering courses, to prepare them for a career and/or additional studies.

In the senior year, a two-semester capstone design course allows students to work in multi-disciplinary teams to develop alternative solutions, incorporate sustainable design principles, perform feasibility and economic analyses, and create detailed designs. The capstone design experience culminates with a formal final written report and a presentation to the faculty and the students’ peers. A minor in environmental engineering is also available.

Graduate programs in civil and environmental engineering or construction management afford opportunities for motivated students to pursue advanced studies. An accelerated Master of Science (BS/MS) degree program is available for qualified seniors enrolled in engineering B.S. programs at the South Dakota School of Mines. The accelerated master’s degree program allows B.S. engineering students to take up to nine (9) graduate-level credits to simultaneously meet undergraduate and graduate degree program requirements. For more information about the accelerated master’s degree program, see the Civil Engineering M.S. section of the catalog or contact the CEE Graduate Coordinator Dr. Scott Amos, Scott.Amos@sdsmt.edu.

Department Approved Electives

The curriculum for the BSCE with environmental engineering emphasis includes 15 credit hours of Department Approved Electives that students may use to gain knowledge and skills to meet their individual career goals. Students may participate in undergraduate research or scholarship, which may include international design projects, design activities associated with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) steel bridge or concrete canoe competitions, or cooperative education. Students must apply for the cooperative education program prior to starting work. For more information about the cooperative education program, contact Scott Amos (Scott.Amos@sdsmt.edu).

Department Approved Electives include the following and a list can also be found at the following URL: cee.sdsmt.edu/docs/203193.pdf

At least 6 credits of CEE 400 level coursework not applied to another CEE graduation requirement.
Up to 6 credit hours of CEE 498 (Undergraduate Research/Scholarship), CEE 491 (Independent Study) or CP 497 (Cooperative Education); not more then 3 credits may be CEE 491 or CP 497.
Up to 9 credit hours of 300 or 400 level courses in engineering, science, math or computer science not applied to another CEE graduation requirement.

BSCE Environmental Engineering Emphasis Curriculum/Checklist

Freshman Year

First Semester

ENGL 101 Composition I Credits: (3-0) 3
CHEM 112 General Chemistry I Credits: (3-0) 3
CHEM 112L General Chemistry I Lab Credits: (0-1) 1
MATH 123 Calculus I Credits: (4-0) 4
CEE 130/130L Introduction to Civil and Environmental Engineering/Lab Credits: (1-1) 2
¹Humanities or Social Science Elective Credits: 3

Total: 16

Second Semester

CHEM 114 General Chemistry II Credits: (3-0) 3
CHEM 114L General Chemistry II Lab Credits: (0-1) 1
MATH 125 Calculus II Credits: (4-0) 4
PHYS 211/211-A University Physics I/Recitation Credits: (3-0) 3
² EM 214 Statics Credits: (3-0) 3
¹Humanities or Social Science Elective(s) Credits: 3

Total: 17

Sophomore Year

First Semester

ENGL 279 Technical Communications I Credits: (3-0) 3
MATH 225 Calculus III Credits: (4-0) 4
CHEM 230 Analytical Chemistry for Engineers Credits: (2-0) 2
EM 331 Fluid Mechanics Credits: (3-0) 3
ENVE 217 Chemical Engineering Material Balances Credits: (3-0) 3
¹Humanities or Social Science Elective Credits: 3

Total: 18

Second Semester

CEE 326 Environmental Engineering I Credits: (3-0) 3
MATH 321 Differential Equations Credits: (3-0) 3
CBE 222 Chemical Engineering Process Thermodynamics Credits: (3-0) 3
CEE 284 Applied Numerical Methods Credits: (3-0) 3
² EM 321 Mechanics of Materials Credits: (3-0) 3
¹ Humanities or Social Science Elective(s) Credits: 3

Total: 18

Junior Year

First Semester

ENGL 289 Technical Communications II Credits: (3-0) 3
ENVE 317 Chemical Engineering Heat Transfer Credits: (3-0) 3
CEE 316/316L Engineering and Construction Materials/Lab Credits: (2-1) 3
CEE 336/336L Hydraulic Systems Design/Lab Credits: (2-1) 3
CEE 346/346L Geotechnical Engineering/Lab Credits: (2-1) 3

Total: 15

Second Semester

CEE 325 Introduction to Sustainable Design Credits: (3-0) 3
CEE 327/327L Environmental Engineering II/Lab Credits: (2-1) 3
CEE 337 Engineering Hydrology Credits: (3-0) 3
³Science Elective Credits: 3
ENVE 318 Chemical Engineering Mass Transfer Credits: (3-0) 3

Total: 15

Senior Year

First Semester

IENG 301 Basic Engineering Economics Credits: (2-0) 2
CEE 463 Concepts of Professional Practice Credits: (2-0) 2
CEE Department Approved Elective(s) Credits: 6
CEE 464 Civil Engineering Capstone Design I Credits: (0-1) 1
³Science Elective Credits: 3

Total: 15

Second Semester

CEE 474/574 Construction Engineering and Management Credits: (3-0) 3
CEE 465 Civil Engineering Capstone Design II Credits: (0-2) 2
CEE Department Approved Elective(s) Credits: 9
¹Humanities or Social Science Elective Credits: 3

Total: 16

130 credits required for graduation

Curriculum Notes

¹Consult the section of the catalog addressing graduation requirements for a description of the combinations of lower level (1xx/2xx) social sciences and humanities courses meeting the SDBOR General Education Goals #3 and #4. Students must complete at least 3 credits at an advanced level (300 or above).

² Students must earn a “C” or better in the following courses to advance in the program: MATH 123 , EM 214 , EM 321 , EM 331 , CEE 326 , CEE 336/336L , and CEE 346/346L .

³ Science electives may be chosen from physics, chemistry, biology, geology, or atmospheric science with at least 3 credit hours from BIO, GEOL, or ATM, or GEOE 221/221L . See BSCE Department Approved Elective List at cee.sdsmt.edu.