About the department

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is training Nevada's next generation of problem solvers. 

At a glance

Nationally ranked programs Civil Engineering #55 Environmental Engineering #59
Patrick Laplace and spectators in hardhards in front of an experimental set-up with trucks on a curved bridge
Student enrollment 475 undergraduate & graduate students
Two students sitting in front of a Nevada Wolfpack flag
Faculty 28 academic & research faculty
Dr. Zong Tian in the trafic engineering lab, in front of a large map and two monitors
Research expenditures $6.9 million, FY20
Two students work in the large scale structures lab on a rebar and concrete project

Our department

Globally competitive curriculum

A well-rounded core curriculum combined with opportunities for students to specialize in a subfield of civil engineering gives our graduates both breadth and depth of engineering knowledge. Additionally, a departmental emphasis on creating life-long learners who can communicate about technical, social and ethical issues in engineering design prepares our graduates to work well in interdisciplinary and team environments.

The bachelor's degree programs in civil and environmental engineering are both accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org. Learn more about what accreditation means to you.

World-class faculty

Our faculty are dedicated professionals whose active interest in research puts them at the forefront of current technology. Because classes are relatively small, you will get to know and interact with your professors and fellow students. Many of our undergraduates also participate in ongoing research projects.

Industry partnerships

We work with local professionals such as the Nevada Department of Transportation, Associated General Contractors, and other national and international civil engineering employers to provide meaningful summer cooperative training programs for our students and even full-time employment after graduation.

State-of-the-art facilities

Our seismic engineering facilities include more than 30,000 square feet of laboratory, office and auditorium space for students and researchers. The Earthquake Engineering Laboratory features three biaxial shake tables and one six degree-of-freedom table. Our Large-Scale Structures Laboratory offers a test floor and strong wall for structural engineering experiments that don't require the shake tables. Together, these two labs give us the largest, most-versatile earthquake engineering facility in the United States. 

Additionally, the University houses the Western Regional Superpave Center, a nationally recognized teaching and research lab within the College of Engineering.

Are you ready to make a world of difference?

Join the College of Engineering students, faculty and alumni who are developing the ideas, techniques and technologies that change the world.

Learn more today!