Undergraduate Programs
Bachelor of Science in Civil and Infrastructure Engineering
How we teach our courses is just as important as what we teach. In our classes, we provide students with a variety of computer-based analytical and design tools widely used in the engineering industry. The philosophical thread that runs through the entire Civil & Infrastructure Engineering experience is that engineering is fun, challenging, demands cooperation and skill, and is of vital importance to society. Furthermore, our approach has been developed in close cooperation with the engineering industry to ensure that sound professional practice is used in the classroom. This relationship ensures that our courses offer relevant engineering experiences and exposure to industry leaders.
Admission
Admission to George Mason is competitive in that the number of qualified candidates for admission generally exceeds the number of new students who can be accommodated. Each candidate who presents sufficient admission qualifications is reviewed in context of other qualified applicants. An offer of admission is valid only for the semester for which the student applied. Application for undergraduate admission should be made to the office of Admissions on forms provided upon request.
Freshman Admission Requirements
The following factors are considered during application review:
- Cumulative high school grade point average for course work completed in grades 9 through 12.
- Level of difficulty of course work elected throughout the high school years, particularly in English, mathematics, laboratory sciences, and foreign language.
- Scores from the SAT and/or ACT, and/or TOEFL
Transfer Admission Requirements
The University accepts qualified students who wish to transfer from other colleges. A transfer applicant who has completed at least 30 semester hours of transferable credit must submit two copies of official transcripts from each collegiate institution attended.
Transfer applicants with fewer than 30 semester hours of transferable credit must also submit a copy of their secondary school record, as well as SAT or ACT scores. Students transferring from vocational programs or non-accredited institutions are normally expected to meet the University’s requirements governing admission of freshmen.
Educational Objectives
The educational objectives of the Civil and Infrastructure Engineering program describe expectations for graduates approximately three to five years after obtaining their BSCIE degree. Graduates of the program are expected to:
- Solve problems in the civil engineering domain, integrating traditional civil engineering disciplines of transportation, environment, structures, construction, and water; incorporating social, political, and economic considerations; and including a conscious life-cycle costing philosophy;
- Develop and apply information technology to civil engineering problems;
- Communicate effectively in written, oral, and visual ways;
- Pursue a lifelong process of learning; and
- Enter the civil engineering profession as productive engineers.
Degree Requirements
Degree requirements include 120 credits distributed in courses in three main areas: mathematics and basic science, humanities and social sciences, and civil engineering analysis and design.
The prerequisite structure for these courses is extensive. The sample schedule below provides a listing of course requirements as well as a guide to the progression of the courses to satisfy all prerequisites.
Students are required to see their faculty advisor at least once each semester to plan for the next semester's registration. Each student is expected to complete an approved plan of study, which constitutes a learning plan for the degree program.
A variety of classes will count for credit as CEIE technical electives. All electives must be selected with the advice and approval of the academic advisor. Paid internships during the summer (CEIE 197, 198, and 199; 297, 298 and 299; and 397, 398, 399) may also be used as technical electives.
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university's writing-intensive requirement for civil and infrastructure engineering majors is satisfied by the successful completion of CEIE 360.
Typical Schedule
Below is a typical schedule. Note that some courses are offered only once annually and have pre-requisites as shown on the course description page. Deviation from this schedule may delay graduation beyond the usual four years.
First Semester (Fall) CHEM251 General Chemistry for Engineers (4) |
Second Semester (Spring) CS112 Computer Science (4) |
Third Semester (Fall) CEIE290 Engineering Computation and Design (3) |
Fourth Semester (Spring) CEIE230 Hydraulics (3) |
Fifth Semester (Fall) CEIE301 Engineering and Economic Models in Civil Engineering (3) |
Sixth Semester (Spring) CEIE305 Soil Mechanics (3) |
Seventh Semester (Fall) CEIE367 Behavior of Concrete and Steel Structures (3) |
Eighth Semester (Spring) CEIE463 Construction Systems (3) |
* Of the 12 elective credits, 3 credits of a CEIE transportation technical elective and 3 credits of a CEIE environmental elective are required.
Accelerated B.S./M.S. in Civil and Infrastructure Engineering
Admission
George Mason students in the BSCIE program may apply for the accelerated B.S./M.S. in Civil and Infrastructure Engineering program if they have earned 90 undergraduate credits with an overall GPA of at least 3.300, or if their GPA in ENGR and CEIE courses is at least 3.300. Students who have not yet finished 90 credits may be accepted provisionally subject to satisfactory completion of 90 credits. All other criteria for admission into the accelerated B.S./M.S. program are identical to criteria for admission into the M.S. program.
Degree Requirements
Students must complete 144 credit hours that satisfy both the requirements for the BSCIE program and those for the MSCIE program. Students will register for six credit hours of CEIE 500-level courses in place of undergraduate technical elective courses. The CEIE 500-level courses selected for this purpose must be approved by the student’s academic adviser. Students will complete all MSCIE degree requirements and may apply the two CEIE 500-level courses included in the BSCIE program toward satisfaction of these requirements.
Degree Conferral
Students in the accelerated BSCIE/MSCIE program may apply to have the BSCIE degree conferred during the semester in which they expect to complete the BSCIE requirements. The Masters degree will be granted upon completion of the MSCIE requirements.