Civil Engineering

Overview

Offered by the Department of River-Coastal Science and Engineering (RCSE), Tulane University

The BSE in Civil Engineering – Water and Environment is a new undergraduate major that integrates traditional civil engineering with environmental and coastal sciences. This interdisciplinary program is designed to address pressing global and regional challenges such as climate change, sea level rise, water quality, and sustainability—particularly in the Gulf Coast region.

Unlike conventional civil engineering degrees, this program concentrates specifically on water resources, environmental engineering, and sustainability. It draws from civil, environmental, and coastal ocean engineering, and incorporates elements of geosciences and ecology to prepare students for careers or graduate study in water-focused fields.

Coursework Requirements

15 required, 3 credit courses within RCSE:
o RCSE 1040 The Gulf Coast in 2100: Sustaining Healthy Ecosystems and Vibrant Communities
o RCSE 3010 Water Resources Engineering I (approved but not presently taught)
o RCSE 4010 Water Resources Engineering II (Hydraulics)
o RCSE 4030 Water Resources Engineering III (Hydrology)
o RCSE 3020 Environmental Engineering I (approved but not presently taught)
o RCSE 4020 Environmental Engineering II (approved but not presently taught)
o RCSE 4070/6070 River Structures (new course)
o RCSE 4080/6080 Coastal Structures (new course)
o RCSE 6050 Geospatial Data Collection and Analysis for Environmental Applications (approved but not presently taught)
o RCSE 6060 The Role of Soils in Riparian Landscapes (approved but not presently taught) 
o RCSE 6800 Introduction to River Science and Engineering
o RCSE 6802 Introduction to Coastal Science and Engineering
o RCSE 4700 Professional Development (new course)
o RCSE 4720 Capstone Design I (new course)
o RCSE 4730 Capstone Design II (new course)

At least three RCSE elective classes at the 3000-level or above. Non-RCSE STEM classes in environmental, computer science, or engineering topics will be accepted as substitutes if approved by the undergraduate advisor. At present, the following 6000 level classes are available within RCSE to serve as electives: 
Coastal Marine Geology, Open Channel Flow, River Restoration, Intro to River-Coastal Hydraulic and Hydrological Modeling, River Mechanics & Management, Methods in River Sampling, Estuarine Processes, Environmental Data Analysis in the Anthropocene, Hydroclimatology, Sea Level Change, Ecohydrology, Intro to AI in Civil and Environ Engineering.

A biological sciences course requirement. Students may choose from the following courses:
o EBIO 1010/1015 Diversity of Life (4 w/lab)
o EBIO 1040 Humans & Environmental Change (3)

These courses total 48/49 credit hours (depending on EBIO course selected) of required credits plus 9 elective RCSE/STEM credits. Coursework is expected to be completed over eight semesters.
 

A total of 45 credits of STEM from outside RCSE are also required to be completed, either to meet the degree directly and ABET standards, or as pre- and co-requisites of other courses:
o ENGP1410 Statics
o ENGP2420 Engineering Dynamics
o ENGP2430 Mechanics of Materials
o MATH1230/1231 Statistics for Scientists
o MATH1210/1211 Calculus I + recitation
o MATH1220/1221 Calculus II + recitation
o MATH2210/2211 Calculus III + recitation
o MATH2240/2241 Introduction to Applied Mathematics o CHEM1070/1075 Chemistry I + laboratory
o CHEM1080/1085 Chemistry II + laboratory
o PHYS1310/1311 Physics I + laboratory
o PHYS1320/1321 Physics II + laboratory

Academic Requirements

To graduate with the BSE in Civil Engineering-Water and Environment, the student should achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or above in all courses that are required for the major. No more than one grade of D is allowed in required classes. To ensure that they are on track to graduate, students enrolling in senior capstone design courses should have a cumulative GPA in required courses taken to that point of 2.8 or above.