Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Build upon your passion for creating the safe, sustainable infrastructure of the future as a Civil Engineering major at UMass Amherst. You'll study areas such as structural analysis, thermodynamics, and soil mechanics to solve real-world problems including clean water shortages, earthquake damage prevention, and green city design. Your choice of elective courses on subjects including highway location, hydrology, and the design of steel and concrete structures will build on your goals and interests.
Because civil engineering is a collaborative profession, you'll undertake hands-on projects solving real-world problems with community partners. Faculty advisors will provide personal guidance and mentoring on everything from course selection to career planning. Biannual career fairs with allow you to network with local and national companies for internships, co-ops, and full-time jobs.
Our graduates embark on careers in design, construction, and management in areas including transportation systems, drinking- and waste-water treatment systems, buildings, bridges, tunnels, dams, and wind energy systems.
Benefits list
Explore research areas
At UMass, Civil Engineering is divided into four research areas: Geotechnical Engineering, Structural Engineering and Mechanics, Transportation Engineering, and Environmental Engineering. You can explore each of these areas through your coursework as an undergraduate.
Get involved
Get involved with student organizations such as Engineers Without Borders, the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Seismic Design Team, the Concrete Canoe Team, and the Steel Bridge Design Team.
Featured classes
Hydrology, geology, chemistry, and engineering design of groundwater systems. Topics include groundwater and the hydrologic cycle, groundwater hydraulics, groundwater as a resource, natural groundwater chemistry, and contamination and remediation.
Fundamental principles of traffic flow and intersection traffic operations including traffic data-collection methods, traffic-control devices, traffic-signal design, and analysis techniques.
A study of the properties of soil used in engineering. Topics include soil classification, compaction, swelling and shrinkage, permeability and seepage, consolidation, strength and stiffness, and the implications of soil for civil engineering design.
In the spotlight
The best thing about research for me is being able to apply the knowledge I gain in my courses in a real-world context. We learn about a lot of complicated concepts and processes in civil engineering courses, and much of it is implemented in actual buildings or treatment systems. Research provides hands-on learning and offers control over projects.
Application information & deadlines
For more Important Dates & Deadlines, including transfer and spring admission, visit the UMass Amherst admissions website. Attend an admissions event.
First-Year Early Action Deadline
First-Year Regular Decision Deadline
Civil Engineering
From transportation and water systems to buildings and more, UMass Amherst Civil Engineering students protect natural resources and improve lives.