At UW-Madison, the College of Engineering's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) has a long and distinguished history, dating back to 1857 when the first civil engineering student graduated. In 1870, the University of Wisconsin Regents formally created the Department of Civil Engineering.
Civil and Environmental Engineering evolved into a modern department as the teaching of railway engineering, practical surveying, and sanitary engineering gave way to research and instruction in construction engineering and management; environmental engineering; structural engineering; geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering; geological engineering; geo-spatial information engineering; transportation engineering and city planning; water resources engineering; and water chemistry. The department now includes more than 30 faculty, more than 300 undergraduates, and nearly 200 graduate students, including those in the separate programs in Geological Engineering and Environmental Science and Technology.
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers the Bachelor of Science degree in CE (BSCE). Three program options exist within CEE that allow students to receive degree recognition of in-depth studies in specialized areas of civil engineering. Each of the options, environmental engineering, construction engineering and management, and fluid systems engineering, have modified curricula that meet BSCE requirements and also provide a concentration in the option. Students who complete either option receive a BSCE degree in civil engineering with that option designated on their transcript. Geological Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science degree, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree. The Environmental Science and Technology Program offers a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree.
The Department also offers the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy graduate degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) through the University of Wisconsin Graduate School. The Department's graduate program was ranked 13th of all CE programs and the Environmental Engineering program ranked 15th in the March 30, 2007, issue of U.S. News and World Report.
Students experience a challenging and stimulating academic environment in which their creative talents flourish. As stewards of that environment, faculty members are committed to making research and instruction relevant to contemporary problems. They constantly strive for academic excellence that is the hallmark of an outstanding educational institution.
The department has developed several assessment tools continually to improve both undergraduate and graduate study. In particular, the CEE Visiting Committee, comprised of professional engineers and alumni, serves in an advisory capacity on such issues as curriculum updates, senior design experiences, and future directions of the department.
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering takes great pride in its achievements, which are reflected by both its graduate students who hold engineering leadership positions throughout the world, and its research publications, which have appeared in the most prominent engineering journals. Numerous honors for teaching excellence and research accomplishments have been presented to faculty members.
Prospective students and others interested in civil and environmental engineering are invited to visit the department. (Arrangements can be made by contacting the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. See address below.)
