Course Catalog

Department Website

Civil Engineering

Chairperson: Rhonda Young
Professors: N. Bormann (Emeritus), S. Ganzerli, S. Niezgoda, P. Nowak, R. Young
Associate Professors:  J. Schultz, M. Muszynski
Assistant Professors: B. Dorie, K. Shimabuku 
Lecturer: R. Alkhatib 

Civil engineers are problem solvers who utilize sophisticated technologies to find safe and sustainable solutions to a wide variety of the challenges facing our world. A civil engineer plans, designs, and supervises construction of numerous infrastructure facilities required by modern society. These facilities exist in both the public and private sectors, and vary in scope and size. Examples of civil engineering projects include bridges, roadways, buildings, transportation systems, irrigation water supply and treatment systems, wastewater collection and treatment systems, flood control and river restoration facilities, solid and hazardous waste management, and environmental restoration. Civil engineers have important roles in analysis, design, management, regulatory enforcement, and policy development. To participate effectively in this broad scope of activities, civil engineers acquire technical and problem solving skills, and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Students completing the requirements for a degree in civil engineering have a choice of technical electives from six areas: Environmental Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, and Construction.

The department of Civil Engineering, in conjunction with its various constituencies, has clearly defined program objectives. These engineering program objectives are listed in the School of Engineering and Applied Science section of this catalog, and by the Gonzaga University Mission Statement that may be found at the beginning of the catalog.

The BS in Civil Engineering (BSCE) is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET,http://www.abet.org.

B.S. in Civil Engineering: 130 Credits

Technical Electives

Courses from the following list satisfy the technical elective requirements. Students work with their faculty advisor to select five technical elective courses to create a specialized plan of study that can be highly specialized or with a broad focus among the civil engineering sub-disciplines: construction (C), environmental engineering (E), geotechnical engineering (G), structural engineering (S), Transportation (T), and water resources engineering (W).

  • Typically Offered in Fall

    Occasionally Offered
     

     
    CENG 411 Steel Design (S) 

    CENG 413 Groundwater (E, G, W)

    CENG 418 Transportation Systems Design (T)

    CENG 416 Hydrogeology (E, G, W)

    CENG 420 Structural Dynamics (S)

    CENG 427 Infrastructure Design (E, G, T, W)

    CENG 421 Stormwater Management (W, E) 

    CENG 428 Urban Design and Development (E)

    CENG 424 Water Treatment Processes (E)

    CENG 432 Hazard Mitigation (E, W, T)

    CENG 426 Stream Restoration (W, E)

    CENG 444 Air Pollution (E)
    CENG 473 Foundations Design (G, S) 
    		 CENG 454 Biological Treatment Processes (E)
     

    CENG 463 Pavement Design (C, G, S, T)
      MENG 465 Introduction to Finite Elements (G, S)

     

    		 CENG 440 Gonzaga in Delft: Sustainable Cities (E) 
     

    Typically Offered in Spring

    Typically Offered Even-Number Summers

    CENG 422 Structural Analysis II (S)

    		 CENG 440 Gonzaga in Delft: Sustainable Cities (E,

    CENG 414 Waste Management (E)

    S, T, W) 3-week study abroad course in the

    CENG 415 Masonry and Timber Design (S)

    Netherlands (typically offered even number summers)

    CENG 417 Traffic Engineering (T)

     

    CENG 450 Watershed Modeling (W, E)

     

    CENG 464 Ground Behavior for Structures (G, S)

     
    CENG 480 Construction Management (C)   

     


MENG 465 Introduction to Finite Elements (G, S) 
Lower Division
CENG 225 Engineering Geology
3.00 credits
This course emphasizes physical geology, the study of Earth's evolution, morphology, its constituent minerals and rocks. Course topics include Earth processes that span a bewildering range of scales, and show why it is unwise to assume that everyday experiences are relevant. The foundation for the course is a quantitative perspective, beginning with Newton's laws of motion and gravity. Themes include the historical discovery of ideas, the interplay of 'gravity' and material behavior, and a model-deductive approach. The goal is enable student to appreciate the larger geological context of engineering and civil works projects, and the long-term forces which affect them.
CENG 252 Civil Fluid Mechanics
3.00 credits
Covers fluid properties, hydrostatics, fluid dynamics, conversation of mass, momentum and energy for incompressible fluids, dimensional analysis, civil engineering applications including closed conduit/pipe flow. Stresses the control volume approach and Eulerian description of flow. Fall.
Prerequisite:
ENSC 205 Minimum Grade: D
CENG 261 Introduction to Geomatics
2.00 credits
Basic principles of surveying data collection, analysis, and application. Measurement of elevations, distances and angles using total stations and global positioning systems. Examples of analysis of errors in measurements; application of surveying data to engineering design using GIS and 3-D models. Fall.
Prerequisite:
MATH 157 Minimum Grade: D
Concurrent:
CENG 261L
CENG 261L Introduction to Geomatics Lab
1.00 credit
see CENG 261.
Concurrent:
CENG 261
Upper Division
CENG 301 Structural Analysis I
3.00 credits
Theory and application of engineering mechanics to the solution of internal forces in statically determinate structures subjected to static and moving loads. Introduction of energy concepts for simple indeterminate structures. Fall.
Prerequisite:
ENSC 301 Minimum Grade: D
CENG 302L Construction Materials Lab
2.00 credits
Investigation of construction materials and applicable code specifications. Includes site visits to local construction material manufacturers and material testing labs. Materials studied include concrete, timber, brick, block, asphalt, aluminum and steel. Material testing and the technical writing of laboratory reports is stressed. Three hour laboratory per week. Fall.
Prerequisite:
ENSC 301 Minimum Grade: D
CENG 303 Environmental Engineering
3.00 credits
An overview of the principles of environmental engineering. Topics include material balance, environmental chemistry, risk assessment, air quality, water quality, and water and wastewater treatment.
Prerequisite:
CHEM 101 Minimum Grade: D or TRAN GCHM Minimum Grade: T or TRAN GCHM Minimum Grade: D
Concurrent:
CENG 303L
Equivalent:
ENVS 421 - OK if taken since Fall 2022
CENG 303L Environmental Engineering Lab
1.00 credit
This course emphasizes fundamental environmental chemistry principles and analytical techniques used to study air and water quality and treatment process performance. The course also emphasizes statistical analysis, date interpretation, and reporting requirements associated with environmental engineering. CENG 303 is a co-requisite or pre-requisite for this course.
Concurrent:
CENG 303
Equivalent:
ENVS 421L - OK if taken since Fall 2022
CENG 318 Transportation Engineering
3.00 credits
The course will cover general knowledge in all the transportation fields including; traffic characteristics and flow theory. transportation planning. geometric design of highways, traffic safety, highway materials, and pavement design.
Prerequisite:
CENG 261 Minimum Grade: D
CENG 331 Soil Mechanics
3.00 credits
In this course the properties and behavior of soils (sand, gravel, silt and clay) are studied under various environmental conditions. The study includes weight-volume relations, soil classifications, soil compaction, seepage through porous media, normal effective stress concept, consolidation, shear strength, lateral pressures and slope stability. Laboratory and Field methods for evaluating pertinent properties, generally used for analysis and foundation design. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Fall.
Prerequisite:
ENSC 301 Minimum Grade: D
Concurrent:
CENG 331L
CENG 331L Soil Mechanics Lab
1.00 credit
Three hours of laboratory per week.
Concurrent:
CENG 331
CENG 351 Engineering Hydrology
3.00 credits
This course will form a foundation for the study of the occurrence, distribution, and movement of water on, in, and above the earth. Topics covered include: watersheds, precipitation, evaporation, infiltration, discharge calculations, hydrographs, river and reservoir routing, and drainage design including sanitary and storm sewer design and reservoir sizing. Statistical tools dealing with information in water resources, frequency analysis, confidence intervals for prediction, and risk. Applications to common engineering projects in surface and sub-surface situations are presented. Includes computer applications. Fall.
Prerequisite:
ENSC 352 Minimum Grade: D or CENG 252 Minimum Grade: D
CENG 352 Hydraulic Engineering
3.00 credits
Use of fluid mechanics in the engineering analysis and design of components of hydraulic and water resources systems. Topics covered include: closed conduit flow; pump selection and cavitation; steady, uniform, and gradually varied flow of water in open channels with immobile boundaries and through bridges and culverts; specific energy and transitions; stable channel design; and design hydraulic/stormwater structures. Includes problem solving, a design project, and computer applications. The associated lab course (CENG352L) stresses a variety of practical applications in the hydraulics laboratory including: measuring pipe friction’ analyzing pipe networks; developing pump curves and observing cavitation; measuring energy and roughness in uniform open channel flow; analyzing hydraulic jumps; applying hydraulic modeling to culvert design; Civil 3D applications in stormwater and/or sanitary sewer design; and the development and implementation of a student derived investigation.
Prerequisite:
CENG 252 Minimum Grade: D
Concurrent:
CENG 352L
CENG 352L Hydraulic Engineer Lab
1.00 credit
see CENG 352.
Concurrent:
CENG 352
CENG 391 Civil Eng Design & Practice
3.00 credits
An integration of topics essential to the practice of civil engineering, including: 1) engineering economics concepts; 2) project management approaches; 3) contract issues and project structures, and 4) general code of conduct of engineers and ethics. Engineering economy topics will include annual cost, present worth, future worth, and rate of return concepts. Students will develop an understanding of the elements of proposals, reports, construction drawings, and specifications. Engineering law, in the context of civil engineering project will be included to further illustrate the four main topics. Spring.
CENG 404 Sustainable Systems and Design
3.00 credits
This course explores the characteristics of sustainable systems and how design practices may encourage sustainability. Topics covered in the course will be selected for applicability to specific regions of the world and may change each year. Basic concepts include: building thermal performance, indoor and outdoor environmental quality, passive and active energy systems, water reclamation strategies, life cycle analysis and current sustainable building rating systems. Sustainable design concepts and methods are also applied to building design site development and infrastructure use.
Prerequisite:
CENG 391 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
ENVS 422 - OK if taken since Fall 2022
CENG 411 Steel Design
3.00 credits
Application of basic principles of mechanics applied to the design of steel members. Design of structural members and connections using the current American Institute of Steel Construction specifications. Load and Resistance Factor Design and Allowable Stress Design procedures. Fall.
Prerequisite:
CENG 301 Minimum Grade: D
CENG 412 Concrete Design
3.00 credits
Theory and application of analytical procedures applied to the design of reinforced concrete structural members. Proportioning of beams, columns, footings, and walls in concrete structures is approached using current American Concrete Institute code specifications. Ultimate Strength Design Procedures. Spring.
Prerequisite:
CENG 301 Minimum Grade: D
CENG 414 Waste Management
3.00 credits
An overview of solid, hazardous, and industrial waste management. Topics include regulations, contaminant transport, waste sources, waste minimization, recycling, treatment and remediation technologies, landfill design and risk assessment.
Prerequisite:
CENG 303 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
ENVS 423 - OK if taken since Fall 2022
CENG 415 Masonry - Timber Design
3.00 credits
Analysis and design of masonry and timber structures. Sizing of members in masonry and timber according to applicable building codes.
Prerequisite:
CENG 301 Minimum Grade: D
CENG 416 Hydrogeology
3.00 credits
Fundamentals of hydrogeology: the hydrologic cycle; surface water and ground water interactions; principles of steady-state and transient flow groundwater flow; regional groundwater flow; finite difference solutions to groundwater flow equations. Application of MODFLOW and GIS to groundwater problems. Aquifer tests; ground water law and management; contaminant transport.
Prerequisite:
ENSC 352 Minimum Grade: D
CENG 417 Traffic Engineering
3.00 credits
Fundamentals of traffic engineering including traffic flow, capacity analysis, traffic signs and signals, and traffic engineering studies.
Prerequisite:
CENG 318 Minimum Grade: D
CENG 418 Transportation System Design
3.00 credits
Application of national and local standards to transportation system design situations from a multimodal perspective. Course emphasizes geometric design of roadway facilities but also incorporates design considerations for pedestrians, bicycles, and transit.
Prerequisite:
CENG 318 Minimum Grade: D
CENG 420 Structural Dynamics
3.00 credits
The analysis and response of structures to dynamic loads. Emphasis is given to dynamic loads due to earthquakes. Basic principles of the seismic design of structures. Prerequisites: CENG 301 and ENSC 306.
CENG 421 Stormwater Management
3.00 credits
Basic principles in the application of hydrology, hydraulics, soil and water chemistry, environmental law, and public policy are presented to solve problems and design projects to manage urban stormwater runoff. Key topics covered include: hydrology of urban watersheds; floodplain management; storm drainage; stormwater detention/retention; water quality improvement; and the design of low impact development best management practices.
Prerequisite:
CENG 303 Minimum Grade: D and CENG 351 Minimum Grade: D and CENG 352 Minimum Grade: D
CENG 422 Structural Analysis II
3.00 credits
Develop building code loads for structures. Approximate analysis methods for statically indeterminate structures. Matrix methods of structural analysis for 2-D and 3-D structures. Introduction to non-linear behavior of structural members.
Prerequisite:
CENG 301 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
CENG 390 - Taken before Spring 2019
CENG 424 Water Treatment Processes
3.00 credits
The theory and design of water treatment processes. Develops contaminant fate and transport theory in engineered and natural systems focusing on reactor hydraulics and reaction kinetics. Granular and membrane filtration, coagulation, disinfection, ion exchange, adsorption, and gas transfer processes are designed for water and wastewater treatment systems. Additional topics include water reuse and water treatment for low-income, remote communities.
Prerequisite:
CENG 303 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
ENVS 424 - OK if taken since Fall 2022
CENG 426 Stream Restoration
3.00 credits
Course presents fundamentals of stream restoration: Hydrologic, sediment transport, geomorphic, and ecological principles applicable to (1) assessment of stream channel condition, (2) developing approaches to stream management and restoration, and (3) evaluating project performance. Approach emphasizes the inter-related nature of hydrology, hydraulics, sediment transport, geomorphology, fisheries, and aquatic and riparian ecology. Provides students opportunities to literally get their feet wet while making various observations and measurements in field exercises to evaluate physical and ecological stream characteristics assess stream stability.
Prerequisite:
CENG 351 Minimum Grade: D and CENG 352 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
ENVS 425 - OK if taken since Fall 2022
CENG 427 Infrastructure Design
3.00 credits
Design and construction supervision of the infrastructure required for land development. Topics include roadway geometry, water supply pipelines, sewer pipelines, and storm water drainage. Students will prepare design drawings, project plans, project reports, project specifications, and construction cost estimates that address regulatory requirements.
Prerequisite:
CENG 318 Minimum Grade: D and CENG 352 Minimum Grade: D
CENG 428 Urban Design and Development
3.00 credits
This course introduces civil engineering students to fundamental concepts of urban design and development, and prepares them with essentials tools, techniques, and strategies to engage in the urban design process.
Prerequisite:
CENG 261 Minimum Grade: D
CENG 432 Hazard Mitigation
3.00 credits
Quantitative Risk Analysis provides engineers with a basis to improve decisions for design and operation of complex projects by incorporating effects of uncertainty. Applications to a variety of engineering problems.
Prerequisite:
MATH 321 Minimum Grade: D
CENG 440 GU-in-Delft:Sustainable Cities
4.00 credits
Covers the design of urban areas to promote sustainable development including the structural, transportation, energy, water, and food production systems. Use of comparative case studies to explore historical and regional differences in cities and their impacts on the environment and resource consumption.
CENG 444 Air Pollution
3.00 credits
An introduction to the field of air pollution and its control. Topics include regulations, air pollution sources, health effects, meteorology, and the theory and design of control techniques.
Prerequisite:
CENG 303 Minimum Grade: D
CENG 450 Watershed Modeling
3.00 credits
Basic principles of hydrologic modeling are presented and practices. Key topics covered include watershed delineation, land use change impact on runoff, flooding impact, bridge/culvert hydraulics, and GIS data analysis. Students will gain an understanding and be able to apply the USACE software tools: HEC-HMS and HEC-RAS. Design projects will focus on applying these models to design stormwater management facilities and size bridges and culverts to minimize flooding impacts.
Prerequisite:
CENG 351 Minimum Grade: D and CENG 352 Minimum Grade: D
CENG 454 Biological Treatment Processes
3.00 credits
The theory and design of biological processes for water and wastewater treatment. Topics include basic microbiology, activated sludge, membrane bioreactors, bioremediation, as well as biological treatment systems for water reuse, small on-site treatment systems, and air pollution.
Prerequisite:
CENG 303 Minimum Grade: D
CENG 463 Pavement Design
3.00 credits
Loads on pavements, stresses in pavements, vehicle and traffic consideration, climate, environmental effects. Soils and materials characterization.
Prerequisite:
CENG 331 Minimum Grade: D
CENG 464 Ground Behavior for Structures
3.00 credits
This course presents ground considerations related to supporting civil engineering structures and facilities of various types. Treatment of in-place testing of the ground, obtaining the necessary information, and estimating soil behavior in the context of soil-structure interaction is included. Numerous applied examples of structural facilities are used throughout to further relate theory to practice.
Prerequisite:
CENG 331 Minimum Grade: D
CENG 473 Foundation Design
3.00 credits
General principles behind foundation design. Shallow and deep foundation design: spread footings and pile foundation. Retaining structures: sheet-pile walls, bulkheads and cofferdams.
Prerequisite:
CENG 301 Minimum Grade: D and CENG 331 Minimum Grade: D
 

In addition to their major and minor areas of study, all undergraduate students follow a common program designed to complete their education in those areas that the University considers essential for a Catholic, Jesuit, liberal, and humanistic education. The University Core Curriculum consists of forty-five credits of course work, with additional designation requirements that can be met through core, major, or elective courses.

The University Core Curriculum is a four-year program, organized around one overarching question, which is progressively addressed through yearly themes and questions. Hence, core courses are best taken within the year for which they are designated. First year core courses encourage intellectual engagement and provide a broad foundation of fundamental skills. Second and third year courses examine central issues and questions in philosophy and religious studies. The fourth year course, the Core Integration Seminar, offers a culminating core experience. Taken at any time throughout the four years, broadening courses intersect with the core themes and extend students’ appreciation for the humanities, arts, and social and behavioral sciences. Finally, the designation requirements (writing enriched, global studies, and social justice) reflect important values and reinforce students’ knowledge and competencies.

Overarching Core Question: As students of a Catholic, Jesuit, and Humanistic University, how do we educate ourselves to become women and men for a more just and humane global community?
Year 1 Theme and Question: Understanding and Creating: How do we pursue knowledge and cultivate understanding?

  • The First-Year Seminar (DEPT 193, 3 credits): The First-Year Seminar (FYS), taken in the fall or spring of the first year, is designed to promote an intellectual shift in students as they transition to college academic life. Each small seminar is organized around an engaging topic, which students explore from multiple perspectives. The FYS is offered by many departments across the University (click here [PDF] for list of FYS courses).  
  • Writing (ENGL 101, 3 credits) and Reasoning (PHIL 101, 3 credits): The Writing and Reasoning courses are designed to help students develop the foundational skills of critical reading, thinking, analysis, and writing. They may be taken as linked sections. Writing (ENGL 101) carries one of the three required writing-enriched designations (see below).
  • Communication & Speech (COMM 100, 3 credits): This course introduces students to interpersonal and small group communication and requires the application of critical thinking, reasoning, and research skills necessary to organize, write, and present several speeches.
  • Scientific Inquiry (BIOL 104/104L, CHEM 104/104L, or PHYS 104/104L, 3 credits): This course explores the scientific process in the natural world through evidence-based logic and includes significant laboratory experience. Students pursuing majors that require science courses will satisfy this requirement through their major.
  • Mathematics (above Math 100, 3 credits): Mathematics courses promote thinking according to the modes of the discipline—abstractly, symbolically, logically, and computationally. One course in mathematics, above Math 100, including any math course required for a major or minor, will fulfill this requirement. MATH 100 (College Algebra) and courses without the MATH prefix do not fulfill this requirement.

Year 2 Theme and Question: Being and Becoming: Who are we and what does it mean to be human?

  • Philosophy of Human Nature (PHIL 201, 3 credits): This course provides students with a philosophical study of key figures, theories, and intellectual traditions that contribute to understanding the human condition; the meaning and dignity of human life; and the human relationship to ultimate reality.
  • Christianity and Catholic Traditions (RELI, 3 credits). Religious Studies core courses approved for this requirement explore diverse topics including Christian scriptures, history, theology, and practices as well as major contributions from the Catholic intellectual and theological traditions (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses) .

Year 3 Theme and Question: Caring and Doing: What principles characterize a well lived life?

  • Ethics (PHIL 301 or RELI, 3 credits): The Ethics courses are designed to help students develop their moral imagination by exploring and explaining the reasons humans should care about the needs and interests of others. This requirement is satisfied by an approved ethics course in either Philosophy (PHIL 301) or Religious Studies (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • World/Comparative Religion (RELI, 3 credits): Religious Studies courses approved for this core requirement draw attention to the diversity that exists within and among traditions and encourage students to bring critical, analytical thinking to bear on the traditions and questions considered. These courses carries one of the required two global-studies designations (see below) (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).

Year 4 Theme and Question: Imagining the Possible: What is our role in the world?” 

  • Core Integration Seminar (DEPT 432, 3 credits). The Core Integration Seminar (CIS) offers students a culminating core experience in which they integrate the principles of Jesuit education, prior components of the core, and their disciplinary expertise. Some CIS courses may also count toward a student’s major or minor. The CIS is offered by several departments across the University (click here [PDF] for list of CIS courses).

The Broadening Courses

  • Fine Arts & Design (VART, MUSC, THEA, 3 credits): Arts courses explore multiple ways the human experience can be expressed through creativity, including across different cultures and societies. One approved course in fine arts, music, theatre, or dance will fulfill this requirement (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • History (HIST, 3 credits): History courses are intended to develop students’ awareness of the historical context of both the individual and the collective human experience. One course in History (HIST 101, HIST 102, HIST 112, HIST 201, HIST 202) will fulfill this requirement.
  • Literature (3 credits): Literature courses foster reflection on how literature engages with a range of human experience. One approved course in Literature (offered by English, Classics, or Modern Languages) will fulfill this requirement (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • Social & Behavioral Sciences (3 credits): Courses in the social and behavioral sciences engage students in studying human behavior, social systems, and social issues. One approved course offered by Criminal Justice, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, or Women and Gender Studies will fulfill this requirement (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).

The Designations
Designations are embedded within already existing core, major, minor, and elective courses. Students are encouraged to meet designation requirements within elective courses as their schedule allows; however, with careful planning students should be able to complete most of the designation requirements within other core, major, or minor courses.

  • Writing Enriched (WE; 3 courses meeting this designation): Courses carrying the WE designation are designed to promote the humanistic and Jesuit pedagogical ideal of clear, effective communication. In addition to the required core course, Writing (ENGL 101), which carries one of the WE designations, students must take two other WE-designated courses (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • Global-Studies (GS; 2 courses meeting this designation): Courses carrying the GS designation are designed to challenge students to perceive and understand human diversity by exploring diversity within a context of constantly changing global systems. In addition to the required core course, World/Comparative Religion (RELI 300-level), which carries one of the GS designations, students must take one other GS-designated course (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • Social-Justice (SJ; 1 course meeting this designation): Courses carrying the SJ designation are designed to introduce students to one or more social justice concerns. Students must take one course that meets the SJ designation (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).

Major-specific adaptations to the University Core Curriculum

All Gonzaga students, regardless of their major, will complete the University Core Curriculum requirements. However some Gonzaga students will satisfy certain core requirements through major-specific programs or courses. Any major-specific adaptations to the core are described with the requirements for the majors to which they apply.