Paths to Graduation

Our undergraduate program mixes strong foundations and flexible outcomes to educate students who are prepared to tackle a wide range of civil and environmental issues.

Below is a quick look at what it means to be a CEE student.

Academic Requirements

Here's the basic outline:

  • Start with the foundational courses required of all BSE students.
  • Gain specialized knowledge in engineering science, engineering design, and experimentation. You can choose a prescribed path or build a coherent pathway of your own, with the guidance of the faculty.
  • Embark on a yearlong project of independent engineering research, known as the senior thesis, advised by a member of the CEE or affiliated faculty.

 

Planning Your Curriculum

Students work closely with an academic adviser to design the series of courses — beyond the engineering fundamentals — that will best fit their academic interests and professional goals.

Faculty advisors meet individually with students who have declared to major in CEE to review curricular requirements and electives. In this meeting, the advisor presents the program mission statement and reviews the program educational objectives (PEOs) and student outcomes (SOs). The advisor explains the importance of ABET accreditation for graduates who will pursue engineering careers. Advisors are also prepared to provide career guidance, and direct students to university resources.

Please reach out to the Director of Undergraduate Studied (DUS) to discuss how civil and environmental engineering can help you achieve your ambitions.

 

Senior Thesis

Every student embarks on a senior thesis project that spans the final two semesters. This is an engineering project of independent research that gives you a culminating experience in the application of your knowledge. The project may include laboratory experiments, field observations, GIS mapping, satellite imagery, computer simulation and analysis of historical documentation.

The student is the intellectual lead, conducting novel work that leads to an original contribution. The end product is a written document, which in some cases leads to a journal publication. Throughout the year, students have the opportunity to present their work orally to the faculty.

Working on the thesis requires independence combined with regular consultation with the thesis advisor. Interim deadlines throughout the year ensure steady progress.

The senior thesis is considered by most Princeton graduates to be one of the most fulfilling academic activities of their four years.