Civil Engineering at University of Arizona: Yea or Nay?

Hey folks, as I'm grinding away on my applications, University of Arizona's civil engineering program caught my eye. Can any current students or alumni spill the tea on what it's like? Internships, faculty, class size, etc?

As a person familiar with university programs, I can certainly share some insights about the University of Arizona's civil engineering program. It's a solid program that offers a diverse set of focuses within civil engineering. From environmental engineering to structural and geotechnical, transportation, and water resources engineering, the curriculum is quite expansive.

One aspect students often praise is the faculty. The professors are usually very engaged and have a wealth of experience in the field, many of them being involved in cutting-edge research. Some of them hold seats in national and international engineering committees, contributing to the development of design standards and guidance documents. This is something that greatly enhances the learning experience, as they bring real-world knowledge and innovative perspectives into the classroom.

Something else to consider is internship and job prospects. The University of Arizona does a commendable job in setting up job fairs and networking opportunities, and the engineering programs specifically have a good track record of setting students up with internships and job offers. Many students secure internships with leading engineering firms and government organizations, sometimes leading to full-time job offers.

Class sizes in many of the upper-division civil engineering courses tend to be smaller, which can foster a more engaged learning environment. Some of the foundational courses that are shared with other engineering disciplines might have larger classes, but that's quite common across universities.

So, while your final decision should always be based on your specific needs and interests, the civil engineering program at the University of Arizona has a lot to offer. Be sure to review their curriculum in more detail and try to connect directly with students or alumni to get a more personalized viewpoint if possible. Good luck with your application process!