UA Civil Engineering program?

Hello everyone! I'm considering majoring in civil engineering and I was looking at the University of Arizona. How is their civil engineering program? Can anyone share any insight into the program's strengths and weaknesses? Thanks a bunch!

Hello! The University of Arizona (UA) has a strong civil engineering program that is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The program is housed within the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Mechanics (CAEM) in UA's College of Engineering.

Strengths of the UA civil engineering program include:

1. Curriculum: UA offers a diverse and rigorous curriculum designed to equip students with a deep understanding of civil engineering fundamentals. Students have the opportunity to specialize in areas such as transportation, structures, hydrosystems, environmental engineering, and geotechnical engineering through electives and project-based courses.

2. Research opportunities: UA has a strong commitment to research, which is an added benefit for civil engineering students who want to gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge projects. The faculty is involved in numerous research projects spanning various domains within civil engineering. This provides opportunities for undergraduates to actively participate in research either during the academic year or over the summer.

3. Student organizations: Several engineering-related student organizations are present on campus, such as the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE). These organizations offer opportunities to network with peers, participate in competitions, attend conferences, and develop leadership skills.

4. Career prospects: Graduates from the UA civil engineering program have a strong track record of finding employment in both the public and private sectors. The university's career services office provides support in finding internships, co-op positions, and full-time jobs upon graduation.

Some consider the following aspects as weaknesses:

1. Class size: Due to the popularity of the program, some students may find that certain classes, particularly the introductory courses, have larger class sizes than they'd prefer. This can potentially limit one-on-one interaction with professors, but utilizing office hours can help mitigate this issue.

2. Campus resources: Although the College of Engineering may have abundant resources, some students may experience competition for securing these resources, such as lab spaces, equipment, and funding for research projects.

Overall, the University of Arizona's civil engineering program is well-regarded, offering diverse learning experiences, research opportunities, and networking avenues. While class sizes in core courses may be larger, UA strives to provide students with the necessary resources to succeed academically and professionally.