Catalog Description: Application of engineering principles and design techniques to the design of civil engineering projects.

Prerequisites : Credit or concurrent registration in Civil Engineering 321, 421, 444, 462, 481, and Environmental Engineering 355. At least three of these courses must be completed prior to enrolling in this course.

Textbook: none required.

Course Objectives: Students will be able to:

1. Understand the engineering principles and design techniques used in civil engineering projects.
2. Analyze a design project from conception to completion, using modern techniques of analysis and design.
3. Utilize established methods and techniques, including models, spread sheets, and web-based applications.
4. Write proposals and reports on technical civil engineering design.
5. Design components of civil engineering systems.

Topics Covered:
1. Civil Engineering Design Concept (1 week)
2. Civil Engineering Design Approach (2 weeks)
3. Civil Engineering Design Tools (3 weeks)
4. Civil Engineering Design Methodology (3 weeks)
5. Civil Engineering Design Documentation (3 weeks)
6. Work Procurement and the relationship between Design and Construction (1 week)
7. Ethics and Tort Liability in Civil Engineering Design (1 week)
8. Design Presentation (1 week)

Class Schedule: One lecture and six hours of laboratory per week.

Contribution of course to the professional component: Engineering Design: 3 units (100%).

Relationship to program outcomes:

1. A fundamental knowledge of the principles of mathematics, science, and engineering and their relationship to civil engineering problems. Throughout the course, students are required to perform calculations which utilize knowledge of math, geometry, physics, calculus, and statistics. The 16-week design term projects provide students a good grasp of the fundamentals of civil engineering design.

2. An understanding of the design process and the ability to design typical civil engineering projects. The course includes a lecture on civil engineering design, and several presentations by practicing design professionals on all civil engineering disciplines. The students will be exposed to the diversity in civil engineering design, and will be shown design examples that are related to their own experience with the design term project.

3. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve typical engineering problems in at least four of the following areas: structures, transportation, geotechnical, hydraulics & hydrology, construction, and environmental. Students are grouped into groups of 3-4, and asked to develop a topic for a design term project from the beginning. They are asked to identify, formulate, and solve a design problem encompassing one or two of the areas mentioned above.

4. The interpersonal skills needed to work successfully as members of teams. Students are required to assemble into teams of 3-4 persons, to develop a design term project to be worked on throughout the semester. Practical exposure to team effort and opportunities for development of team spirit are provided by the design term project experience.

5. An awareness of ethical principles and the ability to apply them to situations encountered in civil engineering practice. The course includes a lecture on "Ethics and Tort Liability for Design and Construction Professionals." This lecture expounds on the need to consider ethics as part of professional design practice.

6. An understanding of the legal responsibilities of civil engineers, including requirements for professional licensure, contractual relationships, and potential exposure to tort liability. The course includes a lecture on "Ethics and Tort Liability for Design and Construction Professionals." This lecture expounds on the need to consider tort liability and related issues (licensure, contractual relationships) as part of the professional design experience.

7. An understanding of the relationship between design and construction professionals. The course includes a lecture on "Work Procurement and the Relationship between Design and Construction Professionals." This lecture expounds on the need to consider the relationship between design and construction professionals a key element of civil engineering practice.

8. An understanding of work procurement and selection process. The course includes a lecture on "Work Procurement and the Relationship between Design and Construction Professionals." This lecture expounds on the need to consider the work procurement and selection process as an important part of the professional design experience.

Prepared by: Victor M. Ponce.

Date: September 05, 2002.