Civil engineers apply sophisticated analysis and design techniques
to advance the needs of society for shelter, infrastructure,
and a safe environment. Typical projects are the structural
design of buildings, highways, bridges, and dams, as well
as the addressing of environmental problems including questions
of pollutant fate and transport, water resources engineering,
drinking water and wastewater treatment, and technology, society,
and environmental change. Increasingly, civil engineers are
also involved in exciting new areas such as space structures,
robotics, risk management, infrastructure, and biomedical
engineering.
The Department of Civil Engineering offers programs at
the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels. Because
the scope of expertise of the modern civil engineer must
include environmental engineering, as well as a concern
for social and economic issues, the undergraduate program
is offered in cooperation with the Department of Geography
and Environmental Engineering. Graduates of Johns Hopkins
University have traditionally risen to leadership roles
in education, research, industry, and government.
The civil engineering program educates intellectual leaders
of the profession by instilling in them a fundamental understanding
of the mathematical principles of physics and nature that
underlie engineering science, a practical appreciation of
the challenges of creative engineering design, and a sense
of responsibility for professional service.
Education
The program develops a sound understanding of the scientific
principles upon which engineering research and practice
are based. Different aspects of learning are integrated
through classroom, laboratory instruction, and independent
study experiences. Graduates of the program possess critical
thinking skills, the ability for both independent and team
problem-solving, and a sense of the excitement of engineering
creativity and design. The program also develops communication
skills necessary for its graduates to function in teams
and to deal with other professions in public and private
arenas. Its liberal education furthers student understanding
of the context in which engineering is practiced in modern
society. This understanding is reinforced further by internships,
cooperative learning experiences, and a capstone design
experience, all of which involve professional engineers
in undergraduate learning. Thus, the program educates leaders
for tomorrow, providing the tools and perspectives for a
lifetime of learning, opportunities, and professional advancement.
Research
Research is essential for expanding the body of engineering
knowledge needed for continuous improvement of professional
practice to meet new challenges. The civil engineering program
integrates new concepts from independent research into classroom
and laboratory study. The program strives to develop an
enthusiasm on the part of the student for independent creative
activities leading to new knowledge that addresses problems
of national importance. Independent research provides students
with an opportunity to develop their talents and skills
for problem formulation and solution under the guidance
of a faculty mentor, synthesizing different fields of knowledge
to formulate solutions to relevant technical problems using
modern engineering tools.
Professional Service
Students graduate from the program with a sense of the responsibility
that the civil engineering profession accepts for applying
the principles of engineering sciences for the betterment
of the built environment and society. Its graduates have
an appreciation of professional ethics and the value of
service to their profession and society through participation
in technical activities, and in community, state and national
organizations.
Facilities
The teaching and research facilities of the Department of
Civil Engineering are located primarily in Latrobe Hall.
The Department has a student library, a conference room,
and a lunch room. Each graduate student is assigned individual
study space and his/her own networked computer from which
access to departmental and other computational and information
resources is possible.
Teaching laboratories include the fluid mechanics laboratory,
the undergraduate and graduate soil mechanics laboratories,
and the structural testing laboratories. The facilities
of the Latrobe shop, including an electro-mechanical technician
and a part-time machinist, are available for student course
and research work.
Seminars
The department sponsors an ongoing seminar series, as well
as the Richard J. Carroll endowed lectureship. Both are
designed to bring prominent civil engineers to campus to
speak with students and faculty.
Learn more about Civil Engineering research
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Applying
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