Department of Civil Engineering

College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology

DEPARTMENT OFFICE

Engineering and Technology A212

Phone:     (323) 343-4450

E-mail:       civilengr@calstatela.edu

Website:     http://www.calstatela.edu/academic/ecst/civil/index.htm

Civil Engineering is the broadest of the engineering disciplines, extending across many technical specialties, specialties that are not independent but interact with each other.  Civil engineers plan, design, and supervise the construction of facilities that vary widely in nature, size and scope: space satellites and launching facilities, offshore structures, bridges, buildings, tunnels, highways, transit systems, dams, airports, irrigation projects, treatment and distribution facilities for water and collection and treatment facilities for wastewater.

In addition to facility design and construction, civil engineers also have options to teach and to participate in research.  As you develop your skills, you will have the opportunity to move into the area of engineering management, overseeing the completion of entire projects.

The Faculty

Professors: Anjan K. Bhaumik, Hassan Hashemian, Irving Kett, Young C. Kim (Chair), Rupa P. Purasinghe, Narendra B.Taly, Kuei-wu Tsai, Mark R. Tufenkjian. 

Associate Professor: Crist S. Khachikian.

Assistant Professor:

Emeriti: Frank R. Balle, Raymond I. Jeng, Gunjit Sikand, Wen L. Wang

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering

The civil engineering program provides instruction in the basic sciences and in engineering analysis and design. Areas of interest within civil engineering include: environmental and sanitary engineering, geotechnical engineering, highway and transportation engineering, hydraulics and hydrology, ocean engineering, and structural analysis and design.

The program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET). All accredited programs are required to provide the following minimum level of instruction: one year of mathematics and basic sciences; one and one-half years of engineering science and design (engineering topics); and one-half year of humanities and social sciences.

Requirements for the Major  (146 or 147 units)

Select a coherent program of 16 units lecture and design electives, which may include a maximum of 4 units from related fields with departmental approval, plus 1 unit of laboratory electives.  A minimum of 8 units must be selected from the group designated as design electives.  A minimum of 12 units in upper division electives must be taken in residence at Cal State L.A. 

CE 461, 462, 463, 465, 467, 471, 472

CE 365, 387, 402, 460, 474, 475, 483, 484, 485

CE 372, 381, 413, 473

ME 412

CE 499

Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Programs

Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering

The Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering at Cal State L.A. is structured to prepare students for advancement in employment with opportunities in design, research, and development, as well as for further study at the doctoral level.  Classes are offered year-round on the quarter system to accommodate the needs of working professionals.

Requirements for the Degree  (45 units) 

A total of 45 units are required, with at least 24 in 500-level courses.  A thesis or comprehensive examination is required.

The advice and approval of a civil engineering graduate adviser must be obtained before enrolling in any course. 

Select a minimum of 24 units in 500-level engineering courses.  At least 20 units must be in civil engineering courses from the following list, must be in a coherent group of courses that fulfills the student’s objectives, and must have the approval of adviser and department chair.

Select from 400- and 500-level courses.

Select a minimum of 4 units, other than in civil engineering, related to this program.  MATH 402A (4 units) must be included in these electives unless already completed.

CE 596 Comprehensive Examination (0) or 

CE 599 Thesis (4)

Students who select the comprehensive examination (CE 596) should expect to take it the quarter they complete all courses work on their program, and must comply with college and departmental requirements.

List of Courses (CE)  –  Undergraduate Level

Lower Division Courses 

CE 154 Special Topic in Civil Engineering (1-4)

Prerequisites: Instructor consent and as needed for specific topic. Current topics of special interest to students in engineering, as announced in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated to maximum of 8 units.

CE 190 Introduction To CAD (1)

Prerequisite: MATH 103.  Use of computers in 2 and 3 dimensional drafting and pictorial representation using CAD software. Computer graphics fundamentals and descriptive geometry.  Laboratory 3 hours.

CE 195 Civil Engineering Design I (4)

Prerequisites: CE 190, CE 202, PHYS 201. Introduction to civil engineering design including problem identification, data gathering, analysis, feasibility study, alternative design, decision making and communication.  Lecture 2 hours, Laboratory 2 hours.

CE 201 Statics  (4)  (also listed as ME 201)

Prerequisites:  MATH 207, PHYS 201.  Fundamental principles of statics, resolution and composition of forces, algebraic and graphic solutions, friction, center of gravity, moment of inertia.

CE 202 Plane Surveying  (4)

Prerequisite:  MATH 103 or satisfactory score on mathematics placement test.  Principles and practices of measurement of distances, directions, and elevations;  care and use of level, transit, plane table;  mapping practice, and symbols.  Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 6 hours. 

CE 205 Strength of Materials I  (4)  (also listed as ME 205)

Prerequisite:  CE/ME 201.  Stresses and strains under axial, shearing, and torsional forces;  flexural stresses and deflections of simple beams;  columns; and combined stresses. 

CE 208 Statics and Strength of Materials  (4)  (also listed as ME 208)

Prerequisites:  MATH 207, PHYS 201.  Principles of statics, force systems and equilibrium, structures, machines, distributed force, centroid, moment of inertia, stresses, strains, and deformations under axial, torsional, and bending loads.  For Electrical Engineering students only.

CE 210 Matrix Algebra for Engineers  (2)  (also listed as ME 210)

Prerequisite:  MATH 208.  Introduction to calculations using vectors;  matrix operation;  solution of linear simultaneous equations;  coordinate transformation;  application to engineering problems.

CE 211 Statistics and Probability for Engineers  (2)  (also listed as ME 211)

Prerequisite:  MATH 208 .  Introduction to calculations using probability distributions and densities;  concepts in statistics;  application to engineering problems.

CE 220 Our Oceans and Our Future  (4)

The engineering aspects of ocean environment, its effect on humankind, and our future.  Intended for all majors.     GE B3

CE 290 Numerical Methods for Engineers  (3)

Prerequisite: CE/ME 210 .  Applied numerical methods for engineers with microcomputer applications.  Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 1 hour.

Upper Division Courses 

CE 303 Fluid Mechanics I  (4)  (also listed as ME 303)

Prerequisite: PHYS 202.  Fundamental principles and methods of fluid mechanics;  thermodynamics of fluid flow;  Newtonian fluids;  equations of fluid flow;  laminar and turbulent flow;  applications. 

CE 306 Communication for Civil Engineers (3)

Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR), COMM 150. Exposure to key communication skills encountered in civil engineering practice. Integration of oral and written communication skills centered around a civil engineering design project. Individual and team assignments. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours.

CE 312 Strength of Materials Laboratory I  (1)  (also listed as ME 312)

Prerequisites: CE/ME 205  (may be taken concurrently). Tests of engineering materials in tension, compression, bending, and torsion;  verification by experiment;  basic theories learned in strength of materials.  Laboratory 3 hours.

CE 313 Fluid Mechanics Laboratory I  (1)  (also listed as ME 313)

Prerequisites: CE/ME 303.  Experiments on fluid properties, fluid statics, conservation of mass, energy, and momentum, and fluid resistance.  Laboratory 3 hours. 

CE 320 Dynamics I  (4)  (also listed as ME 320)

Prerequisite:  CE/ME 201.  Kinematics and kinetics of rigid bodies;  work, kinetic energy, impulse, momentum in two and three dimensions;  applications to space mechanics.

CE 352 Technological Aspects of Urban Environment  (4)

Prerequisites: Completion of Basic Subjects (Block A) and one course from Block B. Current engineering practice in dealing with urban problems such as financial, transportation, pollution, communications, public utilities, land use planning and public health. Not acceptable for engineering technical elective credit.

     GE Theme D

CE 358 Environment, Earth Systems and Technology (4)  (also listed as GEOG 358)

Prerequisites: Completion of Basic Subjects (Block A) and one course from Block B.  Consider the role of technology in the changing relationships between human societies and their environment; studies the impact of the agricultural, industrial and information revolutions on natural systems and sustainability.     GE Theme G

CE 360 Structural Mechanics I  (4)

Prerequisite: CE/ME 205.  Analysis of determinate structures:  beams, frames, and cables.  Introduction to influence lines and analysis of indeterminate structures. 

CE 361 Introduction to Structural Design I  (4)

Prerequisite: CE 360.  Loads on buildings and load distribution in framed structures, codes and specifications, design of simple beams, columns and tension members made from steel, concrete, and timber.

CE 364 Concrete Laboratory  (1)

Prerequisites or corequisites:  CE 361, CE/ME 312.  Physical tests of cement, concrete aggregates, tensile strength test of cement, proportioning of concrete mixtures, slump test, compressive and flexural strength tests.  Laboratory 3 hours.

CE 365 Specifications and Cost Estimating (4)

Prerequisite: Senior standing in engineering. Building specifications and codes, estimating costs, materials handling and transport, excavation, concrete, wood, masonry, and steel construction.

CE 366 Soil Mechanics I  (4)

Prerequisites:  CE/ME 205;  prerequisite or corequisite:  CE/ME 303.  Physical and mechanical properties of soils, classifications, permeability, seepage, capillarity, consolidation, settlement, stresses, pressures, strength theories, and testing methods. 

CE 368 Soil Mechanics Laboratory  (1)

Prerequisites:  CE 366,  CE/ME 312.  Physical properties of soils, soil classification, mechanical analysis, permeability, shearing strength, and consolidation tests.  Laboratory 3 hours. 

CE 370 Transportation Engineering  (4)

Prerequisites:  CE 202, CE/ME 210, CE/ME 211.  Fundamental principles for analysis, planning, design, and operation of transportation systems.

CE 372 Asphaltic Materials Laboratory  (1) 

Prerequisite:  CE/ME 312.  Laboratory tests on asphalt cement and aggregates;  design of asphaltic mixtures;  proportioning of asphalt cement and aggregates;  preparation of test specimens.  Laboratory 3 hours. 

CE 381 Computer Aided Design Laboratory  (1)

Prerequisites: CE 303, 361, 370.  Use of computer-aided visualization, comprehension and graphical representation in planning and design of civil engineering projects.

CE 384 Introduction to Environmental Engineering  (4)

Prerequisites:  CE/ME 303, CHEM 101.  Introduction to environmental engineering;  environmental and ecological systems;  physical, chemical, and biological processes;  water and wastewater treatment;  air pollution;  solid and hazardous wastes;  regulations and impact assessment.

CE 386 Design of Water Resources Systems  (4)

Prerequisite: CE 195, CE /ME 303.  Develops of water resources and demand of water, availability of water, storage and control structures, conveyance system, and drainage system.

CE 387 Hydraulics I (4)

Prerequisite: CE/ ME 303. Introduction to open channel flow, gradually varied flow, hydraulic machinery, and introduction to unsteady flow.

CE 398 Cooperative Education (1-4)

Prerequisites: Approval of student adviser and department chair. Integration of civil engineering work experience with academic program, individually planned through coordinator. Minimum of 10 hours per week required for each unit. Graded CR/ NC.

CE 400-Level Courses

All 400-level courses may be applied toward master’s degree requirements subject to limits established by department and approval of a graduate adviser: 

CE 402 Strength of Materials II  (4)

Prerequisites:  CE/ME 205, MATH 215.  Stress-strain relationship in three dimensions, energy principles; theories of failure, curved beams, thick wall cylinders, shear center, unsymmetrical bending, and torsion in noncircular sections.

CE 413 Fluid Mechanics Laboratory II  (1)  (also listed as ME 413)

Prerequisite:  CE/ME 313;  prerequisite or corequisite:  CE 387 or ME 408.  Experiments on subsonic and supersonic flow, free surface flow, pumps, turbines, fans, and unsteady flow.  Laboratory 3 hours.

CE 454 Special Topics in Civil Engineering (1-4)

Prerequisites: Senior standing in engineering; enrollment subject to approval of instructor in charge. Group study of selected topics not currently offered as technical electives; study groups may be organized in advanced civil engineering subjects upon approval of instructor.

CE 454L Special Topics in Civil Engineering (1)

Prerequisites: Senior standing in engineering; enrollment subject to approval of instructor in charge. Group study of selected topics not currently offered as technical electives; study groups may be organized in advanced civil engineering subjects upon approval of instructor. Tests include physical tests of cement, aggregates and other agents, mix design; workability and strength tests. Concrete canoe design and construction.

CE 460 Structural Mechanics II  (4)

Prerequisite:  CE 360.  Analysis of indeterminate structures;  moment distribution, slope deflection, and approximation methods;  three dimensional frames and long span structures. 

CE 461 Design of Steel Structures  (4)

Prerequisites:  CE 360, 361.  Design of steel structures;  lateral buckling of beams and frames, built-up beams, girders and trusses;  moment connections, torsion and unsymmetrical bending;  diaphragms and lateral force designs. 

CE 462 Reinforced Concrete Design I  (4)

Prerequisites:  CE 360, 361.  Strength design of reinforced concrete structures, beams, slabs, frames, columns, footings, and retaining walls. 

CE 463 Timber and Masonry Design  (4)

Prerequisites:  CE 360, 361.  Wood properties and design of wood structural elements, plywood and glulam products;  reinforced masonry  (brick and concrete) units, material properties, design of reinforced masonry structural elements.

CE 465 Seismic Design  (4)

Prerequisites: CE 460 and CE 461 or CE 462. Earthquake and ground motion characteristics, structural response to support motions, lateral force resisting systems, determination of seismic forces, design of buildings for lateral loads.

CE 467 Foundations I  (4)

Prerequisite:  CE 366.  Site exploration, bearing capacity, slope stability, lateral earth pressure, types of foundations, footings, caissons, piles, retaining walls, and cofferdams.

CE 471 Highway Engineering (4)

Prerequisites: CE 370, CE 202.  Introduction to principles of highway design including route location, geometric of horizontal and vertical curves, earthwork computations, drainage designs; computer applications.

CE 472 Highway and Airport Pavement Design  (4)

Prerequisites: CE 368, 370.  Theory and principles of pavement design for highways and airports; effects of soil characteristics and physical properties of basic materials; testing procedures. Grading ABC/NC.

CE 473 Pavement Design Laboratory  (1)

Prerequisite:  CE 312. Basic tests performed in evaluation of treated and untreated bases, subbases, and subgrades necessary for pavement thickness design.  Laboratory 3 hours. 

CE 474 Traffic Engineering  (4)

Prerequisite:  CE 370.  Elements of traffic engineering;  vehicle, driver, and road characteristics;  capacity and flow determination;  signalized intersections;  parking and accident studies;  street, freeway, and mass transit operations.

CE 475 Advanced Surveying  (4)

Prerequisite:  CE 202.  Advanced surveying, including triangulation, practical astronomy, and land and construction surveying.  Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 6 hours. 

CE 483 Hydrology I  (4)

Prerequisite:  CE/ME 303.  Precipitation, evaporation, infiltration, transpiration, and runoff;  methods of predicting discharge from precipitation, flood routing, and measurement of hydrologic processes.

CE 484 Sewerage and Sewage Treatment  (4)

Prerequisite or Corequisite:  CE 384.  Sanitary and storm sewer systems, sewage treatment and disposal, stream sanitation, and treatment plant design. 

CE 485 Water Supply  (4)

Prerequisite:  CE/ME 303.  Sources and collection of surface and ground water, distribution systems, water quality, water treatment plants, sedimentation, filtration, softening, and disinfection. 

CE 486 Groundwater Contamination and Remediation (4)

Prerequisite: CE 384. Study of the fate of contaminants in the subsurface environment. Focus is on the transport of chemicals through porous media including possible transformations (chemical, physical, and biological).

CE 495 Civil Engineering Design Project  (4)

Prerequisite: CE 306, 361, 366 370, 384, 386. Planning and designing typical civil engineering project as encountered in practice;  projects require integration and synthesis of acquired knowledge under given constraints.  Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 6 hours.

CE 496A Civil Engineering Design Project I (3)

Prerequisites: CE 306,361,366,370,384, 386, ENGR 300, 301. Initial phases of planning and designing typical civil engineering project as encountered in practice; project requires integration and synthesis of acquired knowledge, consideration of alternative solutions, methods, and constraints such as economic, environmental, health and safety, social, political, sustainability, constructability, and ethical. Individual and group work required. A preliminary report and oral presentation required. Lecture 2 hours and Laboratory 3 hours. CE 496A and 496B must be taken in consecutive quarters in the same academic year.

CE 496B Civil Engineering Design Project II (2)

Prerequisite: CE 496A. Continuation of design project initiated in CE 496A. Complete analysis and design of system including application of constraints. Preparation of final design report, including: memoranda, computations, drawings, cost estimates etc. Individual and group work required. Final written and oral report is required. Laboratory 6 hours. CE 496A and 496B must be taken in consecutive quarters in the same academic year.

CE 499 Undergraduate Directed Study (1-4)

Prerequisite: Consent of an instructor to act as sponsor. Project selected in conference with the sponsor before registration; progress meetings held regularly, and a final report submitted. May be repeated for credit.

Graduate Level Courses  (CE)

All 400-level courses may be applied toward master’s degree requirements, subject to limits established by the department and approval of the graduate adviser.

Classified graduate standing is required for admission to all 500 level courses

CE 554 Advanced Topics in Civil Engineering (4)

Prerequisites: Department approval required. Advanced topics in Civil Engineering. May be repeated to a maximum of 8 units as subject matter changes.

CE 560 Structural Mechanics III (4)

Prerequisite: CE 460.  Column analogy, moment distribution applied to nonprismatic members, elastic energy method applied to arches and curved members, influence lines for indeterminate structures and secondary stresses. 

CE 561 Advanced Steel Design (4)

Prerequisites: CE 460, 461.  Emphasis on LRFD method, Unsymmetrical bending and torsion of beams, composite beams, nonprismatic beams, plate girders, beam-columns, frames and connections. 

CE 562 Reinforced Concrete Design II (4)

Prerequisite: CE 462.  Creep and plastic flow of concrete.  Theory and practice of ultimate strength design.  Prestressed concrete structures. 

CE 563 Matrix Computer Analysis of Structures (4)

Prerequisite: CE 460.  Matrix methods applied to statically determinate and indeterminate structures, flexibility and stiffness methods, digital computer applications. 

CE 564 Numerical Methods in Structural Analysis (4)

Prerequisite:  CE 460 or 402.  Finite difference and finite-element methods for structures; free and forced vibrations; bending, buckling of beams and plates; special applications.

CE 565 Dynamics of Structures (4)

Prerequisite: CE 460 or ME 414.  Free vibrations, forced vibrations and transient response of structures and structural components having one and many degrees of freedom; damping and inelastic action, earthquakes and nuclear blasts; dynamic resistance of structures; limit design; design for dynamic loads. 

CE 566 Soil Mechanics II (4)

Prerequisite: CE 467.  Stress and strain in soil mass, equilibrium and movement of soil water, soil consolidation, settlement, and soil strength. 

CE 567 Foundations II (4)

Prerequisite: CE 467.  Earth-pressure problems and problems of deep excavation; design of anchored bulkheads, cofferdams, piles under lateral loads, underpinning. 

CE 569 Earth Structures (4)

Prerequisite: CE 467.  Factors influencing design, explorations for foundations and construction processes, compactions, stability analysis, seepage control, earth dams. 

CE 570 Soil Dynamics (4)

Prerequisite: CE 467.  Dynamic properties of soils, vibratory effects on foundations, earthquake effects on foundations, dynamic stability of earth structures.

CE 571 Highway Design (4)

Prerequisite: CE 471.  Practical application of American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) policy on design controls; capacity analysis for uninterrupted flow, weaving section and ramps; functional design procedures in development of an interchange. 

CE 572 Plates and Shells (4)

Prerequisites: CE 402, 460.  Equations of bending of thin elastic plates, energy method; approximate and numerical methods; theory of shells with application to tanks, roofs, and pressure vessels.

CE 574 Traffic Flow Analysis (4)

Prerequisite: CE 370.  Measurements and analysis of traffic flow characteristics: speed, density, flow, headway; statistical data analysis, time-space diagrams, traffic flow models, queuing theory, shock wave analysis, traffic models applications. 

CE 575 Urban Transportation Planning (4)

Prerequisite: CE 370. Travel forecasting, data requirements, collection methods, trip generation and distribution models; modal split analysis, trip assignment, plan alternatives, and evaluation methodology.

CE 577 Bridge Engineering (4)

Prerequisites: CE 461, 462.  Design of steel, concrete, and timber bridges, piers, and abutments; American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) specifications; criteria for earthquake resistant design of bridges; geometry, safety, economics, and aesthetics.

CE 579 Environmental Mass Transfer (4)

Prerequisite: CE 384 or Equivalent. Study the fate of contaminants in the environment. Emphasis on the fundamentals of mass transfer including: sorption/desorption, contaminant retardation, vaporization and dissolution of Nonaqueous Phase Liquids (NAPL), and other phenomena.

CE 580 Environmental Transport (4)

Prerequisite: CE 384 or equivalent. Transport in water and air emphasizing exchanges across boundaries such as sediment-water and air-water; particles, droplets, and bubbles; effect of reactions on transport; linkages between physical, chemical, and biological processes.

CE 581 Modeling Techniques in Hydraulic Engineering (4)

Prerequisite: CE/ME 303.  Dimensional analysis: similarity law and hydraulic, coastal, and estuarine models; mathematical models. 

CE 582 Statistical Hydrology (4)

Prerequisites: CE 483, CE/ME 210 , CE/ME 211.  Statistical and probability analysis of hydrologic processes.  Application of correlation and regression method to hydrologic variables.  Elementary time series analysis of hydrologic data. 

CE 583 Hydrology II (4)

Prerequisite: CE 483.  Space-time characteristics and mechanics of rainfall, surface run-off and infiltration.  Theory of drainage basin dynamics.  Low stream flow. 

CE 586 Open Channel Hydraulics (4)

Prerequisites: CE 387, MATH 215.  Flow types, flow profile computations; design of channels and transition structures; unsteady flow.

CE 587 Hydraulics II (4)

Prerequisite: CE 387.  Unsteady flow in pipes, wave motion, sediment transportation, and coastal engineering. 

CE 588 Hydraulic Structures (4)

Prerequisite: CE 387.  Hydraulic structures for impounding, conveying, and controlling water. 

CE 589 Coastal Engineering (4)

Prerequisite: CE 387.  Fundamentals of water waves and their effects.  Diffraction, reflection, and refraction; impulsively generated waves; effect of waves on coastal structures. 

CE 596 Comprehensive Examination (0)

Permission needed by department. Students who select the comprehensive examination (CE 596) should expect to take it the quarter they complete all course work on their program, and must comply with college and department requirements.

CE 597 Graduate Research (1-5)

Prerequisites: Instructor consent to act as sponsor and departmental approval of project prior to registration. Independent research under guidance of the faculty. May be repeated for credit to maximum of 5 units. Graded CR/ NC.

CE 598 Graduate Directed Study (1-4)

Prerequisites: Instructor consent to act as sponsor and departmental approval. Independent, directed study of advanced topics in the field, regular conferences with the sponsor. May be repeated for credit.

CE 599 Thesis (1-4)

Prerequisites: Advancement to candidacy, instructor consent to act as a sponsor and college approval of the topic prior to registration. Independent research resulting in a thesis. Must be repeated to maximum of 4 units. Graded CR/ NC.