Civil Engineering

Undergraduate Program

Introduction to the Major

The Civil Engineering major offers opportunities for rigorous academic learning, fellowship, hands-on experience, and leadership. Classes are relatively small, so students get to know both the faculty and fellow students. The program provides students with a strong fundamental background in engineering science, design, and practice. Students learn to solve societal problems—in California, the United States, and the world—such as:

  • Improving civil infrastructure
  • Protecting resources
  • Mitigating hazards
  • Creating efficient and sustainable civil systems

The program is top-ranked nationally and is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

"CEE at Cal is amazing because it is such a small community in such a large university. You really get to know your classmates and professors."

- Amber Chau, CEE class of 2020

The Major Curriculum 

The undergraduate curriculum provides flexibility and exploration within the major. Students may choose courses that span the breadth of civil and environmental engineering, or students can focus their studies by choosing courses within specific areas: engineering and project management; environmental engineering; geosystems; structural engineering, mechanics and materials; or transportation engineering.

Amplify Your Major

  • Join one of the seven competitive CEE teams.
  • Hone your leadership skills through ASCE, ChiEpsilon or CEE-JFC
  • Apply for research through the UROP program.
  • Attend weekly company info sessions, hosted by ASCE.

Four-Year Student Timeline

First Year

Explore Your Major

  • Review the CEE 4-Year Plan and College of Engineering requirements

  • Plan your lower division courses to avoid taking too many technicals at once.

  • Get info on classes and careers at the Departmental Advising Forum hosted by Chi Epsilon.

Connect and Build Community

  • Explore CEE student life at events hosted by the student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

  • Explore student organizations at Calapalooza and on CalLink

  • Gain practical experience by joining a CEE competition team.

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

  • Meet with your advisor to discuss studying abroad in your 4-year plan.

  • Explore volunteering opportunities on campus.

  • Learn about community service with the Public Service Center.

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Second Year

Explore Your Major

  • Continue fulfilling lower division CEE foundational requirements.  

  • Plan now if you are considering a minor or summer minor

  • Consider applying to the department’s Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program.

Connect and Build Community

  • Attend office hours of professors to learn about their work and how it’s applicable to the profession.

  • Seek out mentorship from upper division students in the major.

  • Attend field trips and networking events hosted by ASCE.

Discover Your Passions

  • Gain leadership experience through ASCE or another engineering student group.

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

  • Join College of Engineering networks for students and alumni.

  • Meet alumni and learn about their career paths in the Career Connections Networking Series

  • Attend CEE Career Fairs to find summer jobs, internships and full-time positions.

Third Year

Explore Your Major

  • Continue working on upper division coursework. 

  • Choose electives that will give you specialized skills in a specific area of CEE.

  • Check in with your CEE advisor on major requirements during office hours or at the Departmental Advising Forum.

Connect and Build Community

  • Attend field trips, info sessions, and networking events hosted by CEE student groups.

  • Develop your professional skills by taking a leadership position in a CE student group.

  • Mentor younger students through CEE student organizations.

Discover Your Passions

  • Submit your research to an undergraduate journal.

  • Learn a marketable software tool such as GIS or AutoCad.

Engage Locally and Globally

  • Study for and take the GRE, LEED or the FE exams.

  • Consider a Berkeley Global Internship such as the Engineering Internship in Toronto.

  • Talk with faculty about career advice.

Reflect and Plan Your Future

  • Join CEE Connections to find mentorship and opportunities in Civil Engineering.

  • Attend the department’s Graduate School Night and learn how to prepare for graduate school.

  • Spend your summer doing research or interning at an engineering firm.

Fourth Year

Explore Your Major

  • Complete any remaining major requirements and electives.

  • Take a CEE Capstone Design class.

  • Check in with an ESS advisor to ensure you are on track to graduate.

  • Apply to graduate school, if interested.

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

  • Apply for fellowships available to recent Berkeley graduates.
  • Explore gap year opportunities prior to embarking on your next academic or career adventure.

Reflect and Plan Your Future

What Can I Do With My Major?

Jobs and Employers

  • Asst. Proj. Eng., Turner Constr.
  • Assoc. Field Eng., Roux Assoc.
  • Civil Analyst, Kimley Horn & Assoc.
  • Civil Engineer, FPL & Associates
  • Consultant, Navigant Consulting
  • Engineer, Boomi Environmental
  • Entry Level Engineer, SGH
  • Hardware Engineer, Raytheon
  • Project Engineer, Lendlease
  • Structural Engineer, Boeing
  • Research Associate, Synvitrobio
  • Transportation Engineer, CalTrans

Graduate Programs

  • Architecture
  • Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
  • City Planning
  • Civil Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Structural Engineering
  • Systems Engineering
  • Transportation Engineering

Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.

Learn More

Connect With Us

Cal Day

Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.

Golden Bear Orientation

Join your peers in the UC Berkeley campuswide orientation program for all new students.

Events

Attend department events with students, faculty, and staff. Visit ce.berkeley.edu for news and updates.

Advising

Connect with the CEE Undergraduate Advisor for class information and support. Email Erin Leigh Inama at cee-ug@berkeley.edu or stop by 750 Davis Hall.

How to Use this Map

Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.