Undergraduate Mission, Objectives and Student Outcomes

Mission

The Civil Engineering program delivers the highest quality educational and research opportunities throughout the FAU service area and beyond and makes a significant contribution to the needs of a changing South Florida community.

1. Civil Engineering serves the technological needs of society, especially with regard to the constructed environment in South Florida. It produces a diverse population of engineers, each possessing a superior technical foundation and a rigorous liberal education. It creates new opportunities for the communities and industries of South Florida and beyond.
    
2. The faculty focuses on learning and research—the core competencies. Civil Engineering students are active learners motivated to serve society. Administrators and staff are stewards of the department’s self-governance, its role within the University and its support processes.
    
3. Through individual dedication, the faculty, administrators and staff contribute to the department’s group success. They value ethical behavior, critical thinking, innovation, individual responsibility, thoughtful risk taking, teamwork and leadership. They also value a balanced, holistic approach to life, in which the well-being of each member of the community has primacy. In this way, their actions educate at least as well as their words.

Program Educational Objectives

Within three to five years of graduation, civil engineering graduates are expected to exhibit the following professional characteristics:

• Practice civil engineering within the general areas of structural engineering, transportation engineering, geotechnical engineering, and water resources/environmental engineering in the organizations that employ them.
   
• Advance their knowledge of civil engineering, both formally and informally, by engaging in lifelong learning experiences including attainment of professional licensure, and/or graduate studies.
   
• Serve as effective professionals, based on strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility, and a willingness to take the initiative and seek progressive responsibilities.
   
• Participate as leaders in activities that support service to, and/or economic development of, the region, the state and the nation.

Student Outcomes

• An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
   
• An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
   
• An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability and sustainability.
   
• An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams.
   
• An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
   
• An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
   
• An ability to communicate effectively.
   
• The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.
   
• A recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in life-long learning.
   
• A knowledge of contemporary issues.
   
• An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.