Civil Engineering The University of Akron

Overview

The Civil Engineering degree at The University of Akron provides students with the essential skills required to plan, design, and construct the infrastructure of modern society. This rigorous programme prepares graduates to manage complex projects ranging from transportation networks to sustainable water supply systems.

Students benefit from a curriculum that balances theoretical knowledge with practical application. The teaching staff incorporate real-world engineering challenges into the classroom, drawing from their extensive industry experience and ongoing research collaborations with government agencies and private sectors.

Why Civil Engineering at The University of Akron?

The University of Akron offers an accelerated degree option, allowing ambitious students to complete both their undergraduate degree and a master’s qualification in just five years. This pathway provides significant time and cost savings while enhancing professional credentials early in a graduate's career.

Facilities at the institution are a major draw for aspiring engineers. Students conduct hands-on research in specialised environments, including the Environmental Engineering Lab, Soil Mechanics Lab, Structural Materials Lab, and the Transportation Engineering Lab, ensuring they are familiar with industry-standard equipment.

Practical experience is further encouraged through an optional co-op and placement programme. Following the sophomore year, students can alternate between academic semesters and professional work placements, gaining invaluable industry exposure and earning a competitive salary before they graduate.

Extracurricular engagement is a hallmark of the student experience. Many undergraduates join award-winning design competition teams, such as the Steel Bridge, Concrete Canoe, or Geo-Challenge groups, which foster teamwork and innovative problem-solving skills in a competitive environment.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: USD 21650 per year
• National fee: USD 21650 per year
• Local fee: USD 13740 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is designed to provide a broad understanding of the field before allowing for specialised focus. Modules may include:

• Mathematics
• Solid and Fluid Mechanics
• Engineering Materials
• Environmental Reactions
• Environmental Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Structural Construction
• Transportation Engineering

Careers with Civil Engineering

Graduates from this programme are well-prepared for diverse roles within the global construction and infrastructure sectors. Many alumni secure positions as design engineers, construction site supervisors, or city engineers, working for both private firms and public authorities.

The degree opens doors to specialised career paths in water resources, environmental protection, and geotechnical consultancy. With the increasing demand for high-capacity transportation and pollution control systems, graduates are ideally positioned to address the evolving needs of urban and rural environments.

Professional networking is supported through various student organisations on campus. These include the American Society of Civil Engineers, Women in Engineering, and the National Society of Black Engineers, which help students connect with employers and explore various career trajectories.