Civil Engineering

Civil and environmental engineering emphasizes a broad understanding of engineering principles for solving problems. Civil engineers design and construct bridges, buildings, dams, highways, harbors, water plants, pipelines, and waste treatment systems. They look for ways to manage hazardous materials, remediate contaminated areas, and protect natural waterways.

Students at Lafayette may choose to focus on structural, environmental, geotechnical, transportation, construction, or water resources engineering. The curriculum includes laboratory-based courses in each of these six concentrations. Design skills are developed in a series of courses beginning the first semester with Introduction to Engineering followed by design courses in each of the
next three years.

In addition to a dedicated computer laboratory for civil engineering majors, facilities include laboratories for structural systems, testing of materials, fluid mechanics, geotechnical engineering, environmental analysis, geographical information systems (GIS), and environmental engineering. A new digital image correlation lab uses computers and cameras to measure how surfaces react to loads, such as a heavy truck crossing a bridge, and other equipment for studying physical strains on structures.

Roger W. Ruggles
Associate Professor and Department Head Civil and Environmental Engineering
(610) 330-5442
rugglesr@lafayette.edu