About Us
The field of Civil and Environmental engineering is rapidly evolving, propelled by new discoveries in physical, chemical and biological processes and its integration with expanding knowledge in risk, sensing, computing, control, and machine learning/artificial intelligence.
For maximum benefit, this rapidly expanded knowledge must also be coupled with a deeper and more nuanced understanding of how individuals make decisions. This understanding will greatly improve our ability to match the output of these systems with human wants and needs. This evolution presents a wonderful opportunity for transformative change in how we engineer built and natural environments for the betterment of all segments of society.
To meet this opportunity, we have created a dynamic and collaborative environment, where taking intellectual risks is the norm and where diversity of people and ideas are valued. We have a distinguished history and a tradition of excellence in teaching, research, and service. There are three broad intellectual areas within the School: Civil Infrastructure, Environment, and Engineering Systems and Management.
Civil Infrastructure
deals with the creation, operation, and renewal of the constructed environment and has as its intellectual core areas of physics, solid mechanics, materials science, structural engineering, and geotechnical engineering.
Environment
addresses the interactions between engineered and natural environments, as well as preservation of the natural environment. The discipline encompasses the intellectual core areas of chemistry, biology, fluid mechanics, hydrology, water resources, as well as physical, biological, and chemical processes in the environment.
Engineering Systems and Management
applies mathematical and scientific principles to the definition, design, development, and operational evaluation of total solutions to a wide variety of engineering problems, including water resources management and transportation systems. It also involves the integration of human, physical, energy, communications, management, and information requirements.