Undergraduate Programs

The following sections apply to each student majoring in any undergraduate program housed in the Civil Engineering Department: Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Construction Management. In these sections, "program" refers to any of these programs and "student" refers to any student (UCOL, Intended, or Professional Program) majoring in any one of these programs.

Refer to the College of Engineering section of this catalog for additional information concerning the following topics: Admission to the College of Engineering, Advising, Admission into the Professional Program, College of Engineering Academic Regulations, Honors Degrees in Engineering, Professional Engineering Licensure, and Cooperative Education.

Admission Requirements

Admission as an Architectural Engineering major, a Civil Engineering major, or a Construction Management major is subject to the relevant requirements and policies of the University of Texas at Arlington and of the UTA College of Engineering.  The Civil Engineering Department does not impose additional requirements.

Transfer Credit 

When a student transfers, a loss of credit can occur that may require change in academic plans. A course, that appears to be similar, may be different in either content or level of difficulty and, as a result, cannot be used for degree credit. Another course may have no equivalent in a particular degree plan. More than one transferred course may satisfy a degree requirement when only one is required. The UTA Civil Engineering Department encourages students interested in our programs to make early contact with our advisors so that we can help avoid these problems.

A student must earn a grade of C or better for a course to be transferred.  Any course that is offered under the Texas Common Course Numbering system is accepted as equivalent to the corresponding UTA course.  It is the responsibility of the student to establish the equivalence of any other course or courses to a course required in a program. The student should be prepared to provide a syllabus or similar documents to establish equivalence. To be acceptable as equivalent, at a minimum, a transferred course must have no less credit value than the corresponding course and contain substantially equivalent course content. To be accepted in transfer, junior and senior level courses must be taken at a college or university with the same accreditation as UTA in the area offering the course. For example, a Civil Engineering course must come from an ABET accredited Civil Engineering program.

When a student's record or performance indicates weakness in certain areas of study, they may be required to retake courses or to take additional courses.

Before enrolling in a course at another institution to transfer for credit toward a program degree, a student should consult with a program advisor to verify that the course can be used in the student's degree plan and to obtain the necessary written permission.

Advising 

Academic advisement is required for every undergraduate student before class enrollment each semester.

A new student with fewer than 24 hours of transferrable credit, including any student entering directly from high school, is advised in the University Advising Center of University College. After one or more semesters and sufficient progress in the degree program, this student is released by the University Advising Center to the program advisors.

Prior to enrollment, a new student with 24 or more hours of transferrable credit must make an appointment with the transfer advisor of their program. However, if all of the student's transfer credit was earned at a Texas community college, an appointment may be scheduled with any advisor for their program. The advising appointment should be scheduled as soon as possible after admission, but certainly prior to registration. A transfer student should not make an advising appointment with a transfer advisor after the initial evaluation of their transfer credit is complete.

During each long semester, a specified period is set aside for the academic advisement of continuing students. Each continuing student is responsible for meeting with their program advisor during this advising period. Continuing students will receive instructions prior to each advising period related to preparing for and making an advising appointment. Academic advising will be available at other times but a student who does not meet with their program advisor during the regular advising period may have fewer alternatives when selecting courses.

Academic Rules, Regulations, and Policies

In addition to the rules, regulations, and policies established below and in the individual program sections, each student is subject to the rules, regulations, and policies of the University of Texas at Arlington and of the UTA College of Engineering. Each student should become familiar with these. The rules, regulations, and policies of the University of Texas at Arlington and of the UTA College of Engineering are set forth in other sections of this catalog. It is the responsibility of each student to follow the applicable published rules. Failure to follow these rules may be grounds for dismissal from the program.

CE department course requisites

• A student must have the written approval of their program advisor to register for any course that will satisfy a requirement of their degree program.
• A student must have specific written permission of their program advisor to register at a different institution for any course that will satisfy a requirement of their degree program.
• A student may not attempt a CE Department course without satisfying all current requisite requirements. A prerequisite course requirement is satisfied by earning a grade of C or better. A co-requisite course requirement is satisfied by earning a grade of C or better or by concurrent enrollment in the course at UTA.
• A student may not drop a course which is co-requisite to a CE Department course without also dropping the CE Department course.
• No professional program courses may be attempted until the student is admitted into the professional program or obtains the written permission of the Department Chair.
• No 4000 level professional program courses may be attempted until the student is admitted into the professional program.

repeating courses

A student may not attempt any course more than three times and apply that course toward a program degree. Enrollment in a course for a period of time sufficient for assignment of a grade, including a grade of W, is considered an attempt.

admission to the professional program

Requirements for admission to the professional program in each program are in accordance with those of the College of Engineering with the following added stipulations:

• Application to the professional program is to be made to the CE Department during the semester that the advancement requirements are being completed.
• Each student must complete all pre-professional courses stipulated under "Requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree in" the program with a minimum grade of C in each course and a minimum GPA of 2.25 in: a) all courses, b) in all math, science, and engineering courses, and c) in all program specific courses. 
• Upon receipt of the application, a student's record is individually reviewed including grades, academic and personal integrity, record of drops and course withdrawals, the order in which courses have been taken, the number of times a student has attempted a course for credit, and any other aspect of the student's record that may be deemed pertinent to admission.

The student must be admitted to the professional program and have an approved degree plan on file in order to graduate. The degree plan is generated upon entry to the professional program. Graduating seniors should apply to graduate during the next-to-last semester.

grounds for dismissal from the ce program

A student whom the UTA Office of Student Conduct has found to have violated the UTA Code of Student Conduct a second time is subject to dismissal from the CE program.

Minor Field of Study

The Civil Engineering Department does not support the option of pursuing a minor in Architectural Engineering, in Civil Engineering, or in Construction Management by other engineering or non-engineering majors. 

Educational and Professional Career Paths

Architectural engineering is interdisciplinary, requiring expertise in structural engineering and architecture. An Architectural Engineer can be responsible for the individual design of each of a building’s systems: structural, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, lighting and electrical, plumbing, and fire protection. An Architectural Engineer can be responsible for the coordinated design of all these systems and, then, for the construction of the entire building with the goal of a safe, economical, and sustainable building system that satisfies the use requirements and provides a secure and comfortable environment for its occupants.

This degree program is designed to provide a strong foundation in science, mathematics, and engineering science; technical competence in the structural engineering area of civil engineering; and an understanding of the importance of ethics, safety, professionalism, and socioeconomic concerns in resolving technical problems through synthesis, planning, and design. Elements of design are introduced at the freshman level. This is followed by an analysis and design component in professional program courses, culminating in a comprehensive design experience.

Architectural engineering graduates are prepared for advanced graduate degrees and a wide range of career paths with consulting firms, industry and governmental agencies.

Architectural Engineering BS Degree at UT Arlington

Initially, the Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering will emphasize the building structures area. The remaining three areas of Architectural Engineering (building mechanical systems, building electrical systems, and construction / construction management) will be included at various levels but with less emphasis. As resources are added to the program and additional courses can be added, all four areas will become available as the major area.

The Civil Engineering Department will seek accreditation by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org. ABET is recognized by the U. S. Department of Education as the sole agency responsible for accreditation of education programs leading to degrees in engineering. Graduation from an ABET accredited program is an important factor in attaining registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Texas and other states. The Architectural Engineering program is housed in the Civil Engineering Department.

Educational Objectives of the Undergraduate Program

Most alumni of the AREN program will attain the following Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) within a few years after graduation:

• Obtain professional position and practice architectural engineering, or pursue graduate studies.
• Be involved in continuing education and professional development activities.
• Obtain PE licensure or other professional certification.

Student Outcomes of the Undergraduate Program

In order to produce graduates who will achieve the Program Educational Objectives a few years after graduation, it is expected that the undergraduate students will attain the following Student Outcomes by the time of graduation:

• an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
• an ability to design and conduct experiments
• an ability 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 multidisciplinary 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

Requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Engineering

Courses Fulfilling the University General Core Requirements (minimum 42 hours required)		46
Communication (minimum 6 hours required)
ENGL 1301	RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION I
COMS 2302	PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2
Creative Arts (minimum 3 hours required)
ARCH 1301	INTRODUCTION TO ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN
Government/Political Science (minimum 6 hours required)
POLS 2311	GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES
POLS 2312	STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Language, Philosophy & Culture (minimum 3 hours required)
PHIL 2300	INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY
Mathematics (minimum 6 hours required)
MATH 1426	CALCULUS I
MATH 2425	CALCULUS II
Life & Physical Sciences (minimum 6 hours required)
PHYS 1443	GENERAL TECHNICAL PHYSICS I
PHYS 1444	GENERAL TECHNICAL PHYSICS II
Social & Behavioral Sciences (minimum 3 hours required)
IE 2308	ECONOMICS FOR ENGINEERS
US History (minimum 6 hours required)
HIST 1311	HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO 1865
HIST 1312	HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1865 TO PRESENT
Foundational Component Area Option (minimum 3 hours required)
MATH 2326	CALCULUS III
AREN Pre-Professional Program Courses		30
Of the core courses, ARCH 1301, COMS 2302, ENGL 1301, IE 2308, MATH 1426, MATH 2425, MATH 2326, PHYS 1443, and PHYS 1444 are part of the CE Pre-Professional Program.
ARCH 1341	DESIGN COMMUNICATIONS I
ARCH 2553	BASIC DESIGN AND DRAWING FOR ENGINEERS
AREN 1105	INTRODUCTION TO CIVIL ENGINEERING
AREN 1252	COMPUTER TOOLS - AUTOCAD
AREN 2153	COMPUTER TOOLS - CIVIL 3D
AREN 2221	DYNAMICS
AREN 2311	STATICS
AREN 2313	MECHANICS OF MATERIALS I
CHEM 1465	CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS
EE 2320	CIRCUIT ANALYSIS
ENGR 1300	ENGINEERING PROBLEM SOLVING
AREN Professional Program Courses		44
ARCH 4325	ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL SYSTEMS I
ARCH 4326	ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL SYSTEMS II
ARCH 4357	BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING & VISUALIZATION
AREN 3110	CIVIL ENGINEERING COMMUNICATIONS
AREN 3143	PROPERTIES AND BEHAVIOR OF SOILS
AREN 3301	STOCHASTIC MODELS FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING
AREN 3305	BASIC FLUID MECHANICS
AREN 3311	CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING
AREN 3341	STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
AREN 3343	SOIL MECHANICS
AREN 4347	REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN
AREN 4348	STRUCTURAL DESIGN IN STEEL
AREN 4352	PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
AREN 4383	SENIOR PROJECT
MAE 3309	THERMAL ENGINEERING
MATH 3319	DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS & LINEAR ALGEBRA
Total Hours		120

^​1 Completion of AREN 1105 INTRODUCTION TO CIVIL ENGINEERING satisfies the University's computer proficiency requirement.

² Completion of COMS 2302 PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING satisfies the University's communication requirement.

More hours may be required to strengthen student's program or demonstrate proficiency. See Prior Preparation and Course Requirements.

Total hours will depend upon prior preparation and academic qualifications. Also, students who do not have two units of high school foreign language will be required to take modern and classical languages courses in addition to the previously listed requirements.

Suggested course sequence

A suggested course sequence for the Pre-Professional (first two years) and Professional Program courses (final two years) is available on the CE Department’s web site.

Prior Preparation and Course Requirements

The undergraduate baccalaureate degree in architectural engineering is a four-year program and requirements for the degree are based upon prior high school preparation through either an honors or college track program. Students who have not had the appropriate prior preparation should contact the departmental advising office for a curriculum guide that will assist them in structuring a study plan that will include leveling courses. Students requiring leveling courses may require a period of time greater than four years to complete their undergraduate degree.