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.

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 an engineering discipline that prepares engineers to design buildings through structural analysis and design by using different construction materials. An Architectural Engineer is an integral part of a comprehensive Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) team. Architectural Engineers work for engineering firms, construction companies or architecture firms to apply engineering to the analysis, design, and construction of buildings. They are specially trained to effectively communicate with both engineers and architects and their project roles include structural engineer, construction management, building information modeling, project management, façade design and more.

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

Fast Track Program for Master's Degree in Civil Engineering (Structures)

The Fast Track Program enables outstanding senior undergraduate Architectural Engineering students to receive undergraduate and graduate credit for up to six hours of coursework. Senior level courses, which are dual-listed as graduate courses, will satisfy both bachelor's and master's degree requirements. Students pursuing an Master of Engineering CE degree in structural engineering may take up to two courses for dual credit.

Interested undergraduate Architectural Engineering students should apply for admission to the Fast Track Program when they are within 30 hours of completing their bachelor's degree (and before graduation). For admission consideration, they must have completed at least 30 hours at UT Arlington and have an overall and College of Engineering GPA of at least 3.30 (in both). Additionally, they must have completed a set of specified, basic undergraduate foundation courses with a grade of B or higher in each course, and a GPA of at least 3.30 in these foundation courses.

In their final semester as an undergraduate, Fast Track students in good standing will automatically be admitted to graduate school with consent of the Graduate Advisor. No fees, transcripts, or test scores will be required. Students must start their master’s program the long semester or summer semester immediately following their graduation or the next long semester. For further information about this program, contact an undergraduate advisor or the Graduate Advisor in Civil Engineering.

Architectural Engineering BS Degree at UT Arlington

The Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering 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.

The four basic architectural engineering curriculum areas are building structures, building mechanics systems, building electrical systems, and construction/construction management. Graduates are expected to reach the synthesis (design) level in building structures, application level in construction/construction management, and comprehension level in building mechanical and electrical systems.

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 identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
• an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
• an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
• an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
• an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
• an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
• an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

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 1
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)
Approved Language, Philosophy, and Culture elective 2
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 1301	HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO 1865
HIST 1302	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		29
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 AREN Pre-Professional Program.
ARCH 2341	DESIGN COMMUNICATION FOR ENGINEERS
AREN 1205	INTRODUCTION TO ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING
AREN 2221	DYNAMICS
AREN 2311	STATICS
AREN 2313	MECHANICS OF MATERIALS I
AREN 2315	CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS
AREN 2352	DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES - 2D
CHEM 1465	CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS
ENGR 1250	PROBLEM SOLVING IN ENGINEERING
MATH 3319	DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS & LINEAR ALGEBRA
UNIV 1131	STUDENT SUCCESS
or ENGR 1101	ENTRANCE TO ENGINEERING FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS
AREN Professional Program Courses		45
ARCH 3551	BASIC DESIGN FOR ENGINEERS
ARCH 3357	DESIGN TECHNOLOGIES - BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING FOR ARCHITECTS/ENGINEERS
ARCH 4326	ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL SYSTEMS II
AREN 3143	PROPERTIES AND BEHAVIOR OF SOILS
AREN 3301	STOCHASTIC MODELS FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING
AREN 3305	BASIC FLUID MECHANICS
AREN 3311	CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING
AREN 3331	MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
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
Select one of the following Senior Electives:
ARCH 4330	ENERGY USE AND CONSERVATION IN ARCHITECTURE
ARCH 4346	CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS
AREN 4307	CONSTRUCTION SUSTAINABILITY
AREN 4326	GIS/HYDROLOGIC & HYDRAULIC MODELING
AREN 4360	DESIGN OF STRUCTURAL MASONRY
AREN 4365	STRUCTURAL WOOD DESIGN
AREN 4393	INDUSTRIAL INTERNSHIP
AREN 4394	RESEARCH INTERNSHIP
Total Hours		120

¹Completion of COMS 2302 PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING satisfies the University's communication competence requirement.

²An approved list of Language, Philosophy, and Culture electives is available from the department.

³Completion of AREN 1205 INTRODUCTION TO ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING and AREN 2352 DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES - 2D satisfies the University's computer proficiency 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 and Professional Program courses 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.