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Engineering at Aquinas College

Civil Engineering Major (BS)

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Civil engineers have a direct impact on society through the design and construction of buildings, highways, railroads, bridges, airports, dams, tunnels, pipelines and water resource systems that form the nation’s infrastructure. Civil engineers work to reduce ground, air, and water pollution; repair and replace the deteriorating national infrastructure; improve congested transportation systems; and reduce the damage caused by natural disasters. Civil engineering is perhaps the broadest of the engineering professions and affects virtually every facet of civilization.

Career Opportunities
The employment outlook for civil engineers is very bright. Career opportunities are found in architectural and engineering design firms, construction companies, government agencies, manufacturing/material supply companies, and corporations with a large physical infrastructure.

Program Description
In the civil engineering program, you’ll study mathematics; general education subjects; basic sciences; engineering methods, procedures, and management; transportation, structures, construction, geotechnical and environmental engineering. You will also develop oral, graphic and written communication skills and learn to work as part of a multidiscipline design team.

The Department of Civil and Construction Engineering at Western Michigan University offers undergraduate programs in civil engineering and construction engineering. The civil and construction engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The department also offers a master of science and doctorate degrees in civil engineering.

Preparation
To enter the civil engineering program, you should have completed in high school at least three and a half years of college preparatory mathematics, including trigonometry, and two years of basic science such as physics and chemistry. If you lack some of this background, you may select courses to prepare you to enter the program. Transfer credit from other colleges and universities will be granted for courses that satisfy WMU’s requirements.

Cooperative Education
Students enrolled in engineering, technology and applied sciences degree programs may gain experience and knowledge about a professional field of interest by enrolling in the cooperative education program

Courses

  • EDMM 1420 Engineering Graphics (3)

    Essentials of engineering graphics including technical sketching, CAD applications, applied geometry, orthographic projection, section, dimensioning, tolerancing, threads and fasteners, weldments, detail and assembly drawing, charting and basic elements of descriptive geometry. All work is according to current ANSI drafting standards. Previous technical drawing is recommended.

    Credits: 3 hours

    Lecture Hours - Laboratory Hours: (2 - 3)

  • ECE 2100 Circuit Analysis (4)

    Analysis of linear electric circuits using methods based on Kirchhoff’s laws and network theorems. RL, RC, and RLC transients. Sinusoidal steady state analysis.
    Prerequisites & Corequisites: Prerequisites: PHYS 2070 (or taken concurrently) and MATH 1230 or 1710; with a grade of “C” or better in all prerequisites.

    Credits: 4 hours

    Lecture Hours - Laboratory Hours: (3 - 3)

  • IEE 2010 Entrepreneurial Engineering I: Cost and Financial Analysis (3)

    This course will introduce students to how engineers can be entrepreneurs. Topics covered will include techniques used in determining the cost of designing, developing, producing and selling a product or service and how these activities relate to entrepreneurial engineering.

    Credits: 3 hours

    Lecture Hours - Laboratory Hours: (3 - 0)

  • IEE 2050 Work Design (4)

    Design of jobs and work environments in business and industry. Topics include techniques for job design, ergonomics in the workplace, and work measurement. A semester project requiring the design of a work station is required.

    Prerequisites & Corequisites: Prerequisite: IEE 1020 and MATH 1220 or 1700. Corequisite: Recommended, IEE 2610.

    Credits: 4 hours

    Lecture Hours - Laboratory Hours: (3 - 3)

  • IEE 2610 Engineering Statistics (3)

    Introduction to statistical methodology emphasizing applications in engineering. Topics include descriptive and inferential statistics, regression, analysis of variance, and design of experiments.

    Prerequisites & Corequisites: Prerequisite: MATH 1220 or 1700.

    Credits: 3 hours

    Lecture Hours - Laboratory Hours: (2 - 3)

  • IEE 2622 Statistical Quality Control (2)

    Methods of applying statistics and probability theory to control processes. Application of computer programs to analyze quality control problems.

    Prerequisites & Corequisites: Prerequisite: IEE 2610

    Credits: 2 hours

    Lecture Hours - Laboratory Hours: (2 - 0)

  • IEE 3010 Entrepreneurial Engineering II: Product and Service Design (3)

    Through research, analysis, drawing and prototyping, students will understand human needs that lead to the conceptualization and design of future products, environments, systems, and services. Students are taught to use design processes to resolve constraints arising from technical, human, aesthetic, and business concerns. The course places emphasis on conceptual thinking, creativity, and risk-taking.

    Prerequisites & Corequisites: Prerequisite:  Junior or senior standing, or instructor approval required.

    Credits: 3 hours

    Restrictions: Restricted to majors Industrial and Entrepreneurial Engineering or minors in Entrepreneurship.

    Lecture Hours - Laboratory Hours: (2 - 3)

  • IEE 3100 Engineering Economy (3)

    Application of principles of engineering economy for establishment of equipment and system feasibility. Interest, equivalence, taxes, depreciation, uncertainty and risk, incremental and sunk costs, and replacement models.

    Prerequisites & Corequisites: Prerequisites: MATH 1230 and Junior standing.

    Credits: 3 hours

    Lecture Hours - Laboratory Hours: (3 - 0)

  • IEE 3110 Introduction to Operations Research (3)

    The development of mathematical concepts and models concerned with industrial engineering problems. Topics include queuing theory, game theory, linear, and dynamic programming.

    Prerequisites & Corequisites: Prerequisites: IEE 2610 with a grade of “C” or better.

    Credits: 3 hours

    Restrictions: Restricted to majors in Industrial Engineering, Industrial and Entrepreneurial Engineering; and accelerated masters in Industrial Engineering.

    Lecture Hours - Laboratory Hours: (3 - 0)

  • IEE 3160 Report Preparation (3)

    Learning techniques and procedures for preparation of technical documents. Intensifying critical, analytical process of thinking, and executing writing and oral strategies for different situations. This course is approved as a writing-intensive course which may fulfill the baccalaureate-level writing requirement of the student’s curriculum.

    Prerequisites & Corequisites: Prerequisites: Junior standing and IEE 1020 or IME 1020 or ENGL 1050, with a grade of “C” or better in any prerequisite.

    Credits: 3 hours

    Lecture Hours - Laboratory Hours: (3 - 0)

  • IEE 3300 Simulation Modeling and Analysis (3)

    Use of computer modeling and discrete event simulation methodology with emphasis on designing and analyzing manufacturing and service systems. Commercial simulation packages will be used.

    Prerequisites & Corequisites: Prerequisite: (IEE 2620 or IEE 2621) and IEE 2050 (any prerequisite may be taken concurrently).

    Credits: 3 hours

    Restrictions: Restricted to majors in Industrial Engineering, Industrial and Entrepreneurial Engineering; and accelerated masters in Industrial Engineering.

    Lecture Hours - Laboratory Hours: (3 - 0)

  • IEE 3420 Ergonomics and Design (3)

    An introduction to ergonomics affording students the necessary knowledge essential for the psychological and anthropometrical development leading to good design. Emphasis is placed on health and safety. A design project is required.

    Credits: 3 hours

    Lecture Hours - Laboratory Hours: (2 - 3)

  • IEE 4010 Entrepreneurial Engineering III: Facilities Planning and Logistics (3)

    This course explores how traditional industrial engineering topics such as supply chain management, facility layout and location are relevant to entrepreneurial engineers. Students design a facility that can be used to produce the product that they designed in IEE 3010. The course prepares students to effectively practice industrial and entrepreneurial engineering.

    Prerequisites & Corequisites: Prerequisite:  IEE 3010 and IEE 3110 and IEE 3300.

    Credits: 3 hours

    Lecture Hours - Laboratory Hours: (3 - 0)

  • IEE 4160 Operations Control in Industry (4)

    The function of production and inventory operations. Control of manufacturing production systems and modeling.

    Prerequisites & Corequisites: Prerequisites: IEE 2050, IEE 2010, IEE 3110, and IEE 3300.

    Credits: 4 hours

    Lecture Hours - Laboratory Hours: (3 - 3)

  • IEE 4190 IE Senior Design (1-4)

    This course is the capstone industrial engineering course, taken in two separate semesters. The first semester for one credit and the second semester for three credits. The course will require application of several IE design principles to a project. The projects are chosen by students or assigned by faculty. All students are required to present their projects at the Senior Engineering Design Conference hosted by the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

    Prerequisites & Corequisites: Prerequisite: department approval

    Credits: 1 - 4 hours

    Notes: May be repeated for credit.

  • ECE 2500 Digital Logic (3)

    Design of digital logic circuits used in computers and mobile devices such as laptops, smartphones and tablets. Boolean algebra, logic circuit minimization, arithmetic logic, programmable logic, memory circuits and state machine design.

    Prerequisites & Corequisites: Prerequisite: MATH 1110 or equivalent; with a grade of “C” or better.

    Credits: 3 hours

    Lecture Hours - Laboratory Hours: (2 - 3)

  • IEE 2990 Cooperative Education (1-3)

    A cooperative education program involves a full-time planned and supervised work experience in industry during the semester or the equivalent on a part-time basis. A written report of the student’s activities will be required. May be elected four semesters for a maximum of twelve semester credit hours. Must be taken on a credit/no credit basis.

    Credits: 1 to 3 hours

Engineering