Civil and Environmental Engineering
Idaho LAUNCH
Idaho LAUNCH grants provide graduating high school seniors with an opportunity to have up to 80% of their tuition and fees covered, up to $8,000, for programs leading to in-demand careers, including Civil and Environmental Engineering. Additionally, students who receive Idaho LAUNCH grants have the option to combine them with other scholarships offered by Idaho State University.
Welcome to Idaho State Civil and Environmental Engineering
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Idaho State University is educating the next generation of civil and environmental engineering leaders.
Civil and environmental engineers play a vital role in creating, building, and maintaining the infrastructure we use daily. Civil engineers are responsible for designing bridges, roads, buildings, water systems, airports, dams, and more. Using physics, math, and materials science, civil engineers consider the needs of each project and analyze its environmental impact and sustainability. Environmental engineers tackle the challenges of resource management, pollution reduction, and sustainable and clean technology to help reduce the impact on the environment and promote public health. Both civil and environmental engineers maintain and improve our standard of living, and as the U.S. population continues to grow and our infrastructure ages, there is an increasing demand for qualified engineers in these fields.
Our undergraduate program offers an ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science (BS) in Civil Engineering which provides a strong foundation to start a career in a variety of fields. In addition, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers Master of Science (MS) degrees in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science and Management, and an interdisciplinary doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in Engineering and Applied Sciences with specialties in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science and Management.
With a low student-to-faculty ratio, our faculty pride themselves on having a one-on-one connection with their students. Through research facilities like the Structural Laboratory, Disaster Response Complex, Water Resources Laboratory, Environmental Laboratories, Soils Laboratory, Materials Laboratory, and more, our students receive a hands-on learning and research experience that is second to none.
Our Pocatello campus is nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and students have ample opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, and more. Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are just a short drive away.
Civil Engineering is a broad field with many different specialties and our graduates are addressing some of the most urgent societal challenges. We encourage you to schedule a visit with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering to discover more about our programs.
Research Areas
Structural Engineering Design
Structural and Earthquake Engineering
This research specifically deals with designing structures to resist seismic forces and minimize damage during earthquakes.
Structural Vibrations
Studying and controlling the oscillations and vibrations in buildings and bridges to ensure their stability and safety.
Concrete Materials and Structures
Research focused on the development and use of concrete in construction, from its composition to its applications in buildings and bridges.
Bridge Engineering
This research is all about designing and maintaining bridges, ensuring they are safe for transportation and meet various structural requirements.
Damage Seismic Technologies
Research on developing methods and technologies to assess and mitigate damage to structures caused by earthquakes.
Large-Scale Testing
Research focused on conducting experiments with full-scale structures or components to understand their behavior under different conditions.
Precast Concrete
This research involves a construction technique where concrete elements are manufactured off-site and then assembled, improving construction efficiency.
Prestressed Concrete
This research involves adding internal stresses to concrete to enhance its strength and durability, commonly used in bridges and buildings.
Accelerated Bridge Construction
This research focuses on finding new techniques aimed at reducing construction time and traffic disruptions when building or repairing bridges.
Energy Dissipation
This research focuses on developing methods and materials to absorb and dissipate energy, important for structural safety.
Environmental Engineering Design
Prepare students to apply scientific and engineering principles to implement innovative solutions to protect and enhance the environment. This includes water and air systems, waste treatment processes, environmental impact assessments, and promoting sustainability.
Physicochemical Treatment Processes
Research on chemical and physical methods to treat water and wastewater, ensuring they meet environmental standards.
Environmental Risk Assessment
Research evaluating potential environmental hazards and their impacts to develop mitigation strategies.
Nanotechnology
This research explores the use of nanoscale materials and devices to address environmental challenges and create more efficient technologies.
Microbial Fuel Cells
Research on how microbial fuel cells use microorganisms to generate electricity from organic matter, with potential applications in wastewater treatment and renewable energy.
Water Treatment
This research focuses on purifying water to make it safe for consumption and industrial use, addressing issues like contamination and pollution.
Water Quality Modeling
Research that uses computer simulations to predict and manage water quality in natural systems and treatment facilities.
Energy and Environmental Health Sensors
This research deals with devices used to monitor and collect data on energy consumption and environmental conditions, aiding in resource management and health assessment.
Environmental Systems Modeling
Research that involves creating computer models to simulate and understand complex environmental processes and interactions.
Geotechnical Engineering Design
Prepare students to apply engineering principles relative to the behavior of earth materials. This includes structure foundations, assessing soil stability, and addressing challenges related to slopes, landslides, and underground structures.
Water Resources Engineering Design
Computational Fluid Dynamics
Research that uses computer simulations to study the behavior of fluids often applied to engineering problems like fluid flow in rivers or through dams.
Hydraulic Structures
This research area includes dams, spillways, and other engineered systems that control the flow and storage of water.
Flood Control Structures
Research seeking to mitigate the impact of floods, safeguarding communities and infrastructure.
Fish Passage and Habitat
This research seeks to create conditions that allow fish to migrate and thrive in aquatic environments, especially around man-made structures.
Dams and Spillways
Research on engineering structures used for water storage, flood control, and power generation.
Wave Energy
This research explores harnessing the energy of ocean waves to generate electricity in a sustainable manner.
Energy
Research encompassing various aspects of energy production, storage, and consumption, with a focus on efficiency and sustainability.
Transportation Engineering
This includes the designing and managing transportation systems, including roads, highways, and public transit, to ensure safe and efficient travel.
Critical Infrastructure
Research involving the essential systems and assets that support a country's economy and society which requires protection and resilience measures.
Additive Manufacturing
This research, also known as 3D printing, is a technology used to create three-dimensional objects layer by layer, with applications in various industries.