Systems challenges require systems thinking. With our new five-year strategic plan, our department is moving beyond the traditional civil and environmental domains to emphasize connections between subdisciplines and promote innovation.
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Professor Erica Hartmann is one of 100 outstanding early career engineers who will meet for an intensive 2 1/2-day symposium to discuss cutting-edge developments in four areas.Read more
A new study led by Professor Ludmilla Aristilde helps disentangle the role of microbes in the global carbon cycle.Read more
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Creating a resilient future through innovation, analysis, and design
In today’s complex world, civil and environmental engineers play a central role in defining the future: they build, preserve, protect, and restore systems to support human activities and minimize our footprint on nature. They play an essential role in solving many of our most pressing problems, and their work affects every aspect of modern life, including shelter, food, energy, water, air, transportation, commerce, and recreation as well as public and ecological health.
Ranked among the nation’s premier research and academic departments in the field, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is meeting the systemic challenges of tomorrow with the next generation of leaders in research, academia, industry, and public service.
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Northwestern’s Department of Civil Engineering was instituted in 1926.
including two who are also National Academy of Sciences members
the National Science Foundation’s highest honor to outstanding researchers
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Systems challenges require systems thinking
Our department is moving beyond the traditional civil and environmental domains to emphasize connections between subdisciplines and promote innovation. Through this unique perspective, we are developing the tools and processes to interrogate complex systems and develop the disruptive technologies needed for a healthy and prosperous future.
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Architectural Engineering and Design Program
Northwestern’s innovative Architectural Engineering and Design (AE&D) program works closely with a wide variety of Chicago-based firms. Together, we have developed a program that blends architectural principles and state of the art engineering to prepare uniquely visionary whole-brain engineers.
Preparing the leaders of the 21st century
Through analysis and design, civil and environmental engineers build and protect adaptive and resilient cities while protecting and restoring the natural environment. The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering empowers students with the technical, design, and management skills that are essential to many career paths, including business, consulting, policy, law, public health, construction, and structural analysis, and design.
Architectural Engineering and Design Minor
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering
Combined BS/MS Degree Program
Minor in Environmental Engineering
Explore special programs in this department and across McCormick
Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering
PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering
We offer master of science (MS) and doctor of philosophy (PhD) degrees in civil and environmental engineering through the Northwestern University Graduate School. These degrees can be obtained in one of five concentration areas:
Master of Project Management
Master of Science in Executive Management for Design and Construction
Master of Science in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics
PhD in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics
Inspired by her parents to become an educator, Professor Ludmilla Aristilde motivates her research group to constantly ask how and why to cultivate a new understanding that can contribute to the innovation of technology.
Professor Zdeněk Bažant has been elected as a Fellow of the American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA) after only ten years of membership.
Eleven seniors were recognized for their achievements with six departmental awards.
Gujrathi, a biotechnology entrepreneur and executive, healthcare investor, and drug developer with more than 25 years of experience, and Dean Christopher Schuh spoke at the 2024 Undergraduate Convocation on June 10.
Northwestern Engineering News
Wang, president of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and Dean Christopher Schuh spoke at the 2024 PhD Hooding and Master’s Recognition Ceremony on June 10.
Northwestern Engineering News
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We augment the analytical core of engineering with design, entrepreneurship, leadership, personal development, and unusual collaborations to imagine what’s next and take the world in a whole new direction.
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Civil and Environmental Engineering
Phone: 847-491-3257 | Email
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