Civil Engineering at LMU
The civil engineering curriculum at LMU emphasizes practicality (It works) and design (How to build it) all supported by a strong background in scientific and mathematical concepts and principles. The program provides a broad background in all aspects of civil engineering providing our graduates with the flexibility to practice in any of the specialties or to pursue an advanced degree in civil engineering. The program provides an opportunity to get hands-on experience in classes with surveying as well as laboratories in fluid mechanics, hydraulics, soils, mechanics of materials, structures, steel, and reinforced concrete. Engineering design experiences are integrated throughout the curriculum beginning with the freshman engineering courses and extending through the last semester of the senior year. Design courses provide the student working experiences with computer software used in the profession. Group and team project experience prepares the student for real world working experiences. Elements of ethics, economics, socio-politics, safety and the profession are discussed in class and form a part of homework assignments. Seniors are afforded the opportunity to take graduate level electives further expanding their background.
The Student Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers is very active and participates in the annual student activities including the surveying, steel bridge, and concrete canoe building competitions. The Chapter has received a number of national awards and honors and provides an opportunity for the professional and social development of the students.
The strengths of the civil engineering program at LMU are:
A qualified and dedicated teaching faculty, with extensive professional design and consulting experience. Faculty emphasis is on teaching and mentoring through hands on projects.
A broad civil engineering curriculum with the first two years providing a strong mathematics/scientific and pre-engineering background followed by two years which provide education in the various fields of civil engineering.
A strong University core curriculum in the liberal arts that emphasizes the development of logical thought processes and effective written and oral communication.
Academically strong and motivated students.
Low student/faculty ratio that promotes positive faculty-student interaction both inside and outside of the classroom. Classes are small (typically 10-25), taught by full time professors with an open door policy.
Superb graduate school and career counseling by an active, practicing faculty. Our students have met with outstanding success in the pursuit of graduate degrees in some of the finest institutions in the United States including the University of California (Berkeley, Davis and Los Angeles), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, Stanford, Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Illinois just to name a few. Our graduates have made significant contributions to the civil engineering profession, especially in Southern California. Organizations which LMU graduates have made major impacts are: The Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, California Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California as well as numerous private civil and environmental engineering consulting firms, some of which are among the largest in the nation.
A former student tells it best.
"The small class size at LMU allows a sense of family to develop. You meet a variety of people, everyone is friendly, and there are all kinds of interesting organizations on campus. The faculty are easy to talk to, and they help you make the transition into the 'real world.' They want you to do well."
Jennifer Werner, Civil Engineering, Class of 1995
The CEO of a private consulting firm which has six LMU civil engineering graduates on staff provides this perspective on the program.
"We find that Loyola Marymount University students are exceedingly well prepared to productively begin work upon graduation. Not only have LMU graduates shown special skills in planning and design, but they have continued to grow until they have attained management roles in our company and responsibilities for significant project oversight. We very much appreciate the quality of education which LMU is delivering."
Robert W. Bein, Robert Bein, William Frost & Associates
As an LMU Civil Engineering major, you'll develop a solid foundation in your discipline and gain from first rate professors, superb facilities, and strong networks with the industrial, environmental, and scientific organizations of Southern California and beyond.
Laboratories
The undergraduate laboratories in the College are truly excellent. They are well equipped, modern, and located in modern facilities with excellent resources. The laboratories available to Civil Engineers include the Design Center, the Civil Engineering Computer Center, the Structures Laboratory, Soils Laboratory, and the Fluids Laboratory. The College laboratories are supported by a machine shop and technical support staff.
Computers
LMU computer facilities are exceptional. All LMU students have access to the campus-wide network that includes electronic mail, full access to Internet, spreadsheets, wordprocessors, graphics and computational packages, and specialized engineering software. Each College within LMU and each Department within the College of Science and Engineering has separate computer facilities. A separate local area network is available to Civil Engineering students.