Civil Engineering

Make the world your sandbox. (Hardhat included.)

Bring on the bulldozers! In one of Canada’s largest civil engineering programs, you’ll learn to design and maintain the massive infrastructure we all depend on: bridges, highways, airports, tunnels, dams, pollution-control facilities, and more.

This is a degree with lots of flexibility. Once you’ve completed your foundational courses, you can choose from a wide variety of technical electives in structural, transportation, geotechnical, and water/environmental engineering.

You’ll apply your knowledge during your 6 co-op work terms. This is your chance to test drive different career options: work for major construction and engineering companies, get experience with local or provincial governments, or spend a term abroad.

You’ll graduate ready to create structures — in Canada or overseas — that stand the test of time.

Learn simulation skills

At Waterloo, you'll have access to high-tech simulation labs where you’ll learn how to test risks before any shovels hit the ground.

Create a concrete canoe

Compete nationally and internationally! Join one of Waterloo’s student design teams to engineer the best concrete toboggans and canoes, steel bridges, and more.

 

2 people taking measurements outside modern glass building

You'll alternate 4-month school terms with 4-month paid co-op work terms. Graduate with 2 years of work experience, earn money to help pay for your education, and be able to try different career areas within the engineering profession.

About the Civil Engineering program

breifcaseGain 2 years of experience in the co-op program

clickApply directly to this program on your application

grad capEarn a Bachelor of Applied Science degree

 

#1Engineering school in Canada (US News & World Report 2018)

GearsOffered through the Faculty of Engineering

Money flowerStudents earn $17,800 on average per co-op term

 

Civil Engineering admission requirements

  • Ontario students: 6 Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
    • Advanced Functions (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
    • Calculus and Vectors (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
    • Chemistry (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
    • Physics (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
    • English (ENG4U) (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
  • Admission averages: Individual selection from the high 80s
  • An Admission Information Form is required
  • Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements

First-year Civil Engineering courses

September to December

CHE 102 Chemistry for Engineers
CIVE 100 Civil Engineering Concepts
CIVE 104 Mechanics 1
CIVE 115 Linear Algebra
MATH 116 Calculus 1 for Engineering
ENGL 191/SPCOM 191 - Communication in the Engineering Profession

January to April

CIVE 105 Mechanics 2
CIVE 121 Computational Methods
CIVE 153 Earth Engineering
CIVE 199 Seminar
GENE 123 Electrical Engineering
MATH 118 Calculus 2 for Engineering

 

After first year

Sample upper-year Civil Engineering courses

CIVE 241 – Transport Principles and Applications
CIVE 310 – Introduction to Structural Design

CIVE 332 – Civil Systems and Project Management
CIVE 460 – Engineering Biomechanics

 

Gain relevant work experience through co-op

By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.

Sample co-op job titles

  • Field technician
  • Quality control technician
  • Diagnostics civil engineering
  • Transportation planner
  • Concrete lab technician
  • Estimator / project manager
  • Structural engineering student

Sample co-op employers

  • EllisDon Construction
  • Ontario Ministry of Transportation
  • PCL Constructors
  • Stantec Inc
  • Cole Engineering Group Ltd
  • BLUESCAPE Construction Management
  • RDH Building Science Inc
 

What can I do with a degree in Civil Engineering?

Waterloo Civil Engineering graduates often pursue careers where they oversee projects focusing on planning, design, and construction of the large-scale infrastructures around us.

Recent graduates

  • Tunnel Engineer – GHD
  • Structural Engineer – AECOM
  • Engineer – MMM Group
  • Structural Design Engineer – Stephenson Engineering
  • Field Engineer – PCL Construction Management 
  • Civil Engineer – Clifton Associates
  • Project Manager – JP2G

Possible professional designation

Learn more about Civil Engineering