Civil Engineering

Make the world your sandbox (hardhat included)

Bring on the bulldozers! In one of Canada’s largest (and the world's top 100) 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 six 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.

Why Waterloo Engineering?

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With its renowned co-op program and a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem, Waterloo Engineering is one of the world’s top engineering schools. You'll have access to emerging technologies, innovative professors, and world-class facilities.

in Canada for engineering (US News & World Report 2019)

breifcase Gain two years of experience in the co-op program

Money flower Students earn $13,300 on average per co-op term

Civil Engineering admission requirements

Ontario students: six 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

Complete the Admission Information Form once you've applied.

Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.

Get tips from Waterloo students

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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

See the range of courses available in Civil Engineering.
View all the courses required for your degree.

Sample upper-year courses

CIVE 241 – Transport Principles and Applications
CIVE 310 – Introduction to Structural Design
CIVE 332 – Civil Systems and Project Management
CIVE 460 – Engineering Biomechanics

Gears Offered through the Faculty of Engineering

click Apply directly to this program on your application

grad cap Earn a Bachelor of Applied Science degree

Co-op = relevant paid work experience

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 you 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.