Civil & Environmental Engineering

Menu

A Systems-Thinking Approach to Transportation

Professor Marco Nie examines how to make transportation systems more efficient, sustainable, and equitable.Read more

Pablo Pasten

How Data-Driven Rain Gardens Can Combat Climate Change Impacts

Using machine learning, Professor Kimberly Gray is working to make sure urban green infrastructure is designed to be ecologically restorative.Read more

Hani Mahmassani

Soil Secrets

Professor Ludmilla Aristilde collaborates worldwide to gain a better understanding of the soil that sustains life on earth. Read more

Ally Mark

Alumna Ally Mark Embraces Curiosity

Read more

About the Department

Creating a resilient future through innovation, analysis, and design

Civil and Environmental Engineering at Northwestern: Addressing systemic challenges that affect every aspect of modern life with a systems thinking approach that promotes collaboration — watch our video

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.

Read a message from the chair

Learn more about the department

Facts and Figures

97

years of research and education

Northwestern’s Department of Civil Engineering was instituted in 1926.

7

National Academy of Engineering members

including two who are also National Academy of Sciences members

10

Young Investigator Awards

the National Science Foundation’s highest honor to outstanding researchers

View more facts

Research Areas

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.

Featured Program

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. 


Learn more

Programs

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.

Undergraduate

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

Graduate

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:

  • Environmental engineering and science (MS and PhD)
  • Geotechnics (MS and PhD)
  • Mechanics, materials, and structures (PhD)
  • Structural engineering (MS)
  • Transportation systems analysis and planning (MS and PhD)

Affiliated

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

Department News

All News

Discover Our Whole-Brain Engineering Philosophy

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.

Learn More