1. Choosing an Engineering Major The College Experience Civil and Environmental Engineering
Thomas F. Wolff, Ph.D., P.E. Senior Associate to the Dean
Michigan State University College of Engineering

2. My Background 1967-70 Student intern
Geotechnical design engineer
St. Louis District, US Army Corps of Engineers
Soils and foundation design for locks, dams, levees, and other water resource projects

3. My Background
Faculty at MSU. Teaching and research in geotechnical engineering
Associate Dean. Oversight of advising, career office, first year engineering and other student services.
Chairperson, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Retired, part-time support to Dean’s office.

4. Choosing an Engineering Major
“ I (like) (am good in) math and science, and someone said I should be an engineer, but I don’t even know what they do”
“I don’t want to sit in a cubicle in front of a computer all day”
You don’t need to decide your major before the first year, and there is much help for you to do so.

5. Choosing an Engineering Major
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Computer Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer Science
Biosystems Engineering
Materials Science & Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Chemical Engineering

6. Studying Engineering
All engineering degrees are grounded in calculus, physics, chemistry and programming
Depending on the major, additional courses build on these
In addition, engineering requires writing, communications skills, and general education courses.

7. Studying Engineering
Fundamental to engineering, and what differentiates it from pure science, is DESIGN
Design is introduced in the first-year, with a cornerstone design course
In your last semester, you will put it all together in a capstone design course.

8. Third Year Design

9. Capstone Design

10. Succeeding in Engineering
Start your career planning in your first year
Attend the career fair, and look for an internship
Hundreds of employers visit top engineering schools

11. Succeeding in Engineering
Time management is critical.
You will have about 15 hours of class per week, but 30+ hours of outside work
No one is watching over you
Get in study groups
Join co-curricular student organizations

12. Quotes to Consider YOU are responsible for YOU “Two tests and a final”
“No extra credit”
“I skipped class last week, did I miss anything important?”
“We had a test last week?”
Your time and somebody’s money
There is a LOT of help available, but you need to ask

13. Civil Engineering

14. Civil Engineering

15. Civil Engineering

16. Civil Engineering

17. Civil Engineering

18. Civil Engineering

19. Civil Engineering

20. Civil Engineering

21. Civil Engineering

22. Civil Engineering
Thank you!
Questions ??