The construction engineering major integrates engineering, construction and management courses. It resembles the construction management program but provides a greater emphasis on engineering, scientific and technical courses to meet the requirements for licensure as a professional engineer. You will focus on applying engineering principles to solve real-world construction problems. Our program is located within a thriving hub of engineering and architecture firms, offering valuable opportunities to work with industry professionals.
College of Engineering
Hours Required
120 credit hours
Areas of Focus
Life Cycle Costing, Nature First Construction, Process Design and Simulation
The Nebraska Difference
18:1
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
Kiewit Hall
$115 million student-centric engineering hub
Be a Complete Engineer®
Unleash your potential and cultivate core competencies
Innovate. Excel. Engineer.
80% of students receive a job offer before graduation
Program Features
Integrated Curriculum in Lincoln and Omaha
The program blends engineering, construction and management courses, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the construction industry. Emphasizing engineering, science and technical subjects, this program will prepare you for licensure as a professional engineer.
Real-World Problem Solving
Courses focus on applying engineering principles to tackle real-world construction challenges. You will gain expertise in civil engineering, structural principles, material testing, project management, computer-assisted design, 3D animation, sustainability and graphic communication.
Career Opportunities and Global Reach
Our graduates have many employment and internship opportunities in local, national and international construction companies. With increased global demand, construction engineers can work on diverse projects, from buildings and infrastructure to energy distribution systems, ensuring projects' constructability and functionality.
Notable Courses
Geometric Control Systems (CONE 221)
Explore surveying fundamentals for construction, including building layout, measurement procedures, instrument operation. Gain hands-on experience with surveying instruments, equipment and technologies in construction projects.
Introduction to Building Information Modeling (CNST 225)
Get introduced to Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Revit Architecture. Learn to create detailed 3D models, clash detection and point-cloud models for construction projects.
Construction Methods and Equipment (CONE 319)
Explore equipment and methods in the building construction industry, including selection, characteristics, estimating job production, equipment rates, costs, earth-moving, hoisting and operations analysis.
Construction Estimating I (CONE 378)
Prepare cost estimates, perform quantity take-offs, analyze cost components, create preliminary construction schedules and conduct quantity takeoffs from 2D plans and 3D BIM software models.
Steel Design I (CIVE 441)
Design concepts for structural steel building components. Tension members, bolted and welded connections, column and beam members. Behavior, code design procedures and limit states design.
Construction Planning, Scheduling, & Controls (CONE 485)
Project planning and scheduling using critical path methods (CPM) with computer applications. Logic networks, precedence diagrams, time estimates, critical path, crash programs and activity monitoring.
Huskers Do Big Things
Internships
- Project management intern, Cheever Construction Company, Lincoln, Nebraska
- Field engineer, Kiewit, Phoenix, Arizona
- Project engineer, DPR Construction, Omaha, Nebraska
- Estimating intern, Haselden Construction, Denver, Colorado
- Construction engineering intern, Kiewit Building Group, Austin, Texas
- Controller, Kiewit Building Group, Omaha, Nebraska
Careers
- Construction engineer, Olsson Associates, Omaha, Nebraska
- Project engineer, JE Dunn Construction, Denver, Colorado
- Field engineer, Mortenson Construction, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Project engineer, DPR Construction, Sacramento, California
- Engineer, Kiewit Building Group, Omaha, Nebraska
- Special inspections technician, Olsson Associates, Omaha, Nebraska
Graduate Schools
- Ph.D., Construction Management & Engineering, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Master's in Construction Management & Engineering, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Master's in Community and Regional Planning, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Master's in Project Management, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
- Master's in Construction Management, University of Florida
- Master's in Business Administration, Kaplan University
Outside the Classroom
Experience New Perspectives
Engage with engineering professionals all over the U.S. and the world during faculty-led and school-sponsored learning trips.
Be a Difference-maker
Join award-winning Durham School teams to participate in engineering and design competitions, such as the Race to Build event to provide housing for veterans.
Make Valuable Career Connections
Receive personal mentorship from a community of design professionals throughout your college experience and connect at career fairs.
Featured Faculty
Academics & Experiential Learning
- Studying in a unique living-learning facility like Peter Kiewit Institute offers students in-depth knowledge of the inner workings of a building.
- Nebraska engineering teams are well-known at national and international design competitions, bringing home numerous championships and awards.
Career Preparedness
- The Durham School career fair attracts employers from across Nebraska and nationally to connect with students for paid internships and jobs.
- Omaha is one of the nation’s top hubs for architectural engineering and construction firms, offering valuable networking opportunities.
Community
- From the Architectural Engineering Student Leadership Committee and professional organizations, you’ll make close connections with other students as well as with professionals in the state and nationally.
- Engineering Night Out is a great way to relax and bond with your peers in a casual environment.