Western University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in London, Ontario offers undergraduate pathways and graduate study options for students interested in infrastructure, sustainability, water resources, smart cities and research. The department says its programs combine engineering education with industry links, practical project experience and access to affiliated research centres. .
Key facts
- The department is part of Western University’s Faculty of Engineering in London, Ontario.
- Western says its undergraduate Civil Engineering program is accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board.
- Graduate study options listed are the MEng, MESc and PhD.
- Undergraduate pathways include structural engineering, environmental engineering, international development, business, law and AI-related Smart Cities options.
- Research areas named by the department include environmental and water resources, geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering, structural and infrastructural engineering, wind engineering and Smart Cities.
What does this mean for students?
For students and applicants, the department’s menu of pathways means they can choose between practice-oriented and research-oriented study while still staying within civil and environmental engineering. Western also highlights capstone design work, affiliated laboratories and research centres, and concurrent options that connect engineering with other fields.
Which degrees are available?
Western lists three graduate degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering: the Master of Engineering (MEng), the Master of Engineering Science (MESc) and the PhD. The MEng is described as a professional degree with course-based or project-based formats, the MESc as a thesis-based research degree, and the PhD as a research-intensive thesis-based program.
At the undergraduate level, students complete a Common First Year before entering Civil Engineering and selecting options. The published options include Structural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, International Development with Structural Engineering, International Development with Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering and Business, Civil Engineering and Law, and AI Systems Engineering and Smart Cities combinations.
How does Western connect engineering with research and industry?
Western says the department has strong links with industry and affiliated research centres, including the Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel Laboratory, Geotechnical Research Centre, Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction, Centre for Environment and Sustainability, and the Wind Engineering, Energy and Environment Research Institute. The undergraduate program also includes a fourth-year capstone design experience on real-world projects.
What should applicants know about graduate study?
Applicants can choose among MEng, MESc and PhD study, but admission expectations differ. Western lists a four-year engineering bachelor’s degree and a minimum 70% average for the MEng, a minimum 78% average for the MESc, and a master’s degree in engineering with a minimum 78% average for the PhD. International applicants may also need to meet English-language requirements.
Can students combine civil engineering with other fields?
Yes. Western says students can combine civil engineering with business, law, international development, artificial intelligence systems engineering and Smart Cities. The department says these pathways are meant to connect engineering study with broader technical, social and urban challenges.
Frequently asked questions
What research areas does the department emphasize?
Western identifies environmental and water resources, geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering, structural and infrastructural engineering, wind engineering and environmental fluid mechanics, and Smart Cities as major research areas.
Is funding available for graduate students?
Western says funding is available for admissible research students in the MESc and PhD programs, while MEng students are not funded through the program.
