May 24, 2024  
2020-2021 Academic Catalogue 
    
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2020-2021 Academic Catalogue [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Courses of Instruction

Course Numbering System. Each subject is identified by a symbol made up of two parts. The first part is an abbreviation denoting the general field of study. The second part is a number denoting the particular subject. The first digit indicates the year in which the course is usually taken and, therefore, the level of instruction.

Credit. The unit of academic credit used at the Virginia Military Institute is the semester hour. In general a semester hour represents one hour of classroom work (lecture or recitation) or one period (two or three hours) of laboratory or supervised research or field work per week during a single semester. Thus a course that meets for three class hours and one laboratory period each week during one semester usually carries credit for four semester hours.

In the following course descriptions the figures on the title lines indicate, in order, the class hours per week, the laboratory or field work hours per week, and the semester hours credit. For example, the figures “3—2—4” mean that the class meets three times a week for one-hour classroom sessions and has two hours of laboratory, supervised research, or field work each week, and that the course carries four semester hours of credit.
 

CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Department Head: Colonel Newhouse

Requirements for a major in civil engineering are specified in Civil and Environmental Engineering .
  

  • CE 109 - CE Fundamentals I

    Lecture Hours: 1
    Lab Hours: 2
    Credit Hours: 2

    An introduction to the Civil Engineering profession including its: history, specialty areas, responsibilities, and role in infrastructure. The use of spreadsheets and word processing to present computations and results for design projects. Basic statistics, probability theory, and engineering mechanical drawing.
  

  • CE 110 - CE Fundamentals II

    Lecture Hours: 1
    Lab Hours: 2
    Credit Hours: 2

    An introduction to computer-aided drafting and design (CADD) with applications to Civil Engineering. Topics will include orthographics, dimensioning, isometrics, and scaling. An introduction to math software for engineering computations and computer programming concepts and structure.
  

  • CE 121 - Surveying

    Lecture Hours: 2
    Lab Hours: 3
    Credit Hours: 3

    Surveying instruments, measurements of horizontal and vertical distances and direction, traverse computations, topographic mapping, and construction surveys.. Corequisite(s): CE 121L 
  

  • CE 121L - Survey Lab

    Lecture Hours: 0
    Lab Hours: 3
    Credit Hours: 0

    Using various surveying instruments students learn how to measure distances, angles, and elevations to determine plane surveying information. Corequisite(s): CE 121 
  

  • CE 203 - Statics

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    Vector and scalar methods in the composition and resolution of forces; moments of forces; equilibrium in two or three dimensions; simple structures including trusses and frames; shear and moment in beams; distributed loads; friction; centroids and centers of gravity. Prerequisite(s): MA 123  with a minimum grade of C.
  

  • CE 206 - Solid Mechanics

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    A study of the behavior of non-rigid bodies when subjected to external tension, compression, bending, torsional loads or a combination of these loads. Development of mathematical expressions that relate to external loads, member properties, and internal stresses, strains, and deflections. Includes elastic and plastic stress theory. Prerequisite(s): MA 124  and CE 203  or ME 201  all with a minimum grade of C.
  

  • CE 208X - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    An introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) including Global Positioning Systems (GPS) as pertinent to past and current practices along with future trends of the 21st Century. The usage of both GIS/GPS is growing exponentially and is applicable to all majors in civilian and military applications. Case histories and software exercises are used to introduce GIS/GPS and the global concepts therein. A variety of information types along with digital maps will be utilized to study historic aspects of American culture in conjunction with basic cultural patterns in other regions of the world. Digital GIS maps allow regional or global trends to be visualized, compared, measured, queried, and analyzed. CE 208X is open to all majors. Note: Civilizations & Cultures Course (X).
  

  • CE 301 - Structural Theory

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    Analysis of statically determinate and indeterminate structures. Application of computers to structural analysis. Prerequisite(s): C or better in CE 206  or ME 206 .
  

  • CE 302 - Civil Engineering Dynamics

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    Vector and scalar methods in kinematics, including absolute and relative motion of particles and rigid bodies; kinetics, with solutions of rigid bodies by the methods of force, mass and acceleration, work and energy, and impulse and momentum. Analysis of single degree of freedom systems. Prerequisite(s): CE 203  or ME 201  all with a minimum grade of C.
  

  • CE 307 - Properties of Engineering Materials

    Lecture Hours: 2
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    A study of mechanical properties of engineering materials with special emphasis on Portland cement concrete. Materials studied include wood, metals (steel and nonferrous metals), plastics, glass, clay, bituminous materials and Portland cement concrete. Materials testing, specifications, and design are examined through both classroom and laboratory work. Prerequisite(s): CE 206  or ME 206  with a minimum grade of C. Corequisite(s): CE 307L 
  

  • CE 307L - Laboratory for CE 307

    Lecture Hours: 0
    Lab Hours: 3
    Credit Hours: 0

    A laboratory course designed to reinforce the concepts covered in CE 307 . Corequisite(s): CE 307 
  

  • CE 309 - Fluid Mechanics

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    Elementary mechanics of fluids. Fluid properties; hydrostatics; fluid kinematics; equations of motion; energy equation; momentum principles; flow of liquids and gases in closed conduits; principles of dimensional analysis and dynamic similitude. Prerequisite(s): MA 124  and CE 203  
  

  • CE 310 - Soil Mechanics

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 4

    Origin, nature, and classification of soils; analysis and laboratory tests to determine the engineering and index properties of soils and their application to various design considerations. Prerequisite(s): C or better in CE 206  or ME 206 . Corequisite(s): CE 310L 
  

  • CE 310L - Laboratory for CE 310

    Lecture Hours: 0
    Lab Hours: 3
    Credit Hours: 0

    A laboratory course designed to reinforce the concepts covered in CE 310 . Corequisite(s): CE 310 
  

  • CE 319W - Water Resources Laboratory

    Lecture Hours: 0
    Lab Hours: 2
    Credit Hours: 1

    Laboratory procedures and statistical analysis of experimental data; examination of fluid properties and topics in fluid mechanics and hydrologic and hydraulic engineering; experimental topics in water resources and environmental engineering; and analysis and  design of water distribution systems. Prerequisite(s): CE 309  and CE 321 . Note: Writing Intensive Course (W)
  

  • CE 321 - Environmental Engineering

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    Environmental engineering aspects of pollution control including a review of environmental chemistry; water/wastewater and industrial waste characteristics; air quality; pertinent environmental regulations; reactor engineering and wastewater treatment; municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plant design; design of air pollution control technologies; and a review of risk assessment.
  

  • CE 322 - Water Resources Engineering

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    Analysis of hydraulic problems associated with the design of civil engineering structures, analysis and design of public water supply systems, and related topics; occurrence and movement of surface water flow including open channel flow and runoff. Prerequisite(s): CE 309  
  

  • CE 327 - Reinforced Concrete Design

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    Design of reinforced concrete members by ultimate strength methods. Computer applications. Prerequisite(s): CE 301 .
  

  • CE 330 - Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, and Electrical Circuits

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    Course will cover three areas outside of civil engineering to include thermodynamics, heat transfer, and electrical circuits. Prerequisite(s): PY 160 
  

  • CE 333 - Transportation Engineering

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    An overview of highway transportation systems and their relationship to the growth of urban metropolitan areas. The course explores the basic characteristics of highway design and operation and the engineering analysis of highway projects. Prerequisite(s): CE 121 .
  

  • CE 350 - Civil Engineering Project Management

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    Introduction of construction management principles for civil engineering projects including project organization and documentation, business organization and legal structure, scheduling (CPM and other) and tracking, cost estimating and cost control, bid preparation, contracts, claims and disputes, labor and OSHA, insurance, and engineering economics. Scheduling and cost estimating use specific applications software and spreadsheets.
  

  • CE 401 - Hydrology

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    Occurrence and movement of surface water including weather and climate; precipitation; evaporation, transpiration, and consumptive use; runoff; infiltration; streamflow; routing; hydrograph analysis; erosions and sedimentation; and urban hydrology. Probability applications to hydrologic data are emphasized. Requires use of spreadsheets and incorporates web-accessible analytical methods and hydrologic data from USGS, US Army Corps of Engineers, SCS, NOAA, and others. Prerequisite(s): CE 322 .
  

  • CE 402 - Structural Mechanics

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    Advanced topics in solid mechanics used in fields of structural engineering and in general stress analysis; unsymmetrical bending, shear centers, curved beams, rings, torsion of noncircular cross sections, elastic stability, lateral buckling, and failure criteria. Prerequisite(s): a C or better in CE 301 .
  

  • CE 403 - Foundations

    Lecture Hours: 2
    Lab Hours: 3
    Credit Hours: 3

    Subsurface investigation and the determination of in-situ soil properties. Analysis and design of shallow and deep foundations. Determination of lateral earth pressures and the design of retaining structures. Prerequisite(s): CE 310 .
  

  • CE 404 - Advanced Mechanics of Fluids

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    General analytical relationships in three dimensions using vector analysis. Two-dimensional potential flow theory including the development of continuity, vorticity, irrotationality, stream function, velocity potential, and momentum and energy theorems. Prerequisite(s): CE 309  or permission of the instructor.
  

  • CE 405 - Wood Engineering

    Lecture Hours: 2
    Lab Hours: 3
    Credit Hours: 3

    This course will provide students with a basic understanding of the production and use of wood as a building material and teach students to analyze, design, and fabricate wood structural elements. The course includes coverage of dimensional lumber, manufactured lumber loads, heavy timber, and the appropriate connection methods. Lab classes are hands on exercises including such topics as sawmill operation, destructive testing of wooden connections, and timber frame fabrication. A semester design project integrates the various course topics into one overall exercise. Prerequisite(s): CE 301 .
  

  • CE 408 - Hydraulic Engineering

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    Occurrence and movement of groundwater in porous and fractured soils, and the transport and fate of contaminants released to these soils; design problems for dams, spillways, and gates; analysis of hydraulics problems associated with the design of civil engineering structures. Application of electronic computers. Prerequisite(s): CE 322 .
  

  • CE 409 - Hazardous Waste Treatment and Site Remediation

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    This course builds upon the fundamentals of environmental engineering learned in CE 321  to explore the in-depth science and chemical/biological principles behind the treatment of hazardous waste and remediation of contaminated soils and groundwater. Technologies investigated in this course encompass containment systems, monitoring devices, as well as new and available methods to minimize, transform, destroy, detoxify, and eliminate the hazardous components of wastes. Cadets study applications of the physical, chemical, and biological processes necessary for the treatment of industrial and municipal wastes. Cadets explore the issues behind solid and hazardous waste generation as well as the regulatory standards impacting the industry. The issues of sustainability, pollution prevention, and lifecycle analysis will also be investigated. Cadets will take a guided field trip to the local landfill and use the resources of the Environmental Engineering Lab (217 Nichols Engineering Hall) to reinforce and model the science and chemistry involved with treatment and remediation of hazardous wastes in the environment. Prerequisite(s): CE 321 
  

  • CE 412 - Environmental Engineering Chemistry

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    Overview of basic physical, equilibrium, biological, and organic chemistry principles and applications for environmental engineering. Emphasis on chemical properties and reactions that influence the characteristics and treatment of wastes and chemically contaminated water, soil, and air.
  

  • CE 415 - Environmental Engineering Unit Process Design

    Lecture Hours: 2
    Lab Hours: 3
    Credit Hours: 3

    Design and analysis of biological, physical, and chemical processes for treatment of liquid and solid municipal and industrial wastes. Design and analysis of air pollution control technologies. Practical applications are emphasized. Prerequisite(s): CE 321 .
  

  • CE 416 - Fundamentals of Engineering

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    An introduction to engineering topics not specifically covered in the CEE curriculum including: dynamics, thermodynamics, electrical theory, and engineering economics. Review of topics deemed required for professional engineering registration. Prerequisite(s): First class standing or permission of instructor.
  

  • CE 417X - Infrastructures

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    All organized societies use infrastructures to deliver services essential to the functioning of that society, including food, energy, and water. When these services fail, society begins to disintegrate. This course provides cadets with an understanding of how and why infrastructures function; how societies develop and support infrastructures, and the relationships between infrastructures and the societies they serve. As 21st century societies cannot exist without these complex, inter- and intra-dependent infrastructures, understanding them and their relationship to society is and essential skill for leaders, managers, and citizens. Civilizations & Cultures Course.
  

  • CE 419 - Global Water and Sanitation

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    Global Water and Sanitation Design uses hands-on application of rudimentary field design and construction techniques for the implementation of basic environmental necessities in developing communities and the enhancement of overall quality of human life. The course explores the role of the environmental engineer, and specifically the average human being in worldwide public health and seeks to promote an awareness of communities lacking access to basic human rights such as clean drinking water and adequate sanitation. Prerequisite(s): CE 309  & CE 321  
  

  • CE 423 - Structural Steel Design

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    Structural steel design: beams, columns, trusses, frames, and connections using design codes and specifications. Prerequisite(s): a C or better in CE 301 .
  

  • CE 428 - Topics in Structural Design

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    Analysis and design of structural systems in reinforced concrete, pre-stressed concrete, steel, aluminum, or timber. Computer applications. Prerequisite(s): a C or better in CE 301 .
  

  • CE 429 - Advanced Structural Theory

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    Analysis of structures by the matrix force and displacement methods. Use of digital computers in structural analysis. Prerequisite(s): a C or better in CE 301 .
  

  • CE 436 - Transportation Planning and Design

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    An overview of the highway transportation modeling process and the relationship of accessibility and urban development highway designs. A special emphasis is placed on intersection planning and design. Field data collecting methods are performed and microscopic transportation modeling packages are utilized to evaluate and analyze intersections. Prerequisite(s): CE 333 .
  

  • CE 437 - Construction Methods and Management

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    Applications of civil engineering principles to realistic construction projects using a team approach. Topics include: earth moving operations, dewatering, rock excavation, concrete and asphalt production, concrete formwork design, heavy equipment production, trenchless technology, compressed air systems, construction planning, and safety. Prerequisite(s): CE 350 .
  

  • CE 443 - Independent Research

    Lecture Hours: 0
    Lab Hours: 6
    Credit Hours: 3

    For cadets engaged in research projects under faculty supervision. Prerequisite(s): Permission of department head and faculty research adviser.
  

  • CE 448 - Civil Engineering Design Capstone

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    Application of civil engineering principles to comprehensive engineering problems. Planning and design of realistic projects. Prerequisite(s): First class standing or permission of instructor.
  

  • CE 451W - Civil Engineering Seminar

    Lecture Hours: 1
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 1

    Seminars on topics of professional interest. Prerequisite(s): First class standing or permission of instructor. Note: Writing Intensive Course (W)
  

  • CE 461 - Independent Summer Research

    Lecture Hours: 0
    Lab Hours: 2-6
    Credit Hours: 1-3

    Offered in the summer session to cadets engaged in research projects under faculty supervision. Credits may be substituted for appropriate civil engineering courses offered in the regular session. Prerequisite(s): Permission of department head and faculty research adviser.
  

  • CE 470 - Topics in Civil Engineering

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    Special topics in civil engineering and related areas as suggested by members of the faculty or cadets. Subject and content announced before the semester begins. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. When Offered: Not necessarily offered each year.
  

  • CE 471 - Topics in Civil Engineering

    Lecture Hours: 3
    Lab Hours: 0
    Credit Hours: 3

    Special topics in civil engineering and related areas as suggested by members of the faculty or cadets. Subject and content announced before the semester begins. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. When Offered: Not necessarily offered each year.