Undergraduate courses

CIVENG 60 – Properties of civil engineering materials

Spring and Fall semester

This course introduces the fundamentals of materials science with a focus on the building blocks of civil engineering. Students will explore how the microstructure of materials—such as concrete, wood, steel, and polymers—shapes their strength, durability, and performance in real-world applications. Alongside lectures, hands-on laboratory sessions provide opportunities to test, observe, and measure these properties directly, bridging theory with practice and preparing students for advanced studies in structural and materials engineering.

CIVENG 140 – Materials science and characterization of cement and concrete

Fall semester, odd years

This course covers cement production, chemistry, and hydration, focusing on both traditional (Type I/II) and modern low-carbon (Type IL, Type IT) formulations. Students will explore hydration products (atomistic structure and their role in porosity evolution), apply thermodynamic models to predict phase assemblage, shrinkage and heat release. The second half reviews key cement characterization techniques, their principles, and data analysis methods. Hands-on lab sessions provide experience with these techniques, while the course concludes with an overview of non-destructive testing methods essential for quality control in construction engineering.