civil & environmental Engineering

Engineering Solutions for a Sustainable, Resilient World

Preparing students with the skills and knowledge to solve complex infrastructure challenges. Through a blend of hands-on learning and cutting-edge research, students specialize in areas like environmental, structural, and transportation engineering, preparing them to lead in their careers.

Undergraduate
Graduate
Research
Faculty

PROTECTING MAINE’S COASTS

Lauren Ross, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering

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Eliminating FOrEVER CHEMICALS

Onur Apul, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering

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Program Offerings

Undergraduate Level:

Bachelor of Science in Civil & Environmental Engineering

Concentrations

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Water Resources Engineering
  • Structural Engineering
  • Transportation Engineering

Graduate Level:

  • Accelerated 4+1 Master of Engineering (ME) Mechanical Engineering. “Water and Environment”
  • Master of Science (MS) (thesis & non-thesis)
  • PhD Civil & Environmental Engineering

Civil and Environmental Engineering Overview

As one of the oldest departments at the University of Maine, the Civil Engineering program has a rich legacy, dating back to 1872. The program prepares students to become leaders in the planning, design, and construction of essential infrastructure—such as roadways, bridges, dams, and pollution control facilities—that serves society’s needs. At UMaine, civil engineering students engage in diverse research areas including environmental, geotechnical, structural, transportation, water resources, and coastal engineering.

Our curriculum balances foundational engineering principles with specialized research, allowing students to tailor their education to their interests. Students collaborate on projects like composite beams and timber bridges, gaining hands-on experience and developing essential skills in problem-solving, technical writing, and communication. Our faculty are committed to helping students grow into engineers who are prepared to meet the challenges of the modern world, making a lasting impact through innovative, sustainable solutions.

Department Information

Department Chair: Bill Davids
Department Administrator: Brenda Collamore

Civil and Environmental Engineering
5711 Boardman Hall
Orono, ME 04469
Tel: 207.581.2171
Fax: 207.581.3888

Student Capstone Project Presentations

Project Management (CIE 413) and CIE 411 Engineering Project Design (CIE 411)

Senior civil engineering capstone projects challenge students to apply their technical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and teamwork to real-world engineering problems. These projects often involve designing infrastructure, improving sustainability, or solving structural, transportation, or environmental challenges. Through hands-on experience, students collaborate with industry partners, conduct analyses, and present innovative solutions that showcase their readiness for professional engineering careers.

ASIDE’s UMaine Capstone Final Presentation

UMaine capstone team, ASIDE, discusses their analysis of a stormwater drainage zone in Frenchville, ME.

Back Row’s Capstone Presentation: Part 1

UMaine capstone team, Back Row, focuses on some technical decisions regarding their proposed upgrades for Payson Park in Portland, ME.

Back Row’s Capstone Presentation: Part 2

UMaine capstone team, Back Row, focuses on some technical decisions regarding their proposed upgrades for Payson Park in Portland, ME.

Civil Disobedience’s Capstone Presentation

UMaine capstone team, Civil Disobedience, discusses their proposal for improvements to the airport in Belfast, ME.

Sea Dogs’ Capstone Presentation: Part 1

UMaine capstone team, Sea Dogs, focuses on some technical details of their designs for two water crossings in Union, ME.

Sea Dogs’ Capstone Presentation: Part 2

UMaine capstone team, Sea Dogs, focuses on some technical details of their designs for two water crossings in Union, ME.

Civil Savants’ UMaine Capstone Final Presentation

UMaine capstone team, Civil Savants, discusses their design of a new pedestrain brdige in Baxter State Park, ME.

AVE Engineering’s Capstone Presentation

UMaine capstone team, AVE Engineering, discusses their plans for improving the playing fields on the MCI campus in Pittsfield, ME.

Engineering Mavericks’ Capstone Presentation

UMaine capstone team, Engineering Mavericks, discusses their design for improving the MCI campus in Pittsfield, ME.

civil & environmental Engineering

Graduate Programs

Explore advanced degrees in Civil & Environmental Engineering, where innovation meets efficiency. Our graduate programs equip students with cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills to tackle global infrastructure and environmental challenges. Join a community of forward-thinking engineers shaping a better future.

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Research

The University of Maine is a prestigious research institution with world-class research facilities such as the Advanced Structures and Composites Center . Maine is an EPSCoR state and Umaine leads the National Science Foundation (NSF) funded SEANET project which mainly focuses on sustainable aquaculture. 

Env. & Water Resources

Environmental and Water Resources Engineering
Research opportunities including biological and chemical aspects of water quality and remediation; water resources engineering including surface and groundwater hydrology, hydroclimatology and adaptive environmental management; and coastal engineering, river and estuarine mixing and transport processes.

Onur G Apul– Assistant Professor
Kimberly Huguenard – Associate Professor
Shaleen Jain – Department Chair and Professor, PE
Jean D. MacRae – Associate Professor
Lauren Ross – Associate Professor
Nyxen Fisher – Lab Manager & Instructor

Geotechnical

Geotechnical Engineering
The coastal region of Maine is known for Presumpscot Formation clay, a glacial soil deposit that is susceptible to dramatic landslides and that has caused building settlements and challenges to the construction of all types and sizes of structures. The Presumpscot Formation is the focus of two local symposia in 1987 and 2015, and the proceedings for both can be found at the 2015 Symposium website.
Research opportunities are available to study the behavior of soft and stiff clays (such as the Presumpscot Formation); investigation of natural hazards in land, coastal, and near-shore environments; soil structure interaction using full scale installations and/or modeling of scaled systems; onshore and offshore site characterization employing in situ, geophysical, and laboratory methods; thermal behavior of soils related to energy transfer, permafrost vulnerability and cold regions engineering.
Aaron Gallant – Associate Professor, PE
Miltiades Zacas – Adjunct Professor
Luis Zambrano-Cruzatty – Assistant Professor

Structural & Mechanics

Structural Engineering and Mechanics
Research includes the application of innovative materials and structural systems to solve problems of traditional civil infrastructure, marine applications, and other non-traditional applications. Particular areas of strength are composite materials, including wood-based, polymer matrix, and cement-based systems, as well as innovative computational modeling approaches.

Habib Joseph Dagher – Director of ASCC, Bath Iron Works Professor, PE
Bill Davids – John C. Bridge Professor, PE
Eric N. Landis – Frank M. Taylor Professor, PE
Roberto Lopez-Anido – Malcolm G. Long Professor, PE
Edwin Nagy – Senior Lecturer, PE, SE
Xenia Rofes – Senior Lecturer, PE

Transportation

Transportation Engineering
Research includes the application of innovative analytical methods to solve transportation problems involving safety analysis, planning and transportation systems.

Rebecca Bian – Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Our Faculty and Staff

At MCEC, our faculty is the heartbeat of our academic community. Dedicated, inspiring, and deeply knowledgeable, our professors go beyond the traditional classroom experience to foster real-world skills and a passion for learning. Whether mentoring, leading innovative research, or providing personalized support, our faculty members are committed to empowering students to achieve their highest potential

Bill Davids, Ph.D, P.E.

Chair of Civil and Environmental Department, Russell S. Bodwell Professor , Distinguished Maine Professor

Lauren Ross, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Graduate Coordinator

MCEC NEWS

Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the Commission’s General Criteria and the Civil & Environmental Engineering Program Criteria.

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