CEE Seminars

AY 2025-2026

Fall 2025

ECI 189C: Construction Management Engineering Seminar
CRN: 49241
Instructor: John Harvey

Units: 1

Course Description:
This one-unit seminar series is open to undergraduate and graduate students of all class-levels interested in all aspects of project delivery, i.e. construction, of all types of civil and mechanical engineering infrastructure. The class will consist of weekly lectures by construction engineering professionals who have first-hand knowledge of the technical and administrative workings of the industry. Speakers will range from junior engineers to seasoned veterans. One or more large-scale projects are typically described, highlighting opportunities for innovative thinking. Speakers often view the seminar series as a recruitment opportunity and encourage communication on that front.

The goal of this seminar series is to provide students with broad understanding of different types of civil infrastructure construction from a contractor, supplier, consultant, and owner point of view. As well as to provide information to different aspects of project management such as estimating, scheduling, scoping, contract law, among other topics.

Prerequisites: None

Learning Activities: Lecture 10 hours

Winter 2026

Spring 2026

AY 2024-2025

Fall 2024

ECI 189C: Advocating for Equity in Engineering
Instructor: Professor Colleen Bronner and Mr. Alin Wakefield

Units: 1

CRN: 50397

Course Description:
This undergraduate course explores the vital intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the field of engineering. In today's interconnected world, engineers play a pivotal role in shaping the future. To effectively address global challenges, it is imperative to understand how DEI principles impact engineering practices. Through this course, students will develop or deepen an awareness of DEI issues while learn to recognize biases and stereotypes that may hinder progress. We will invite guest speakers who will discuss their journey and efforts, engage in discussions, and reflect on possible ways to create a more inclusive engineering culture. This course empowers future engineers to drive innovation through advocacy of inclusive and equitable solutions that benefit society as a whole.

Sample Topics: Debunking DEI myths, mental health and wellness, microaggressions, implicit bias in engineering (examples from disciplines), engineering with a global perspective, assumptions in professional engineering culture, accessibility in engineering design, pathways for advocating for equity in engineering
Format: This class will consist of a mixture guest lectures from faculty, staff and students in COE to share their experiences in COE and course discussions.
Grading: P/NP grading.
Note: This course will count towards a student's ECI elective units but will not count towards your 6 units of 198/199.
ECI 189C: Construction Management Engineering Seminar
CRN: 50460

Instructor: John Harvey

Units: 1

Course Description:
This one-unit seminar series is open to undergraduate and graduate students of all class-levels interested in all aspects of project delivery, i.e. construction, of all types of civil and mechanical engineering infrastructure. The class will consist of weekly lectures by construction engineering professionals who have first-hand knowledge of the technical and administrative workings of the industry. Speakers will range from junior engineers to seasoned veterans. One or more large-scale projects are typically described, highlighting opportunities for innovative thinking. Speakers often view the seminar series as a recruitment opportunity and encourage communication on that front.

The goal of this seminar series is to provide students with broad understanding of different types of civil infrastructure construction from a contractor, supplier, consultant, and owner point of view. As well as to provide information to different aspects of project management such as estimating, scheduling, scoping, contract law, among other topics.

Prerequisites: None

Learning Activities: Lecture 10 hours

Winter 2025

ECI 189C: CEE Career Development Seminar
CRN: 18845

Units: 1

Instructor: Colleen Bronner

Course Description:
Do you feel like you don’t know enough about what will happen after you graduate? Are you curious about the different types of jobs that civil and environmental engineering graduates do? Through panels, mini-lectures, and discussions, this course is designed to answer these questions and more.
Despite all the technical content that you are learning, do you sometimes feel unprepared to enter the workforce. Are you plagued by questions such as what type of organization should I work for? Are you anxious about making the transition from student to the workforce? Or do I need to attend graduate school? If you are, then this course is designed for you. The purpose is to provide you with information they need to feel more confident as you transition to the workforce. Lectures will include frequent guest lecturers/panels to provide a varied perspective.

Objective: The objective of this course is to explore topics relevant to decisions on which type of job best suits you and conversations related to careers in the initial 3-5 years.
Who is this class geared for? It is intended for sophomore and junior CEE students.

Example topics may include:
- In which type of company/organization do I want to work? (Big/medium/small, public vs. private, core values, non-traditional pathways)
- I have an offer, now what? (negotiating and understanding job offers)
- Transition into the workforce (lessons learned over the first two years)
- Demystifying graduate school - what is the value added?
- Networking is not a bad word
- Inclusive leadership
- PE licensure
- Working with diverse teams & cultural humility
- Mental health management
- Importance of mentors vs sponsors?
- Navigating difficult conversations
- Managing bias in the workplace
Learning Activities: Lecture 1.0 hours

Spring 2025

ECI 189C: Construction & Project Management Seminar
CRN: 37298

Instructor: John Bolander

Units: 1

Course Description:
This one-unit seminar series is open to undergraduate and graduate students interested in all aspects of project delivery, i.e. construction, of all types of civil and mechanical engineering infrastructure. The class will consist of weekly lectures by industry and government leaders, followed by discussion.

The goal of this seminar series is to provide students with broad understanding of different types of civil infrastructure construction from a contractor, supplier, consultant, and owner point of view. To provide information to different aspects of project management such as estimating, scheduling, scoping, contract law, among other topics. To provide students with ideas of career paths in project delivery.

Prerequisites: None

Learning Activities: Lecture 10 hours
ECI 189C: Heavy Civil
CRN: 37300

Instructor: John White

Units: 4

Course Description:
The course will focus on the heavy-civil construction techniques used to build critical infrastructure. Course topics will include construction safety, labor, equipment, materials, and techniques in earthmoving, shoring, dewatering, cofferdams, foundations, paving, tunneling, concrete, steel, and piping. These techniques will be applied to example projects including bridges, dams, railroads, treatment plants, highways, and tunnels. The coursework will include creating step-by-step workplans used to communicate the construction process. The course will also include industry expert guest lecturers and a site visit to a nearby construction project.

Prerequisites: None

Learning Activities: Lecture 3.0 hours; Lab 2.0 hours
ECI 189C: Engineering Approaches for Refugee and Other Forcibly Displaced Persons
CRN: 37301

Instructor: Colleen Bronner

Units: 4
**All majors welcome, including those outside of engineering. For civil engineering and environmental majors, this course counts as 4 ECI elective units.
Course Description:
This course is an effort to develop a holistic understanding of health of vulnerable, forcibly displaced persons, understand the drivers of displacement, appreciate the contextual realities, develop knowledge to evaluate the engineering infrastructure (physical and human systems), critically analyze existing technological solutions from a technical and ethical lens, and design interventions to improve the lived environments and well-being of these communities. In addition, this course will provide students with an opportunity to gain knowledge from experts who bring diverse perspectives informed by lived experiences, community engagement and policy design and intervention. Course assignments will include gaining knowledge through readings/podcasts/videos, reflective exercises, and a group project.
The course will aim to:
- Introduce you to the issue of forced displacement and relevant historical, political, and social contexts
- Help you understand the role of STEM in contributing to forced displacement-related challenges as well as in mitigating and addressing these challenges
- Prepare students to critically engage with moral and ethical issues associated with forced displacement, including through a human rights lens
- Equip students with analytical and technical tools needed to help address challenges associated with forced displacement

Learning Objectives
The learning objectives of the course are:
- Explore the topic of forced displacement-related challenges from different disciplinary perspectives and represent the associated historical context in all its complexities (political, cultural, sociological, etc.)
- Understand the moral and ethical dilemmas of forced displacement interventions from both human rights and design perspectives
- Understand how STEM fields can contribute to forced displacement solutions as well as challenges
- Understand tenets of ethical leadership and how to apply them
- Understand systems thinking and design processes and apply them to forced displacement-related interventions
- Develop skills in data representation, visualization, interpretation and analysis, and be able to apply them in situations related to forced displacement
- Critically analyze the impact of new and existing technologies on those experiencing forced displacement

Prerequisites: None

AY 2023-2024

Fall 2023

ECI 189C: Sustainability Engineering & Community Engagement
CRN: 52762

INSTRUCTORS: Professor Sabbie Miller and Alyson Kim

Units: 3

Course Description:
In this course, students will get hands on experience with engineering design-based service-learning focusing on how environmentally sustainable solutions can be implemented in the community. Students will learn and practice the seven steps of the engineering design process. They will get an overview of effective community engagement. They will investigate environmental justice cases within engineering. They will explore quantitative methods for assessing project sustainability. Throughout the course the students will work with a local community partner to design an engineered alternative for the community partner’s organization. The course will conclude with the students completing an engineering design alternative and/or implementing the engineered design alternative on-site with the community partner.

After this course, students should possess an understanding of engineering environmental justice issues and quantitative sustainability metrics that can be used. Additionally, students should possess an understanding of the engineering design process and effective community engagement, as well as feel technically competent in and personally motivated to promote sustainable
engineering alternatives in their lives and careers.

Prerequisites: Upper division standing in Engineering

Recommended Courses: ECI 123

Learning Activities: Lecture 2.0 hours; Lab 3.0 hours

Textbook: There is no formal textbook for the class. Readings will be provided in the format of a class reader and/or suggested readings.
ECI 189G: Transportation Infrastructure Design
CRN: 52859

Instructor: Dr. Kari Watkins

Units: 4

Course Description:
This course provides a foundation in roadway design with a multimodal perspective. It begins with the transportation content required for the fundamentals of engineering and professional engineering exams (https://ncees.org/wp-content/uploads/Civ-Tran-April-2022_r3.pdf) and complements the traffic operations in ECI 161 and policy aspects in ECI 165. However, benefitting from the multimodal and sustainable transportation focus at Davis, the course will include a more holistic perspective to design for multiple roadway users including bicycles, pedestrians, vehicle sharing, and public transit. Readings and content will be from the design guides used in practice, including those from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), Transportation Research Board (TRB), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO).

Prerequisites: PHY 009A C- or better; MAT 021B C- or better

Learning Activities: Lecture 4.0 hours

Textbook: In lieu of a textbook, this course will draw from several resources, which are available online or in my office.
ECI 198: Advocating for Equity in Engineering
Instructor: Professor Colleen Bronner and Mr. Alin Wakefield

Units: 1

CRN: 53029

Course Description:
This undergraduate course explores the vital intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the field of engineering. In today's interconnected world, engineers play a pivotal role in shaping the future. To effectively address global challenges, it is imperative to understand how DEI principles impact engineering practices. Through this course, students will develop or deepen an awareness of DEI issues while learn to recognize biases and stereotypes that may hinder progress. We will invite guest speakers who will discuss their journey and efforts, engage in discussions, and reflect on possible ways to create a more inclusive engineering culture. This course empowers future engineers to drive innovation through advocacy of inclusive and equitable solutions that benefit society as a whole.

Sample Topics: Debunking DEI myths, mental health and wellness, microaggressions, implicit bias in engineering (examples from disciplines), engineering with a global perspective, assumptions in professional engineering culture, accessibility in engineering design, pathways for advocating for equity in engineering
Format: This class will consist of a mixture guest lectures from faculty, staff and students in COE to share their experiences in COE and course discussions.
Grading: P/NP grading.
Note: This course will count towards a student's ECI elective units but will not count towards your 6 units of 198/199.

Winter 2024

ECI 189C: CEE Career Development Seminar
CRN: 44583

Units: 1

Instructor: Colleen Bronner

Course Description:
Do you feel like you don’t know enough about what will happen after you graduate? Are you curious about the different types of jobs that civil and environmental engineering graduates do? Through panels, mini-lectures, and discussions, this course is designed to answer these questions and more.
Despite all the technical content that you are learning, do you sometimes feel unprepared to enter the workforce. Are you plagued by questions such as what type of organization should I work for? Are you anxious about making the transition from student to the workforce? Or do I need to attend graduate school? If you are, then this course is designed for you. The purpose is to provide you with information they need to feel more confident as you transition to the workforce. Lectures will include frequent guest lecturers/panels to provide a varied perspective.

Objective: The objective of this course is to explore topics relevant to decisions on which type of job best suits you and conversations related to careers in the initial 3-5 years.
Who is this class geared for? It is intended for sophomore and junior CEE students.

Example topics may include:
- In which type of company/organization do I want to work? (Big/medium/small, public vs. private, core values, non-traditional pathways)
- I have an offer, now what? (negotiating and understanding job offers)
- Transition into the workforce (lessons learned over the first two years)
- Demystifying graduate school - what is the value added?
- Networking is not a bad word
- Inclusive leadership
- PE licensure
- Working with diverse teams & cultural humility
- Mental health management
- Importance of mentors vs sponsors?
- Navigating difficult conversations
- Managing bias in the workplace
Learning Activities: Lecture 1.0 hours

Spring 2024

ECI 164: Introduction to Electric Vehicles
CRN: 56711

Instructor: Alan Jenn

Units: 4

Course Description:
Interdisciplinary exploration of electric vehicles. Overview of underlying technology, challenges, and societal impacts. Integration of perspectives from engineering, physics, chemistry, economics, finance, public policy, and social sciences. Topics include: battery technology, vehicle efficiency, charging infrastructure, total cost of ownership, consumer and travel behavior, life-cycle emissions, and policy landscape.
Prerequisites: None
Learning Activities: Lecture 3.0 hours; Discussion 1.0 hours

Textbook: TBD
ECI 189C: Heavy Civil
CRN: 56773

Instructor: John White

Units: 4

Course Description:
The course will focus on the heavy-civil construction techniques used to build critical infrastructure. Course topics will include construction safety, labor, equipment, materials, and techniques in earthmoving, shoring, dewatering, cofferdams, foundations, paving, tunneling, concrete, steel, and piping. These techniques will be applied to example projects including bridges, dams, railroads, treatment plants, highways, and tunnels. The coursework will include creating step-by-step workplans used to communicate the construction process. The course will also include industry expert guest lecturers and a site visit to a nearby construction project.

Prerequisites: None

Learning Activities: Lecture 3.0 hours; Lab 2.0 hours
ECI 189C: Construction and Project Management Seminar
CRN: 37644

Instructor: John Bolander

Units: 1

Course Description:
This one-unit seminar series is open to undergraduate and graduate students interested in all aspects of project delivery, i.e. construction, of all types of civil and mechanical engineering infrastructure. The class will consist of weekly lectures by industry and government leaders, followed by discussion.

The goal of this seminar series is to provide students with broad understanding of different types of civil infrastructure construction from a contractor, supplier, consultant, and owner point of view. To provide information to different aspects of project management such as estimating, scheduling, scoping, contract law, among other topics. To provide students with ideas of career paths in project delivery.

Prerequisites: None

Learning Activities: Lecture 10 hours
ECI 189C: Engineering approaches for refugee and other forcibly displaced persons
CRN: 57343

Instructor: Colleen Bronner

Units: 4
**All majors welcome, including those outside of engineering. For civil engineering and environmental majors, this course counts as 4 ECI elective units.
Course Description:
This course is an effort to develop a holistic understanding of health of vulnerable, forcibly displaced persons, understand the drivers of displacement, appreciate the contextual realities, develop knowledge to evaluate the engineering infrastructure (physical and human systems), critically analyze existing technological solutions from a technical and ethical lens, and design interventions to improve the lived environments and well-being of these communities. In addition, this course will provide students with an opportunity to gain knowledge from experts who bring diverse perspectives informed by lived experiences, community engagement and policy design and intervention. Course assignments will include gaining knowledge through readings/podcasts/videos, reflective exercises, and a group project.
The course will aim to:
- Introduce you to the issue of forced displacement and relevant historical, political, and social contexts
- Help you understand the role of STEM in contributing to forced displacement-related challenges as well as in mitigating and addressing these challenges
- Prepare students to critically engage with moral and ethical issues associated with forced displacement, including through a human rights lens
- Equip students with analytical and technical tools needed to help address challenges associated with forced displacement

Learning Objectives
The learning objectives of the course are:
- Explore the topic of forced displacement-related challenges from different disciplinary perspectives and represent the associated historical context in all its complexities (political, cultural, sociological, etc.)
- Understand the moral and ethical dilemmas of forced displacement interventions from both human rights and design perspectives
- Understand how STEM fields can contribute to forced displacement solutions as well as challenges
- Understand tenets of ethical leadership and how to apply them
- Understand systems thinking and design processes and apply them to forced displacement-related interventions
- Develop skills in data representation, visualization, interpretation and analysis, and be able to apply them in situations related to forced displacement
- Critically analyze the impact of new and existing technologies on those experiencing forced displacement

Prerequisites: None

To learn more about each individual course, it is best to reach out to the instructor directly. Email civiladvising@ucdavis.edu for questions about registering.