Seniors in good standing may pursue independent studies under faculty guidance. A written culminating report is required.

Advanced or specialized topics not normally covered in regular course offerings. May be repeated, but not in duplicate areas.

Student groups are formed into design teams to prepare a design plan for a large-scale civil engineering system including consideration of budgetary constraints, building code criteria, and environmental impacts. Each team prepares a final written report and gives a formal presentation.

Introduces students to a range of community development and environmental planning issues facing communities as they undergo social, economic, and environmental change. Through class discussion and examination of case studies, this course instills basic principles and processes of community development and environmental planning, formulation, and conflict resolution. Community and environmental planning topics covered in the course include land use conflict, urban/suburban sprawl, rural development, economic development, local food systems, community infrastructure, and environmental stewardship. Emphasis is placed on the roles and responsibilities of community development professionals, including land use planners, municipal administrators, and community leaders.