Famous Michigan Structures
This Detroit structure, completed in 1929, is the longest international suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere.
What is the Ambassador Bridge?
This invisible gas, produced by burning fossil fuels, contributes to climate change.
What is carbon dioxide (CO₂)?
This type of construction, seen all across Michigan, connects cities and allows cars and trucks to travel long distances quickly.
What is a highway (or road)?
This Great Lake borders Michigan and three other Midwestern states and serves as the primary drinking water source for Chicago, making it one of the most important sources of freshwater in the region.
What is Lake Michigan?
Founded in 1837, this is the oldest engineering discipline at the University of Michigan and has been known by several names over its history.
What is Civil and Environmental Engineering?
The planning, analysis, and design of buildings, bridges, and other structures to safely withstand loads and forces.
What is Structural Engineering?
One of the world’s longest suspension bridges, it connects Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas.
What is the Mackinac Bridge?
This river running through Ann Arbor is monitored for pollution from stormwater runoff.
What is the Huron River?
These are used to safely support pedestrian and vehicle movement over obstacles.
What are bridges?
This basic process makes water safe to drink by removing germs and harmful substances in water treatment plants.
What is water purification (or water treatment)?
CEE undergraduates at U-M can join this student group, which organizes networking, service projects, and engineering competitions, and is affiliated with a national civil engineering organization.
What is the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Student Chapter?
The study of the mechanics and stability of soil and rock, and their use in constructing foundations and earth structures.
What is Geotechnical Engineering?
Opened in 2017, the Little Caesars Arena is the home to these Detroit NBA and NHL teams–-many civil & environmental engineers were involved its design and construction.
What are the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings?
U-M’s campus buses run partly on this alternative fuel to reduce air pollution.
What is biodiesel?
Ann Arbor’s main commuter bus system, often used by U-M students, is called this.
What is TheRide?
In 2014, this Michigan city experienced a water crisis, highlighting the importance of safe drinking water infrastructure.
What is Flint, MI?
This U-M CEE research facility, located on North Campus, is known for simulating earthquakes to test the strength of materials and buildings.
What is the Structural Engineering Laboratory (Structures Lab)?
The analysis and management of highways, traffic systems, and mass transit with an aim to improve safety and efficiency of roadways and transportation networks.
What is Transportation Engineering?
Currently under construction on Woodward Avenue, this new high-rise is set to become Detroit’s second-tallest building and stands on the site of a famous former department store--many civil & environmental engineers were involved its design and construction.
What is the new Hudson’s Detroit building (or Hudson’s Site Tower)?
Each spring, U-M CEE faculty and students join this unusual Nichols Arboretum tradition, using human urine as a sustainable fertilizer to support the historic peony garden’s blooms.
What is Pee on/for the Peonies?
This unique 32-acre test environment on U-M’s North Campus lets researchers study and improve connected and autonomous vehicle technologies in real-world conditions.
What is Mcity?
Each summer, University of Michigan students and researchers help monitor this type of green growth in lakes, which can be harmful to fish and people if it becomes excessive.
What are algal blooms?
This national honor society, with a U-M CEE chapter, recognizes outstanding civil engineering students for their scholarship, character, practicality, and sociability.
What is Chi Epsilon?
The study of sustainable design, the protection of human and ecological health, and the treatment of natural systems, such as air, water, and soil, through engineering and science-based solutions.
What is Environmental Engineering?
This dam in Midland, MI failed in 2020, causing major flooding.
What is Edenville Dam?
U-M CEE researchers and engineers are working to reduce this type of pollution, which comes from rainfall picking up oil, trash, and chemicals from streets and lawns as it washes into rivers and lakes.
What is stormwater runoff?
This Ann Arbor-based company operates self-driving shuttles on city streets and collaborates with U-M researchers to improve autonomous public transportation systems.
What is May Mobility?
U-M researchers helped map this dangerous chemical, known as the "forever chemical," in Michigan drinking water.
What are PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)?
Launched to bridge classroom learning with hands-on professional experience, this CEE program has sent students to engineering firms, government agencies, and nonprofits across the country, often during spring break.
What is the CEE Externship Program? (ask us for details!!)
This U-M CEE subspecialty focuses on project planning, including understanding the necessary labor, materials, equipment, and other resources necessary to execute projects safely, with the highest quality, while adhering to schedule and budget constraints.
What is Construction Engineering and Management?