CE/ENVE 3995: Site Visit to CEE Industries will continue in Fall 2026 after being piloted last year, while a new CE 3995: Heavy Equipment Operation course will introduce students to hands-on equipment operation through simulators and donated machinery.
Together, the courses offer students two different ways to connect engineering coursework with professional practice.
CE/ENVE 3995: Site Visit to CEE Industries
Taught by Dr. Shinae Jang, CE/ENVE 3995 gives Civil and Environmental Engineering undergraduate students the opportunity to explore real-world engineering through a series of guided site visits.
The course is designed to help students network with engineers, explore career opportunities, and see how concepts from their coursework are applied to active construction projects and engineering facilities. Students earn one credit through participation in the site visits and a final reflection.
Planned Fall 2026 site trips include:
- UConn School of Nursing — Lee Kennedy
- CTDOT Headquarters and the I-91/I-691/Route 15 Interchange Project — CTDOT
- UConn Water Resources Recovery Plant — UConn Facilities Operations
- Old Saybrook AMTRAK Bridge Replacement Site as part of Moles Student Day — The Moles
- UConn Gant Building Renovation, Phase 3 — Whiting-Turner
The course is open to Civil and Environmental Engineering undergraduate students and is offered in a hybrid format.
After its initial pilot, the course continues to give students direct exposure to engineering projects, workplaces, and professionals while helping them better understand the range of career opportunities available across the field.
New for Fall 2026: CE 3995 Heavy Equipment Operation
A new one-credit course this fall will give students the opportunity to build practical experience with heavy construction equipment.
CE 3995: Heavy Equipment Operation, taught by Sushrut Vaidya, will provide hands-on instruction using simulators and donated equipment. The course is designed around three goals: learning to operate industry-standard equipment in a safe, guided environment; practicing with simulators and real machines; and preparing students with skills and confidence that can support future internships and careers.
The course will be held at UConn’s Depot Campus near the Longley Building.
Enrollment is limited to 12 students, creating a small, hands-on instructional environment.
The course is supported by Local 478 Operating Engineers, Tyler Equipment, and Volvo.
Connecting Coursework with Engineering Practice
Although the courses provide different experiences, both are designed to help students make stronger connections between what they study and how engineering work is carried out in the field.
Through the site visit course, students can observe active projects, meet engineers, and explore potential career paths. Through Heavy Equipment Operation, students can gain practical exposure to the machinery and equipment used in construction.
Students interested in enrolling can search for CE/ENVE 3995 or CE 3995 in StudentAdmin for Fall 2026 course information.
