Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

CE 3710 - LAND DEVELOPMENT ENGINEERING

CE 3710-01

Course: CE 3710-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: ET
CRN: 10665

Course Description

This course covers the civil engineer's design role and responsibilities in all aspects of land development. Topics include land development regulations, codes  and standards, preliminary investigations, site layout, roadway design, utility design, grading, erosion control, and stormwater management. 

Required Texts

OPTIONAL TEXT -
Land Development Handbook  - 4th Edition  - McGraw Hill

Learning Outcomes


 
        Understand the development process and the engineer's role in that process.

        Identify the regulations, codes and standards that pertain to land development

        Identify encumbrances and features of a site that impact site development based 
        upon preliminary site investigations.

        Define highest and best use for a subject property based on applied zoning.         

        Develop a site layout plan considering topography, floodplains, wetlands, 
        connectivity with public infrastructure, and the developer desires.

        Determine the horizontal and vertical geometry and typical cross-section of a 
        development roadway system and produce a roadway plan and profile sheets

        Design sanitary sewer and potable water piping , and determine storm sewer 
        volumes, drainage paths,  and detention and retention requirements of a  
        development and produce a utility plan and profile sheets.

       Develop a grading plan that yields desirable lots and building pads while providing 
       positive drainage and considers cut/fill balance.

       Develop a final grading plan and details that realizes a functional storm water 
       management system design.

       Prepare a schematic engineering site plan suitable for the creation of and 
       Engineers Estimate.

       Prepare an engineers estimate based on quantity surveys of work elements. 



 

Course Requirements

  • Homework and In-class assignments – Worksheets and problems will be assigned to reemphasize material covered in class and the textbook.
  • Quizzes – quizzes may be given throughout the semester to help students stay up to date with material.
  • Exams – Students will take several exams throughout the semester that will cover specific concepts from the discussions and exercises. 
  • Final Exam – A comprehensive final exam covering all course 

Course Outline

    | CLASS  | DATE  | TOPIC (S)
 | 1  | 01/08/26    | Introduction - Syllabus Review -  Goals
 | 2  | 01/13/26    | The Development Process - Start To Finish
 | 3  | 01/15/26    | The Development Process - Problem Solving
 | 4  | 01/20/26    | The Development Process - Property Research
 | 5  | 01/22/26    | A Property - 700 N 100 W, Parowan, Utah
 | 6  | 01/27/26    |    The Property -  Client Expectation & What Can Be Done
 | 7  | 01/29/26    |     Highest and Best Use Scenarios - Zoning and Restrictions
 | 8  | 02/03/26    |     A Plan - Interface with Architecture
 | 9  | 02/05/26    |     Discussion and Presentation - Decision
 | 10  | 02/10/26  | Site Analysis and Schematic Plan
 | 11  | 02/12/26  |      Grading, Drainage and Utilities
 | 12  | 02/17/26  | Final Plan and Budget
 | 13  | 02/19/26  | Discussion and Review
 | 14  | 02/24/26  | Commercial Development  Outline
 | 15  | 02/26/26  | A Property -Eagle Rock, Parowan, Utah
 | 16  | 03/03/26  |    The Property -  Client Expectation & What Can Be Done
 | 17  | 03/05/26  |     Highest and Best Use Scenarios - Zoning and Restrictions
 |      | 03/10/26   | SPRING BREAK
 |      | 03/12/26   | SPRING BREAK
 | 18  | 03/17/26  |     A Plan - Interface with Owner / Design Team
 | 19  | 03/19/26  |     Discussion and Presentation - Decision
 | 20  | 03/24/26  | Site Analysis and Schematic Plan
 | 21  | 03/26/26  | Site Analysis and Schematic Plan
 |      03/31/26     | No Class 
 | 22  | 04/02/26  |      Grading, Drainage and Utilities
 | 23  | 04/07/26  |      Grading, Drainage and Utilities
 | 24  | 04/09/26  | Engineer's Estimate
 | 25  | 04/14/26  | Discussion and Review
 | 26  | 04/16/26  | LAST DAY OF CLASSES

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Homework will not be accepted after the due date of the assignment.  Assignments are due no later than the end of class of the assigned date. 

Attendance Policy

Attendance is considered in determining your grade. Class time is designed to prepare you for the homework, projects, and exams that will determine your grade. There may also be in-class assignments that will go towards your final grade. If you miss an in-class assignment and your absence was not pre-approved, you will receive a zero on that assignment.

Course Fees

Beyond the SUU designated program fees, there are no additional course fees.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.