What is Civil Engineering?

Civil engineers make a real difference by designing, building, directing, and maintaining construction projects and systems in the public and private sector.  Civil engineering is the world of designing and constructing roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, water supply and sewage treatment systems. This type of engineer is required to consider many factors in the design process from the construction costs and design fail factors such as earthquakes and hurricanes.

What Does a Civil Engineer Do?

Civil engineers build things people use every day as a society.  There are many specializations they choose from in terms of distinguishing what they do.  Specializations include structural engineering, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, water resource engineering, transportation engineering, construction engineering, and urban planning.

How to Become a Civil Engineer?

Civil engineers typically earn a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, often with a major in one of its specialties like structural engineering or environmental engineering.  Programs in civil engineering features coursework in stats, math, and mechanical systems.  

Civil Engineering Programs

Undergraduate Civil Engineering Programs are typically designed to enable the students to enter the profession upon graduation.  Many universities offer civil engineering degrees, four-year bachelors of science programs as well as some offer a two-year degree as well.  Most students go on to earn a Master’s degree as well.

Civil Engineering Careers

There are many jobs available to civil engineers.  They often are employed at the national, state or local level. They often are in supervisory or administrative positions (e.g. construction sites need a city engineer).  They are also involved in design and research.  Some civil engineers teach at the university level as well.  The sky's the limit for civil engineers!

Civil Engineering Links and Resources

• American Society of Civil Engineers: represents more than 140,000 members of the civil engineering profession worldwide and is America’s oldest national engineering society.
• Construction Specifications Institute: a national association of specifiers, architects, engineers, contractors, manufacturers, and others who are experts in building construction.
• International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering: provides information on all aspects of planning, design, construction, maintenance, and repair of civil engineering structures.
• International Council for Building Research Studies and Documentation: a worldwide network of members with research, university, industry, or government backgrounds, who are active in all aspects of research and innovation for building and construction.
• Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat: a global organization that is the creator of the criteria upon which tall building height is measured and which provides multi-disciplinary information on tall buildings and sustainable urban environments.
• American Society of State Highway and Transportation Officials: fosters the development, operation, and maintenance of an integrated national transportation system.
• American Public Transportation Association: works to ensure that public transportation is available and accessible for all Americans in communities across the country.