Civil Engineering: Courses, Job Profiles and FAQs

Had there been no civil engineers, we would never get those spectacular international wonders demonstrating modern society like the Channel Tunnel, CN Tower, Empire State Building, Panama Canal, Golden Gate Bridge, Itaipu Dam, etc. Experts from around the world are actively engaged in planning, designing, constructing and maintaining these infrastructural giants while taking care of the health of the people as well as the environment. This field is a rapidly growing industry, constantly adapting to new developments and concerns such as water shortage, sustainable energies and pollution. Let us take a look at the different aspects of this ever-growing field.

Also Read: Types of Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering as a Degree

Known to be one of the oldest and broadest branches of engineering, this specialisation mainly focuses on building infrastructure and facilities like bridges, tunnels, transit systems, space satellites and launching equipment, airports, highways, water supply system, harbours, dams, offshore structures, railroads, shipping canals, irrigation, river navigation, transmission towers etc. The degree course lasts for a duration of 3 to 4 years and covers a plethora of scientific topics like material science, mechanics, statistical analysis and hydraulics. The study curriculum is complemented by the development of computer-aided design and design skills. During the final year, students are involved in several personal or team projects.

Also Read: Civil Engineering Syllabus

Specialised Courses

This specialisation is an umbrella degree housing a number of sub-specializations such as Geotechnical, Structural, Architecture, Highway, Water Resources, Transportation, and Irrigation, to name a few. Keeping these in mind, we have listed major undergraduate and graduate-level courses that you can choose from. 

Undergraduate Courses

• Bachelor in Civil Engineering (Hons)
• Bachelor in Building Energetics
• Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Technology and Construction Management
• Bachelor in Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Bachelor of Engineering in Civil and Constructional Engineering
• Bachelor of Engineering in Civil and Infrastructure
• Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Civil)

Also Read: Diploma in Civil Engineering

Graduate Courses

• Master of Science in Sustainable Critical Infrastructure
• Master of Science in Civil Engineering
• Master in Civil and Structural Engineering
• Master in Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Master in Civil and Geological Engineering
• Master in Civil and Architectural Engineering  
• Master in Geoenvironmental Engineering
• Master in Civil and Infrastructure Engineering

You can read our blog on the scope of Civil Engineering to know about the renowned universities providing a sky full of opportunities to pursue different courses in this field. Moreover, these colleges are practice-oriented and offer industry placements to provide further on-the-job training and real-life application of knowledge to students across the world.

Specializations in Civil Engineering 

Now that we have gone through the popular courses in, let us take a look at some of the popular specializations in which you can pursue higher education –

Coastal and Ocean Engineering	Transportation Engineering
Materials Engineering	Construction Engineering
Urban Engineering	Hydraulic Engineering
Bridge Engineering	Bridge Engineering
Fire protection engineering	Geotechnical Engineering
Water Resources Engineering	Land Development
General Engineering	Structural Engineering
Environmental Engineering	–

Major Subjects 

To understand what will be taught to you through the varied level Civil Engineering courses, here are some of the main subjects that are always a part of the curriculum of the programs of this field- 

• Design of Steel Structures
• IT & CAD Applications
• Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engineering
• Design of RC Structures
• Water Resources Engineering
• Structural Analysis
• Water and Waste Water Engineering
• Solid Mechanics
• Hydraulics
• Transportation Engineering
• Mathematics
• Basic Electronics
• Electrical Technology
• Mechanics
• Physics
• Programming and Data Structure
• Engineering Drawing and Graphics
• Introduction to Manufacturing Processes

Eligibility Criteria 

To make your way through the popular courses available in this field, it is important for students to go through certain requirements that are necessary. Mentioned below are the eligibility criteria that one must take into account before pursuing a particular course-

• For Diploma/ Certificate Courses: Formal education of 10+2 from a recognized institution
• For UG Courses: Formal education of 10+2 from a recognized institution with Science stream subjects as background
• For PG Courses: A UG degree like BE or BTech in Civil Engineering with the minimum required GPA
• Some universities abroad demand the score of GRE Exam for UG/ PG level courses in Civil Engineering
• A good score in IELTS, TOEFL or any other English language proficiency exam
• LOR and SOP in the prescribed format

Popular Job Profiles

A career in this field is challenging and satisfying, offering prospects for upward progression along with a decent salary package. Opening the door to wider opportunities, let us check some of the most popular job profiles that you can consider as a great option:

• Engineering Technicians
• Environment Engineers
• Regional and Urban Planners
• Construction Engineers
• Transportation Engineers
• Building Control Surveyor
• Quantity Surveyor
• Site Engineer
• Structural Engineer
• Water Engineer
• Engineering Geologist
• Building Services Surveyor
• Fire Risk Assessor
• CAD Technician
• Sustainability Consultant

FAQs

Hopefully, this guide has helped you with details on which all Civil Engineering degrees are available to study abroad and what prospective students can expect after completing the course. If you have engineering in your heart and would love to use your science to find creative solutions, reach out to our experts at Leverage Edu who can help you identify the right university to kick-start your career.