Introduction
There are various engineering disciplines such as mechanical, electrical and civil engineering. However, of these three engineering disciplines, civil engineering is broad. In fact, civil engineering comprises of many other smaller disciplines that can on be engineering disciplines by themselves.
The reason why civil engineering is dominant over other engineering disciplines is that it is broad and deals with many things such as design, building, and refurbishment of corporeal and ordinary built environment. Civil engineering works include the construction of houses, highways, and roads. Other major works that requires civil engineering background include the construction of canals, water reservoirs, and bridges.
Just like military engineering, civil engineering is old, and into divides into very many sub-disciplines such as geophysics, materials science, geotechnical engineering, transport engineering, surveying and many more. At least in all levels, both private and public, we see very many works of civil engineering. This paper discusses civil engineering as a professional career (Narayanan and Beeby 5-13).
History of Civil Engineering Profession
Undoubtedly, since the existence of humanity, men have done things that make their lives easier and comfortable. For example, the world has always witnessed the development of technology. Through these developments, we now have modern houses and structures, state-of-art bridges and canals, and magnificent roads.
These are civil engineering works. Many historians believe that the first civil engineering practices originated from Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. During these times, people lived in shanty hoses due to their nomadic way of life. However, the need to abandon the nomadic life prompted the desire to have permanent shelter, which became their home. Additionally, transport was gradually becoming vital and with the development of wheels and sailings, for sure they needed roads.
Although the peculiarity between architecture and civil engineering become lucid in modern times, civil engineering practice was still evident in ancient days. For instance, the edifice of Egypt pyramids in 2700 BC, water management system in Qanat, the Appian Way, and other constructions prove that civil engineering is among the oldest engineering disciplines.
It is paramount to note that during the ancient times, military engineering, the oldest of all engineering disciplines, incorporated civil engineering too. However, at the beginning of the 18th century, those opposed to military engineering decided to form a society of civil engineers with their main offices in London.
They defined civil engineering as an art using natural resources and power for internationals and internal trade characterized by the construction of roads, canals, buildings, dams, drainage areas, and many more. Since then, various colleges in Britain followed by United States started teaching civil engineering. Today, many colleges and universities across the world offer civil engineering as a course and students enroll at certificate, diploma or degree levels (Narayanan and Beeby 74-76).
Civil engineering involves the use of scientific skills and principles drawn from mathematical and physics concepts. The work of Archimedes and by large extent, the Archimedes principle, which explains buoyancy is by no doubt the very first application of mathematical and physics concepts in the practice of civil engineering. This and many more concepts that are scientific opened the world of civil engineering.
For instance, in the ancient times, carpenters, artisans and stonemasons were the professionals behind civil engineering. However, as knowledge advanced, the incremental complexity of various structures required engineering background. This is the main reason behind the development of civil engineering as a profession. Civil engineering is an extensive profession that has a swathe of sub-disciplines.
As noted earlier, civil engineering involves, design, construction, and maintenance of structures. Therefore, some of the sub-disciples that inform the edifice of structures include the environment, geography, and materials science. Other sub-disciplines include geology, mechanics, surveying, geodesy, and many more (Griggs 30-33).
Areas of study in Civil Engineering
Civil engineering is a broad discipline with no specific career path. Once a person graduates from the civil engineering school, the professional will start with junior roles that do not require much responsibility. They need time to gain experience and competence in their professional roles.
Civil engineering deals with the interface of construction projects. It is paramount that human fashioned preset projects requires various professionals such as surveyors and cite engineers to amalgamate all works in one project. For instance, in constructing a municipal market, the project needs professionals in different works such, sewer experts, electrical and communication fitters, designers, surveyors and environmental specialists. Areas of study in civil engineering include-
Materials Science and Engineering
This is one of the major sub-disciplines of civil engineering, which involves materials such as aluminum, asphalt, cement, concrete, carbon pipes, and ceramics. Students study the properties and characteristics of materials and their applicability in the design and construction industry. This branch also involves the study of alloys, and recently, there is attention in nanotechnology.
Environmental Engineering
This area of study of civil engineering deals with environmental issues such as green engineering, chemical and biological substances, waste management, elimination of pollutants, and sanitization of water. Additionally, this area also gives more information regarding environmental assessments and impacts before the construction of projects.
Geotechnical Engineering
It deals with the study of properties and variability of rocks, soils and soil sedimentation compositions. Soil testing is paramount before starting any project in order to have a glimpse of design foundations, the strength of the walls, and the place to dispose waste (Shroff and Shah 1-2).
Geodesy
This area of study of civil engineering deals with the precise measurement and depiction of properties of the earth such as polar and crustal motions, gravitational field, control system by using datums and coordinate networks.
Surveying
This is an area of study of civil engineering, which coalesces on various earth measurements such as slope distances, theodolites levels, and angular variations. Information realized is paramount before beginning any construction work.
Transport Engineering
Transport engineering is an area of study of civil engineering that explains the movement of people and goods from one location to another. There is no doubt that movements require infrastructure such as roads, bridges, airports. Thus, students study transport planning, urban and traffic engineering, and the modalities of managing the developed infrastructures.
Structural Engineering
This is also one of the dominant areas of study of civil engineering, which deals with structural design and analysis of infrastructure such as roads, canals, sewer, bridges, buildings and many more. Here, engineers study the strength versus load such as wind, earthquake, and climate changes. This area also deals with other dynamics such as stability, constructability, stiffness, stiffness, cost, and sustainability of infrastructures.
Civil Engineering program objectives
The program objectives of this career are many and can lead one into successful professional practice. For instance, with a degree in civil engineering, one is already an expert in the specialized branch of civil engineering and will assume various roles in the construction industries. They will also become part of the active civic appointment, gain more experience in specialized schooling and earn certifications (Oakes, Leone and Gunn 13-26).
What to go through to get a BA in Civil Engineering
Normally, a BA course in civil engineering takes five academic years to complete. Before enrolling for a BA in civil engineering, one has to have mathematical, physics and chemistry skills. Next is to find an accredited civil engineering program and enrolling. Depending on the area of specialization, one will start with the general theories and applications of the curse.
Progressively, the lecturers will introduce students to the common practices in civil engineering. Course units will range from hydrology, materials design and analysis, environmental assessment, mechanics and sustainable design. It will depend on one’s area of specialization. Upon finishing the course and graduating, the graduate will look for a professional body for licensing. Thereafter, one can offer professional services to the public (Griggs 34).
Works Cited
Griggs, Francis.”Amos Eaton was Right!” Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice 123.1 (1997): 30–34. Print.
Narayanan, Raman, and Beeby Anderson. Introduction to Design for Civil Engineers. London: Spon, 2003. Print.
Oakes, William, Leone Les, and Gunn Craig. Engineering Your Future. Michigan: Great Lakes Press, 2001. Print.
Shroff, Arvind and Shah, Dhananjay. Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. London: Taylor & Francis, 2003. Print.