Civil
Civil engineering is a broad term encompassing several distinct areas of specialization. It is also the oldest of the engineering professions. Included in the scope of civil engineering are the design, planning, managing and construction of highways, airports, harbours, dams, hydro development bridges, buildings, industrial plants, site remediation, pollution control and so much more.
Civil engineers work in all levels of government and for a wide variety of industries, from engineering consulting firms to construction companies. Within the field of civil engineering itself, there are many specializations that people can choose to follow. This might include traditional areas such as hydrotechnical, environmental, geotechnical, construction, structural and transportation engineering. There are many new areas emerging in civil engineering as well, including composite materials, environmental risk assessment and management, offshore structural safety and maintenance, space structures, infrastructural engineering and real-time monitoring.
The possibilities for a dynamic career as a civil engineer are endless. The increasing awareness of the importance of environmental and social factors, means that civil engineers must be prepared to solve increasingly complicated problems while always remaining socially responsible. Society will always need the skills of civil engineers wherever there are communities to build and industries to support. In the years to come, civil engineers will be challenged with how to respond to a growing population, deteriorating infrastructures, complex environmental issues, and outdated transportation systems, and they will also need to be proactive in preparing infrastructure for natural disasters.
As you move through the civil engineering program, you will take a variety of courses that will help prepare you for a career as a civil engineer. Courses like applied mathematics, engineering economics, fluid mechanics and hydraulics, materials, systems design, construction equipment and methods. Overall, the program will provide you with a broad introduction to the scientific principles and engineering techniques necessary for an understanding of the fundamental problems faced by civil engineers.
You may also choose to pursue an offshore oil and gas engineering option in your last three terms of the program. This option includes courses in environmental aspects of offshore oil development, design for ocean and ice environments, safety and risk engineering, and offshore structures design and materials.
Engineering Program Organizational Chart
| Fall | Winter | Spring | |
| Year 1 | Engineering One * | ||
| Year 2 | Term 3 | Work Term | Term 4 |
| Year 3 | Work Term | Term 5 | Work Term |
| Year 4 | Term 6 | Work Term | Term 7 |
| Year 5 | Work Term | Term 8 | - |
* Students who complete the Engineering One requirements during the
first two semesters of Year One may undertake their first work term
during the Spring semester of that year.
Career Opportunities
Graduates from our
civil engineering program work all over the world. They can be
found in:
• Consulting industry: as design engineers, site investigation
engineers, project managers and cost estimators
• Construction industry: as site engineers, surveyors; cost
estimators; project engineers, sales engineers and contractors
• Offshore oil and gas industry: as piping designers, stress
analyzers, loss prevention specialists, environmental
consultants
• Educational institutions: as researchers, professors and
instructors
• Government agencies: as building designers, inspectors,
infrastructure planners, project managers, municipal engineers and
resource planners