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Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering

Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering

Things to Know About Obtaining a Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering Degree

Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering

The standard undergraduate program for Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering intends to ready students into practicing the protection in both the public and the private sector. It also involves teaching the students how to comply with the continuing professional education (CPE) requirements of the occupation. Education will primarily be centered on civil engineering and design courses. Colleges and universities are advised to keep their scheduling flexible to make it easier for students to select the specialization they are really interested in the most. Common areas of specialization are:

  • Construction

  • Environmental Engineering

  • General Engineering

  • Structural Engineering

Employment possibilities for graduates of the career program include but are not limited to:

  • Project engineers for construction projects

  • Representatives for owners, contractors, or construction firms

  • Structural designers for buildings and infrastructures

Common employers of students who have completed the undergraduate study are:

  • Consulting firms

  • Contractors

  • Governments

  • Industries

Civil Engineering Accreditation Requirements

Completing a degree program in Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering is not enough to call an individual a certified member of the profession. The graduate still needs to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination. This exam is tackles all the basics of engineering and graduates regardless of what engineering program they completed take only the same sets of exams. Those who pass the said exam then become eligible to take the Professional Civil Engineering Examination. This exam is made specifically for Civil Engineers. Those he bas the board exams will receive a license to practice their profession as certified civil engineers.

Career Opportunities

Civil Engineers are specialized in construction projects that involve the construction of vital infrastructure. They work with other types of engineers to plan and design the blueprints and then take charge in supervising workers to ensure the blueprints are followed appropriately. They are usually tasked with the design and implementation of vital systems such as:

  • Information Systems

  • Power Systems

  • Transportation Systems

  • Ventilation Systems

  • Water Systems

The work of civil engineers often results to the completion of projects that benefit the general public such as:

  • Airports

  • Bridges

  • Channels

  • Dams

  • Extraction Systems

  • Harbors

  • Highways

  • Irrigation Systems

  • Pipelines

  • Power Plants

  • Railroads

  • Sewage Systems

  • Tunnels

  • Waste Disposal Systems

  • Water Systems

Civil engineers can often be found busy visiting project sites and overseeing construction workers providing advice and helping troubleshoot problems and difficulties that may arise regarding following the plans and designs. They are also the ones primary responsible for explaining the project to the community and getting their approval for any changes that they may experience due to the project. The civil engineers when alone often spend their time making construction plans.

Some civil engineers may opt to practice as consultants instead of site engineers. In this practice they spend their time providing technical advice or writing technical papers for their clients. Their clients may include:

  • Governments

  • Educational Institutions

  • Law Firms

  • Sales Businesses

Job Outlook

The importance of civil engineers is continuously growing as sustainability becomes a bigger and bigger global concern. People are becoming more and more aware of the energy depletion and environmental damage issues of the world. The decaying quality of national infrastructures is also a major concern. Civil engineers play a key role in addressing these issues which is why the demand for them is relatively high and their salaries are way above the average. As long as we depend on infrastructures as we go about our everyday lives the need for civil engineers will stay.

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Bachelor of Science in Architecture

Bachelor of Science in Architecture

Bachelor of Science in Architecture

Bachelor of Science in ArchitectureArchitecture is a classic craft. It came from the Greek word arkhitekton where “arkhi” means master (or chief) and “tekton” is builder. Nowadays, a draftsman, a chief builder and an architectural designer may render architectural services but may not always be called an architect. Before you can be an Architect, you need to complete certain requirements such as completing the Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree from an accredited institution and passing the license exam. But before we discuss the bachelor’s degree in architecture further, let us have a brief overview of Architecture.

Introduction to Architecture

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) was founded in 1837 and it was only in mid 19the century that Architecture became an organized occupation. RIBA was established to further develop architectural education and to provide prominence of architecture in every town and city. Then two decades after, The American Institute of Architects was likewise started following the footsteps of the British Architects. At that time, architecture education was mainly influence by the Ecole des Beaux Arts, a French Academy in Paris which was established during the 17th century. The influence of Beaux-Arts Classicism was broadly evident in most architectural designs of America including Grand Central Terminal and such structures as the New York Public Library.

Architecture continued to develop at the turn of the last century. Architects were mostly showmen and became marketers themselves. They paid much attention to details and even illustrated their artistry not only on their crafts but on their own places and offices. Nowadays, the same artistry style is evident in most architectural firms.

How to be an Architect?

To start an architecture profession, you have to first be equipped with a university degree in architecture in one of the 114 architecture programs accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. You can choose from several kinds of specialization or education programs in architecture. The four primary kinds of architecture programs will be the 5 year bachelor’s degree, 2-year Master of Architecture degree, 3-4 year Master of Architecture degree and the PhD in Architecture. The most typical kind is the 5-year Bachelor of Science in Architecture program.

In the United States, they require architecture graduates to obtain license to practice their profession. It depends on the state where one will be practicing architecture. Below are the requirements that need to be completed for architecture license:

  1. A bachelor’s degree in architecture from schools accredited by the NAAB

  2. An internship in an organization with an authorized architect for 3 years

  3. A passing grade on architecture license examination administered by NCARB or the National Council of Architectural Registration Board.

Moreover, one can be a licensed architect even without the degree if he did architectural projects for an authorized architect for 10 years. In certain cases such this, the candidate could be permitted to have Architect Registration Test or ARE and if he passes he could be given a permit to practice architecture.

Top 18 Schools for the Architecture undergraduate program

  1. Cornell University

  2. Southern California Institute of Architecture

  3. Rice University

  4. Syracuse University

  5. California Polytechnic State Univ., San Luis Obispo

  6. University of Texas at Austin

  7. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

  8. Rhode Island School of Design

  9. Iowa State University

  10. Auburn University

  11. Pratt Institute

  12. Carnegie Mellon University

  13. University of Notre Dame

  14. University of Oregon

  15. Boston Architectural College

  16. University of Southern California

  17. Cooper Union

  18. Pennsylvania State University

Architecture as a Profession

It has frequently been said that we become what we repeatedly do and it affects the way we present ourselves to others. In correlation, our way of life can actually tell a lot about our standards and inclinations in the same way our houses represent a great approximation of the attitude we consider and the lifestyles we lead. These are just few of the significant variables the architects must bring forward in constructing homes as well as the structures that people want.

They are not only planners but builders and designers as well. Their profession covers and takes into account the principles of engineering, components, aesthetics, building codes, local ordinances, structural principles and materials availability. Architects must also understand their customers’ environment and wants to successfully provide advice and convey ideas and images into a final design.

In terms of salary and benefits, their compensations can be influence by many factors such as location, experience, firm, and level of education. Based on the data of US Department of Labor Statistics in May 2011, architects in the United States earn between $44,030 and $119,410 annually and their annual average wage is $79,300 a year, while their average hourly rate is $38.13.

If you would like to pursue this profession, there are a number of schools to choose from that offer online training for Bachelor of Science in Architecture.

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Bachelor of Architecture

Bachelor of Architecture

The Standard Curriculum of a Degree Course in Bachelor of Architecture

Bachelor of Architecture

The growing awareness in the importance of architects has greatly increased the number of people enrolling for a course in Bachelor of Architecture at a global scale. People are now more aware regarding what this particular form of art and science can do for them. The increased demand has led to more colleges and universities offering the course which has directly resulted to an increase in the supply of professionals. Architecture is no longer considered just at technical profession but also as a delicate art form and an advanced intellectual discipline. Its popularity is brought about by the fact that it is directly related to the biggest sector of the economy which is Housing and Construction.

The Job

The creation and execution of a building design and resolving any problems that arise in relation to it is the primary task of an architect. The architect therefore needs a strong foundation of the needed knowledge as well as good assessment and decision making skills.

The Curriculum

The standard course of Bachelor in Architecture focuses on achieving a very high state of contextual excellence through a combination of theoretical and practical exercises. The programme requires mastery of multiple disciplines and the input and evaluation of experts in numerous fields especially arts, engineering and technology, humanities, and professional practices is a necessity. Students are to be taught not only about space and construction environment but also about aesthetics because the profession requires the ability to interact with people: understanding others and making others understand.

The Skills

Architectural presentation is the most important skill in the profession because it is vital that the architect is able to express all the necessary details in diagrams and blueprints that are easy to understand. Therefore, drawing is necessary and should be taught in the early stages of the course. Research and writing is also important since the professional should be able to analyse and acquire the data and information that he needs and then document everything. He should also be proficient in the latest computer applications and equipped with the necessary technical knowledge to make his work faster and easier. Managerial ability particularly in problem detection and solving is also essential because he is likely to encounter several issues in the course of a project.

The Stages

The standard curriculum spans for five years and is composed of two phases. The first phase which includes the first three years is all about theories and knowledge foundation. The last 20 weeks of the first phase is centred on practical training aimed at providing students with actual experience in designing and constructing structures. The first 18 months of the second phase will be devoted on writing a research paper and presenting it to a panel of experts. This is to allow the students to experience how an actual project is made. The last six months will involve numerous seminars and workshops will also be conducted to supplement the knowledge and skills of the participants as well as to expose them to the latest innovations and newest ways of thinking.

Job Preparation

The course of Bachelor of Science in Architecture should not end without preparing the students of the numerous employment opportunities that will be made available to them after completing the degree as well as the several advancements they can choose from is they opt to further their studies. Architects can be employed in any sector be it public, private, NGOs, or multinational entities.

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Bachelor of Science in Construction Technology

Bachelor of Science in Construction Technology

What is Bachelor of Science in Construction Technology

Bachelor of Science in Construction Technology

Traces of construction engineering can be found in every modern city and sometimes even in the towns and provinces. Its handy work includes airports, bridges, dams, large buildings, railways and many more. The field covers not only the completed structures but also how the materials were chosen and put together. Planning and all other stages of the construction also fall under the said field.

Educational Requirements

Putting a building or any other infrastructure together covers not just the planning and putting together of the materials. It also includes managing the construction workers and making adjustments to solve unforeseen problems. This is why a Bachelor of Science in Construction Technology includes the study of both construction engineering and construction management. Just keep in mind that a construction engineer can take the job of a construction manager but a construction manager cannot take the job of a construction engineer. This is because the engineer has the management knowledge and skills necessary fill in for the manager but the manager does not have the necessary knowledge and skills to fill in for the engineer.

Construction engineering is all about turning a blueprint into a realized infrastructure. Oftentimes, a professional with the necessary vision such as an architect will be the one making the design and blueprint and the engineer will do the rest to bring the design to life. Some skilled engineers however are also capable of making designs and blueprints. The engineer is responsible for the selection of the materials and the selection and implementation of techniques and equipment that will make the project work.

The Challenge

The architect can be viewed as someone issuing a challenge while the engineer can be viewed as the one accepting the challenge. The architect can make a blueprint with a very difficult design and it will be up to the engineer to make it happen. There are many world famous structures and monuments that at first were thought to be impossible to build but engineers eventually found ways to accomplish them. This is why engineers should be able to analyse the situation quickly and adequately and then utilize critical thinking to come up with a solution to the problems.

Problem Solvers

The ability to find ways to make the most complex designs a reality is the reason why engineers are considered problem solvers. They our given a target such as appearance, functionality, strength and toughness, useful life, and more and it is up to them to find or create means of reaching that target. This is why they should also possess a very creative imagination as sometimes the answer to the biggest problems can come from the most unexpected sources. Their imagination should however be limited to attainable things which demand a huge need for deep knowledge in math and science. The most creative plan is worthless if following it is impossible.

Common Courses

The standard subjects that should be included in a curriculum for Bachelor of Science in Construction Technology should include but is not limited to:

  • Construction Management

  • Engineering Design

  • Engineering Mechanics

The said subjects should also be accompanied by adequate hours of on-the-job training. The entire degree takes five years to obtain and after that the individual should take and pass the Professional Engineers Licensure Exam to be able to acquire his Professional Engineer License. The exam may require specific reviews and refresher courses because it will include questions about all fields of construction engineering.