10 reasons to study civil engineering
If you are interested in civil engineering, this article is a must-read! Discover 10 reasons to study civil engineering and achieve your dream to be a successful civil engineer.
What is the Civil Engineering major?
Before discussing 10 reasons to study civil engineering? Let's start with what is a Civil engineering major.
Civil engineering is an important branch of engineering. It is defined as the engineering study specialized in studying and designing projects and infrastructure that include railways, tunnels, bridges, roads, buildings, and water networks.
Civil engineers participate directly in shaping modern society through the design, planning, and management of infrastructure.
It is expected that in the near future, the role of civil engineers will include more than applying technical skills and engineering principles to develop modern infrastructure.
Therefore, it is required to graduate civil engineers who understand how to integrate the latest technical innovations and apply Sustainable approaches and use of technologies that preserve the natural environment in diverse applications so that they can actively participate in companies, organizations, and workplaces related to the field.
Civil engineering encompasses a wide range of disciplines and specialties, including
- Structural engineering
- Transportation engineering
- Geotechnical engineering
- Environmental engineering
- Construction management
- Water resources engineering.
Why study civil engineering?
Studying civil engineering offers a range of benefits and opportunities that make it a rewarding and fulfilling career choice. Here are 10 reasons to study civil engineering:
- Civil engineering provides the opportunity to make a tangible impact on society by designing infrastructure that improves the quality of life and maintains public safety
- Wide and diverse fields of work, as the specialization is characterized by the diversity of career opportunities in many sectors and institutions that need this profession.
- Salaries in the field of civil engineering are also high so civil engineering is a financially rewarding career choice.
- Job opportunities also increase after a civil engineer obtains a master’s degree. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, a student can obtain a master’s degree, which contributes to providing him with more job opportunities.
- Increasing demand for specialization worldwide so you can work on projects around the world and collaborate with international teams
- Civil engineering develops the ability to create and innovate, as it provides the opportunity to deal with modern technologies and new design methods to meet evolving needs and requirements
- Civil engineering provides continuous learning which helps you to acquire new skills and experience
- Job stability and security
- Civil engineering involves solving complex technical challenges related to structural design, which can be intellectually stimulating and rewarding.
- Collaboration and teamwork
Branches of civil engineering specialization
After giving you 10 reasons to study civil engineering, Now, you should know the branches of Civil engineering specializations.
Civil engineering is considered one of the oldest and most important professions in history. It contributes greatly to the development of the country and supports its economy. It also includes many branches such as:
- Structural engineering
- Geotechnical engineering
- Environmental engineering
- Transportation engineering
- Water Resources Engineering
- Construction engineering
- Materials Science
- Coastal engineering
- Construction management
- Earthquake engineering
- Natural environment
- Infrastructure
- Transport
- Water treatment
- Bridge design
- Urban planning
- Crop irrigation
- Drainage systems
- Foundation Development
- Hydraulic engineering
- Municipal or urban engineering
- Pavement
- Sanitary engineering
- Site inspection
Duration of study civil engineering
The duration of study for civil engineering is affected by many factors such as:
- The country
- Educational institution
- The degree level.
In general, here are the typical durations for studying civil engineering:
Degree |
Duration |
Bachelor's Degree |
About 4 years in many countries including Turkey. |
Master's Degree |
Additional 1-2 years |
Ph.D. |
Additional 3-5 years |
Read more: Top 10 engineering faculties in Turkey
What does a civil engineer do?
To know more about 10 reasons to study civil engineering, you must know what exactly a civil engineer does exactly?
Civil engineers are responsible for designing, constructing, and maintaining infrastructure projects that are essential for society's functioning and development.
The tasks of the civil engineer include the following:
- The role of the civil engineer begins by taking the architectural plans that resulted from the owner’s ideas and desires and transforming them into construction executive plans that are applied on the ground.
- The civil engineer is concerned with studying the loads on the building, based on the nature of the facility to be built, whether for commercial or residential purposes.
- Calculates quantities and costs.
- The civil engineer may be an implementation engineer or a supervision engineer.
- He distributes the locations of columns in the building, determines their exact location, and determines the type of ceilings suitable for each facility.
- It studies the environmental and weather factors that can directly affect the facility, such as studying the nature of the land from a geological perspective.
- He receives the tasks from the executor.
- He supervises all construction work on the site, such as digging, lifting, iron and concrete works, foundations, and columns.
- He manages projects
- In addition to supervising the establishment of public safety rules in buildings.
Requirements for studying Civil Engineering major
After reading 10 reasons to study civil engineering, it's time to know the requirements for studying civil engineering.
The requirements needed to study civil engineering vary from one university to another, but in general, there are some common requirements that most universities agree on, which are summarized as follows:
- High school diploma or equivalent for undergraduate studies with a minimum GPA >2.75.
- For graduate programs, a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field is typically required.
- Academic Prerequisites in mathematics, physics, and chemistry.
- Some programs may also require coursework in subjects like calculus, geometry, and mechanics.
- Standardized Tests such as the SAT or ACT for undergraduate admissions and the GRE for graduate admissions.
- Letters of Recommendation
- Personal Statement (500-600 words)
- English Proficiency tests such as the IELTS or TOEFL.
- Prerequisite Courses such as introductory engineering courses or general education requirements.
Skills gained from studying civil engineering
One of the most important 10 reasons to study civil engineering is the skills gained from studying civil engineering.
Studying civil engineering can provide students with a wide range of valuable skills that are applicable in various professional settings.
Some of the key skills gained from studying civil engineering include:
- Leadership
- Project management
- Problem-solving skills
- Technical skills
- Organization
- Attention to detail
- Teamwork
- Design skills
- Analytic reasoning
- Creativity
- Critical thinking
- Decision-making skills
- Math skills
- Time management
- Civil design
- Construction management
- Continue Learning
- Interpersonal communication
- Writing skills
- Communication skills
- Communication
- AutoCAD
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Adaptability and Continuous Learning
- Research skills
- Advanced math and physics
- Site development
- Ability to interpret data
Are there free scholarships to study civil engineering?
Yes, there are many free scholarships available for students studying civil engineering.
These scholarships are offered by many universities, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private companies, in addition to financial aid to support international students who are pursuing a degree in civil engineering.
Free scholarships are important items in the 10 reasons to study civil engineering as they help students who want to study civil engineering with a limited budget.
These scholarships include:
1. ASCE Scholarships
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) offers many scholarships for international students in various specialties, including civil engineering, for both undergraduate and graduate students.
2. NSPE Scholarships
The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) provides various scholarships to undergraduate students who are studying civil engineering.
3. SWE Scholarships
For all female students who are interested in pursuing a Degree in civil engineering, the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) offers scholarships for female students to support them.
Whatever your degree, you have the chance to submit for your scholarship, as these scholarships are available for both undergraduates and graduates.
4. ACI Foundation Scholarships
The American Concrete Institute (ACI) Foundation also provides financial support and many scholarships to students studying concrete-related topics, including civil engineering.
5. Private Company Scholarships
Scholarships are not restricted only to governmental Universities but also many private companies and engineering firms offer financial support to students through scholarship programs
to support students pursuing a degree in civil engineering.
The average cost of studying civil engineering
The cost of studying civil engineering is affected by many factors such as
- The type of institution (public vs. private)
- Location
- Program duration
Here is an overview of the average cost of studying civil engineering in Türkiye:
1. Tuition
public university |
Private Universities |
|
bachelor's degree in civil engineering |
$20,000 to $40,000. |
$30,000 to $50,000 |
2. Fees
There are other fees, such as technology fees, lab fees, and other miscellaneous charges, which can add a few hundred to a few thousand dollars to the total cost of attendance each year.
3. Books and Supplies
Textbooks, software, and other supplies needed for civil engineering courses can cost several hundred to over a thousand dollars per year.
4. Transportation
Students may also need to budget for transportation costs, such as commuting expenses or parking fees if they drive to campus.
5. Personal Expenses
Miscellaneous personal expenses such as clothing, entertainment, and healthcare should also be factored into the overall cost of studying civil engineering.
Read more: Prices of studying engineering in Türkiye
Conclusion
Talking about civil engineering is endless, not restricted only to 10 reasons to study civil engineering as studying civil engineering can open up a world of possibilities for a fulfilling career that combines technical expertise, creativity, innovation, and social impact.
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