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As we watch existing infrastructure begin to decay, an increasing number of civil engineers are needed to manage projects to rebuild bridges, repair roads, and upgrade levees and dams.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of civil engineers is projected to grow 20 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations. As the job market grows, we’ll continue to see an influx of students interested in civil engineering programs, and as classroom sizes grow and technology continues to evolve, these programs will need to adapt.
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We’re already seeing changes like this in the industry affect civil engineering programs at community colleges and universities in several ways.
Increased Focus on Materials Testing and Structures
While many civil engineering programs continue to highlight lessons on surveying, water resources, soil mechanics, and construction and highways, there is a heightened emphasis recently on two key principles – materials testing and structures.
Concrete testing is a huge focus. Deteriorating infrastructures means engineers are working around the clock to find new solutions to building strong structures that can withstand the harshest wear and tear. Just last month researchers announced self-healing concrete that can fix its own cracks, which could be a major game changer.
Until innovations like that become mainstream, civil engineering programs will continue to enlist testing tools and technologies that allow students to perform non-destructive tests to determine the strength of existing buildings or structures and destructive tests that uncover the strength of concrete. These types of lessons are precisely what students will experience in the real world.
Going hand in hand with materials testing, structures is another area where we’re seeing increased focus as of late. This is an area where we typically see e-Learning come into play. Through simulation software students can quickly learn structures principles before class begins so that when they arrive at lab, they have a baseline knowledge that will make their learning experience much more productive and enriched.
Environmental Engineering is a Given
Civil engineering isn’t what it used to be. Instead of earthen dams, we rely on concrete gravity dams. Instead of brick and stone buildings, we build buildings with concrete, steel and timber.
Perhaps the biggest change in recent years is how although we may not have given energy efficiency much thought in the past; today sustainable design is at the center of all new ideas and technologies.
This is evident in the fact that several schools offer comprehensive environmental engineering programs or offer environmental engineering technology as a key focus area within their civil programs.
These courses and curriculum often explore the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry with the ultimate goal of fostering an environment in which students uncover new ways to solve the world’s environmental problems (water and air pollution control, public health, waste disposal, etc.)
Building a multi-faceted approach to engineering education
Environmental engineering isn’t the only new trend in civil engineering. Most comprehensive civil engineering programs are built on curriculum that blends fundamental sciences, engineering and social sciences, but also includes niche fields of study relevant to the school’s local job market, like mining or public works.
For example, BridgeValley Community and Technical College offers an Associate in Science degree Civil Engineering Technology (ASCET) two-year program that prepares graduates for employment in construction, water resources, public works, structural detailing and design, environmental studies, mining development and other related fields.
Other local schools like Marshall University and Hagerstown Community College also offer programs that take into account niche areas within the field for a comprehensive civil engineering offering.
Traditional civil engineering studies like soil testing and water runoff are not a way of the past. However, there is a shift in the industry toward focusing more on principles like materials testing, structures and environmental sustainability – and university and community college civil programs have already begun to adapt.
Technologies are changing quickly thanks to the innovations of researchers and students around the world. This will contribute to the longevity and security of our infrastructure, which will in turn drive economic growth.
I expect even bigger changes are ahead in civil over the next several years. What do you think?
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