Civil engineering subjects | The complete guide!

Civil Engineering Subjects | Why Pursue Civil Engineering?

Civil engineering encompasses developing, designing, and constructing public works and infrastructure. A professional in this field plays a pivotal role in devising new structures and revitalizing existing ones to align with contemporary needs. The study of civil engineering offers a comprehensive and expansive curriculum, equipping students with a deep understanding of the subject’s diverse concepts and practical experience. The course is structured into semesters, each aimed at imparting knowledge on a broad spectrum of topics. Continue reading to explore key civil engineering subjects highlighted in this blog!

Check out: Most Frequently Asked Civil Engineering Interview Questions

Civil Engineering Subjects You Will Study

1. Surveying

The first step towards any new civil engineering project is surveying. It is an essential skill, wherein you will learn to recognize the methods of surveying and their fundamentals. This civil engineering subject revolves primarily around measurements, planning, sections, and maps. 

2. Geotechnical engineering

Geotechnical engineering is another important civil engineering subject and is usually taught in the fourth semester. It mostly involves defining the soil’s deformation properties and strength. The subject covers rock and soil mechanics, geophysics, and more. Through it, you will learn how to gather and interpret the physical properties of the ground for construction and building. 

3. Structural engineering

This particular subject of engineering involves the design and analysis of structures with precision. It is a major subject of civil engineering and is based on physical and legal guidelines, as well as empirical information. Structural engineering helps you construct complicated structural systems that can resist and support imposed loads and self-weight. It teaches you how to design structures while taking into consideration several external factors, such as earthquakes, wind, etc.

4. Transportation engineering 

The construction of infrastructures such as dams, bridges, buildings, and highways is also a part of civil engineers’ specialization. This civil engineering subject majorly focuses on the planning, design, operation, and preservation of transportation structures, like roadways, railways, waterways, and intermodal operations. Transportation engineers also ensure that the transportation systems they build are secure and environment-friendly. 

5. Environmental engineering

This branch of civil engineering helps defend the planet from the effects of harmful human activity, such as water or noise pollution, ozone depletion, etc. It works towards ensuring better environmental quality. Some of the systems environment specialists deal with include waste disposal, recycling, air and water pollution control, and public health. Environmental engineering is a challenging subject, with issues in several cities, large-scale farming, and manufacturing cropping up, and humans having already degraded the air and soil quality.

6. Irrigation engineering 

This subject gives you in-depth knowledge about irrigation and agriculture. This includes analyzing the effectiveness of several devices and studying their benefits and disadvantages. The subject also teaches you about controlling and harnessing a variety of natural water sources. As an irrigation engineer, you must learn how to churn out new ideas and promote new technologies that can be utilized for irrigation practices. Irrigation engineering helps you identify the future of irrigation and determine its effects on the agriculture field. 

7. Building materials

The materials used for construction purposes are called building materials. These are usually wood, clay, sand, and rocks. The study of the manufacturing of building materials is critical in civil engineering. The subject also includes studying the strength of these building materials. For instance, how much stress and strain they are able to face.  

8. Structural analysis 

This civil engineering subject teaches you how to design shapes while making sure what you create is environmentally friendly and stable. You will also learn how to make sure that the deformations due to load in a structure don’t go below the permissible limits and that the failure of shape does not occur.

Discover: Masters in Civil Engineering | Top 10 Universities

How many Subjects are there in Civil Engineering?

There are more than 50 subjects in civil engineering, along with many other sub-branches. Civil engineering has an immense scope in both the private and public sectors. You can find recruitment in various sectors, such as major multinationals and even the defense or military services!

Other civil engineering subjects taught are as follows-

• Engineering Chemistry
• Electronics
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Programming and data structure
• Problem-solving
• IT and CAD
• Foundation engineering
• Engineering Graphics
• Mechanics
• Fluid Mechanics
• Concrete Technology
• Industrial training
• Project Management
• Engineering Economics

Civil Engineering Subjects 1st – 4th (final) Year

Civil Engineering Subjects 1st year

First Semester 

• Engineering Mathematics-I

• Engineering Physics
• Engineering Chemistry
• Systems in Mechanical Engineering
• Basic Electrical Engineering / Basic Electronics Engineering
• Programming and Problem Solving / Engineering Mechanics
• Workshop

Second Semester 

• Engineering Mathematics-II
• Engineering Physics/ Engineering Chemistry
• Basic Electrical Engineering / Basic Electronics Engineering
• Programming and Problem Solving / Engineering Mechanics
• Engineering Graphics (Engineering Drawing)
• Project-Based Learning
• Physical Education-Exercise and Field Activities

Civil Engineering Subjects 2nd year

Third Semester 

• Building Technology and Architectural Planning
• Mechanics of structure
• Fluid Mechanics
• Engineering Mathematics III
• Engineering Geology
• Awareness of Civil Engineering Practices / Road Safety Management / Foreign Language

Fourth Semester 

• Geotechnical Engineering
• Surveying
• Concrete Technology
• Structural Analysis
• Project management
• Project-Based Learning

Also read: Top 7 Civil Engineering jobs that pay well

Civil Engineering Subjects 3rd year 

Fifth Semester 

• Hydrology and water resource engineering.
• Infrastructure Engineering and Construction Techniques
• Structural Design –I
• Structural analysis – II
• Fluid Mechanics – II

Sixth Semester

• Advanced Surveying
• Project Management and Engineering Economics
• Foundation Engineering
• Structural Design – II
• Environmental Engineering – I

Civil Engineering Subjects 4th (final) year

Seventh semester

• Environmental Engineering II
• Transportation Engineering
• Structural Design and Drawing III
• Elective – I
• Elective –II

Eighth Semester

• Dams and Hydraulic Structures
• Quantity Surveying, Contracts, and Tenders
• Elective –III
• Elective – IV

List of Electives

• Structural Design of Bridges
• Systems Approach in Civil Engineering
• Advanced Concrete Technology
• Architecture and Town Planning
• Advanced Engineering Geology with Rock Mechanics
• Matrix Methods of Structural Analysis
• Integrated Water Resources and Planning
• TQM & MIS in Civil Engineering
• Earthquake Engineering
• Advanced Geotechnical Engineering

Discover: Best Civil Engineering Jobs Abroad!

Civil Engineering Subjects Diploma

Semester I

• Applied Mathematics 1
• Applied Chemistry
• Applied Mechanics
• Computer Application for Engineering

Semester II

• Applied Physics
• Engineering Drawing
• Building Material

Semester III

• Electrical Electronics and Mechanical Engineering
• Hydraulics
• Thermal Engineering
• Concrete Technology
• Civil Engineering Drawing

Semester IV

• Strength of Materials
• Public Health Engineering
• Building Cost and Maintenance Engineering
• Surveying

Semester V

• Design of Steel & Masonry Structure
• Transpiration Engineering
• Construction Management, Accounts, and Entrepreneurship Development
• Civil Engineering Drawing II
• Earthquake Engineering

Semester VI

• Design of Reinforced Concrete Structure
• Estimating, Costing, and Valuation
• Surveying II
• Irrigation Engineering
• Environmental Pollution and Control

Top 5 Universities for Civil Engineering

Some of the most popular universities for civil engineering in the world are listed below-

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• University of Cambridge

• Stanford University

• University of Melbourne

• University of Tokyo

Know more: Top International Civil Engineering Universities | Building a Bright Future! 

Key Takeaways

• In a technologically advanced world, civil engineering graduates have several opportunities.
• However, it is important to focus on finding new ways to meet the sustainable and technologically efficient demands of the market.
• Increasing research and development of various technologies offers new and better materials as well as smarter design structures.
• The future of the civil engineering sector is expected to see a blend of artificial intelligence, augmented reality, sustainable designs, and building information modelling. Therefore, it is imperative that aspirants are abreast with new developments and trends in the field.

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog. In case of any queries, reach out to us or drop a comment below!

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FAQs

Ques 1: Does a civil engineering student need training?

Answer 1: The need for training depends on the profession you plan to choose. Civil engineering requires field study, and training yourself for that can be very helpful. For a career in consultancy and design structures, you must opt for field training. 

Ques 2: Is math a compulsory civil engineering subject?

Answer 2: Yes, one cannot do civil engineering without mathematics. You must have knowledge about mathematics and physics to pursue this course.

Ques 3: Which country is the best for civil engineering jobs abroad?

Answer 3: This is an extremely lucrative field and there are ample opportunities everywhere in the world. Some of the popular jobs may be available in Canada, Germany, Japan, and China.

WRITTEN BY

Aastha

Study Abroad Expert

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