Civil Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Engineering
(Schulich School of Engineering)
Civil engineering is a very broad discipline involving the design, conception, construction, operation, maintenance, and management of many structures and systems vital to the public. These include transit systems, highways, railways, bridges, buildings, airports, offshore structures, docks, canals, irrigation, dams, and water supply and sanitation systems. More recently, the discipline has also focused upon structural biomechanics, as well as a variety of environmental challenges affecting existing infrastructure and industries.
Civil engineers often choose to specialize in a particular area of civil engineering - such as environmental, transportation, structural, geotechnical or water resources engineering - because the field is so diverse. Civil engineering has also recently expanded to include project management and bioengineering. Civil engineers can be involved in various aspects of analysis, material selection, design, and construction in tasks as different as assessing the effects of pollution in groundwater or constructing a major transportation link. A particular job might require a civil engineer to perform applications, research, regulate or teach - but most jobs combine office duties with lab and field work.
Civil engineering students at the Schulich School of Engineering are exposed to the basics of the discipline before specialization. Courses in materials science, structures, water resource engineering, project management, geotechnical engineering, transportation planning, and solid mechanics are compulsory in the first 18 months of the civil engineering program. In the final year, students must complete the full-year design project course as well as their technical electives. Minors are offered in environmental, transportation, and structural engineering.
You can also complete a Biomedical Engineering Specialization or an Energy and Environment Specialization alongside many regular BSc degrees in Engineering.
Admission Requirements
Enrolment in the Schulich School of Engineering is limited.
To be considered for admission to the Schulich School of Engineering, applicants are required to present five appropriate high school subjects and a competitive average.
Applicants who present a two-year Engineering diploma or applied technology degree will be considered on the basis of their cumulative GPA on the diploma or applied technology degree. An Admission GPA will not be calculated using credits transferable from individual courses within the diploma or applied technology degree.
Applicants who receive transfer credits for the first year engineering program are eligible to be considered for direct admission to a degree program (major). Each degree program has a separate quota. Transfer students who are considered for direct admission to a degree program will be admitted to the specializations based on their grade point average (GPA) on the most recent eight to ten university transferable technical or scientific courses. If a transferable course is repeated, only the first passing grade (C- or better) will be counted in this GPA. The GPA required for admission may be different for each degree program.
Application/Document Deadlines
Why Study Civil Engineering?
Building your future
Have you ever wondered how a suspension bridge can hold so much weight or how a large office building can withstand a powerful earthquake? The Schulich School of Engineering's civil engineering program provides the answers to these questions and many more. Students learn engineering fundamentals, gain relevant experience working on course projects, discover exciting areas of research, and develop professional skills that will enhance their career prospects in the civil engineering field. The program not only provides a comprehensive technical foundation, but also imparts to students a socially responsible view of their profession and its impact on present and future communities.
Bridging to the international community
Are you interested in having an international career? Civil engineering graduates are needed all over the world to design, build, and maintain structures and systems. They can work as consultants with their own companies; become employees of large international corporations; manage projects for international aid agencies; or even work as volunteers in developing regions. The types of work and number of opportunities available for crossing international and cultural borders are endless.
Road to success
The civil engineering program combines hands-on experience with a strong engineering foundation so students are prepared for industry challenges upon graduation. Their project management, research, and design skills allow them to effectively address every stage of any particular project; whether it's analyzing environmental factors, gauging material properties, or negotiating structural requirements. Their unique combination of skills and adaptability will assist them in attaining success in any sector.
Get experience
Calgary is known as the "engineering capital of Canada" and the Schulich internship is the largest of its kind in the country. 80% of students take advantage of a 12 - 16 month internship after the third year to make contacts, get experience, and offset the costs of education. International placements expand horizons even further.
What Can I Do with My Degree?
Civil engineering graduates have an excellent grasp of engineering and project management principles. Their combination of technical expertise and theoretical knowledge prepares them for success in a diverse and challenging field. They are strong communicators able to work independently or in a team setting, and are cognizant of their roles and responsibilities to society. Graduates can find employment in small consulting firms, including those specializing in structural, environmental, municipal and geotechnical engineering; or larger firms encompassing several branches of civil engineering. They might also work in local, provincial, and federal government departments overseeing areas such as the environment, transportation, and structural development and maintenance.Other career options include:
Government: International development, National Research Council
Education/communication: Technical writing, institutional research/instruction
Business: Contracting, project management
Additional Information
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