College Catalog

This curriculum is designed to equip graduates to face the challenge of modern engineering practice. The major emphasizes applications-based engineering studies involving the planning, analysis, and design of civil engineering/surveying projects. Modern approaches to the planning, analysis, and design of highways, structures, hydraulic systems, and site development are emphasized. This technical instruction with modern instrumentation, hardware, and software is reinforced with foundation courses emphasizing written and oral communication, and physical sciences. All of the instruction is presented with problem solving in mind and with a strong emphasis on applications and critical thinking. The major prepares students for the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, which is the first step in registering as a professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Career Opportunities

Graduates can seek employment in a wide range of civil engineering specialties. These include bridge and highway design, construction management, geotechnical engineering, hydraulic systems design, land development, pollution control, and structural design. Employment opportunities will exist with private consulting firms, design/construction businesses and government agencies, including PennDOT, DEP, USGS, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the uniformed services. Local municipality planning and engineering agencies will also offer opportunities for employment. Graduates seeking self-employment opportunities will be aided by education leading to licensure as a professional engineer.

Recommended High School Subjects

Strong preparation in mathematics, sciences, and communication skills. Course work in computer usage, drafting and surveying at the high school level would be helpful but not necessary.

Special Admissions Requirements

The major is designed so that first year students can enter the curriculum once prerequisites are satisfied. Students with associate degrees in Surveying or Civil Engineering Technology can also enter the BCT curriculum as juniors.

Remediation Strategies

Students whose placement test results indicate a need for MTH005 or below are not permitted to take Civil/Surveying (CET) courses until MTH005 has been successfully completed; these students will be enrolled in the associate-degree CT major until completing MTH005, at which time they will transfer into the BCT major. Students testing into MTH006 are permitted to take first semester Civil/Surveying courses. Students must take MTH180 in their second semester; otherwise, students need instructor permission to continue into a second semester Civil/Surveying courses. Students testing deficient in English and/or reading are required to remediate these areas during their first semester. Students testing deficient in three areas (mathematics, English, reading) are not permitted to take Civil/Surveying courses until remediation has been completed in all three areas.

Transfer Procedures

This major is subject to the transfer standards established by the College (see http://www.pct.edu/catalog/TransferringCredits.htm ). Exceptions must be approved by the school dean.

Program Goals

A graduate of this major should be able to:

• select and apply the knowledge, techniques, skills, and modern tools to broadly defined civil engineering technology activities.
• select and apply knowledge of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology to civil engineering technology problems that require the application of principles and applied procedures or methodologies.
• conduct standard tests and measurements; conduct, analyze, and interpret experiments; and apply experimental results to improve processes.
• design systems, components, or processes for broadly defined civil engineering technology problems.
• function effectively as a member or leader on a technical team.
• identify, analyze, and solve broadly defined civil engineering technology problems.
• develop an ability to apply written, oral, and graphical communication in both technical and non-technical environments, as well as an ability to identify and use appropriate technical literature.
• understand the need for and engage in self-directed, continuing professional development.
• demonstrate an understanding of and a commitment to professional and ethical responsibilities, including a respect for diversity.
• understand the impact of civil engineering technology solutions in a societal and global context.
• exhibit a commitment to quality, timeliness, and continuous improvement.

Curriculum

Accreditation

Accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.