Civil engineering education focuses on the design and construction of a wide range of structures and systems. A civil engineer is educated in structural design, sewage treatment, waste management, and pollution prevention, as well as a variety of construction methods. A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering is the starting point for civil engineer education. There are numerous classes and courses available for an engineer with a formal education in another engineering specialty that focus solely on the principles of civil engineering and bypass the fundamentals of engineering in general.
A civil engineer’s job is to assist in the design of structures and buildings that take into account the surrounding environment. A civil engineer’s primary responsibility is to ensure that a structure is soundly constructed and safe. Civil engineer training is frequently rooted in structural design because of this important responsibility. Civil engineers must be able to analyze structural design fundamentals as well as construction materials to ensure that structures can operate safely given their intended use and surrounding environment. Because buildings and structures must often be designed to withstand the elements, civil engineer training includes anticipating potential environmental risks such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes.
Another aspect of civil engineering education is sewage treatment. Civil engineers are responsible for designing systems that ensure the quality of groundwater used for drinking as well as the safe disposal of waste and sewage as the world’s population continues to grow. The design of an efficient waste management system is critical, depending on the use of a structure, because poor waste systems can cause sickness, disease, and even death.
Civil engineering education also prepares engineers for hazardous material management and pollution control. Because of the environmental regulations imposed government agencies, many civil engineers are employed large manufacturing corporations. These businesses must comply with local environmental laws, and civil engineers are responsible for designing systems that safely dispose of hazardous materials and reduce pollution in the environment.
Civil engineers can obtain a variety of certifications in a variety of specialties. Candidates for civil engineer training programs are prepared for a variety of certifications. Water resource infrastructure, waste water treatment facilities, and geotechnical engineering are all common topics for these certifications.