ES CE - Civil Engineering Orientation

Lecture notes – 1
Class: BSCE 1A, BSCE 1B
Objectives: By the end discussion, the students will be able to:
a) Understand clearly what is Civil Engineering.
b) Describe the different specializations of civil engineering.
c) Identify the responsibilities of a civil engineer.

Time Frame: Midterm, Week 1 (2 hours)

I. Introduction
The oldest engineering discipline, arguably, is civil engineering. It can be dated to the first time
someone placed a roof over his or her head or laid a tree trunk across a river to make it easier to
cross. The first constructions that come to mind are always buildings and bridges, since they are
the most common creations of structural engineering, one of civil engineering's disciplines​.
Transport engineers, another public engineering discipline, are constructing bridges, railroads,
subway systems, and airports. Water issupposed to come out every time you open a faucet,
without thinking that civil engineers have a major role to play in making it possible. Likewise,
once it has fulfilled its functions, not many people seem to care about what happens to the water.
These few examples have shown us that civil engineers are doing more than design building and
bridge design. They can be found in many other industries wherever constructed facilities are
involved. And they plan and supervise the construction of these facilities as construction
managers. Civil engineering is a very exciting and satisfying field of endeavor as you can see the
results of your work, whether this is a completed bridge, a high-rise building, a subway station,
or a hydroelectric dam.
It also deals with flood controls, landslides, contamination of air and water, and the design and
construction of facilities to withstand earthquakes and other natural hazards.
II. How to become a Civil Engineer?
To be a civil engineer, before passing the licensure examination, you must complete the
following subjects (Bohol Island State University):
(a) Mathematics
Calculus 1 (Differential Calculus)
Calculus 2 (Integral Calculus)
Differential Equations
Engineering Data Analysis
Numerical Solutions to CE Problems (w/ Adv. Math)
(b) Natural/Physical Sciences
Chemistry for Engineers
Physics for Engineers (Calculus Based)
Geology for Civil Engineers
(c) Basic Engineering Sciences
Engineering Drawing (Drawing 1)
Building Planning and Estimates
Statics of Rigid Bodies
Dynamics of Rigid Bodies
Mechanics of Deformable Bodies
Civil Engineering Orientation
Computer Fundamentals and Programming
Computer-Aided Drafting
 Engineering Economics
Technopreneurship 101
Engineering Management
(d) Allied Courses
Engineering Utilities 1
Engineering Utilities 2
(e) General Education
Mathematics in Modern World
Science, Technology and Society
Contemporary World
Understanding the Self
Purposive Communication
Readings in Philippine History
Art Appreciation
Ethics
(f) GEC Elective/Mandated Courses
GEC Free Elective 1: Filipino 1
GEC Free Elective 1: Filipino 2
GEC Free Elective 1: Filipino 3
Life and Works of Rizal
(g) Physical Education
Physical Fitness
Rhythmic Activities
Individual/Dual Sports/Games
Team Sports/Games
(h) National Service Training Program
NROTC/CWTS1
NROTC/CWTS2
(i) Institutional Courses
Basic Tools, Material & Processes
Basic Elect./Electronics & House wiring
Basic Sheet Metal and Welding
Masonry and Plumbing/Practical Sanitation
Reinforced Concrete Construction
Digital Fabrication
Methods of Research
Engineering Mathematics Plus
Disaster Risk Reduction Management
Heritage Conservation
CE Refresher Course
(j) On-the-Job-Training
On-the-Job-Training 288 Hours
(k) Professional Courses
Fundamentals of Surveying (Elem. and Higher)
Construction Materials and Testing
Structural Theory 1(Determinate Structures)
Highway and Railroad Engineering
Building System Design with Digital Fabrication
Structural Theory 2 (Indeterminate Structures)
Principles of Steel Design (Lecture and Computation)
Principles of Reinforced/Pre-stressed Concrete
Hydrology
Hydraulics w/ Intro to Fluid Mechanics
Construction Methods and Project Management
Geotechnical Engineering 1 (Soil Mechanics)
Principles of Transportation Engineering
CE Laws, Ethics and Contracts
CE Project 1
 CE Project 2
Quantity Surveying
(l) Professional Courses - Specialized
Professional Course (A, B & C) –specialized 1
Professional Course (A, B & C) –specialized 2
Professional Course (A, B & C) –specialized 3
Professional Course (A, B & C) –specialized 4
Professional Course (A, B & C) –specialized 5
Professional Course (A, B & C) –specialized 6

III. Responsibilities of a Civil Engineer

• Prepares construction designs, specifications, plans, and schedules.
• Determines project costs by calculating labor, material, and related costs.
• Creates feasibility study by analyzing engineering design, conducting environmental
impact studies, and assembling data.
• Collects and studies reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, aerial photographs, and tests
on soil composition, terrain, hydrological characteristics, and related topographical and
geologic data.
• Confirms adherence to construction specifications and safety standards by monitoring
project progress, inspecting construction site, and verifying calculations and
placements. • Maintains operations by enforcing project and operational policies and
procedures. • Provides engineering information by answering questions and requests.
• Maintains project database by writing computer programs, entering data, and
completing backups.
• Coordinates with clients and other professional subcontractors.
• Manages project budgets, resources, and deadlines.
• Monitors regulatory compliance.

IV. Specializations in civil engineering

• ​Construction Engineering
involves planning and execution,
material transportation, site development
based on hydraulic, environmental, structural
and geotechnical engineering construction
engineers. It includes business-like transactions
like reviewing contracts, evaluating logistical
operations, and monitoring prices of supplies.
https://youtu.be/u8lEDf5oOGY

• ​Geotechnical Engineering
studies rock and soil supporting civil
engineering systems. Knowledge from the
field of soil science, materials science,
mechanics, and hydraulics is applied to
safely and economically design foundations,
retaining walls, and other structures.
https://youtu.be/wg_N4sNvZeY

4
• ​Transportation Engineering
deals with moving people and goods
efficiently, safely, and in a manner conducive
to a vibrant community. It involves specifying,
designing, constructing, and maintaining
transportation infrastructure which
includes streets, canals, highways,
rail systems, airports, ports, and
mass transit.
https://youtu.be/GkZlxsQZ398

• ​Structural Engineering
deals with the structural design and structural
analysis of buildings, bridges, towers,
flyovers (overpasses), tunnels, off shore
structures like oil and gas fields in the sea,
aerostructure and other structures.
https://youtu.be/ZtsmES48gZ4

○ Water Resources
Engineering
deals with the collection and
management of water (as a natural
resource). This area of civil
engineering relates to the prediction
and management of both the quality
and the quantity of water in both
underground (aquifers) and above
ground (lakes, rivers, and streams)
resources.
https://youtu.be/_jJGblbKm5U

References:
- ​THE HISTORY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING WRITTEN BY AROWOLO
OLADIMEJI ​- INHINYERO.org by Engr. Nick Salomon
- "What is Civil Engineering". Institution of Civil Engineers.
- Chen W-F, Scawthorn C. Earthquake Engineering Handbook
- ched.gov.ph