Much of the physical infrastructure of our modern society is provided by civil engineers. Civil Engineers are concerned with all types of structures including dams, bridges, pipelines, roads, towers and buildings.
Civil Engineers are responsible for the design and construction of all our transport systems, the design and management of our gas and water supply, sewerage systems, harbours, airports and railways. They plan, design and test the structures of private and public buildings and facilities.
They are also involved in many environmental areas such as the assessment of the impact large scale projects have on the environment and the collection and treatment of sewage and industrial wastes, pollution control, environmental control and resource protection and management.
A Civil Engineer will work from an architect’s drawings and consider whether the chosen materials for a particular building will be strong enough to hold a structure of that height or design. At the same time they would also think about how the structure might affect its surroundings. It is the responsibility of the civil engineer to produce safe, economical and environmentally-sound structures.
Civil Engineers may specialise as chief civil engineers, construction engineers, municipal engineers, structural engineers, transport engineers, or water supply distribution engineers.
Civil and Public Health Engineers may work in the private sector as consulting engineers, project managers or construction contractors or in a wide range of government departments.
Work opportunities for civil engineers are affected by fluctuations in the building and construction industry. As a result, the number of opportunities may rise or fall over a short period of time.
BE in Civil Engineering Quick facts
- Full-form: Bachelors of Engineering in civil Engineering
- Duration: 4 years
- Minimum Eligibility: 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, within a minimum of 60% aggregate from a recognized university.
- Admission Process: Through common entrance test or university level entrance test.
- Top BE CIVIL exams: JEE Main & JEE Advanced, BITSAT, VITEEE, WBJEE, SRMJEEE, MHTCET, UPSEE, etc.
- Top Universities: IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, IIT Roorkee, IIT Patna, IIT Guwahati, etc.
- Average course fees: INR 35,000 – INR 1,500,000 per annum.
- Average salary package: INR 3 – INR 6 lakhs per annum.
- Job positions: structural engineer, Service Engineer, Consultant, Instructional Designer, field officer
| Course Level | Bachelors |
| Full Form | Bachelor in Engineering in civil Engineering |
| Duration | 4 Year |
| Course Fee | INR 20,000-2 lakh per annum |
| Average Salary Offered | INR 5-10 lakh per annum |
Career Opportunities in Civil Engineering
- Structural engineering.
Civil Engineers in this field create structural elements of design for bridges, skyscrapers, ports and airports etc. They also design and assess major projects, such as buildings, bridges, or dams, to ensure their strength and durability
- Geotechnical engineering
Civil Engineers in this field work exclusively with rock and soil that support the structures and make sure that the foundations are solid. They focus on how structures built by civil engineers, such as buildings and tunnels, interact with the earth (including soil and rock). In addition, they design and plan for slopes, retaining walls, and tunnels.
- Environmental engineering
Civil Engineers in this field design systems and structures for treatment of chemical, biological and thermal wastes.
- Materials engineering
Civil Engineers in this field deal with the inspection of existing and development of new materials which can be used for construction projects.
- Maintenance
Civil Engineers in this field ensure that the structures built, are looked after properly and all the necessary repairs and renovations take place.
- Water resource engineering
Civil Engineers in this field focus on collection, storage and management of water.
- Earthquake engineering
Civil Engineers specializing in this field create buildings and other structures that can withstand the stresses of earthquakes without falling.
- Coastal engineering
Civil Engineers specializing in this field manage the coastal areas, including marshlands. They create defenses against flooding and erosion.
How to Pursue a Career in CIVIL Engineering
| Stream | Graduation | After Graduation | After Post Graduation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Path 1 | Clear Class XII with Science Stream with Maths | Pursue B.Tech in Civil Engineering for 4 years | Pursue M.Tech for 2-3 years | Pursue Ph.D for 2-3 years |
| Path 2 | Clear Class XII with Science Stream with Maths | Pursue B.Tech + M.Tech (Dual Degree)in Civil for 5 years | – | Pursue Ph.D for 2-3 years |
| Path 3 | Complete Class 10th then join Diploma in CE | Joint B.Tech -Lateral Entry in Civil Engineering For 3 Year | Pursue M.Tech for 2-3 years | Pursue Ph.D for 2-3 years |
BTech Civil Engineering Syllabus
The subjects taught for BTech Civil Engineering are almost similar in most of the engineering colleges. The syllabus for the entire B. Tech Civil Engineering course is as follows.
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Functions of Several Variables | Series and Matrices |
| Physics I | Physics II |
| Physics Lab. 1 | Engg Mechanics |
| Intro to Civil Engg. | Chemistry I |
| Intro to Programming | Chemistry Lab. |
| Engg. Drawing | CE Materials and Construction |
| Ecology and Environment | Life Skills II |
| Life Skills I | – |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
| Math. 3 | Structural Analysis |
| Mechanics of Materials | Geotechnical Engg. 1 |
| Transportation Engg. I | Transportation Engg. 2 |
| Hydraulic Engg. | Environmental Engg. |
| Surveying | Science Electives (Maths/Physics/Chemistry) |
| – | Humanities Elec. 1 |
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
| Life Sciences | Basic Steel Design |
| Geotechnical Engg. 2 | Construction Project Management |
| Water Resources Engg. | Humanities Elective 2 |
| Basic RC Design | – |
| Hydraulic & Environ. Engg. Lab. | – |
| Construction Material Lab | – |
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
| Humanities Elective 3 | Professional Ethics |
BTech Civil Engineering Subjects
The core Btech civil engineering subjects that are in every renowned college’s syllabus and curriculum are mentioned below. The core Btech civil engineering subjects are spread across the BTech Civil Engineering 2nd year syllabus, and BTech Civil Engineering 4th year syllabus.
| Fluid Mechanics | Strength of Materials |
| Geotechnical Engineering | Concrete Technology |
| Environmental Engineering | Computer-Aided Design |
| Hydraulics Machinery | Solid Mechanics |
| Irrigation and Hydraulics | Water Resources Engineering |
| Transportation Engineering | Structural Analysis |
BTech Civil Engineering Specialisations
The specializations of BTech Civil Engineering can be made into three parts. The 3 main specialisations of BTech Civil Engineering are mentioned below along with the average course fee and average placement package.
| Specialisation | Description | Average Course Fee (INR) | Average Placement Package (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structural Engineering | Structural Engineering is responsible for creating stable and environmentally safe structures while keeping in mind the rigidity, strength, etc. of the structure. | 1,50,000 | 3,30,000 |
| Transportation Engineering | A civil engineer that works on the building and construction of safe and stable transportation systems is a transportation engineer. From conception, planning, design, and operation, etc. is handled by the transportation engineer. They work on airways, railway, ports, harbors, etc. | 1,50,000 | 4,60,000 |
| Construction Engineer | Construction Engineering is a civil engineer that designs, manages, and overlooks projects in the construction industry. The range of projects includes sewage systems, railways, roadways, mechanical, electrical projects, etc. | 1,30,000 | 5,30,000 |
Civil Engineering Entrance Exams
Undergraduate
| College | Tentative Date | Important Elements | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) | April | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, | www.jeemain.nic.in |
| Joint Entrance Examination Advanced (JEE Advanced) | May/June | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, | www.jeeadv.ac.in |
| Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission (BITSAT) | May | Mathematics/Biology Physics, Chemistry, Logical Reasoning English | www.bitsadmission.com/bitsatmain.aspx |
| Education Promotion Society of India National Admission Test (ENAT) | April/May | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, English | www.epsfi.org |
| Vellore Institute of Technology Engineering Entrance Exam (VITEEE) | April | Mathematics/Biology Physics, Chemistry, English | www.vit.ac.in |
| University of Delhi Combined Entrance Exam (DU-CET) | June | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, | www.dtu.ac.in |
| Consortium Medical, Engineering & Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK) | May | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, | www.comedk.org |
| Admission Test for ICFAI Science & Technology (ATIT) | May | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, English | www.icfaiuniversity.in/atit/btech_program.html |
| SRM University Engineering Exam (SRMUEE) | April | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology | www.srmuniv.ac.in |
| Manipal University Online Entrance Exam (MU-OEE) | March/April | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology | www.manipal.edu |
| Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test (IPUCET) | May | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, | www.ipu.ac.in |
Postgraduate
| Institution | Tentative Date | Important Elements | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) (Postgraduate) | Jan/Feb | All Branches of engineering | www.gate.iisc.ernet.in |
Civil engineering leading Institutes
Leading Institutes
Top Civil Engineering Institutes in India
| College | Location | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Technology | Multiple Locations | www.iitd.ac.in |
| Birla Institute of Technology | Pilani, Mesra | www.bits-pilani.ac.in |
| National Institute of Technology, Calicut | Calicut | www.nitc.ac.in |
| National Institute of Technology, Silchar | Silchar | www.nits.ac.in |
| National Institute of Technology, Surathkal | Surathkal | www.nitk.ac.in |
| National Institute of Technology, Bhopal | Bhopal | www.manit.ac.in |
| Vellore Institute of Technology | Chennai | www.vit.ac.in |
| Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad | Dhanbad | www.ismdhanbad.ac.in |
| Sri Ramaswamy Memorial University (SRM) | Multiple Locations | www.srmuniv.ac.in |
| Pandit Deen Dayal Petroleum University | Gandhinagar | www.pdpu.ac.in |
| St. Andrews Institute of Technology & Management | Gurugram | www.saitmgurgaon.com |
| PSG College of Technology | Coimbatore | www.psgtech.edu |
| Maharashtra Institute of Technology | Pune | www.mitpune.com |
| Manipal University | Manipal, Jaipur | www.manipal.edu |
| Anna University | Chennai | www.annauniv.edu |
| Madras Institute of Technology | Chennai | www.mitindia.edu |
| Motilal Nehru Institute of Technology | Uttar Pradesh | www.mnnit.ac.in |
| PEC University of Technology | Punjab | www.pec.ac.in |
Top Civil Engineering Institutes in the World
| Institution | Location | Website |
|---|---|---|
| University of Manchester | Manchester, United Kingdom | www.manchester.ac.uk |
| The University of New South Wales | Australia | www.unsw.edu.au |
| University of California, Berkeley | United States | www.berkeley.edu |
| University College London | London, United Kingdom | www.ucl.ac.uk |
| Imperial College London | London, United Kingdom | www.imperial.ac.uk |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | United States | www.web.mit.edu |
| Delft University of Technology | Netherlanads | www.tudelft.nl/en |
| Harvard University | United States | www.harvard.edu |
| National University of Singapore | Singapore | www.nus.edu.sg |
| Caltech | United States | www.caltech.edu |
| University of Michigan | United States | www.umich.edu |
| University of Toronto | Canada | www.utoronto.ca |
| Purdue University | United States | www.purdue.edu |
Work Description
- Create graphical representations of civil structures
- Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure compliance with design specifications and safety standards
- Provide technical advice to industrial or managerial personnel regarding design, construction, or structural repairs
- Estimate quantities and cost of materials, equipment, or labour cost to determine project feasibility
- Test building materials, such as concrete, asphalt, or steel, for use in particular projects
- Consider construction costs, government regulations, potential environmental hazards and other factors in planning stages and carry out risk analysis
- Compile and submit permit applications to local, state, and federal agencies verifying that projects comply with various regulations
- Present findings to public on topics such as bid proposals or environmental impact reports
Pros & Cons of a Career in Civil Engineering
Pros
- The demand for civil engineers always remains high, so does the pay package.
- They are major figures involved in the development of community.
- Opportunity to travel to different locations and work on different sites.
Cons
- It is a high-pressure job.
- There are no fixed work hours, and they spend much time on construction sites and remote locations.
- Scrutiny of quality of work and material from third parties.
Important FAQs on CIvil Engineering
Q. Being a civil engineer, how will the post-graduation specialization in structural design help me to get a good job in Government sector?
A. Structural engineering holds the maximum number of seats in Government services exams. Persons with good command on the subject have a better chance at cracking the exams and to be recruited on senior posts.
Q. I got only 50% in my BE course but scored very good marks in GATE (civil engineering), how will it be beneficial for me?
A. You can go for pursuing MTech degree in IITs or NITs. These institutes have different selection criteria and some of them also consider under-graduation scores.
As far as PSUs are concerned, there is very less scope for civil engineers. The interview calls are solely based on a candidate’s GATE rank. Some PSUs also conduct their separate exams after the interview. They also check for a candidate’s BE aggregate.
Q. What are some journals publishing recent research in civil engineering?
A. Following is the list of few international journals related to civil engineering:
- International Journal of Civil Engineering
- Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture-David Publishing Company
- Civil Engineering and Architecture
- International Journal of Structural and Civil Engineering Research
- Page on asce.org
Q. I am a 2nd-year civil engineering student. Where should I go for training? Is it necessary to go for training?
A. The need for training depends on the plans for the kind of profession you want to choose in future. It would be very helpful for a field job. Civil engineering can only be learnt completely on the field by observing how things work. For a career in consultancy and design structures, field training will also be very helpful. You should go for a training.
Q. As a future civil engineer, which foreign language would be beneficial for me?
A. It depends on the nation you’d be going after completing the graduation. The country’s language where you’ll be posted help you to do internships and get project works.
Q. What are the top companies to pursue an internship in India?
A. The choice company for internships majorly depends on the sector you want to join after completing your course. Following is the list of some top companies of different sectors related to civil engineering:
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