The first private college to teach civil engineering
in the United States was Norwich University, founded in 1819 by Captain Alden
Partridge. The first degree in civil engineering in the United States was
awarded by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1835. The first such degree to
be awarded to a woman was granted by Cornell University to Nora Stanton Blatch
in 1905.In the UK during the early 19th century, the division
between civil engineering and military engineering (served by the Royal
Military Academy, Woolwich), coupled with the demands of the Industrial
Revolution, spawned new engineering education initiatives: the Class of Civil
Engineering and Mining was founded at Kings College London in 1838, mainly as a
response to the growth of the railway system and the need for more qualified
engineers, the private College for Civil Engineers in Putney was established in
1839. And the UK first Chair of Engineering was established at the University
of Glasgow in 1840.
Education
Civil engineers typically possess an academic degree
in civil engineering. The length of study is three to five years, and the
completed degree is designated as a bachelor of technology, or a bachelor of
engineering. The curriculum generally includes classes in physics, mathematics,
project management, design and specific topics in civil engineering. After
taking basic courses in most sub-disciplines of civil engineering, they move on
to specialize in one or more sub-disciplines at advances levels. While and undergraduate
degree (BEng / BSc) normally provides successful students with
industry-accredited qualification, some academic institutions offer
post-graduate degree (MEng/MSc), which allow students to further specialize in
their particular area of interest.
