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Study Opportunities
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Engineering Disciplines
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Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering
Study Field Outline
Civil engineering encompasses the planning, structural calculation and execution of industrial structural and civil engineering projects: urban/municipal civil engineering (foundations, sewage systems, water utilities, sewage plants); urban development and traffic (roads, rail tracks, pipelines, drains, harbours and ports, airports); hydraulic engineering and water management (river engineering/flood control engineering, dams, dykes, hydroelectric power stations, water utility networks and sewage treatment); structural engineering projects (bridges, towers, industrial and administrative buildings). The structural engineering design aspect of building is particularly important, while studies also consider economic, ecological, sociological and cultural aspects. Civil engineers contribute to preserving structural facilities and buildings. The widespread use of computing has resulted in a new branch, namely building and construction information systems.
University of applied sciences programmes in building physics concentrate on the physical aspects of construction (noise, heat, damp and fire safety, light and solar technology, power economics, building (structural) damage analysis).
The responsibilities of civil engineering and architecture overlap here. Hence, civil engineers and architects take on organisational responsibilities that extend beyond the scope of structural engineering design and artistic design. They supervise building sites, e.g. (site management or site engineers), monitor the progress and quality of the building work and ensure that building activities proceed efficiently. This is why a knowledge of building regulations and law plus business administration and management, as well as the ability to lead and supervise people are important. In certain circumstances, a knowledge of foreign languages is advantageous, especially English, since Germany’s universities are increasingly establishing international and European degree programmes in civil engineering which specifically prepare students for assignments abroad.
Practical experience through practical semesters or subject-relevant vacation jobs is particularly important in respect of a student's later career entry.
Facility management programmes train specialists for tasks at the interface between building and real estate management (see Utility Engineering, Facility Engineering).
Employment Opportunities
Civil engineers above all work for
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building companies and building contractors,
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building authorities at local, district, state and federal level, associations and other organisations,
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engineering, consulting and planning offices,
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Deutsche Bahn AG (German Rail), Deutsche Post AG (German Post).
Studies at Universities
Studies:
Basic studies with modules in mathematics, projective geometry, physics, information systems/computer science, engineering mechanics. Subject-specific modules, like surveying, building materials, building chemistry, building physics, structural design, structural calculation and strength of materials science, structural engineering, geology and soil mechanics, building site operations and building management, traffic and transport, water engineering and management, community and urban water management, numerical methods, CAD, construction machinery and machine engineering, building and construction law. Depending on the institution in question, opportunities for specialising in areas like building site operations and building site management, structural engineering (concrete, steel, wood), traffic, transport and infrastructure, geoengineering and water management/hydraulic engineering, environmental engineering, foundation engineering. Typical cross-disciplinary modules on working methods, foreign languages, business management, presentation techniques, or a cross-disciplinary project.
Studies may be divided into a basic and a main study stage.
Studies at Universities of Applied Sciences
Practical experience/internships:
Depending on their school/vocational qualifications, students generally complete a pre-study internship of several weeks, for example on building sites or in construction companies. Practical phases of varying length are completed during the studies.
Studies:
Modules on mathematical, scientific and engineering principles, similar to university studies. Subject-specific modules on engineering mechanics, structural analysis, building materials and building chemistry, building design, technical visualisation, building physics, engineering geology, surveying, photogrammetry, preservation of buildings, quality assurance, building and real estate management, project management. Specialisation options in core areas like building management, construction management, structural engineering, traffic, transport and infrastructure, water management and environmental engineering, building redevelopment and redevelopment, disposal site engineering – often in connection with professional work experience projects. Complementary modules in law, languages, social aspects, arts and culture.
Studies may be divided into a basic and a main study stage.
