Why Civil Engineering? Learn About the Endless Possibilities and Rewards

Looking for career options after grade 12 and you’re interested in courses that deal with creativity linked to problem-solving? Then civil engineering might be the right option for you. As one of the oldest and most basic streams of engineering, civil engineering has played a crucial role in the development of society into what it stands for today. From the design of the infrastructure to environmental sustainability, civil engineers are the backbone of urban development and innovation. Before delving deeper into this topic, let us consider what civil engineering is all about.

What is Civil Engineering?

Civil engineering deals with the design and construction of structural works that serve the public at large. Examples include dams, bridges, aqueducts, canals, highways, power plants, sewerage systems, and other infrastructure. The term “civil engineering” arose in the 18th century to indicate this newly perceived profession to be distinguished from the preeminently held military engineering.

Historically, engineers have engaged in peaceful works, and the list of civil engineering wonders from ancient and medieval times is long and ranges from Roman public baths, highways, bridges, and aqueducts to Flemish canals, Dutch sea defenses, and French Gothic cathedrals.

How is the BE Civil Course Structured?

The Bachelor of Civil Engineering is a 4-year undergraduate course that helps one acquire skills to solve various problems within civil engineering. The course helps the students become engaged in finding effective ways to overcome various challenges of engineering. Moreover, it adds a lot of understanding related to scientific principles studied while in the engineering field. Furthermore, this course enhances the managerial abilities needed for setting up and growing one’s own business.

The course of BE Civil is oriented towards practical education. The study curriculum includes survey camps and field research, which helps in improving students’ conceptual knowledge of survey engineering and practical applications of various theories in the syllabus of civil engineering. Additionally, study tours are conducted regularly to acquaint students with the practical application of their theoretical knowledge.

Why Civil Engineering Could Be Your Perfect Career Choice ?

As mentioned earlier, if you’re seeking a career that includes creativity, technical skills, and large-scale contributions to society, civil engineering could be the perfect fit. It is a dynamic and vast field including a wide range of specialized areas, and offers a lot of opportunities for your personal and professional growth. Not only does civil engineering allow one to rise to intriguing challenges, but it also contributes to building society.

As a civil engineer, you will deal with various linked disciplines such as structural, environmental, geotechnical, and transportation engineering, allowing you to explore different dimensions of the field. Furthermore, the practical and fieldwork-oriented nature of civil engineering provides experience in problem-solving and project management. You will be trained through activities like field research and site inspections. In such a way, practice is not only a guarantee for the strengthening of theoretical knowledge but also a training ground for real-world challenges in infrastructure design and construction.

Why study Civil Engineering in Nepal?

The pace of infrastructure development in Nepal, a developing country, has been so fast in the past few years. This gives rise to some much-needed sustainable infrastructure that is cost-effective and durable at the same time. This is where civil engineers have a major role to play. Geological hazards become another big issue in Nepal, therefore sturdy infrastructure becomes very necessary, and that is where lies the importance of a civil engineer.

Some of the coursework involved in the curriculum for BE Civil in Nepal includes training in design and analysis software, including ETABS, SAP 2000, and OpenSees, all of which are used by an engineer to design structures to resist several hazards. Graduates also can work as Energy Engineers or in Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering.

The Pulchowk campus under Tribhuvan University started the BE Civil course in Nepal in the year 1984 AD. Now, more than half a dozen universities in Nepal have started to offer the BE Civil program. A higher number of new colleges are getting affiliated with these universities to meet the increasing demand for skilled manpower. As a result, you can expect to receive a thorough education and acquire valuable skills through this expanding curriculum.

Number of Colleges Offering the BE Civil Program in Nepal:

In Nepal, seven universities regularly teach civil engineering, with about 11 public and over 40 private colleges being affiliated with these universities. There is a high level of competition to be admitted to public colleges, affiliated with Tribhuvan University, as there are only 1488 seats in total.

Understanding the Fee Structure and Scholarships for Civil Engineering Programs:

The fee structure for BE Civil varies from one university to another and from college to college in Nepal. Public colleges, except those under Tribhuvan University, have comparatively lower fees than private ones.  The fees of different subjects at Tribhuvan University (TU) range from Rs 53,300 to Rs 4,90,000 in public colleges, and private colleges, it ranges from Rs 10-15 lakhs.

(Note: The fee structure is an approximation. It is the student’s responsibility to check with the respective university/college for the actual fee structure.)

As for Scholarships, almost all universities in Nepal offer scholarships to study BE Civil but not everyone receives the scholarship. There are certain criteria for a student to have a free education. Furthermore, they are also granted scholarships if they get excellent scores in exams.

Depending on your rank in the entrance exam, you become eligible for the scholarship. Added to this, there are merit-based scholarships for some students. Under the full scholarship, one can study the entire course without paying even a single penny for tuition fees. You will need to pay a certain amount of money if you get admission with a partial scholarship.

They should meet the university authorities in person, to be able to know their eligibility parameters for scholarship status on their official website. Good Scholarships relieve the financial burden of the students.

Admission Process and Eligibility Criteria for Civil Engineering

Any student interested in studying BE Civil in Nepal must collect an entrance examination form, if any, from the colleges of his or her choice. The form, after filling in the required details, should be forwarded to the administration of the respective college. Candidates must then sit for the entrance examination. When appearing for the entrance examinations, make sure you remember the following points:

·                  The entrance examination comprises objective-type questions.

·                  There can be a negative grading system according to the universities that are conducting the entrance examination

·                  Barely passing the exams hardly would be enough to get admitted to the course BE Civil. They should obtain the marks that are sufficient to get them the right to avail the seat.

·                  Notice about the exam details is given by the respective university.

How to know if you are eligible for this program?

The requirements to join TU’s BE Civil program are straightforward. To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

Letter Grading System:

The students should have scored a minimum of a “C” grade in all subjects in Grade 11 and Grade 12.

Traditional Grading System:

The candidates should have passed twelve years of schooling in the science stream or its equivalent from any university, board, or institution recognized by Tribhuvan University (TU). They must have passed up to at least the second division level in their +2 or equivalent level examinations.

Not only the academic level, but the candidates also need to pass the entrance examination conducted by Tribhuvan University obtaining at least 35% marks. If the applicants are eligible to be admitted to the desired college, the following documents may be required:

·                  Certificate and mark sheet of SEE/SLC.

·                  Transcript of 10+2 or any equivalent course

·                  Migration certificate of 10+2 or any equivalent course

·                  Mark sheet of 10+2 or any equivalent course

Career Opportunities and Scope for BE Civil Graduates:

Civil engineering has a wide scope of employment opportunities, reflecting its need in the infrastructure and development process. Any construction company can employ BE Civil graduates as designers, planners, site supervisors, or surveyors. Government sectors of all levels also seek licensed civil engineers in infrastructure planning and construction works all over the country. A BE in Civil Engineering also offers a good basis for advanced studies, like a Master’s degree in structural engineering, leading to specialized roles like structural engineers.

Moreover, other opportunities exist in consultancy, research, and entrepreneurship in the field of civil engineering. The graduates get exposed through research and practical assignments, which qualify them for positions as researchers in various fields of Civil Engineering. It equips students to become either a transportation engineer or a water resource engineer who can take part in effective transportation planning and water resource management. Additionally, it develops problem-solving skills in people which were developed through study time, and graduates are inspired to innovate and run entrepreneurial ventures for growth and economic development.

Conclusion:

Civil engineering is a career that offers a varied field of work, assures products from the very bottom, and brings forth innovation and sustainability. It makes a satisfactory and rewarding career choice for those with a passion to build a better future and solve complex challenges. If you’re fired up about joining in the transformation of the world, then civil engineering is made for you. Wishing you luck in your future pursuits!