BSc(Engineering)(Civil Engineering) [EB002CIV01]
The curriculum has a strong foundation in the natural sciences, mathematics and applied mechanics. From the second year of study, students are introduced to courses in structural engineering and materials, water engineering (hydraulics and water quality), geotechnical engineering, and urban engineering, including transportation. In the final year, the two major courses of Design Project and Research Report allow students to integrate their knowledge and develop advanced problem-solving skills. Professional aspects are covered by courses in communication and civil engineering practice.
A candidate shall complete approved courses of a value not less than 576 credits and shall comply with the prescribed curriculum requirements (which may exceed 576). Note: The core courses listed below, plus one elective course of 16 or more credits, constitute the courses recognised for the degree in terms of Rule FB8.2. DP and examination requirements to pass the core courses are set out in the course information sheets issued at the start of all Civil Engineering core courses.
First Year Core Courses
Number | Course | Credits | HEQS-F level |
CEM1008F | Chemistry for Engineers | 16 | 05 |
CIV1005W | Introduction to Engineering | 24 | 05 |
MAM1020F | Mathematics 1A for Engineers | 18 | 05 |
MAM1021S | Mathematics 1B for Engineers | 18 | 05 |
CIV1007S | Engineering Mechanics | 16 | 05 |
MEC1002W | Engineering Drawing | 16 | 05 |
PHY1012F | Physics A for Engineers | 18 | 05 |
PHY1013S | Physics B for Engineers | 18 | 05 |
Total credits per year | 144 |
Second Year Core Courses
Number | Course | Credits | HEQS-F level |
CIV2011F | Mechanics of Materials | 16 | 06 |
CIV2041S | Structural Analysis I | 16 | 06 |
APG2026S | Construction Surveying | 16 | 06 |
STA1008F | Statistics for Engineers | 16 | 06 |
CIV2039S | Geotechnical Engineering I | 16 | 06 |
CIV2040S | Fluid Mechanics | 8 | 06 |
GEO1008F | Geology for Engineers | 12 | 06 |
MAM2083F | Mathematics 1A for Engineers | 16 | 06 |
MAM2084S | Mathematics 1B for Engineers | 16 | 06 |
CIV2042F | Construction Materials | 12 | 06 |
Total credits per year | 148 | ||
CIV2020X | Practical Experience | 0 | 06 |
Third Year Core Courses
Number | Course | Credits | HEQS-F level |
CIV3048F | Structural Analysis II | 16 | 07 |
CIV3049S | Structural Design I | 16 | 07 |
CIV3042S | Geotechnical Engineering II | 16 | 07 |
CIV3043F | Hydraulic Engineering | 16 | 07 |
CIV3044F | Engineering Hydrology | 8 | 07 |
CIV3045F | Transportation Planning | 16 | 07 |
CIV3046F | Water Treatment | 12 | 07 |
CIV3047S | Urban Water Services | 16 | 07 |
ECO1007S | Economics for Engineers | 18 | 05 |
Elective | 18 | 07 | |
Total credits per year | 152 |
Fourth Year Core Courses
Number | Course | Credits | HEQS-F level |
CIV4045F | Structural Design II | 18 | 08 |
CIV4035C | Design Project | 24 | 08 |
CIV4041 | Professional Practice | 12 | 08 |
CIV4042F | Waste Water Treatment | 12 | 08 |
CIV4046F | Transportation Engineering | 18 | 08 |
CIV4044S | Research Project | 48 | 08 |
EGS1005F | Introduction to Environmental Assessment & Management | 12 | 05 |
Total credits per year | 144 |
Elective Courses
The core curriculum changes from time to time and it is the responsibility of each student to check the accumulating total of core course credits he or she has completed at any stage, in order to determine any shortfall from the minimum number of 576 credits and the courses required for graduation.
In the final year of study students may get a concession to take a maximum of 16 credits per semester over and above the published fourth year core curriculum. This may consist of outstanding courses from prior years or additional electives.
It is a requirement of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) that all engineering graduates be exposed to complementary studies which, inter alia, broaden the student’s perspective in the humanities, social sciences or other areas to support an understanding of the world. To this end, every prospective graduate must take at least one course from a list of approved electives that will be made available to the student at the beginning of each year. This core elective will ordinarily be undertaken in the second half of the third year, although the elective END1019L (Social Infrastructures: engaging with community for change) is available in the Winter Term. It is the responsibility of the student when proposing electives to ensure that there are no lecture, practical or examination timetable clashes for courses so offered.