Civil engineering is a fundamental engineering discipline that combines materials and techniques in the best possible way to handle the planning, design, construction, and supervision of structures. Civil engineers are involved in the planning, design, construction, and supervision of all kinds of buildings, dams, airports, bridges, roads, aqueducts, ports, sewage systems, water networks, tunnels, railways, high-speed train projects, subways, and other service and industrial structures. Often considered the mother of engineering, civil engineering is the oldest fundamental engineering discipline after military engineering. The term "civil engineering" first appeared in the 18th century to differentiate non-military engineering works from military engineering. As one of the foundational engineering fields, civil engineering encompasses a broad area, necessitating specialization in various branches. These main branches include environmental engineering, geotechnics, municipal or urban engineering, coastal engineering, surveying, structural engineering, foundation engineering, water engineering, material science, transportation engineering, and more.
There is no typical career path for civil engineers. Many start with jobs requiring low responsibility and, as they prove their capabilities, gain confidence for higher-responsibility roles. Each branch of civil engineering demands different career paths. In some fields and firms, entry-level engineers start in construction monitoring roles, acting as the "eyes and ears" of senior design engineers. In others, they might begin with routine analysis, design, and interpretation tasks. Experienced engineers typically handle complex analyses, manage more intricate design projects, supervise other engineers, or provide specialized consultancy in fields like forensic engineering. Graduates from technical departments of universities can be employed in both the public and private sectors. Additionally, they can establish their businesses. They can work in various institutions and organizations such as the Ministry of Public Works and Settlement, Ministry of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Ministry of Transport, General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI), General Directorate of Highways, Ministry of National Education, and public economic enterprises. Some also work independently. In Turkey, civil engineers can work at THY, TAI, THK, and private aviation companies, as well as major maintenance centers, TAI or TUSAŞ. They can also find positions in aircraft factories or repair workshops affiliated with the Ministry of Transport. They may work in official organizations such as TKİ, Etibank, MTA Institute, DSI, Turkish Petroleum Corporation, Directorate of Electricity Affairs, Soil-Water, Road-Water-Electricity Administration, Earthquake Research Institute, foreign oil companies, private mining, and drilling companies. Architects in the public sector typically work in ministries like Public Works and Settlement, Transport, and municipalities.
Civil engineering has been a part of life since the beginning of human existence. The first examples of civil engineering can be traced back to between 4000 BC and 2000 BC in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia (ancient Iraq), when humans began to construct shelters as they transitioned from a nomadic lifestyle. During this period, transportation became increasingly important with the development of the wheel and sail. Until modern times, there was no clear distinction between civil engineering and architecture. For those in the profession, "civil engineer" and "architect" were often interchangeable terms. The construction of the pyramids in Egypt (circa 2700-2500 BC) is an early example of large-scale construction. Other ancient civil engineering landmarks include the Parthenon in Greece (447-438 BC), the Appian Way built by Roman engineers (312 BC), the Great Wall of China (220 BC), and the Jetavanaramaya stupa in Sri Lanka (3rd century AD). The pioneering civil engineering school in the world is the French School of Bridges and Roads, which grew into the National School of Bridges and Roads in 1747. Its instructors published seminal texts in hydraulics, mechanical mechanics, and materials science. From necessity, individuals from the civilian population who practiced engineering but were not military engineers emerged. In England, James Brindley began as a miller and became a leading canal builder of his century, John Rennie transitioned from miller’s apprentice to constructing the New London Bridge, and Thomas Telford, originally a stonemason, became a prominent road builder. The term "civil engineering" was first used in the 18th century to describe civilian engineering activities distinct from military engineering. John Smeaton, who built the Eddystone Lighthouse, was the first to call himself a civil engineer. In 1771, Smeaton and a few colleagues founded the Smeatonian Society of Civil Engineers, a small social group that met for dinner. Although it held some technical meetings, it never grew beyond a social group. In 1818, the Institution of Civil Engineers was founded in London, and in 1820, renowned engineer Thomas Telford became its first president. The institution received its Royal Charter in 1828, formally recognizing civil engineering as a profession. Civil engineering was defined as the art of directing the great sources of power in nature for the use and convenience of man, involving the construction of roads, bridges, canals, river navigation, docks, harbors, lighthouses, and the application of machinery for trade and domestic purposes. In the United States, the first private college to provide civil engineering education was Norwich University, founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge. The first civil engineering degree in America was awarded in 1835 by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The first female engineer, Nora Stanton Blatch, was awarded a degree in 1905 by Cornell University.
Civil engineers typically hold an academic degree essential for civil engineering, which usually takes 3-5 years. Some universities award this degree as a Bachelor of Science, but it is often referred to as a Bachelor of Engineering. The curriculum includes units covering physics, mathematics, project management, design, and specific civil engineering topics. Initially, these subjects encompass many, if not all, of the sub-disciplines of civil engineering. Towards the end of the undergraduate program, students choose to specialize in one or more sub-disciplines. Although students who have earned a Bachelor’s degree (BEng/BSc) are officially recognized to provide engineering services, some universities offer postgraduate engineering education for students to specialize further in their areas of interest. In many countries, a bachelor’s degree in engineering is the first step toward professional certification, and the program must be accredited by a recognized authority. After completing an accredited program, engineers must meet work experience and examination requirements before being certified. Once licensed, engineers may be known as Professional Engineers in the United States, Canada, and South Africa; Chartered Engineers in many Commonwealth countries; Chartered Professional Engineers in Australia and New Zealand; and European Engineers in many EU member states. Various international engineering agreements allow for the mutual recognition of engineering certifications across borders. The benefits of different certifications vary depending on the country. For example, in the United States and Canada, only licensed engineers have the authority to sign and seal engineering plans and drawings for public approval and to offer engineering services to the public or private sectors. This requirement is regulated by state and provincial legislation, such as the Quebec Engineers Act. In other countries, there may not be such legislation. In Australia, for instance, engineers’ licensing is limited to the state of Queensland. Almost all countries have professional organizations that engineers belong to, which protect their members from unethical behavior and play a crucial role in ensuring ethical standards within the profession. Engineering services must comply with various government regulations and environmental laws. In cases of gross negligence, there may be criminal penalties.
