Latin American and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institutions

Conference Track:  Engineering Education

Selection1:       Paper

Language:         English

Keywords:         Civil engineering; Infrastructure; Education; Curriculum

Contact Title:    Prof.

Contact First Name: Panagiotis D.

Contact Last Name:  Scarlatos

University:       Florida Atlantic University

Web:              www.fau.edu

Position:         Professor

Country:          USA

Email:            scarlatos@civil.fau.edu

Fax:              561-297-0493

Paper Title:

Civil Engineering - An Old Profession Viewed Through the Needs of the 21st Century

Abstract:

Civil Engineering is one of the oldest professions of the human race. Civil engineering works are dated back in the prehistoric era. Civil Engineering was the result of the fundamental human need for protection from the natural elements. As civilization grew, Civil Engineering evolved to practical science for improving living conditions and even glorifying deities and humans by means of monumental structures.

It is surprising to realize that throughout the history of civil engineering little has changed regarding its principles and applications. Many of the technical methods and materials still in use are hundreds if not thousand years old. Thus, a legitimate question arises whether Civil Engineering became a stagnant discipline that has reached a plateau of challenges?

A direct answer to this question is given by the daily news. Earthquake-induced damages, mudslides, floods, congested highways, power shortages, failing infrastructure components, ecological disasters, terrorist acts, etc are indications that civil engineers are facing a lot of challenges.

The new challenges however appear to be out-of-phase with the civil engineering curriculum. The Baccalaureate Degree provides a general education and a basic introduction to the different civil engineering areas (i.e., structural, geotechnical, transportation, water resources and environmental). A more in-depth knowledge, in any of the specialization areas, is available only through graduate degrees and/or years of practical experience.

The demand on the new generation of civil engineers would be not so much on the construction of new projects but on the maintenance, rehabilitation and protection of the existing ones.

Mailing Address:

Department of Civil Engineering

Florida Atlantic University

777 Glades Rd, Bldg 36, Rm 217

Boca Raton, FL 33431

Phone:

561-297-3444

Other Authors:

            University /(P)