Erie Community College, State University of New York

CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

Program Description

While civil engineers plan, design, and construct various structures including all civic facilities, commercial buildings, and highways, the civil engineering technician assists the professional engineer in the accomplishments of these tasks. There is an urgent and continuing local need for civil engineering technology graduates to support the enormous investment in modernizing the infrastructure of the local community. There is a current shortage and demand for trained personnel by governmental and private sector design agencies as well as construction contractors. The demand for civil engineering technicians exceeds the annual number of graduates. ECC is the only institution in Western New York offering this program.

The objective of the Civil Engineering Technology program is to provide basic training in the concepts fundamental to the development, design, and construction of commercial, industrial, and public structures, utilities, and highways. Students develop a clear understanding of the problems and the solutions to the problems facing the construction team, including the owner, surveyor, architect, engineer, building product supplier, and the contractor.

The program encourages professional office practice standards in both the lecture and lab experiences. Through lecture courses, students probe surveying, manual and Computer Aided Design (CAD) drafting, structural steel design, reinforced concrete design, highway design, and computer applications. These classes are supplemented by laboratory experiences. Students, having regular access to state-of-the-art equipment, including micro-computers, Eagle Point Engineering Design Package, printers, plotters, micro-based CAD equipment, electronic planimeters, COGO survey programs, electronic distance measuring equipment, automatic levels, and theodolites are expected to produce calculations and reports that meet professional standards. During the summer, an ongoing program with local engineering, architectural, and construction firms provides summer employment opportunities for civil engineering technology students.

A minimum grade point average of 2.0 is required for graduation with an A.A.S. degree in civil engineering technology. Graduates of the program find employment with material testing and inspection firms; private and governmental engineering, design, and surveying agencies; architectural firms; contracting firms; and construction material and equipment suppliers.

Accreditation

Civil Engineering Technology is accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology [TAC/ABET, 111 Market Place Suite 1050 Baltimore, MD 21202; (410) 347-7700, Fax: (410) 625-2238; e-mail: accreditation@ABET.org; Web site: http://www.ABET.org].

Special Admissions Requirements/Prerequisites

It is recommended that students have at least three years of high school mathematics and science, as well as basic drafting.

Students who are required to take remedial math and/or English courses will be scheduled for the pre-civil engineering technology sequence. Additional term(s) of coursework may be required in order to make up deficiencies.

Scholarship Opportunity

APWA - American Public Works Association

Degree: Associate in Applied Science
Hegis: 5309
Curriculum Code: 0517
Total Degree Credits: 69.5
Campus Location: North
Engineering & Technologies Division