Reinforcing Civil Engineering Curricula With Courses Including Project-Based Software Applications

Civil engineering (CE) is one of the broadest engineering fields, if not the most, and requires undergraduate students to be exposed to a variety of topics; each can be easily recognized as a major in its own. Establishing a successful curriculum is a major challenge CE programs and faculty face, since it is a major block toward building a sustainable and reputable program. The curriculum must prepare the students to succeed in their future careers either in the industry or academia. Usually, the CE field is divided into five subfields, these being structures, geotechnical, hydraulics, transportation and environmental engineering. As the level of technology and practice of engineering increases in its complexity, it is extremely important that the faculty recognizes what are the actual needs of the industry and emphasizes on them while teaching. Being in the first quarter of the 21st century, the use of the computers and automated mechanisms spreads to all levels of production. This also affects the CE industry, where computer aided design (CAD) and simulation software increased productivity and reduced costs. As a result, the need for engineers that have robust knowledge in how to operate these software packages is increasing exponentially. In teaching the courses in structural engineering field, I incorporate a very powerful structural analysis and design software package (ETABS). The intent is to expose the students to such powerful software early in their careers to have a smooth transition into the workforce. Although there are many software packages, ETABS is selected due to its standardized interface and extensive use in the industry. The software is integrated in a sequential approach through successive interrelated core and elective courses: Structural Analysis, Reinforced Concrete Design, Design of Steel Structures, Earthquake Engineering, and Senior Design Project; which provides the students with the fundamentals needed to tackle large projects on their own. In addition, the introduction of such software package fulfills ABET outcome k: " ... an ability to use techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice".