Faculty of Engineering

Civil engineering is the profession which designs, constructs, operates and manages the basic systems that make civilization possible and which assesses the impacts of such systems on the natural environment. The civil engineer must deal with the human impact of engineering, social, moral, legal and environmental issues that concern us to a far greater degree than ever before. As a matter of fact, civil engineering has played a key role in the development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the past several decades.

The Department of Civil Engineering is one of the major and active engineering departments at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) since 1395H/1975G. It offers B.Sc., M.Sc. (thesis and non-thesis options) as well as Ph.D. degrees in civil engineering. The Department has a strong highly qualified and experienced full-time faculty comprising 9 professors, 11 associate professors, 15 assistant professors, and 4 lecturers, apart from the supporting laboratory and secretarial staff.

Civil engineering programs are intended to satisfy the needs of the country. The rapid introduction of modern materials, measurement techniques, construction methods and management tools require properly trained civil engineers. The civil engineering program and its objectives are continuously updated keeping in view these factors.

The civil engineering program B. Sc. at KAU is designed to develop knowledgeable and creative engineers with strong capabilities for innovation and management. Civil Engineering graduates have a wide variety of employment opportunities in both the private as well as the public sectors. Civil engineering has become an extremely diverse field with many areas of application.

VISION

"A distinguished learning and research community in Civil Engineering knowledge."

MISSION

"Offer high-quality education and conduct innovative research in Civil Engineering to provide sustainable solutions for societal needs."

OBJECTIVES

The educational program of the Civil Engineering department at King Abdul-Aziz University is preparing its graduates to achieve the following:

1. Demonstrate technical competence in the areas of Civil Engineering, through engagement in productive career in public and private sectors, academia, or research.

2. Engage successfully in work place utilizing leadership, team-work, effective communication, life-long learning, ethical behavior and project management tools.

3. Contribute to the sustainable development of the society.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

The graduating students from Civil Engineering Department will have the following outcomes:

· An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.

· An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.

· An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability.

· An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams.

· An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.

· An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.

· An ability to communicate effectively.

· The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.

· A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning.

· A knowledge of contemporary issues.

· An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

· A knowledge of and proficiency in the major areas of civil engineering such as Construction Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geo-technical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Transportation Engineering, and Water Resources Engineering.

PROGRAMS OFFERED

The Department of Civil Engineering offers B.Sc., M.Sc. (thesis and non-thesis) and Ph.D. programs as follows.

· B.Sc. Program

The student has to earn a minimum of 155 credit hours to obtain a B.Sc. degree in civil engineering.

· M.Sc. Degree (Thesis Option)

The requirement for M.Sc. degree (thesis option) consists of 27 credit hours of course work, a seminar (1 credit hour) and a M.Sc. thesis (8 credit hours). The graduate student can choose one of the following specializations: construction engineering, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, transportation engineering, or water resources engineering.

· M.Sc. Degree (Non- Thesis Option)

The requirement for M.Sc. degree (non-thesis option) consists of 39 credit hours of course work, master’s project (3 credit hours) and a comprehensive exam. The graduate student can choose one of the following specializations: construction engineering, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, transportation engineering or water resources engineering.

· Ph.D.

The Department of Civil Engineering is the first department in the Faculty of Engineering at KAU that offers a Ph.D. program. The doctoral degree requirements are 30 credit hours of coursework and a Ph.D. dissertation (12 credit hours). This program was started in the Fall Semester 1422H/2001G. The doctoral student can choose one of the following specializations: construction engineering, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, transportation engineering or water resources engineering.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates of the Department of Civil Engineering have career opportunities in the following organizations:

· Ministry of Water and Electricity.

· Ministry of Municipalities and Rural Affairs.

· Ministry of Communications.

· Ministry of Planning and Economy.

· Ministry of Defense and Aviation.

· Ministry of Interior.

· Ministry of Education.

· Ministry of Hajj.

· Ministry of Health.

· Saline Water Conversion Corporation.

· Saudi Arabian Airlines.

· Saudi ARAMCO.

· Municipalities.

· Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME).

· Semi-Government Organizations.

· Private Organizations.

· All organizations that have an engineering department.

· Consultant and engineering offices.

DEPARTMENTAL FACILITIES

The Department has well equipped laboratory facilities with experienced and qualified technicians and supporting staff. The following are the laboratory facilities of the department.

· Strength of Materials Laboratory: for studying the mechanical behavior of different materials.

· Surveying Laboratory: for measuring and setting out coordinates, distances, angles and elevations using surveying instruments.

· Cement and Aggregate Laboratory: for studying the properties of cement and aggregates.

· Concrete Technology Laboratory: for mixing, casting and testing of fresh and hardened concrete.

· Soil Mechanics Laboratory: for experimental studies of general properties and mechanical behavior of soils and rocks.

· Foundation Engineering Laboratory: For experimental studies of soils and rocks for foundation design.

· Heavy Structures and Pre-stressed Concrete Laboratory: for studying behavior of R.C. structural members and pre-stressed members under loads.

· Hydraulics Laboratory: used for experimental studies of the basic principles of flow of water.

· Environmental Engineering Laboratory: for studying techniques of control of environmental quality by physical, chemical, and biological processes; water and wastewater analysis.

· Advanced Hydraulics Laboratory: for testing hydro-machinery, determining rainfall-runoffs and making hydrographs.

· Traffic Engineering Laboratory: used for traffic data analysis and studies.

· Asphalt Laboratory: used for asphalt and pavement materials testing.

· Computer Laboratory: has software for different courses and computer applications in civil engineering.

Last Update

6/17/2008 3:26:35 PM

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