Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] Civil Engineering

at Khalifa University

To be recommended to graduate with a BSc in Civil Engineering degree, students must satisfactorily complete the courses in the specified categories as set out below. The categories cover the University General Education Requirements (GER, 47 credits), College of Engineering Requirements (CER, 22 credits), as well as the Civil Engineering Core and Technical Electives requirements. The normal length of the program is 138 credits.
 

Students may select one of two available Tracks and enroll on appropriately selected technical electives. The Tracks provide an opportunity to the student to focus on one of the two main Civil Engineering specializations.
 

CIVIL ENGINEERING TRACKS (OPTIONAL)
 

Civil Engineering students may select one of two available tracks and enroll on appropriately selected technical electives. The two tracks are:
 

• Infra-Structural Engineering

• Environmental Engineering
   

Both tracks require students to replace the two Technical Electives (6 credits) and the Free Elective (3 credits) in the program with 9 credits of department-approved courses related to the selected track. The following is the currently approved list of courses in each track.
 

Infra-Structural Engineering Track
 

Environmental Engineering Track
 

At KU, the Track is specified on the student’s academic record.
 

ADDITIONAL MATH/SCIENCES REQUIREMENTS (12 CREDITS)
 

To satisfy the College of Engineering Requirements, the BSc in Civil Engineering requires the following Math courses in addition to the Math/Sciences required in GER: CHEM115, PHYS121, PHYS122, MATH111, and MATH112.
 

CIVIL ENGINEERING CORE REQUIREMENTS (60 CREDITS)
 

* The Science Elective should be approved by the Department.
 

CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNICAL ELECTIVES (6 CREDITS)
 

The following is a sample list of courses that will satisfy the technical electives in the BSc in Civil Engineering. Students must select a total of six credits from this list. At most three credits of the technical electives may be at 300-level and at most three credits may be independent study. In addition, courses from the list below may be taken to satisfy the free electives requirement. Additional courses may be approved by the department as technical electives.
 

CIVIL ENGINEERING TRACK ELECTIVES
 

Both Tracks require students to replace three electives (9 credits) with elective courses related to the selected Track.
 

Infra-Structural Track Courses
 

Approved Environmental Track Courses
 

FREE ELECTIVES (3 CREDITS)
 

Students must complete 3 credits of free electives which are intended to provide students with flexibility to support their career paths and individual interests.
 

Course Description of Civil Engineering
 

CIVE 180                              Engineering Graphics and Visualization (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      ENGR 113

This course is an introduction to graphical communication concepts and tools used by engineers. It covers visualization and technical sketching skills, implications related to manufacturing processes, computer-aided design methods, and development and interpretation of drawings of civil engineering structures.

CIVE 200                              Statics (3-0-3)

*(Cross listed with AERO 200; MEEN 200)

Prerequisite:      PHYS 121

A vector treatment of force systems and their resultants: equilibrium of trusses, beams, frames, and machines, including internal forces and three-dimensional configurations, static friction, properties of areas, and distributed loads and hydrostatics.

CIVE 201                              Engineering Dynamics (3-0-3)

*(Cross listed with AERO 201; MEEN 201)

Prerequisite:      CIVE 200

Co-requisites:    MATH 204; MATH 206

This course introduces rectilinear and curvilinear motion of particles and rigid bodies, kinematics and kinetics of particles and rigid bodies, rotational and translational motion of rigid bodies, principle of work and energy, and principle of impulse and momentum in particles and rigid body dynamics.

CIVE 225                              Mechanics of Solids (3-3-4)

(Cross listed with AERO 225 and MEEN 325)

Prerequisite:      CIVE 200

The course is an introduction to the mechanics of deformable solids applied to basic engineering structures. It covers the concepts of stress and strain at a point; factor of safety in design, deformation of axially loaded members; symmetric and unsymmetric bending of elastic and elastic-perfectly plastic beams; torsion of open and closed section; beam deflection; stress and strain transformations, and elastic buckling of columns.

CIVE 310                              Geomatics (2-3-3)

Co-requisite:     CIVE 180

The course is an introduction to Geomatics.  It covers Plane and topographic surveying; distance, angle, and elevation difference measurement; error theory; traverse computations; topographic mapping; horizontal and vertical curves; CADD applications; GPS and GIS.

CIVE 332                              Fundamentals of Construction Engineering & Management (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      ENGR 111

This course offers a sampler of the broad construction engineering and project management topics. It covers the project management tools and practices as performed throughout the construction processes, including bidding; contract format and construction administration; construction documents; reading and interpreting contract plans; project planning and scheduling; resource management and project control; cash flow analysis; risk management and safety in construction.

CIVE 335                              Fluid Mechanics (3-3-4)

Prerequisites:    PHYS 121; MATH 231

This course introduces students to concepts of fluids and examines the forces on them. Conservation of mass, momentum, and energy are fundamental to the physics. Various mathematical representations are considered, including differential and integral formulations. The complexity of fluid dynamics motivates the notions of simplifying assumptions, dimensional analysis, and boundary layers among others.

CIVE 336                              Civil Engineering Materials (3-3-4)

Prerequisites:    CHEM 115; CIVE 225

The course is an introduction to scientific concepts of civil engineering materials. It covers relationship between macroscopic material properties and response and microscopic properties; physical, mechanical, surface, fracture, and rheological properties of civil engineering materials including metals, composites, polymers, and Portland cement concrete.

CIVE 338                              Geotechnical Engineering (3-3-4)

Prerequisite:      CIVE 225

This course is an introduction to the basic principles that govern the behavior of soils, foundations, and other geotechnical engineering works. The central concepts to be covered in this class are: engineering properties of soils, soil classification, permeability, stresses in soil due to applied loads, consolidation, compaction, shear strength and applications to engineering design.

CIVE 340                               Behavior and Analysis of Structures (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      CIVE 225

This course is to study behavior and analysis of statically determinate and indeterminate beams, frames, and trusses. It covers displacement calculations using the method of virtual work, analysis of statically indeterminate structures by consistent displacements and slope-deflection equations, and the basic fundamentals of using the direct stiffness method for analyzing structures.

CIVE 341                               Design of Steel Structures (3-0-3)

Prerequisites:    CIVE 336; CIVE 340

This course is to understand the fundamentals of the design of steel structural members such as beams and columns and their connections based on the Load and Resistance Factor Design method. It covers design of structural members for tension, flexure, shear, compression, and combined loads, and design of bolted and welded connections.

CIVE 370                               Introduction to Environmental Engineering (3-3-4)

Prerequisites:    CHEM 115; MATH 112

This course introduces environmental problems and their resolutions including water and wastewater treatment, air pollution and control, and solid and hazardous waste management. It covers the fundamental theory, principles, and preliminary design of unit operations in environmental engineering. Laboratory classes illustrate analytical techniques used in the analysis of environmental samples, and demonstrate the mechanisms involved in the treatment processes.

CIVE 380                              Transportation Engineering (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      CIVE 310

This course is an introduction to transportation engineering with emphasis on operation, design, and planning of transportation infrastructure including highway and arterial roads, signalized intersections.  Various issues related to transportation such as congestions, public transit, smart intersections, and autonomous vehicles are also discussed.

CIVE 391                               Independent Study I (Variable course credits from 1 to 3)

Prerequisites:    Approval of department and junior standing

This course gives an upper level undergraduate student the opportunity to participate in an individual or group project, study, or research activity under the supervision of a faculty member.  A formal report is required.

CIVE 395                               Special Topics in Civil Engineering (from 1 to 3 credits)

Prerequisite:      Topic specific

This course mainly deals with new trends in Civil Engineering and emerging technologies. Course is repeatable if title and content differ.

CIVE 442                              Design of Concrete Structures (3-0-3)

Prerequisites:    CIVE 336

This course is a basic understanding of the analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures. It covers properties of reinforced concrete, behavior and ultimate strength design of reinforced concrete beams, slabs, columns, and footings, and design for flexure, shear, compression, bond, and anchorage.

CIVE 450                               Coastal Engineering (3-0-3)

Prerequisites:    CIVE 335; CIVE 370

This course is designed to give an overview of the analysis and design procedures used in the field of coastal engineering. The course covers basic wave properties in the near shore region, coastal sediment transport processes and the preliminary design of shore and harbor protection structures.

CIVE 455                              Blast Effects and Modern Protective Infrastructures (3-0-3)

Prerequisites:    CIVE 341; CIVE 442  

Threat and Hazard Assessment.  Conventional and Nuclear Environments.  Conventional and Nuclear Loads on Structures.  Behavior of Structural Elements.  Dynamic Response and Analysis.  Connections, Openings, Interfaces, and Internal Shock.  Structural Systems-Behavior and Design Philosophy.

CIVE 463                              Water and Wastewater Treatment Technologies (3-0-3)

Prerequisites:    CIVE 335; CIVE 370

Analysis of unit operations for coagulation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection for treatment of drinking water.  Introduce the chemistry of drinking water treatment processes. Analyze facilities for physical, chemical, and biological treatment of wastewater; and treatment and disposal of sludge. Coverage of advanced wastewater treatment and land treatment systems.

CIVE 465              Water Resources Management (3-0-3)

Prerequisites:    CIVE 335; CIVE 370

A comprehensive introduction to hydraulics, groundwater, and surface water hydrology, statistical hydrology, deterministic hydrology, climatology, GIS, remote sensing, fundamentals of planning and management as well as other courses dealing with the general field of water resources.

CIVE 469                              Air Pollution Control (3-0-3)

Prerequisites:    CHEM 115; AERO/CIVE/MEEN 335

An in-depth instruction into air pollution covering such topics as the causes, sources, and effects of air pollution.  Topics include: legislative standards (ambient and source) for pollutants, regional and global air pollution issues, indoor air pollution, air pollution instrumentation and gas flow measurements, basic meteorology, and design of facilities for air pollution control. 

CIVE 470                              Foundation Engineering (3-3-4)

Prerequisite:      CIVE 338

This course focuses on geotechnical design of shallow and deep foundations, including spread footings, mats, driven piles, and drilled piers. Coverage includes bearing capacity, settlement, and group effects of the various foundation types. Additional topics include geotechnical proposal and report writing, subsurface exploration, and construction of deep foundations.

CIVE 472                              Pavements Design and Maintenance – TE (3-0-3)

Prerequisites:    CIVE 336

The course will focus on the (i) basic characteristics of a pavement structure, (ii) modes of failure for flexible and rigid pavements, (iii) fundamental properties of pavement materials for structural design purposes, (iv) heavy vehicle loads and analysis of the stress and strain distribution in multilayer pavement systems, and (v) fundamentals of the state-of-the-art pavement design methodology.

CIVE 473                               Structural Design of Buildings (3-0-3)

Prerequisites:    CIVE 341; CIVE 442

This course is to understand the design of multi-storey buildings in reinforced concrete and steel building by means of computer-aided analysis and design. It covers the response of multi-storey buildings to vertical and horizontal loads and includes a computer-aided design of a 3D multi-storey concrete building.

CIVE 475                              Earth Structures: Embankments, Slopes & Buried Structures (3-0-3)

Prerequisites:    CIVE 338

Analysis of lateral earth pressures, slope stability, and stresses on buried structures, design of cantilever retaining walls, mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls, sheet piling, and slurry walls. 

CIVE 480                              Project Management and Contract Administration (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      CIVE 332

Students take an owner’s project requirements through stages of scope definition, budgeting and planning, conceptual design, scheduling, and construction contract administration. Students apply engineering standards and consider realistic issues including engineering economics, constructability, environmental requirements, sustainability, and safety. The course addresses and applies management topics and concepts of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling in the context of a capstone engineering project. The course concludes with a project competition involving construction industry professionals.

CIVE 482              Project Control and Life Cycle Execution of Constructed Facilities (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      CIVE 332

This course continues an introduction to construction management and engineering concepts for future engineers, contractors and owner representatives involved at different stages in the life-cycle of constructed facilities.  This course introduces further awareness of analytical tools and extends the basic foundation for advanced topics in construction engineering and management.

CIVE 484             Project Planning, Scheduling and Control (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      CIVE 332

This course emphasizes the fundamental principles of modern management methods of planning and scheduling for construction projects. Covered topics include pre-bid planning; construction project planning using WBS; project network; estimating activity duration, CPM scheduling; resource management using resource allocation and leveling; project time-cost trade-offs; project monitoring and control; and, earned value analysis integrating cost and schedule.

CIVE 485                              Construction Project Management (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      CIVE 480

This course emphasizes the methods and materials of construction as well as the management practices required to run a successful construction project. Topics include construction materials, project planning, scheduling, cost estimating, and field engineering. A semester project, in the form of a detailed study of a major construction project, complements the classroom experience.

CIVE 488                              Advanced Construction Management (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      CIVE 485

This course will cover construction methods, equipment, and cost estimation of construction materials, excavation, foundation, retaining walls, formwork, pavements and other aspects of civil engineering construction projects by integrating geotechnical reports, materials specifications, quality control, equipment, estimation, scheduling, and design details.

CIVE 491                               Independent Study II (Variable course credits from 1 to 3)

Prerequisite:      Approval of department and senior standing

This course gives an upper level undergraduate student the opportunity to participate in an individual or group project, study, or research activity under the supervision of a faculty member.  A formal report is required.

CIVE 492                              Urban Transit Planning and Operations (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      CIVE 380

The objective of this course is to introduce the fundamentals of urban transit planning and operations. The course will cover several topics, including public transit planning, role of transit in urban areas, classification of transit modes, fundamentals of transit performance and operational analysis, capacity analysis, scheduling, network design, transit economics, and mode selection.

CIVE 493                              Airport Planning and Traffic Management (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      CIVE 380

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of airport systems, airport operations, and airport administrative management.  The course topics includes the history of airport systems, planning, operations of airfields, airspace and traffic management, terminals and ground access, security, economic perspectives, and capacity/delay analyses.

CIVE 495                               Special Topics in Civil Engineering

Prerequisite:      Topic specific

This course mainly deals with new trends in Civil Engineering and emerging technologies. Course is repeatable if title and content differ.

CIVE 497                               Senior Design Project I (1-6-3)

Prerequisite:      Senior standing and (CIVE 332/ CIVE 335/ CIVE 338/ CIVE 341/ CIVE 370/ CIVE 380)

Participation in team projects dealing with design and development of a component or a structural system, in accordance with project-specific objectives and constraints. Number of projects will be offered by the different engineering departments, some of which will be multi-disciplinary in nature. This will provide an opportunity to exercise initiative, engineering judgment, self-reliance and creativity, in a team environment similar to the industry environment. The design projects require students to use engineering standards in their design process, developing suitable criteria for selection based on their acquired engineering skills, experience, and other pertinent resources. Oral and written presentations are required.

CIVE 498                               Senior Design Project II (0-9-3)

Prerequisite:      CIVE 497

Continuation of CIVE 497.

Academic Eligibility:
 

Undergraduate admission to Khalifa University is highly competitive. In order to be considered for admissions, students must meet the following minimum criteria:
 

• Applicant should have graduated from high school no later than two years prior to the current year.

• Minimum score of achievement in each of the following EmSAT subjects: Math 1000, Physics 800, Arabic 700, and English 1250 to be conditionally accepted into the Foundation program.

• Or, minimum score of achievement in each of the following EmSAT subjects: Math 1250, Physics 800, Arabic 700, and English 1400 to be fully accepted into freshman year
   

International Students:
 

Students who have completed their High school outside the UAE must provide one of the following certificates to be considered for admission:
 

• SAT Math score 700 and above

• AP Math score 3 and above

• A Level Math score C and above.

The cost of studying at Khalifa University varies largely depending on the type of university and the degree chosen. More often than not, humanities, arts, and education courses are less expensive than degrees in medical, engineering, or management. Furthermore, students who choose to study at the postgraduate level typically pay higher tuition fees, which again vary depending on the programme chosen.

Most universities provide scholarships or financial aid to students in order to help them offset their tuition costs. Students should be aware that additional course fees and incidental expenses may not be included in tuition. On average, international students can expect to pay AED113,113 annually, to study in Khalifa University.

Civil engineers generally work indoors in construction firms, environmental agencies, urban planning councils, and within the energy industry (oil/gas/nuclear). Civil engineers also work in offices dealing with national infrastructure authorities.
 

Career specializations with in the civil engineering field include:
 

• Project Manager

• Construction Manager

• Structural Design Engineer

• Research and Development

• Testing Engineer

• Consultant