You should know the Civil Engineering Department Before Entering There!

Intrigued by the Department of Civil Engineering? This time we will get acquainted with the cool majors on this one so you better understand the ins and outs. Civil engineering is defined as the practice of designing, building and maintaining the environment. The term civil engineering only emerged in 1800. Nevertheless, civil engineering actually has existed since 4000 BC.

If you study civil engineering, you will learn to design and supervise the construction of infrastructure such as buildings, highways, bridges, tunnels, water storage, sewage systems and others.

At work, a civil engineer works together in a team. Their focus is on how to use building theories and models to estimate the performance of a building design. Usually design tests are carried out on a small scale first. After being tested and considering various factors such as building benefits, budget and work safety, the real development will be carried out.

What is the Difference between the Department of Civil Engineering and the Department of Architecture?

At first glance, the majors of civil engineering and architectural engineering do look the same, because both of them learn how to design and build a building. A significant difference is that the Civil Engineering Department studies how to create sturdy but economical building structures, while the Architecture department focuses more on attractive building designs.

In short, civil engineering executes the design of architects in order to become a tangible form of the building, taking into account factors, such as building safety and resilience, budget, functions, etc.

What is learned?

In the civil engineering department, there are many aspects that we need to learn. These are like branches of the civil engineering discipline. Each branch has its own experts, therefore when you later or currently study in civil engineering it is better to focus on just one field. Well, here are the branches of science that are in the body of civil engineering:

1. Structural

The branch of structural science studies the ins and outs of the material and structural use in development. For example, in building the foundation what materials are needed, what cement mix, how deep the podation. Different types of buildings also have different foundations, it is not possible to be the same as ordinary houses with high-rise buildings. Simply put, the branch of structural science plays an important role in the planning of infrastructure structures from builders to ready for use.

2. Geotechnical Engineering

This one branch studies matters related to soil, starting from the structure of the soil to the rocks in supporting the buildings erected on it. Furthermore, there is soil mechanics in civil engineering. There are investigations of soil conditions ranging from contours to laboratory investigations.

3. Construction Management

This branch is very important in a construction company or contractor. This management is very related to economics, so civil engineering students will also learn how to make a Budget Plan (RAB), job scheduling, capital returns, project costs to matters relating to law and licensing.

4. Hydrology

One branch of science is very used in building dams, canals, reservoirs and others. Inside there are lessons about rainfall, river water discharge, water pressure and so on.

5. Environmental Engineering

Environmental engineering covers environmental issues such as AMDAL, clean water, waste and the like. At this time environmental engineering has also developed itself, there are several departments of environmental engineering at various campuses in Indonesia. But basically, this science is part of civil engineering.

6. Transformation

Includes transportation systems, planning and management. Traffic on the streets is also part of the study of civil engineering engineers, you know.

7. Civil Engineering Information

Concerned with mapping the area or planning using software. Toys from this new branch such as CAD and GIS (geographic information system).

PROSPECT OF WORK GRADUATES ON CIVIL ENGINEERING

Every country wants to continue to progress and develop, various buildings, facilities and infrastructure continue to be built to improve the comfort of people's lives. Therefore there are always vacancies for civil engineering majors. According to the latest data from the American Labor Bureau, annual salaries for those working in civil engineering range from $ 68,220 - $ 82,220. The following are some examples of civil engineering work:

1. Building Construction Consultant / Contractor

Graduates majoring in civil engineering can work in the field of construction of a construction, for example its position as: structural engineer, site engineer, drafter and estimator.

2. Development program or project

Civil engineering students can later work in a development plan, for example highways, toll roads, bridges, hospitals, dams and others. Our country is one of the countries that is still intensifying development, so becoming a civil engineering student and later taking part in a career in facilities development is a good opportunity.

3. Civil Servants (PNS)

Government agencies also need civil engineering graduates. Examples of agencies and services such as regional planning agencies, PMU-Bina Marga, hospitals, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, city planning and parks.

4. State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN)

Some BUMNs also provide vacancies for engineering graduates, for example in Cipta Karya (Planning), Waskita Karya (Buildings), Hutama Karya (Roads and Bridges) and other BUMNs.

5. Construction Engineer

A construction engineer is responsible for the design, management and supervision of various construction projects, whether they are building projects, roads, bridges, waters, sewage systems, etc. The construction engineer is tasked with considering matters relating to the environment, construction regulations, and determining where the building should be built. In addition, construction engineers must also predict the problems that might arise several years in the future after the building is finished, and what the solution is. In its work, construction engineers will work closely with architects, construction managers, planning and surveyors.

6. Structural Engineer

In general, a structural engineer acts as a consultant for architects and contractors. After an architect has finished designing the building, the structural engineer will make a number of calculations and estimates, such as what building materials will be used, estimate the durability of the building materials (for example in extreme weather like snow, summer), then discuss with other team members, for example engineers building materials and environmentalists. Structural engineers also handle building demolition, or building maintenance. When and after the building is built, the structural engineer will visit the field to make sure everything works according to the specified procedures and stages.

7. Building Control Surveyor

The responsibility of this profession is to ensure that all building projects comply with applicable laws and regulations. Testing the durability of foundations, building materials, drainage and other inspections is also the responsibility of the building control surveyor. If a project does not meet the criteria stated in the regulations and laws, the building control surveyor needs to provide a solution, taking into account the budget and possible delays. 

They will also be asked to survey buildings damaged by natural disasters, and provide solutions on how to rebuild, or repair.

8. Water Resources Engineer

This profession is responsible for building water supply facilities. In designing water systems, they must consider the design, management and maintenance of the system (underground wells, natural springs). This profession ensures that surrounding communities can obtain hygienic and contamination free water resources. In his work, water resources engineers work closely with structural engineers to obtain information on dam buildings or other water structures.

9. Building Maintenance Engineer

This profession takes care of the design, installation and maintenance of all services needed by a building to function properly, be it lighting, electric power, water, security systems, emergency systems and so forth.

10. General Field

Civil engineering graduates still have a variety of alternatives, for example they can work in SOEs that are not related to the construction industry for development such as Telkom and PLN. The work carried out by civil engineering graduates at this company for example in the infrastructure of telecommunications towers and dams for power plants. Private companies can also be places to work for civil engineering graduates including oil and mining companies.