Des Moines Area Community College.

Civil Engineering Technology Skills Guide

Recommended High School Level Background Courses

  • *Algebra I
  • Trigonometry
  • Computer Literacy
  • *Algebra II
  • *Composition
  • *Geometry
  • Drafting
 

* Courses available in the Academic Achievement Center or High School Completion Center

Basic Skills in the Program and on the Job

Reading

Textbooks in the Civil Engineering Technology program combine scientific and mathematical material, with an emphasis on applying formulas, using tables, and interpreting diagrams. Students should be prepared to read an average of 50-60 pages per week of this technical material in each of their classes. In addition to textbooks, students will use manuals, engineering reference books, data from the Internet, construction plans, and legal documents such as property deeds, abstracts, and environmental impact statements. These are the same materials that they will later access on the job. Tests are based on a combination of lecture and text, with textual information used more heavily later in the program.

View more information on reading skills in the Civil Engineering Technology program.

Language

Written and oral communication skills are important in Civil Engineering Technology. In the program students are required to interpret data both orally and in writing. Group projects are common in their coursework.

On the job, students can expect to work in teams and to communicate with clients as well. They may be required to write short technical reports related to issues such as quality assurance or environmental impact.

Communication courses required in the program are  Communication Skills (COM703) and Composition I (ENG 105), or  Composition I (ENG 105)  and Composition II: Technical Writing (ENG 108).  Students also take either Human Relations in Business (MGT 145) or Introduction to Psychology (PSY111).

View more information on language skills in the Civil Engineering Technology program.

Math

Math skills are central to this program. The required math course is MAT 773, Applied Math II. In addition, the other courses in the program heavily emphasize calculations using general arithmetic, algebra, and trigonometry. Applications of principles specific to Civil Engineering Technology (such as rounding, calculating area and volume, and statistical concepts related to quality control) are taught as needed. As they move into the work place, students will continue to apply mathematical concepts on a regular basis.

View more information on math skills in the Civil Engineering Technology program.

Learning

Students are assumed to have solid study and time management skills when they enter the program. They will frequently use the DMACC library, the Internet, and the Department of Transportation library to access information.

As they apply principles to construction projects, students will combine a range of reasoning skills. For instance, they will use observation, comparison-contrast, cause-effect and inferential thinking when surveying as they decide what types of features they should collect data on. The same combination of skills will be required as they select the proper aggregates for a particular setting or as they consider the best alignment to apply to a section of land.

In general, it is the students with enthusiastic interest in the subject material who succeed in the program.

View more information on learning skills in the Civil Engineering Technology program.

Computer

Civil Engineering Technology students work with a variety of computer programs including word processing, computer-aided drafting, GPS (global positioning systems), and GIS (graphic information systems). Depending on their area of specialization on the job, they will continue to use some or all of these programs.

View more information on computer skills in the Civil Engineering Technology program.