Developing a Civil Engineer for the 21st Century

Transportation and public works engineering are used as a model in developing the framework for an undergraduate civil engineering curriculum for the future. Likely technological and educational differences between the United States today and in the year 2000 are reviewed in terms of their potential impact on civil engineering education. To meet the nation's needs, civil engineering education must provide a strong, diversified technical education with solid grounding in the fundamentals. At the same time, a stronger nontechnical education will be needed. Requirements here include good writing and speaking skills, knowledge of organizational behavior and group dynamics, exposure to strategic thinking, an orientation to the realities of the work world, and an understanding of personal career management. Issues that these requirements raise include academic program types, work experiences for students, and faculty development opportunities. Specific actions that should be taken by educational institutions, practitioners, and professional societies are suggested, including curriculum redesign, practical experience for faculty members, and more and new approaches to student work experiences.