Department of Civil and Resource Engineering

Faculty of Engineering
Civil Students in Lab

Current students

Visit our For Current Students section for more information.

Civil Engineering Program

Improve quality of life in our communities

Civil engineers provide a major contribution to society. They design and construct the infrastructures we use every day, from the roadways we travel on to the power stations that provide our homes with electricity.

Your first year of study

All first-year students will complete the core engineering program and you will apply to the Civil Engineering discipline in your second year.

The Department of Civil Engineering offers four certificate programs within the Civil Engineering Program.

  • Certificate in Environmental Engineering
  • Certificate in Geotechnical Engineering
  • Certificate in Structural Engineering
  • Certificate in Water Resources Engineering

Co-op and non co-op options

You may choose to complete the five-year co-op program or the four-year non co-op program.

Co-op students take the same academic program as the non co-op program; however, our co-op option gives you an opportunity to complement your studies with three paid work terms.

Learn more about each option:

Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Civil Engineering - Co-op Program (5 years)

Gain invaluable real-world experience and pay for your studies at the same time.

Our Bachelor of Engineering Co-operative Education program integrates academic study with university-approved industrial experience. Graduation from this program requires satisfactory performance in both areas.

As a co-op student, you will complement your studies with three paid work terms. Work terms begin in your third year and typically last four months.

Co-op program schedule

Year Fall Winter Summer
1 Study Term 1 Study Term 2
 Free
2 Study Term 3
 Study Term 4
 Free
3 Study Term 5 Study Term 6
 Work Term 1
4 Work Term 2 Free
 Work Term 3
5 Study Term 7
 Study Term 8
  

Program curriculum

Years 1 and 2 follow the core Engineering program. See the For Current Students section to view the full program curriculum.

How to apply for co-op

You must be a current Dalhousie student to apply for co-op. Visit the For Current Students section for information on applying to co-op.

Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Civil Engineering - Non Co-op Program (4 years)

Non co-op students take the same academic program as the co-op students; however, the program can be done in a total of four years.

Year Fall Winter Summer
1 Study Term 1 Study Term 2
 Free
2 Study Term 3
 Study Term 4
 Free
3 Study Term 5
 Study Term 6
 Free
4 Study Term 7
 Study Term 8
  

Program curriculum

The curriculum is designed to develop an understanding of the fundamental principles of Civil Engineering through lecture, tutorial, and laboratory activities. Visit the For Current Students section to view the full program curiculum.


Associated University program

Students who have completed the degree requirements for a Diploma of Engineering or a Certificate of Applied Science through the Associated University program are admissible to the Upper Division in the Faculty of Engineering.

What can I do with a degree in Civil Engineering?

The Civil Engineering program at Dalhousie prepares the graduates to design, plan, build and operate elements of infrastructure and our wide range of lab experience provides practical experience. Graduates are employed by engineering, consulting and construction companies, as well as government public works and transportation departments in the following fields:

  • Structural (bridges, buildings and dams)
  • Environmental and water resources (water and wastewater treatment, groundwater contamination, flood forecasting, shore protection)
  • Geotechnical (foundations, soil assessment, landfill design, offshore exploration)
  • Transportation (roadways, traffic control management, intelligent transportation systems)