OVERVIEW OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

1. Introduction

Curriculum review is a process of revising the existing curriculum by evaluating and assessing it in terms of context, content, methods, and assessment by involving stakeholders in order to meet the expectations and the changing demands of the market and the wider environment. Outcome based education is targeting outcome expected from the learners. The outcome of the learners will be set first and the process to reach the final outcome is outlined by the teaching method and assessment requirements for each course of the program. The resource requirements should be set and fulfilled for the achievement of the outcome from the learners. This process should be supported by continuous improvement of the teaching learning methods and the resources required for the program.

The aims of the curriculum review action plan were:

• To make focused evaluation of the existing curriculum and develop the new curriculum based on accreditation
• To incorporate outcome-based education to the existing curriculum which is acceptable standard for international

1.1         Vision and Mission of the University

Vision

• To be an internationally recognized Ethiopian Hub of science and technology with strong national commitment and significant continental impact by 2030.

Mission

M-1   Delivering world class education and training in strategically prioritized science and technology disciplines based on national economic demand

M-2 Conducting problem-solving applied research to support the productivity and competitiveness of industries

M-3   Serving as a center for knowledge and technological adaptation, innovation and transfer

M-4    Building the technical and managerial capabilities of industries

M-5    Building a national hub of science and technology

1.2          Background of the Program

Engineering is an art of converting scientific knowledge, principles, theories and other facts in to useful practical applications for the benefit of mankind. Civil engineering is a branch of engineering dealing with the design, construction and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment including highways, buildings, bridges, tunnels, waterworks, harbors, etc. It was defined to distinguish non-military engineering from military engineering

Civil Engineering as defined by the London based Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) is a great art, on which the wealth and well-being of the whole society depends. Its essential feature, as distinct from science and the arts, is the exercise of imagination to develop products, processes and people needed to create a sustainable physical and natural built environment. It requires a broad understanding of scientific principles, knowledge of materials and the art of analysis and synthesis. It also requires research, team working, and leadership and business skills. A Civil Engineer is someone who practices all or part of this art.

Civil engineers are primarily responsible for the planning, design and construction of infrastructure which includes major buildings, bridges, dams, pipelines, sewage and water treatment plants, and various transportation systems and facilities. In order to provide workable, durable, and affordable solutions to society’s infrastructure needs, civil engineers must develop an understanding of the physical laws that govern the actions of nature and their environmental forces, and the behavior of natural and man-made materials. It is not surprising, therefore, that basic research on mechanics of solids and fluids was initially conducted by civil engineers working on solutions to practical problems.

The importance of a sound knowledge based on these subjects is likely to increase in the future as civil engineers are called upon to build in more hostile and delicate environments, to handle new materials, and to preserve natural resources. With thorough knowledge of both the principles of construction and the possible environmental consequences of a structure, the Civil engineer’s expertise is one that is essential to our present civilization and one that will become ever more valuable in the future.

1.3         Rationale of the Program

In Ethiopia, Civil Engineers are leaders in the conceptualization, design, construction, and maintenance of the infrastructures on which the society depends. Civil Engineers build and maintain bridges, highways, railways, tunnels, airports, dams, water treatment and distribution systems and large buildings, along with many other structures. Civil engineers work on environmental projects, such as ecological restoration, waste containment, and soil remediation sites or design of a safe and efficient transportation system.

As society evolves, the solutions to Civil Engineering problems are no longer exclusively technical issues. Instead, they require consideration of demographic trends, human aspirations, laws of supply and demand, and in general, social, economic and political factors. The civil engineers of the future will have to develop a better appreciation and understanding of these subjects to assume their rightful place in society.

2           Structure of the Undergraduate Program

Undergraduate programs need to be developed following the state-of-the-art and innovative program development procedures. The programs shall be designed to sufficiently integrate higher education, research, industry; community service and follow international standards and shall respond to the national developmental needs.

The duration of study for undergraduate degree in regular program shall be five years for Civil Engineering program. The maximum total credit point for five years Bachelor degree program is 190 Cr.hr including the freshman courses. The normal semester load for the five years’ program is 17-19 credit hours.

The duration of study for Civil Engineering degree in the continuing education programs will be six years which is in line with the sub-article 90.1.2 of Senate Legislation (July 2017). The total credit hour requirement for the continuing education program is the same as the regular program. The total credit hour requirement shall be as stated in the University’s Senate Legislation July 2017, Article 91.

2.1         Total Credit Hour Requirements

The normal semester load for five years program is 31 ECTS or 19 Cr.hr. However, a curriculum may have 20 Cr. hrs. Per semester twice except the final year.

The normal semester load in evening and weekend programs shall be 8 to 12 credit hours or 14 to 18 ECTS. The normal load for the evening and the weekend students in a summer semester shall be 12 to 14 ECTS or 6 to 8 credit hours.

2.2          Program Educational Objective (PEO)

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering is going to develop the following outcomes after four to five years of graduation from Civil Engineering department, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University.

Table 1: Program Educational Objectives of Civil Engineering

2.3          Mapping of PEO and University Mission

Table 2: Mapping of PEO and University Mission

2.4         Program Outcomes (POs)

The practice of Civil Engineering includes the provision of professional services in connection with identification of problems of existing infrastructure and elaboration of technically and economically feasible concepts for their solution, construction supervision, control and approval of contractors’ documents and settlement of claims and disputes. The minimum standards for the BSc in Civil Engineering program at the completion of their degree program are expressed in the following minimum set of Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs). These program outcomes are statements on what students shall know, understand, and perform upon completing their course and/or program of study.

This program is aimed at creating well-qualified Civil Engineers with adequate knowledge in the area of structural, highway, geotechnical and water resources and who can be actively engaged in the planning, development and management of Civil Engineering projects.

Generally, the trainees will be equipped with the knowledge that enables them to:

• Undertake project identification, pre-feasibility and feasibility study and detail design of Civil Engineering
• Prepare complete contract documents and terms of references for Civil Engineering projects Plan, manage, monitor and evaluate the operation and maintenance of Civil Engineering
• Renovate and rehabilitate existing Civil Engineering

Specifically, graduates of the program will:

• Be knowledgeable of the historical context, the state-of-the-art, and emerging issues in the field of Civil Engineering and its role in contemporary

• Demonstrate critical reasoning and requisite quantitative skills to identify, formulate and resolve Civil Engineering problems, and to create designs that reflect economic environmental, and social sensitivities.
• Display a systems viewpoint, critical thinking, effective communication and interpersonal skills, a spirit of curiosity, and conduct reflecting a professional and ethical
• Exhibit a commitment to lifelong learning and professional development, involvement in professional activity and public service, and achievement of professional
• Reflect a broad intellectual training for success in multidisciplinary professional practice, in Civil Engineering or diverse related careers, and toward achieving leadership roles in industry, government, and

Table 3: Program Outcomes/Program Learning Outcomes of Civil Engineering program

2.5          Mapping PO and PEO

Table 4: Mapping of POs with PEOs

2.6         Admission Requirements

Admissions to all regular undergraduate programs are processed through the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MOSHE) of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Admissions to the continuing education program (CEP) are processed through the University Registrar Office based on the criteria set by the University’s Senate Legislation.

2.6.1        Admission for Regular Undergraduate Program

Students who have successfully completed the 10 plus 2 years preparatory school or completed 12^th grade and have taken the Ethiopian higher education entrance exam (EHEEE) organized by Ethiopian national examination agency (ENEA) and who scored the minimum cut-off point set by Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MOSHE) could apply for admission to the Civil Engineering Department.

In view of the high number of applicants, admission to the Department is rather competitive at the moment.

2.6.2        Admission for Undergraduate Continuing Education Program

The criteria set for admission to the regular program will be employed as the criteria for admission to the continuing education program. But it will be applied according to Senate Legislation Article 79 for CEP program.

Candidates who are 10 + 3 diploma graduates from an Engineering School, TVET or similar recognized college in the fields of construction technology, surveying technology, drafting technology, and other related programs with a minimum cut-off point and having certificate of competition/COC/ will be admitted based on space availability, and competitive basis.

Limited numbers of junior staff such as technical assistants in relevant field may be admitted each year based on non-competitive basis provided that he/she:

• has served the University for a minimum of 2 consecutive years;
• meet the minimum admission requirement set for the program;
• obtain letter of recommendation from the Academic Vice President;
• Signs undertaking to serve the University after graduation, at least two years of service for one complete year of

2.7         Duration of the study

The program runs for five years having 10 semesters plus one term internships during 8^th semester or summer time between 4^th year to 5^th years for regular program and six years having 17 semesters plus one term internships during 16^th semester summer time between 5^th year to 6^th year.

2.8          Teaching and Learning Approach

2.8.1         Method of Teaching

Presentation of modules/Courses is through lectures, tutorials, self-study (project works), problem solving, class and group discussions, assignments, laboratory demonstrations and hands-on exercises as well as quizzes and tests to ensure continuous assessment and student/learner center approach. Course specific teaching methods will be given for each course.

2.8.2         Method of Learning

Additional learning methods will be used to strengthen the student’s capacity using E-Learning, video lecture and tutor. And, Sample rooms will be provided to see the actual characteristics of prototypes.

2.9         Program Type

Program type refers to whether the program is delivered in regular or continuing education program mode or both. The appropriateness and effectiveness of the type of the program to meet program objectives and award expectations; and the minimum and maximum length of the program for each type of program is as stated in university’s senate legislation July 2017, (sub-articles 90.1.1 to 90.1.3 of Article 90).

2.9.1        Attendance Policy

A student is required to attend all lectures, laboratory and practical sessions as well as field work of courses, except for courses in which earning of credits through examination alone is accepted. Except for extenuating circumstances, students are required to maintain a minimum of 80% attendance to earn credit in the given course. However academic units may not allow the 20% non-attendance provision for certain portion of a course, such as laboratory or field experiences judged academically indispensable for the student.

2.9.2        Mode of Delivery

Considering nature of courses and competency areas, the parallel- application of one course in other course and limitation of resources, the Mode of Delivery is basically semester based with special block is possible for some courses.

2.10     Assessment and Evaluation Mechanisms

The assessment methodology for undergraduate students comprises in sections of continuous assessment accounting for a minimum of 50% and final exam (summative) 50%, continuous assessment should comprise at least five (5) different assessment techniques (modalities). Assignments, report, end-of-semester examinations, thesis, projects, etc. with their percentage contribution to the final assessment is provided in each course with a module/course outline (which will be available to students before the course begins).

2.11     Grading System

The Grading Scale and Letter Grade System is given in table below as per the academic policy.

Table 5: Grading system for under graduate program

2.12     Graduation Requirements

A student is required to take courses that will bring the total 190credit hours for graduation with the Degrees of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Student must take and pass all the required courses to satisfy the requirement for graduation.

All the required courses and the minimum credit hours set in the program curriculum by the respective academic unit should be satisfied, except to phase in and phase out program.

• A cumulative grade point average CGPA of 2.00 must be obtained;
• A cumulative grade point average CGPA of 2.00 in major area courses;
• No “F” grade in any course taken for undergraduate program;
• Score pass mark for all courses which have Pass/Fail
• Score pass mark of 50% for national exit exam

Other requirements are same as those of the University graduation requirements.

2.13     Degree Nomenclature

                 Amharic: ”የሳይንስ ባችለር ዲግሪ በሲቪል ምህንድስና”

                 English: Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering

2.14     Course Coding

Each course will have a prefix; each prefix contains four letters without any space will be followed by four digits.

For example, in the Course code “CEng1001” (General Physics);

• The first digit (1) represents the year (level) in which the course is given,
• The second digit (0) indicates the category number (Common, Core, elective, stream focus)
• The last two digits (01) indicate the semester in which the course is
• All courses given in the first semester are represented by odd number (01, 03, 05, 07 …etc.)
• All courses given in the second semester are represented by even number (02, 04, 06, 08…etc.)

To maintain the quality of the program it is important to keep the admission requirements up to the standard. This is achieved by strictly following the guideline for admission to the Civil Engineering department which is in line with the general university requirement and Senate Legislation.

2.15     List of Courses and Category

2.15.1     Course Category

There are four course categories:

Category 0 = Common (National requirement) and Supportive Courses, Category 1 = Core/Compulsory Courses,

Category 2 = Core Elective Courses,

 Category 3 = Stream / Focus Area courses

Table 6: Distribution of credit hours for all course categories

Remark: Common courses have more credit hours than major courses. To make Core/major courses greater, we shall minimize credit hours of common and supportive courses.

2.15.2    List of Courses

Table 7: List of Core/Compulsory Courses

Table 8: List of Core/Elective Courses

Table 9: University Requirement Course

Table 10: National Requirement Common Courses

2.16     Course Breakdown for Regular Programs

This section includes the list of course sequence in each semester indicating the credit hour (Cr.hr), course lecture, and tutorial/Lab hours. The course breakdown for undergraduate regular program in all semesters shall be presented according to Table 12. The course breakdown for the undergraduate continuing education programs in all semesters shall be presented in Appendix Table 17 using similar table format. Conversion rate: from Cr.hr to ECTS is given as, 1ECTS=1.67Cr.hr.

2.17     Course Plan

The course plan for each course in the proposed curriculum should have the following components depicted in Table 14 and should be presented accordingly as follows.

2.17.1    Student Learning Time (SLT)

The credit value indicates the amount of time spent on teaching and learning activities for each course. The allocation of credit value and student learning time (SLT) is linked to the level of complexity, difficulty, and mastery required in the courses concerned.

For the purpose of the curriculum design, current practice specifies a notional of 40 hours of SLT for every credit. Therefore, a three credits subject, a student is expected to allocate 120 hours of SLT on that subject.

Figure 1: Student Learning Time Model (Mohamed, 2006)

Department of Civil Engineering

Table 1:  Academic Staffs Profile

Civil Engineering Department Laboratory lists