The curriculum has a strong foundation in the natural sciences, mathematics and applied mechanics. From the second year of study, students are introduced to courses in structural engineering and materials, water engineering (hydraulics and water quality), geotechnical engineering, and urban engineering, including transportation. In the final year, the two major courses of Design Project and Research Report allow students to integrate their knowledge and develop advanced problem-solving skills. Professional aspects are covered by courses in communication and civil engineering practice.
A candidate shall complete approved courses of a value not less than 576 credits and shall comply with the prescribed curriculum requirements (which may exceed 576). Note: The core courses listed below, plus one elective course of 16 or more credits, constitute the courses recognised for the degree in terms of Rule FB8.2. DP and examination requirements to pass the core courses are set out in the course information sheets issued at the start of all Civil Engineering core courses.
First Year Core Courses
Number
Course
Credits
HEQS-F level
CEM1008F
Chemistry for Engineers
16
05
CIV1005W
Introduction to Engineering
24
05
MAM1020F
Mathematics 1A for Engineers
18
05
MAM1021S
Mathematics 1B for Engineers
18
05
CIV1007S
Engineering Mechanics
16
05
MEC1002W
Engineering Drawing
16
05
PHY1012F
Physics A for Engineers
18
05
PHY1013S
Physics B for Engineers
18
05
Total credits per year
144
Second Year Core Courses
Number
Course
Credits
HEQS-F level
CIV2011F
Mechanics of Materials
16
06
CIV2041S
Structural Analysis I
16
06
APG2026S
Construction Surveying
16
06
STA1008F
Statistics for Engineers
16
06
CIV2039S
Geotechnical Engineering I
16
06
CIV2040S
Fluid Mechanics
8
06
GEO1008F
Geology for Engineers
12
06
MAM2083F
Mathematics 1A for Engineers
16
06
MAM2084S
Mathematics 1B for Engineers
16
06
CIV2042F
Construction Materials
12
06
Total credits per year
148
CIV2020X
Practical Experience
0
06
Third Year Core Courses
Number
Course
Credits
HEQS-F level
CIV3048F
Structural Analysis II
16
07
CIV3049S
Structural Design I
16
07
CIV3042S
Geotechnical Engineering II
16
07
CIV3043F
Hydraulic Engineering
16
07
CIV3044F
Engineering Hydrology
8
07
CIV3045F
Transportation Planning
16
07
CIV3046F
Water Treatment
12
07
CIV3047S
Urban Water Services
16
07
ECO1007S
Economics for Engineers
18
05
Elective
18
07
Total credits per year
152
Fourth Year Core Courses
Number
Course
Credits
HEQS-F level
CIV4045F
Structural Design II
18
08
CIV4035C
Design Project
24
08
CIV4041
Professional Practice
12
08
CIV4042F
Waste Water Treatment
12
08
CIV4046F
Transportation Engineering
18
08
CIV4044S
Research Project
48
08
EGS1005F
Introduction to Environmental Assessment & Management
12
05
Total credits per year
144
Elective Courses
The core curriculum changes from time to time and it is the responsibility of each student to check the accumulating total of core course credits he or she has completed at any stage, in order to determine any shortfall from the minimum number of 576 credits and the courses required for graduation.
In the final year of study students may get a concession to take a maximum of 16 credits per semester over and above the published fourth year core curriculum. This may consist of outstanding courses from prior years or additional electives.
It is a requirement of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) that all engineering graduates be exposed to complementary studies which, inter alia, broaden the student’s perspective in the humanities, social sciences or other areas to support an understanding of the world. To this end, every prospective graduate must take at least one course from a list of approved electives that will be made available to the student at the beginning of each year. This core elective will ordinarily be undertaken in the second half of the third year, although the elective END1019L (Social Infrastructures: engaging with community for change) is available in the Winter Term. It is the responsibility of the student when proposing electives to ensure that there are no lecture, practical or examination timetable clashes for courses so offered.