The Associate of Science Degree in Civil Engineering contains a blend of hands-on and theoretical learning activities with a strong focus on problem solving. Emphasis is placed on the application of current technologies to meet the needs of industrial and commercial enterprises as well as private individuals. Students are exposed to information and engage in activities that will allow them to develop the knowledge required to design and build basic civil engineering components, structures and systems as well as maintain them and supervise craftsmen and others who are in their charge.
This 2-year programme is structured so that during the first year students are exposed to mathematics and relevant foundation physics at the CAPE level, computing, fundamentals of civil engineering as well as communication skills. Laboratory and workshop sessions are emphasized to demonstrate and reinforce theoretical concepts and develop practical skills. The second year introduces other fundamentals and builds on the first year with relevant laboratory exercises and projects to further demonstrate and reinforce theoretical concepts and develop practical skills.
Students are assigned a capstone design project during the final semester where they are expected to apply and integrate the skills and competencies they have developed. It is generally accepted that students studying engineering learn through a combination of analysis, design and practical exercises. This mix of theory and practical applications allows students to think meaningfully about the content and their learning, and then apply their ideas in a variety of real-life situations. Students also learn to diagnose problems and develop a variety of solutions.