Civil Engineering course, scope, jobs, eligibility and salary details

Last Updated on July 27, 2023 by Vishnu Nambiar

In this article, we will have an in-depth analysis of B.E./B.Tech. Civil Engineering course. It is one such branch that influences almost all spheres of life. Due to this very reason, it is also an evergreen branch, which provided ample amounts of job opportunities to graduates! In this article, I will provide information such as basic course details, duration, eligibility criteria, courses to do after B.E./B.Tech. Civil Engineering, scope and job opportunities after graduation.

Civil Engineering is one of the oldest, traditional branches of Engineering. It is a core branch as well as an evergreen one, talking about job opportunities. Come, let us check out basic course details-

B.E./B.Tech. Civil Engineering: Basic course details

It is a 4 years long Undergraduate level Degree program. The 4 years’ duration is divided into 8 semesters, each lasting a period of 6 months. During each semester, students will have to deal with separate sets of theoretical subjects as well as practical sessions.

Civil Engineering discipline is all about planning, construction and maintenance of structures such as buildings, roads, stadiums, dams etc. Thus, one can say that this branch of Engineering deals with making and planning of structures belonging to personal use such as homes to public utility structures such as roads, railway lines etc. This is the reason why I mentioned above that this is a branch that influences almost all spheres of human life!

Civil Engineering can be said to be this big umbrella, under which may disciplines and areas of specializations are sheltered. For example, there is a sub branch that has been dedicated towards planning and construction of transportation means. Similarly, there is a branch that has been dedicated towards town planning and housing. There are even more such sub branches, which students may pursue in the form of Post Graduation courses after completing B.E./B.Tech. Civil Engineering.

To get a better understanding about B.E./B.Tech. Civil Engineering program, let us go through a small list of important subjects present in the program.

B.E./B.Tech. Civil Engineering: Important subjects

Only names of important subjects have been mentioned. I hope readers will get a better idea about course structure after going through this list. In the first two semesters, common set of subjects are present, just like any other Engineering branch.

• Engineering Mathematics
• Communication Skills
• Basics of Civil Engineering
• Elements of Mechanical Engineering
• Mechanics of Solids
• Elements of Electrical Engineering
• Engineering Graphics
• Environmental Science
• Engineering Physics
• Computer Programming and Utilization

After first year, subjects focusing of Civil Engineering and its various sub branches are introduced.

• Structural Analysis
• Surveying
• Town and City Planning
• Concrete Technology
• Advanced Surveying
• Building Construction
• Fluid Mechanics
• Engineering Geology
• Management
• Water resource management and engineering
• Disaster Assessment and Management
• Geo technical Engineering
• Road and Highway Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Construction Technology
• Earthquake Engineering
• Structure (Railways) Engineering
• Structure (Bridges) Engineering
• Structure (Tunnel) Engineering
• Civil Engineering Machinery and Equipment
• Irrigation Engineering
• Rural and Urban Transportation Engineering
• Hydraulic Structures
• Structural Design
• Airport Engineering
• Coastal Structures and Port Engineering
• Maintenance of Structures
• Restoration of Structures

Some of the above mentioned subjects are recurring ones. They appear in more than just one semester. For example, Engineering Mathematics appears in 1st, 2nd and 3rd semester.

Along with theory classes, some subjects also have practical sessions related to them. Surveying is a good example of one such subject. Industrial visit as well as project work also forms an integral part of B.E./B.Tech. Civil Engineering course.

Eligibility Criteria

10+2 Science stream students, with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics subjects, who have passed 12th board examinations from a recognized board, are eligible to pursue this course. Minimum marks criteria may exist in case of many Institutes. Generally, it is between 40-50% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics subjects. Students must also have appeared for State Level Entrance examination for getting admission in reputed Institutes.

Courses to do after B.E./B.Tech. Civil Engineering

Graduates may go for technical as well as diploma courses such as piping technology, safety management etc. They may also go for M.E./M.Tech. programs and specialize in job oriented disciplines and sub branches within the field of Civil Engineering. Master’s Degree programs in disciplines such as structural engineering, civil engineering (general), transportation engineering, coastal structures engineering, construction management etc will help one increase one’s qualifications and value in the job market! Here are some relevant entrance exams – JEE Main, JEE Advanced, SET, VITEEE and KEAM.

M.B.A. programs focusing on construction management field is also an excellent option, that graduates may pursue.

Scope, Salary and Job opportunities

Job opportunities are available for B.E./B.Tech. Civil Engineering graduates in Government as well as Private sectors. Talking about Government sector, many enterprises such as ONGC, BHEL, IOC, PWD, Electricity boards, Town Planning department, NHAI, Armed Forces, Indian Railways etc requires qualified Civil Engineers. Salary scale is different in case of Private and Government sectors. But, the average starting salary is generally between 2-5 Lakh Rupees per year.

Talking about private sector, prime recruiters are Construction firms. One may take up following job posts in such firms-

• Project Manager
• Assistant Project Manager
• Site Engineer
• Civil Engineer
• Assistant Civil Engineer
• Purchase and Quality control Executive
• Planning and Design Officer

Graduates may also take up teaching job after completing M.Tech. course. Also, pursuing PhD courses will help build a career in the Research sector.

Popular Civil Engineering colleges in India –

Here are some of the popular colleges offering Civil Engineering courses in India –

• IIT-B, Powai
• IIT Delhi
• National Institute of Technology, Calicut
• Government Engineering College, Calicut
• College of Engineering, Trivandrum
• IIT Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• University Departments of Anna University, Chennai – CEG Campus, Tamil Nadu
• University Departments of Anna University, Chennai – ACT Campus, Tamil Nadu
• University Departments of Anna University, Chennai – SAP Campus, Tamil Nadu
• IIT Kharagpur, West Bengal
• NIT Durgapur, West Bengal
• Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal
• LD College of Engineering, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad
• Vishwakarma Government Engineering College, Chandkheda, Ahmedabad
• Faculty of Technology and Engineering, MSU, Vadodara
• SVIT, Surat
• IIT, Patna, Bihar
• NIT, Patna, Bihar
• CIPET, Hajipur, Bihar
• IIT, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh
• NIT, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh
• IIT Hyderabad, Telangana
• NIT Warangal, Telangana
• IIT, Ropar, Punjab
• Dr BR Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab
• Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab
• MRSPTU, Bathinda, Punjab
• IIT Bhubaneswar, Odisha
• NIT Rourkela, Odisha
• College of Engineering and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Check out this list for even more colleges – List of top engineering colleges in India.

Vishnu Nambiar

I am Vishnu Nambiar a career and educational blogger from India. I am also a full time educational consultant having more than 12 years of experience in the educational sector.

I share articles related to courses, colleges, careers, exam tips and more here.