Innovative introduction to civil engineering curriculum

Many undergraduate teaching institutions have modified their civil engineering curricula to incorporate technical and philosophical innovations into their programs. The modifications range from modest changes in course content to new sequences of interwoven and complementary courses. Villanova University's new civil engineering curriculum retains a core of courses in five basic disciplines: environmental engineering, structures, transportation engineering, hydraulics and hydrology, and geotechnical engineering. The curriculum includes a new introductory course, 'Civil Engineering Measurements,' that is designed to stimulate the students' interest and introduce them to the five disciplines. The course draws on the students' knowledge of physical science and allows them to use these principles in quantifying data they derive from working on practical problems and projects. Most of the course is centered around two major team projects: an environmental study of a local stream and a model truss. The course was introduced in fall 1992 and appears to have been successful in stimulating and motivating the students as well as preparing them for their subsequent studies.