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Session 2315

A Civil Engineering Curriculum for the 21st Century

James K. Nelson, Osama Abudayyeh, Edmund Tsang, and Molly Williams Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Introduction The computer “revolution” that occurred toward the end of the 20th century probably changed forever the background of the student entering engineering programs and the manner in which that student is best suited to learn. Further, the technology revolution has changed the manner in which engineering design is conducted and the needed skills of engineering professionals. This change is being recognized by the professional engineering organizations, which are now considering increased educational requirements for licensure. The American Society of Civil Engineers1, in its policy statement on professional licensure, states that: The civil engineering profession is undergoing significant, rapid, and revolutionary changes that have increased the body of knowledge required of the profession. These changes include the following: • Globalization has challenged the worldwide geographic boundaries normally recognized in the past, primarily as a result of enhanced communication systems. • Information technology has made, and continues to make, more information available; however, the analysis and application of this information is becoming more challenging. • The diversity of society is challenging our traditional views and people skills. • New technologies in engineering and construction are emerging at an accelerating rate. • Enhanced public awareness of technical issues is creating more informed inquiry by the public of the technical, environmental, societal, political, legal, aesthetic, and financial implications of engineering projects. • Civil infrastructure systems within the United States are rapidly changing from decades of development and operation to the renewal, maintenance, and improvement of these systems. These changes have created a market requiring civil engineers to have simultaneously greater breadth of capability and specialized technical competence than that required of previous generations. For example, many civil

Proceedings of the 2003 American Society for Engineering Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2003, American Society for Engineering Education

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Nelson, J., & Abudayyeh, O., & Tsang, E., & Williams, M. (2003, June), A Program For Civil Engineering Education In The 21 St Century At Western Michigan University Paper presented at 2003 Annual Conference, Nashville, Tennessee. 10.18260/1-2--12064