Civil Engineering Technology - Associate Degree
Civil Engineering Technology graduates are prepared for careers in the civil engineering and surveying fields. As a civil engineering technician, you examine and interpret construction plan sets and specifications; confer with contractors and owners to enforce contract specifications and design drawings; test soils, asphalt, and concrete; observe and inspect other related construction activities; perform land surveying and computer aided drafting; observe building, highway and utility construction. With additional education and work experience, you can become a licensed professional in civil engineering, construction superintendent, civil designer, construction project manager, or professional land surveyor.
Delivery
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Program Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition: $11,724, Books: $1,169, Supplies: $350
This program is fully eligible for financial aid.
Estimates based on in-state residency. Please visit the following URL to learn more about tuition and fees for this program. https://www.nwtc.edu/admissions-and-aid/paying-for-college/tuition-and-fees?ProgramCode=106071
Requirements for Program Entry
- Apply at www.nwtc.edu/apply.
- Submit the following to transcripts@nwtc.edu: • High school transcript (or GED/HSED transcript). • College transcript.
- If your cumulative GPA is below 2.6, complete or submit a placement evaluation.
- Tip! Our admission advisors will assist you through every step. Have questions? Connect with NWTC Admissions at start@nwtc.edu or 920-498-5444.
- Attendance at orientation or a planned meeting with program staff is required.
Program Outcomes
- An ability to communicate technical solutions, orally and written, by utilizing sketching techniques, operating systems, spreadsheets, word processing, CAD systems, and other software products.
- An ability to conduct, analyze, interpret and apply test data results to perform basic design related to soils, concrete and asphalt.
- An ability to utilize the legal aspects of land surveying and use land surveying instruments to collect data necessary to produce topographic maps, establish horizontal and vertical control, and to lay out civil engineering projects.
- An ability to solve engineering, surveying, and materials testing problems using principals of mathematics, science, engineering and technology.
- An ability to estimate material quantities and interpret project plans and specifications.
- An ability to function effectively as a member of a technical team.
Accreditation
The Civil Engineering Technology Associate Degree program at NWTC is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org, under the commission's General Criteria and Program Specific Criteria for Civil Engineering Technology and Similarly Named Programs.
Curriculum
The Students following the study plan below will complete the Civil Engineering Technology associate degree in the number of semesters shown.
First Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Second Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Full Semester
Summer Before Third Semester
8 Week 1
Third Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Fourth Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Full Semester
- Curriculum Note: Students must have had two years of high school algebra, one year of high school geometry and an acceptable Academic Skills Assessment College Math score or have completed or tested out of Intermediate Algebra w Apps, course 10-804-118, before taking the following First Semester program courses: Soil Mechanics; Surveying/Mapping;Trigonometry w/Apps.
- Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in English Composition 1 to enroll in Technical Reporting.
- The credit for 10-890-101, College 101 is an Institutional Requirement for graduation. Consequently, it is not part of the program requirements, but must be passed with a C or better.
Course Descriptions
Students gain skills that lead to success in college, employment, and life. Students should take this course in their first semester. (Pre-requisite: None.)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringProvides fundamentals of Civil Engineering from concept to completion. Civil Engineering ethics, resume and portfolio creation, and Microsoft Word and Excel will also be introduced. (Prerequisite: Acceptance in Civil Engineering Technology program)
Course Typically Offered: FallProvides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge, skills, process, and understanding of basic surveying principles, history of land, surveying, instruments in the field, making computations, and generating computerized maps.
Course Typically Offered: FallDevelops the knowledge, skills, process, and understanding of AutoCAD by working with templates; creating and manipulating layers; basic drawing, editing, and inquiry commands; and blocks, attributes, and plotting.
Course Typically Offered:Skills needed for success in Calculus and many application areas at the baccalaureate level. Topics include the real and complex number systems, polynomials, exponents, radicals, solving equations and inequalities, relations and functions, systems of equations and inequalities, graphing, and conic sections. (Prerequisite: Next Gen AAF score greater/equal to 250 AND Reading greater/equal to 250; OR ACT Math score greater/equal to 24 AND ACT Reading greater/equal to 16; OR C or better in Inter Algebra-contact an academic advisor 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringDevelops the knowledge, skills, process, and understanding of working with survey data, points, alignments, surfaces, and profile in Civil 3D. (Pre-Requisite: 10-607-112, AutoCAD for Civil Engineering.)
Course Typically Offered:Introduces aggregate sampling procedures, aggregate properties, concrete mix design methods, hot mix asphalt design methods, and field and laboratory quality control testing. American Concrete Institute Concrete Field Technician-Grade 1 certification is available through this course. (Corequisite: 10-804-195 College Algebra w/ Apps)
Course Typically Offered: Fallprovides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge, skills, process, and understanding of coordinates, Compass Rule, and Least Squares adjustments. The use of AdobePro and BlueBeam Revu software for project documentation is introduced as well as the use of mapping software for applications in land surveying. (Prerequisite: 10-607-104, Intro to Surveying/Geomatics)
Course Typically Offered: SpringTopics include circular functions, graphing of trigonometry functions, identities, equations, trigonometric functions of angles, inverse functions, solutions of triangles complex numbers, DeMoivre's Theorem, polar coordinates, and vectors. (Prerequisite: Next Gen AAF score greater/equal to 250 AND Rdg greater/equal to 250; OR ACT Math score greater/equal to 24 AND ACT Rdg greater/equal to 16; OR C or better in Inter Alg-contact academic advisor 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Fall SpringLearners develop knowledge/skills in planning, organizing, writing, editing. Students will also analyze audience/purpose, use elements of research, format documents using standard guidelines, and develop critical reading skills. (Prerequisite: High school GPA greater/equal to 2.6; OR ACT Reading score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 18; OR Next Gen Reading score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 260; OR "preparatory course(s)", contact academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringProvides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge, skills, process, and understanding of horizontal curves, vertical curves, sewer/water systems, civil engineering mapping, field inspector roles, and CAD applications. (Prerequisites: 10-607-104, Intro to Surveying/Geomatics; 10-804-195, College Algebra w/Apps; 10-804-196, Trigonometry w/Apps)
Course Typically Offered: SpringOrigins of soil, properties/characteristics of soil, soil classification systems, subsurface exploration, foundations, moisture-density relationships, soil compaction, and groundwater. (Pre-requisite: 10-804-195, College Algebra w/Apps)
Course Typically Offered: SpringApplications/theory of basic physics principles: problem-solving, laboratory investigation, and applications including unit conversion and analysis, vectors, translational and rotational kinematics/dynamics, heat/temperature, and harmonic motion and waves. (Prereq: 2.6 GPA & Alg 2 or equiv w/C or better; OR Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 263, Arith greater/equal to 250, & QRAS greater/equal to 250; OR ACT Reading greater/equal to 17 & Math greater/equal to 24; OR Coll Tech Math 1A OR Int Alg w/C or better)
Course Typically Offered: Fall SpringFocuses on the application of theory, skills, and techniques in the civil engineering profession. (Prerequisite: Instructor approval.)
Course Typically Offered: With instructor approvalProvides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge, skills, process, and understanding of advanced field principles (Service Learning Projects) utilizing closed traverse measurements, traverse adjustments, data collection, rectangular coordinate use, land area computation, topographic mapping, and computer applications. (Prerequisites: 10-607-104, Intro to Surveying/Geomatics; 10-607-112, AutoCAD for Civil Engineering; 10-607-114, Civil 3D-Intro)
Course Typically Offered: FallThis science of psychology course is a survey of multiple aspects of behavior and mental processes. It provides an overview of topics such as research methods, theoretical perspectives, learning, cognition, memory, motivation, emotions, personality, abnormal psychology, physiological factors, social influences, and development.. (Prerequisite: Cumulative GPA of 2.6 or greater OR satisfactory reading and writing assessment scores OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing 1 with "B" or better OR Corequisite: 10-831-102, English Comp Prep).
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringFocuses on force analysis, resultants and equilibrium of coplanar force systems, centroids, center of gravity, area moment of inertia, basic relationships of stress and strain from applied forces. Properties of materials are also covered. (Prerequisites: 10-804-195, College Algebra w/ Apps; 10-804-196, Trigonometry w/ Apps; 10-806-154, General Physics 1)
Course Typically Offered: FallProvides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge, skills, process, and understanding of plane surveying calculations, conversions, the principles of photogrammetry, ortho photos, point generation using computer systems, and UAS photography. (Prerequisite: Acceptance in Civil Engineering Technology program)
Course Typically Offered: FallRegistration laws of Wisconsin, history of property law, laws of evidence, performing a property survey, adverse possession, unwritten rights, professional liability/stature and role of the land surveyor in court. (Prerequisite: Acceptance into Civil Engineering Technology Program)
Course Typically Offered: Fall SpringThis course introduces the study of diversity from a local to a global perspective using a holistic, interdisciplinary approach that encourages exploration and prepares students to work in a diverse environment. The course introduces basic diversity concepts, examines the impact of bias and power differentials among groups, explores the use of culturally responsive communication strategies, and compares forces that shape diversity in an international context. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 15; OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing with a B or better.)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringLand record forms, legal descriptions, public land systems, survey map plat drawing, certified survey map drawing, subdivision/preliminary plat drawing, and basic use of AutoCAD and a software in the preparation of drawings. (Prerequisite: 10-607-112, AutoCAD for Civil Engineering; 10-607-114, Civil 3D-Intro.)
Course Typically Offered: FallIntroduces the learner to hydrostatic pressure, continuity of flow, open channel flow, sewer design, water quality, rainfall, and stormwater. (Prerequisites:10-804-195, College Algebra w/ Apps; 10-804-196, Trigonometry w/ Apps; 10-806-154, General Physics 1)
Course Typically Offered: SpringDevelops the knowledge, skills, process, and understanding of computer aided geometric design of highways, the use of standards for horizontal and vertical alignments and cross sections, including road intersections and grade crossings. It also provides an introduction to construction staking. Students develop engineering drawings by understanding road design principles, volume calculations, and site planning as well as using AutoCAD software. (Prerequisites: 10-607-112, AutoCAD for Civil Engineering; 10-607-114, Civil 3D Intro; 10-607-137, Transportation Design; 10-607-134, Surveying Drafting)
Course Typically Offered: SpringProvides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge, skills, process, and understanding of the history of GPS; understanding of geographic positions; state plane coordinate systems; and static, fast static, and real time positioning. (Prerequisites: 10-804-195, College Algebra w/ Apps; 10-804-196, Trigonometry w/ Apps)
Course Typically Offered: SpringDevelops the knowledge, skills, process, and understanding of how GPS is used on projects from project control to collecting topographical data for mapping. (Prerequisites: 10-607-158, GPS Fundamentals)
Course Typically Offered: SpringBuilding components, construction methods, construction materials, plans, specification, print reading, and elements of inspection. (Prerequisites: 10-607-108, Cemented Aggregate Mixtures; 10-607-137, Transportation Design; 10-607-191, Civil Engineering Internship)
Course Typically Offered: SpringPrinciples of report writing and correspondence, proposals, feasibility reports, progress reports, investigation reports, evaluation reports, meeting reports, memos, and correspondence. (Prerequisite: 10-801-136, English Composition I OR 10-801-195, Written Communication with “C” or better)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringProvides an opportunity for students to successfully complete a major project integrating a range of civil, geotechnical, transportation, and surveying engineering disciplines and skills. This course serves as a transition between traditional teaching and professional practice, where the instructor serves primarily as an advisor.
Course Typically Offered: Spring