Civil Engineering

Designing the infrastructure communities depend on.

Overview

Civil engineering is the oldest of the engineering disciplines and the one people meet most often: the roads they travel on, the water that reaches their taps and the buildings they live and work in. Civil engineers plan, design, build and maintain this infrastructure, balancing safety, cost and environmental impact.

Students build a foundation in mathematics, mechanics and materials before moving into structural, geotechnical, water and transportation engineering. Coursework is paired with laboratory testing, surveying fieldwork and design exercises, and a final-year project brings those skills together on a real-world problem.

In Kenya the discipline sits at the centre of national development, from affordable housing and road networks to irrigation schemes and urban water supply, so civil engineers are needed across both the public and private sectors.

Areas of specialisation

The main fields within Civil Engineering, from first principles to final-year projects.

  • Structural Engineering

    Analysing and designing buildings, bridges and other structures in concrete, steel and timber so they carry their loads safely.

  • Geotechnical Engineering

    How soil and rock behave, and how to design the foundations, slopes and retaining walls everything else stands on.

  • Water & Environmental Engineering

    Hydraulics, hydrology, water supply, wastewater treatment and flood control.

  • Transportation Engineering

    Planning, designing and maintaining roads, pavements, junctions and traffic systems.

  • Surveying & Geomatics

    Measuring and mapping land with total stations, GPS and GIS to set out and monitor construction.

  • Construction Management

    Estimating, scheduling, contracts and site safety: turning a design into a finished project.

What you will study

Typical subjects and practical training. Exact units vary by year and programme.

Core subjects

  • Engineering mathematics and mechanics
  • Strength of materials
  • Structural analysis and design
  • Soil mechanics and foundation engineering
  • Fluid mechanics and hydraulics
  • Engineering surveying
  • Highway and transportation engineering
  • Construction materials and management
  • Engineering drawing and CAD

Hands-on learning

  • Concrete mix design and cube strength testing
  • Soil classification and compaction tests
  • Surveying field practice
  • Hydraulics laboratory experiments
  • Industrial attachment with a contractor or consultant
  • Final-year design or research project

Career paths

Roles graduates commonly go on to hold.

  • Structural engineer
  • Site or resident engineer
  • Water and sanitation engineer
  • Highway engineer
  • Geotechnical engineer
  • Construction project manager
  • Cost engineer
  • Consulting engineer

Professional registration

Graduates of accredited programmes can register with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) as graduate engineers, then work towards Professional Engineer status through supervised practice. Membership of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) supports that journey with mentorship, training and a professional network.

Civil Engineering at EESA

Put your coursework to use with students from every department.

Project ideas to get started

  • Enter a bridge-building or structural design competition as a team.
  • Design a footbridge, water tank or rainwater harvesting system for a nearby community.
  • Survey and map part of campus to practise with real instruments and GIS.

Have an idea of your own? Tell the committee.

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