Civil Technology Program
As the population of the country’s cities
and towns grows, the need increases for additional highways,
buildings, tunnels, bridges and water supply and sewage systems. The
individuals who help build these systems are civil engineers, a
specialized group of professionals called on to be involved with the
design and construction of the infrastructure of the nation. More of
these professionals are needed now and into the future.
Civil engineering technicians work for
construction, engineering and architectural firms and are often
employed by state, city and federal government agencies, cartography
agencies and various private petroleum and mining operations.
Employment of civil engineering technicians is expected to increase
10 to 20 percent now through 2010, with even greater employment
prospects projected in Michigan. Visit career facts for more
information on careers in civil technology.
If the prospect of employment in this
career field interests you, are you ready to compete for job
openings? If not, you can get the training you need through the
Civil Technology Program at Lansing Community College. Our program
is rigorous, high quality and designed to provide you with
instruction based on the practical application of the principles of
civil technology covering topics as civil drafting, surveying,
construction materials, traffic technology, applied physics, math
and more. Our faculty members are seasoned professionals who are
active in the field, bringing real-world relevance to your classroom
experience. In addition to core courses and general education
requirements in this degree program, students interested in
obtaining practical field experience may apply for a six month co-op
offered in conjunction with the Michigan Department of
Transportation.
Both the Civil Technology Associate in
Applied Science degree and the Surveying and Materials Technician
Certificate of Completion are available. Courses are offered
throughout the year. Many are available evenings as well as days to
accommodate your schedule. Spring semester begins in January, summer
semester begins in June and fall classes begin in August.
We want you in our classroom next
semester. If you need direction on how to begin at LCC, let us know
what’s on your mind and what you need to get started. We’ve got a
place waiting for you in the classroom that can lead you to a great
career start. For specific information about our Civil Technology
Program,
contact us online today.
Civil Technology Program
2006 Advisory Board
|
Name |
Company |
Location |
|
Betty Eaton |
MDOT |
Lansing, MI |
|
Toni Glasscoe |
Lansing Community College |
Lansing, MI |
|
Julie Hanson |
Charter Township of Meridian |
Okemos, MI |
|
Jeff Ledy |
Ledy Design Group Incorporated |
Lansing, MI |
|
Jim
Lynch |
Lansing Community College |
Lansing, MI |
|
JaNice Marshall |
Lansing Community College |
Lansing, MI |
|
Phil Tonkin |
MDOT/LCC |
Portland, MI |
|
Bob Welch |
Lansing Community College |
Lansing, MI |
Career Facts
Civil Technology Program
What does a civil engineering technician do?
Civil
engineering technicians assist civil engineers with the planning and
building of highways, buildings, bridges, dams, wastewater treatment
systems and other structures. Technicians may also perform related
surveys and studies in addition to inspecting water and wastewater
treatment systems to ensure that pollution control requirements are met.
Others estimate construction costs and specify materials to be
used. They work at various places, including construction or
survey sites, offices and testing labs.
Civil
engineering technicians engage in varied activities. State highway
departments utilize their services to collect data, design and draw
plans, as well as to supervise the construction and maintenance of
roadways. Railroad and airport facilities require similar
services. Cities and counties need to have transportation systems,
drainage systems, and water and sewage facilities planned, built, and
maintained with the assistance of civil engineering technicians.
Some
technicians specialize in certain types of construction projects.
Highway technicians, for example, perform survey and cost estimates as
well as plan and supervise highway construction and maintenance.
Rail and waterway technicians survey, conduct specifications, cost
estimates, help plan, and construct railway and waterway facilities.
Assistant city engineers coordinate the planning and construction of
city streets, sewers, drainage systems, refuse facilities, and other
major civil projects.
Other technicians specialize in certain phases of the construction
process. For example, materials technicians sample and run test on
rock, soil, cement, asphalt, wood, steel, concrete, and other materials. Photogrammetric technicians use aerial photographs to
prepare maps, plans, and profiles. Party chiefs work for licensed
land surveyors, survey land for boundary-line locations, and plan
subdivisions and other large-area land developments.
What types of skills are required?
The successful civil engineering technician
must have a working knowledge or an interest in learning college
algebra, trigonometry, civil drafting, composition, speech
(communications), surveying, and must be computer literate. A student
contemplating a career in civil engineering technology needs a desire to
be a builder or planner, an understanding of mathematics and sciences,
the ability to get along with others, an aptitude for learning, and the
ability to think and plan ahead.
A two year, Associate’s degree, or four year,
Civil Engineering degree is desirable for successful employment
placement for the prospective up and coming Civil technician. Prospective
technicians should take all the mathematics (at least two years of
algebra, plane and solid geometry and trigonometry), sciences (physics,
chemistry, biology and any other general science courses) and
communications subjects available to them in high school. Other
useful courses include mechanical drawing and any available shop
courses. Civil engineering technicians often make use of mechanical
drawings to convey their ideas to others, and neat, well-executed
drawings are important to convey a sense of accuracy and competence.
Where are they employed?
Civil
engineering technicians work for construction, engineering, and
architectural firms. They are also employed by state, city, and federal
government agencies, wastewater treatment system plants, mapping
agencies, and various private petroleum and mining companies. They work
with other employees at all levels including engineers, surveyors,
supervisors, managers, and skilled trade workers who generally are
supervised by experienced civil engineers. Technicians may
instruct or supervise other workers.
Working
conditions for civil engineering technicians vary. They may work
outdoors at construction or survey sites, at indoors in well lighted and
ventilated offices, and/or in testing labs. Working outdoors may
expose technicians to extreme types of weather and to such hazards as
snakes, poison ivy, heat exhaustion, sunburn, and frostbite.
What do they earn?
Earning of civil engineering
technicians depend on their level of education, work experience, and
technical specialty. The average annual wage in 2000 was $55,000 and
ranged between $45,150 and $69,470 depending upon the size, type, and
geographical location on the company. Source:
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2002-03 Edition, U.S. Department of
Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
What degrees are available?
Lansing
Community College offers a Civil Technology Associate in Applied Science
degree. For transferability of civil technology
courses, please review the
transfer equivalency list.
Related occupations:
Civil Technology Civil Engineering Geographic
Resource & Environmental Technology program, Environmental Resource
Management Technology
Career Pathway:
Civil Technology is part of the Engineering/Manufacturing and
Industrial Career Pathway of the Michigan Career Preparation System.
For specific
up-to-date information on wages and the employment outlook within the
civil technology field, please refer to the
Occupational
Outlook Handbook 2002-03 Edition, U.S.
Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
