About the Program
If you are dreaming of participating in the design and creation of the built environment, then this program is for you. In this three-year advanced diploma program, you will study principles of highway, municipal and building design, geotechniques, soil mechanics, building code and develop skills in materials testing and surveying. You will also learn to use many computer software packages such as AutoCAD, MicroSurvey, Civil 3D, ArcGIS and other advanced software packages specific to specializations in building, municipal or transportation. By the end of your program you will work independently and in teams on capstone projects and technical reports which will reflect the culmination of several skills acquired by you during the program.
As a student of this program, you must achieve a minimum grade of “C” (60 per cent) in the Strength of Materials course.
The Civil Engineering Technology (CVT) program provides practical, hands-on experiential learning. In providing a real-world experience, indoor and outdoor lab-based subjects will require the use of appropriate industry health & safety equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE). There are also expectations of having to do some heavy lifting of equipment and materials and well as having to navigate outdoor terrain and conditions.
It is strongly recommended that you have a laptop before the first day of this program. It should include the following technical specifications:
- Windows 10 Operating System
- Intel i7 or equivalent processor
- 16 GB of RAM (32 GB of RAM is recommended)
- 256 GB Solid State Hard Drive (SSD) (512 GB SSD is recommended)
- High-end graphics video card (consider a dedicated video card with at least 2 GB of video memory)
- 13 inch or larger screen
- Three USB 3.0 ports
- Wireless 802.11ac
Credential Awarded
Ontario College Advanced Diploma
Duration
6 Semesters (3 Years)
Starts
January, May, September
Program and Course Delivery
This program is offered in Seneca's hybrid delivery format with some courses available in Seneca's flexible delivery format. Some coursework is online and some must be completed in person. Students will need to come on campus to complete in-person learning requirements. For courses offered in the flexible delivery format, professors use innovative learning spaces and technology to teach students in a classroom or lab and broadcast in real time to students attending remotely. In flexible courses, students have the choice of coming on campus or learning online.
Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:
- Highway design
- Municipal and building design
- Building code
- Surveying
- Soils and materials testing
Work Experience
Optional Co-op
Students meeting all academic requirements may have the opportunity to complete an optional co-op work term(s) in a formal work environment. In most cases the work term(s) is a full-time paid position completed between two academic semesters. In programs with limited co-op opportunities, additional academic requirements and a passing grade on a communication assessment may be required for eligibility. Eligibility for participation does not guarantee a work position will be secured. Additional fees are required for those participating in the optional co-op stream regardless of success in securing a work position.
Your Career
Graduates of the program can explore the following career options:
- Civil engineering technologist
- AutoCAD technologist
- Survey technologist
- Soils/materials laboratory technologist
- Designer
- Project co-ordinator
- Contract administrator
- Project manager
- Construction inspector
- Land development technologist
- Site supervisor
- Site superintendant
- Quality control technician
- Quantity surveyor
- Estimator
Program Learning Outcomes
This Seneca program has been validated by the Credential Validation Service as an Ontario College Credential as required by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
As a graduate, you will be prepared to reliably demonstrate the ability to:
- develop and use strategies to enhance professional growth and ongoing learning in the civil engineering field.
- comply with workplace health and safety practices and procedures in accordance with current legislation and regulations.
- complete duties and monitor that work is performed in compliance with contractual obligations, applicable laws, standards, bylaws, codes and ethical practices in the civil engineering field.
- promote and carry out sustainable practices* in accordance with contract documents, industry standards and environmental legislative requirements.
- facilitate the collaboration and interaction among the project team and project stakeholders* to support civil engineering projects*.
- collect, process, analyze and coordinate technical data to produce written and graphical project-related documents.
- use industry-specific electronic and digital technologies to support civil engineering projects*.
- participate in the design and modelling phase of civil engineering projects* by applying engineering concepts, technical mathematics* and principles of science to the review, production and/or modification of project plans.
- contribute to the scheduling and coordination and cost estimation of civil engineering projects* and monitor their progression by applying principles of construction project management.
- coordinate and perform quality control* testing and evaluate equipment, materials and methods used in the implementation and completion of civil engineering projects*.
- apply teamwork, leadership, supervision and interpersonal skills when working individually or within multidisciplinary teams to complete civil engineering projects*.
Pathways
As a leader in academic pathways, we offer a range of options that will allow you to take your credential further in another Seneca program or a program at a partner institution.
To learn more about your eligibility, visit the Academic Pathways web page.