Civil engineering degrees: fit for the future?

Abstract

Much has been written about the skills that current engineers need and the desired attributes of the so-called twenty-first century engineer. There is always debate around how much theoretical understanding a graduate engineer needs and how much practical application is required. This paper unpacks the requirements of twenty-first century engineers, from a UK perspective, and questions whether current civil engineering degrees are meeting such requirements. The requirements of existing professional bodies in the UK are critically reviewed. A key question is whether a post-modernist view of engineering should be adopted and the education aligned accordingly. A review of post-modernism, from a coastal engineering perspective, is presented and parallels are drawn with civil engineering. It is concluded that civil engineering degrees do adopt a post-modernist approach and are fit for the future based on current professional body requirements. It is further argued that to be even better prepared for the future, civil engineering educators and professional bodies should be cognisant of educational theories.