A Survey Based on the Awareness of First and Second Year Civil Engineering Students on

the Different Specializations of Their Course

Term Paper

Presented to

Ms. Maria Cequena

Department of English and Applied Linguistics

De La Salle University

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for

ENGLRES C33

1st Term, SY 2013-2014

By

Berwin Chiong

Margareth Peredo

September 2, 2013
Outline:
1.0 Introduction
1.1 History and present status of civil engineering at De La Salle University.
1.2. List of specializations in civil engineering at De La Salle University.
1.3. Thesis Statement: Students’ awareness of specializations in civil engineering in the
early years of their college life gives the students something to look forward to in
the upcoming years.

2.0 Motivation for students

2.1 Having a clear path in the future
2.1.1 Required strengths for each specialization.
2.1.2 Job opportunities of each specialization in civil engineering
2.2. Knowledge of students on the different specializations.
2.2.1. Information that students should know about the different specializations.
2.2.2. Analysis of the survey results
3.0 Empowering students
3.1. Advice for students on choosing the right specialization.
3.2 Interview of upper batches
4.0 Conclusion
4.1 Summary
4.2 Importance of knowing the different specializations.
4.3 Defining a competent civil engineer
 According to DLSU website, BS Civil Engineering was re-established in the year 1986 as
a response to the growing demand for civil engineers in the country. At first, BS Civil
Engineering began without any specialization and in a span of four years; De La Salle University
began to offer several specializations in Civil engineering as an act in response to the country's
growing need for infrastructures as well as solutions to problems such as flooding and traffic are
being demanded.
Firstly is structural engineering or STE which was added during 1992. This program aims
to produce qualified structural engineers who can contribute to the development of the country’s
infrastructure. In general, the STE program trains the students in planning, analyzing, design
construction, inspection, rehabilitation, and preservation of structures like residential and office
buildings, bridges, and a large variety of structures using different materials while taking into
consideration technical, economic, environmental, and social aspects.
Secondly is construction technology and management or CTM added the same year as
STE. The CTM program aims to make graduates who are prepared for the demand of the
construction industry. The main objective of the CTM program is to prepare the students for the
effective planning and implementation of construction projects by equipping them with them
with the basics of construction materials and technology, and project management concepts.
Thirdly is hydraulics and water resources’ engineering or HWR added in 1994, the
program was actualized due to the country’s need for solving problems such as water supply
crisis, power shortage, and insufficient food supply due to poor irrigation, water pollution, and
disasters caused by typhoons.
Lastly is transportation engineering or TRE, which was added in 1995 as a response to
issues that related to transport planning, urban traffic engineering and management, and the
design and construction of road pavements.
Currently, from the Civil Engineering board exam last May 2013 out of the 3,601
examinees, only 1,542 passed and graduates from DLSU-M tops the exam with 98.46 passing
rate. In addition to this, “DLSU-M is the only school ranked by the commission for May 2013
Civil Engineering board exam top performing school per Resolution No. 2010-547 series of
2010.” (La Salle Manila, p. 2) This shows how DLSU’s standard in BS Civil Engineering
continues to improve resulting students to begin manifesting excellence with their course. In
order for student’s to be able to do so, awareness of specializations in civil engineering in the
early years of their college life gives them something to look forward to in the future.

Civil engineering, or engineering for that matter, is one of the hardest courses. In
response to this, having a clear path in the future would most probably help students’ persevere
with their studies. However having a steady path would be close to impossible if the students
have no idea on what skills they should hone. In fact, there are several skills that civil
engineering students should have in order to be ready for their projects after graduating. These
essential skills are acquired through the feasible group projects that are based on building and
structure.
The first skill is the ability to formulate coherent judgment through effective
communication skills to ensure the success of the project. The second skill is to have a strong
understanding on science, mathematics, and technology. The third skill, in line with the second -
is the technical and subject specific knowledge and understanding. The second and third skills
are necessary in order to conceptualize and build structures while maximizing given materials
and manpower. These skills are the reasons as to how civil engineers are in demand. (Options
with Your, p.8)

As stated in civilengineeringcareers.org,
“Civil engineering doesn’t end with creating elaborate buildings, though. It
can be broken down into a number of other disciplines, which deal with
transportation, urban design, water resources, earthquakes, the environment and
coastal areas. These specialties and more cover every area of the environment in
which we work and live.” (p.5)

Civil engineering has many fields of discipline and this is why it is required to have a
specialization. But having a specialization does not only mean being the best in only one
discipline. The different specializations touch each other in more than one occurrence. For
instance, bridges are under structural engineers because it is an infrastructure but it can also be
under transportation engineering because of urban planning and organization. Thus it is
important to be a “Jack of all trades” but a master of one. It is being able to have different skill
and understand many different concepts in engineering but excels in one profession. As Carl D.
Williams (August 17, 2013) said in a specialization congress “specializations are important in
order to have credibility to your career.” It adds credibility because of one’s proficiency in a
given field. It makes the clients more at ease because the engineer is capable of delivering what
is asked of him.
These specializations have different job opportunities that can be classified into two
types: Consultants and contractors. Consulting civil engineers are the ones who conceptualize
projects. They address concerns with their clients which involves planning, managing, designing
and supervising the construction of projects. (Consulting Civil Engineer, p. 1-2)
Contracting civil engineers, on the other hand, are responsible for the construction from
the foundation to the finishing touches. They are usually the ones who act in order to make the
project feasible. They organize the resources and leads workers in order to complete the project
in time and in budget. (Contracting Civil Engineer, p.1-2)
Aside from the required skills and job opportunities for the future engineers, the
researchers have surveyed some 1st and 2nd year students regarding their awareness of the
specializations. This would test their knowledge and understanding on what their specializations
are really about. There are 30 willing respondents from both first and second year students.
There are four specializations that are currently being offered by De La Salle University
although a new one which is geotechnical engineering is at the stage of being processed and
reviewed. As can be seen in Appendix b, most knew that there are only four specializations. For
question 2, a great number of the respondents answered correctly on structural engineering. The
same goes for question 3. The information about specialization offerings and correct tittles for
the specializations may be known through De La Salle University’s official website that the
students can access. There is a possibility that the respondents either checked the website before
enrolling to De La Salle University or they may have checked it while answering the survey.
Questions four to seven present the gist on what the specializations are and for question
seven, some of the job opportunities pertaining to the different specializations. A lot of the
respondents have answered correctly while only less than five got it wrong. Clearly, it can be
inferred that most of the respondents do have a background on what these specializations are
about.
 Moreover the survey questionnaire also contained the question regarding which
specialization they liked the most and the least. Construction technology and management is the
most liked specialization due to the high paying jobs it offers.
Also, they liked CTM because they have more knowledge about it unlike other
specializations and it suits their interest. Following CTM is Structural engineering with
respondents saying how much money one can earn from it. Some also said that they would like
to build and design infrastructures one day. Hydraulics on the other hand, was rated as being the
least liked specialization. Most say that it is uninteresting and boring while some said that less
money and projects are offered.
The last question in the survey inquire the students how knowing the specializations
beforehand would motivate them with their studies. All of the respondents agreed to this and
most of them said that it would make them more focused and determined knowing that they have
something to work hard for. Not only that but they would also become more prepared with their
future endeavors.
Students who are focused with what they are doing are more or less empowered with
themselves. Empowerment is about promoting self-actualization (Miriam-Webster dictionary,
p.3). This, according to Abraham Maslow (1943) is “phrased as the desire to become more and
more what one is, to become everything that one is capable of becoming." It is honing one’s
ability in order to meet one’s highest potential. Thus, another way for students to be empowered
is by having someone to look up to and inspire them to do well not only in their studies but also
in the choices that they will make. With this they will surely become more engage in their
studies. In line with this, the researchers have interviewed five credible people. They are
upperclassmen who have showed excellence on things that they do and have made impact on
other students’ lives, by being great leaders and helpful upperclassmen. These students have
positions at Civil Engineering Society, CES, which is an official organization that is meant for
civil engineers at De La Salle University. These 5 people gave their insights regarding their
specialization and gave advices to 1st and 2nd year students as well.
From the results of the survey and interview questions, it seems palpable to say that
knowing the specialization firsthand would most definitely set the students’ become more goal
oriented and focused on achieving their dreams. A path paved with a lot of hard work and
determination.
 Taking into consideration the answer of the upperclassmen, some of them chose a
particular specialization due to their great understanding on a subject and their strengths. Thus in
order to be able to excel in a specialization, or at least choose one, they must be able to know
what they are good at and what they are capable of doing. Hence, a competent civil engineer
would most probably be someone who has harnessed his potential in his chosen field of
discipline because he had excelled in classes that are akin to his specialization.
The 1st and 2nd year students are aware of what each specialization however they do not
have an understanding on what these specializations does and some just rely on their instincts
answering the survey results. Therefore, it is best if the students seek advice from upperclassmen
or even teachers who are far more knowledgeable than they are. It is also advisable that as early
as first year or second year, these students should attend specialization talks or congresses in
order to have ample time weigh their options.
Reference List:

AGCAS editors. (January 2012). Options with Your. In Prospects. Retrieved August 12,
2013, from http://www.prospects.ac.uk/options_civil_engineering.htm.
AGCAS editors. (September 2012). Consulting Civil Engineer. In Prospects. Retrieved
August 12, 2013, from http://www.prospects.ac.uk/consulting_civil_engineer_job_description.
htm.
AGCAS editors. (September 2012). Contracting Civil Engineer. In Prospects. Retrieved
August 12, 2013, from http://www.prospects.ac.uk/contracting_civil_engineer_job_description.
htm.
Civil Engineering Careers. (n.d.). Civil Engineering Careers. In Civil Engineering
Careers. Retrieved August 15, 2013, from http://www.civilengineeringcareers.org/.
De La Salle University. (n.d.). DLSU: Undergraduate Programs. In De La Salle
University. Retrieved August 22, 2013, from http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/academics/
programs/unergraduate/coe/civ.asp.
Kendra Cherry. (n.d.). Self Actualization Needs. In About.com - Psychology. Retrieved
August 23, 2013, from http://psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonality/ss/maslows-needs-
hierarchy_6.htm.
Maslow, A. H. (1943). A Theory of Human Motivation, Psychological Review 50, 370-
96.
Miriam - Webster. (n.d.). Empowerment- Defiinition . In Miriam-Webseter. Retrieved
August 18, 2013, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empowerment.

PRC Board News. (May 9, 2013). La Salle Manila. In The Summit Express. Retrieved
August 27, 2013, from http://www.prcboardnews.com/2013/05/la-salle-manila-is-may-2013-
civil.html.
Appendix A

Survey Questionnaire

ID Number: ________________
Year: _____________________
Gender: ___________________
Regular or Irregular: _________
1) How many specializations in civil engineering are currently being offered at De La Salle
University?
o4
o5
o6
2) STE is an abbreviation for which of the following?
o Statue Engineering
o Structural Engineering
o Structural and Technical Engineering
3) CTM is an abbreviation for which of the following?
o Civilian Transportation Management
o Construction Technology and Management
o Construction and Transportation Management
4) What is the specialization that deals with the infrastructures and carriage system which covers
the LRT, MRT, flyovers, roads, harbors, and similar to it?
o Structural Engineering
o Hydraulics and Water Resources Engineering
o Transportation Engineering
o Construction Technology and Management
5) What is the specialization that provides technical support on the development of
infrastructures?
o Structural Engineering
o Hydraulics and Water Resources Engineering
 o Transportation Engineering
o Construction Technology and Management
6) What is the specialization that deals with matters concerning plans and specifications, cost
engineering, accounting and organization that is under project management?
o Structural Engineering
o Hydraulics and Water Resources Engineering
o Transportation Engineering
o Construction Technology and Management
7) What specialization covers the scrutiny of water occurrences and flows, control of water,
utilization of water, water quality, watershed management and planning, and sedimentation in?
o Structural Engineering
o Hydraulics and Water Resources Engineering
o Transportation Engineering
o Construction Technology and Management
8) What specific job or career do you most likely have after graduation from DLSU?
o Quantity surveyor
o Water Resources Planners
o Site engineer
o Construction firms
9) What specific job or career do you most likely have after graduation from DLSU?
o Quantity surveyor
o Water Resources Planners
o Site engineer
o Construction firms
10) Which among the specializations do you like the most? Why?
11) Which among the specializations do you like the least? Why?
12) Do you think that knowing the specializations firsthand would help you become more
motivated with your studies?
Appendix B
First Year (12) Second Year (18)
Correct Wrong Correct Wrong
1) How many specializations in civil 4 8 16 2
engineering are currently being offered at
De La Salle University?
2) STE is an abbreviation for which of the 10 2 11 7
following?
3) CTM is an abbreviation for which of the 10 2 14 4
following?
4) What is the specialization that deals with 11 1 17 1
the infrastructures and carriage system
which covers the LRT, MRT, flyovers,
roads, harbors, and similar to it?
5) What is the specialization that provides 11 1 15 3
technical support on the development of
infrastructures?
6) What is the specialization that deals with 11 1 14 4
matters concerning plans and specifications,
cost engineering, accounting and
organization that is under project
management?
7) What specialization covers the scrutiny of 12 0 17 1
water occurrences and flows, control of
water, utilization of water, water quality,
watershed management and planning, and
sedimentation in?
Appendix C
Interview Questionnaire

a. What specialization did you choose?

b. What made you choose your specialization?
c. Were you aware of the different specializations when you were a freshman? If yes, did
it help you in any way? If no, would it make a difference if you did?
d. How did you choose your specialization? Was there someone who influenced you?
e. Did you base your specialization on the job opportunities? If yes, what job?
f. Did your specialization hone you in any way?
g. Any tips that first and second year students should remember when choosing their
specializations?