Civil engineering and construction engineering are similar to the degree that both deal with the construction industry. Civil engineering deals more with the design, planning and analysis of a construction project, while construction engineering is primarily on-site management of actual construction. The two different engineering degrees also qualify a person for different positions or engineering careers.
Study
Civil engineering studies load-bearing structures, construction building codes, the techniques used during construction and other statistical analysis. Construction engineering is more hands-on. Construction engineering studies will teach the student about design fundamentals, different construction materials, construction planning and construction project management.
Purpose
Civil engineers design the construction of buildings, roads and bridges, and they plan water supply channels and sewage line systems. Construction engineers work on site ensuring those plans are being followed by the many different contractors employed to complete the project. A civil engineer ensures that the designs meet federal, state and local building codes, while construction engineers inspect each part of the construction to verify those codes are being implemented by the workers.
Careers
A degree in civil engineering qualifies a person to work as a structural engineer or environmental engineer as well as a city manager or planner. A degree in construction engineering allows an individual to work as a civil engineer in the construction industry or as a construction manager, construction project manager or manager of a group of engineers who work on construction projects. A civil engineer has a wider range of career possibilities, while the construction engineer is primarily employed in the construction industry.
Mitchell Brock (careertrend.com)
