Certificate in Civil Engineering

Section 1: Orientation & Foundations of Civil Engineering

Lesson 1.1 — Welcome to the Certificate in Civil Engineering

• Duration: 20m
• Description: Introduces the course structure, learning outcomes, workshop schedule, and site attachment requirements for the program.

Lesson 1.2 — Introduction to Civil Engineering as a Profession

• Duration: 40m
• Description: Provides an overview of the civil engineering field, its major disciplines (structural, geotechnical, transportation, water), and common career pathways.

Lesson 1.3 — Roles on a Construction Site

• Duration: 35m
• Description: Defines the responsibilities of site assistants, technicians, supervisors, and engineers, and how they work together on a project.

Lesson 1.4 — Site Safety Fundamentals

• Duration: 45m
• Description: Covers basic occupational health and safety principles for construction sites, including use of personal protective equipment and hazard identification.

Section 2: Construction Materials

Lesson 2.1 — Introduction to Building Materials

• Duration: 50m
• Description: Surveys common construction materials including sand, aggregate, cement, bricks, blocks, and timber, and their basic properties.

Lesson 2.2 — Concrete: Mixing and Properties

• Duration: 1h
• Description: Covers concrete composition, mix ratios, water-cement ratio, and basic quality control checks such as slump testing.

Lesson 2.3 — Steel and Reinforcement Basics

• Duration: 45m
• Description: Introduces types of reinforcement steel, basic bending and placement practices, and the role of reinforcement in structural strength.

Lesson 2.4 — Material Testing and Quality Control

• Duration: 40m
• Description: Demonstrates simple field tests used to check material quality before and during construction.

Section 3: Surveying Basics

Lesson 3.1 — Introduction to Land Surveying

• Duration: 45m
• Description: Covers the purpose of surveying in construction projects and an overview of common surveying instruments.

Lesson 3.2 — Using a Measuring Tape and Levelling Instruments

• Duration: 1h
• Description: Hands-on instruction in basic linear measurement and leveling techniques used to set out a construction site.

Lesson 3.3 — Setting Out a Building

• Duration: 1h
• Description: Demonstrates how to mark out foundations and building lines accurately on site using basic tools and reference points.

Lesson 3.4 — Reading Site Plans and Drawings

• Duration: 50m
• Description: Introduces how to interpret basic architectural and engineering drawings, symbols, and scale measurements.

Section 4: Structural Design Principles

Lesson 4.1 — Introduction to Structures and Loads

• Duration: 50m
• Description: Explains basic concepts of structural loads, forces, and how buildings transfer weight safely to the ground.

Lesson 4.2 — Foundations: Types and Functions

• Duration: 1h
• Description: Covers common foundation types, when each is used, and basic principles of foundation construction.

Lesson 4.3 — Beams, Columns, and Slabs

• Duration: 1h
• Description: Introduces the function of beams, columns, and slabs in a building structure and how they work together to support loads.

Lesson 4.4 — Roofing Systems Overview

• Duration: 40m
• Description: Covers common roofing structures and materials used in residential and small commercial buildings.

Section 5: Technical Drawing & Estimation

Lesson 5.1 — Basic Technical Drawing Skills

• Duration: 1h
• Description: Introduces drawing tools, line types, and conventions used to produce simple construction drawings.

Lesson 5.2 — Reading and Producing Simple Site Sketches

• Duration: 50m
• Description: Hands-on practice producing clear, accurate sketches used for communication on a construction site.

Lesson 5.3 — Introduction to Quantity Estimation

• Duration: 1h
• Description: Covers basic methods for estimating quantities of materials such as cement, blocks, and sand for a small construction project.

Lesson 5.4 — Basic Cost Estimation for Small Projects

• Duration: 45m
• Description: Introduces how material and labor costs are combined to produce a simple project cost estimate.

Section 6: Site Safety & Equipment Handling

Lesson 6.1 — Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on Site

• Duration: 30m
• Description: Covers correct selection and use of helmets, boots, gloves, and other protective equipment on a construction site.

Lesson 6.2 — Safe Use of Hand Tools and Small Equipment

• Duration: 45m
• Description: Demonstrates safe handling practices for common hand tools and small construction equipment.

Lesson 6.3 — Identifying and Reporting Site Hazards

• Duration: 35m
• Description: Teaches students how to recognize common construction site hazards and the correct procedure for reporting and addressing them.

Section 7: Site Attachment (Practicum)

Lesson 7.1 — Site Attachment Orientation

• Duration: 30m
• Description: Prepares students for their supervised construction site placement, covering expectations, supervisor evaluation criteria, and logbook requirements.

Lesson 7.2 — Supervised Site Attachment

• Duration: 6 weeks (placement)
• Description: Hands-on, supervised practice on an active construction site, applying surveying, materials handling, and safety skills learned throughout the course under qualified supervision.

Section 8: Final Assessment

Lesson 8.1 — Course Review and Revision

• Duration: 1h
• Description: A consolidated review of construction materials, surveying, and structural design concepts to prepare students for final certification.