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Ministry-approved title: Civil Engineering Technology
Civil engineering influences every aspect of our physical environment or infrastructure. Civil Engineering Technologists plan, design, construct, maintain and recycle the structures in our communities, such as roads, bridges, highways, airports, pipelines and tunnels. These systems keep our transportation systems operating, water, gas and electricity supplied to consumers. It is one of the most established engineering disciplines and by far one of the busiest.
Our Civil Engineering Technology program provides a comprehensive education that prepares students with both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to thrive in the field of civil engineering.
The civil engineering program includes hands-on training in state-of-the-art labs equipped with the latest technology. Practical exercises and fieldwork provide real-world experience, allowing students in civil engineering class to apply their learning to real engineering challenges. Internships and co-op opportunities further enhance your education by immersing you in professional environments, building your resume and expanding your professional network.
Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or Math. Domestic applicants who are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s), i.e. Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 Math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.
Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.
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The best way to succeed in your field is to immerse yourself in it! Co-op is an excellent way to build your professional network, explore career paths and apply in-class teachings to real work situations. Co-op is a model of education that integrates academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to our students’ academic and personal goals. Similar to an academic course, work terms are a mandatory component of this form of experiential learning.
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Civil Engineering influences every aspect of our physical environment or infrastructure. From the roads we drive on to the bridges we cross, and from the high-rise buildings in bustling cities to the tunnels that navigate through mountains, civil engineering is at the heart of creating and sustaining our built environment. It encompasses a wide range of projects, including the development of transportation networks like highways, railways, and airports, which facilitate the efficient movement of people and goods. Civil engineering is also responsible for the construction and upkeep of vital utilities and public works, such as water supply systems, sewage and waste management, and energy distribution networks. Through innovation and careful planning, civil engineers create frameworks that enhance the quality of life, drive economic growth, and support the overall functioning of society.
Civil Engineering Technologist students will be exposed to modern civil technologies and develop skills in computer assisted design (CAD) and drafting, Geographic Information System (GIS), Building Information Modelling (BIM), and safe working principles in accordance with various Canadian Civil Engineering Codes, Quality Control Standards and Regulations.
Graduates of the Civil Engineering Technology program will be able to carry out design and technical functions related to a broad range of civil engineering fields, including structural, municipal, highway and transportation engineering, water resources, geotechnical engineering, environmental protection and infrastructure rehabilitation. Skills learned in civil engineering classes will be honed through co-operative education or field placement options.
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
In person
Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
This program contains a co-op option. Click here for information on program costs for co-op students.
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At Durham College, we believe that hands-on experience is essential for preparing students to succeed in the civil engineering industry. Our Civil Engineering Technology program offer robust experiential learning opportunities that bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application.
One of the key components of this learning model is the field placement, which is typically completed at the end of the second year of the civil engineering program. This 80-hour, unpaid work placement gives students the opportunity to step directly into the civil engineering field, gaining valuable, supervised experience with local employers, municipal agencies, consulting firms, and construction companies.
Field placements not only reinforce theoretical knowledge but also allow students to develop professional networks, enhance their résumés, and gain a clearer understanding of their specific areas of interest within civil engineering. For many, these placements lead directly to summer employment or even post-graduate job offers.
Experiential learning is more than just a civil engineering course requirement—it's a launching pad for students to apply their skills, build confidence, and prepare for a successful and impactful career in the civil engineering sector.
Graduates of Durham College’s Civil Engineering Technology advanced diploma program have opportunities to pursue further education through established degree pathways. These include the Honours Bachelor of Construction Management at Durham College and the Bachelor of Civil Engineering at Queen’s University. These pathways support continued academic achievement and professional development by recognizing prior learning and reducing the overall time and cost of earning a degree.
Students who choose to stay at Durham College can apply to the Honours Bachelor of Construction Management program. Eligible graduates may receive up to 45 transfer credits toward the 120-credit degree, allowing them to enter directly into semester four. With this advanced standing, students can complete the program in just five additional semesters, gaining valuable skills in project planning, construction law, safety management, and sustainable building practices.
Alternatively, graduates may apply to transfer into the Bachelor of Civil Engineering program at Queen’s University. Through this pathway, students may be granted up to two years of transfer credit, significantly reducing their course load. They will begin studies at Queen’s in semester five and complete the program in four additional semesters, earning an accredited engineering degree that supports the pursuit of a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation.
Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.
Myla Minelli is the Program Coordinator for the Civil Engineering Technician/Technology program at Durham College, based at the Whitby Campus within the Faculty of Science and Engineering Technology. As a dedicated educator and leader, they play a key role in curriculum development, student mentorship, and the ongoing enhancement of academic and experiential learning opportunities. In their role as Program Coordinator, Myla has been instrumental in integrating hands-on learning into the program. They have led the implementation of advanced materials testing labs, where students use Universal Testing Machines (UTMs) to perform tensile, compression, shear, and flexural testing on structural materials such as steel and aluminum—giving students a real-world understanding of construction material behavior. Myla also champions academic pathways and professional development for students. They have supported graduates in leveraging transfer agreements to pursue further education, including the Honours Bachelor of Construction Management at Durham College and the Bachelor of Civil Engineering at Queen’s University. Their commitment to student success, practical education, and academic growth makes them a valued leader in the civil engineering academic community.
The best way to succeed in your field is to immerse yourself in it! Co-op is an excellent way to build your professional network, explore career paths and apply in-class teachings to real work situations. Co-op is a model of education that integrates academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to our students’ academic and personal goals.
The co-op program provides a unique opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the civil engineering industry. By engaging in real-world projects, students develop a practical understanding of the challenges and responsibilities they will face in their careers. This experience enhances their resumes and gives them a competitive edge in the job market.
Graduates with a diploma in civil engineering who have participated in the co-op program are highly valued by employers for their ability to transition from academic settings to professional environments. Their hands-on experience and proven track record of applying theoretical concepts to practical problems make them well-rounded and competent professionals ready to tackle the demands of the civil engineering industry.
Students in the Civil Engineering Technology Advanced Diploma program will be invited to apply to the co-op option during their first academic semester. Entrance to the co-op option is limited and the processes for securing a work term are competitive. Students enrolled in the co-op option are required to complete two four-month, paid work terms totalling 840 hours. Work terms are scheduled between semesters two and three and four and five of the civil engineering program. Supports are available through the Experiential Learning office to assist students with securing their work terms. In addition, the Experiential Learning office is in contact with co-op students and their employers during the work terms to help with any questions.
Courses and course descriptions are subject to change.
Once transferred to the co-op option of the civil engineering program, students will have a co-op administrative fee of $475 assessed to their accounts during the academic semester(s) prior to the scheduled work term(s). The administrative fee goes to support the broad array of support services provided to co-op students. These services are dedicated to support student success.
Find more information about the benefits of becoming a co-op student.
Find more information about the benefits of becoming a co-op employer.
E: co-op@durhamcollege.ca
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