Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering | DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL & CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING

Overview

Philosophy

The philosophy of the programme is to produce highly motivated and innovative graduates of Civil Engineering who have values of honesty, hard work, and with an eye on sustainability to solve the problems of a demanding engineering market and to provide leadership and stewardship and to give hope and faith in the infrastructure sector

Rationale

The global demand for Civil Engineers has a direct relation with population. The BSc Degree program presented at the University of Nairobi is a 5-year program that addresses society’s needs by combining the fundamentals of Civil Engineering with innovative ideas. Consequently, the program is structured to emphasize both engineering theory and technical skills. These skills enable the learners who have gone through this programme to solve practical problems and analyse different situations by converting concepts into reliable and cost-effective engineering designs.

The curriculum is tailored to give the students a solid scientific foundation from the start, where in the first year of study, courses of mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer programming, and engineering drawing are taught as well as other courses in the humanities. From the second year to the fifth year, students get well-grounded in the core Civil Engineering disciplines, which include; Mathematics, Structural analysis, Civil Engineering Materials, Fluid Mechanics, Transportation and Highway Engineering, Engineering Drawing and Design, Environmental Engineering, Engineering Management, Water Resources Engineering and Mathematics. In the final year of study, students work on an engineering project that could be experimental or design-based, and this exposes them to the design process from concept to the final product, emphasizing effective communication and presentation skills.

All intakes begin in the September of every year but the application is by rolling admission mode (continuous admission process)

Objectives

Within a few years of graduation, the graduates of the Civil Engineering Program at the University of Nairobi will:

Practice the profession of civil engineering, make progress toward certification as licensed Professional Engineers and/or pursue graduate studies.
Serve society and the civil engineering profession through involvement in community and professional organizations.
Pursue life-long education through professional training and/or independent inquiry and study.
Possess the expertise that allows graduates to make judgment-based decisions with confidence.
Contribute new ideas and innovations that empower advancements in their profession.

Application Information

Applications for admission are open throughout the year through the online platform. The requirements for submitting your application are detailed in the link provided https://application.uonbi.ac.ke/

Schedule of Intakes

The Department admits new students at the beginning of every academic calendar year (which is usually September).

Mode of Delivery

Face-to-Face Mode

This is through lectures and tutorials using notes, electronic presentations, instruction manuals, group discussions, practical laboratory demonstrations and fieldwork.

Open, Distance Learning and e-Learning

In case of delivery through ODeL, special arrangements shall be made for the practical laboratory, field work and computing sessions. Where not feasible alternative arrangements will be made to do them on campus.

Blended Learning

This is a hybrid of face to face with Open, Distance Learning and e-learning.

Notable Alumni

Eng. Nicholas Musuni - Registrar, Engineers Board of Kenya

Eng. Tom Omai - General Manager, Planning & Programming, Kenya Roads Board.

Contact of Support Persons

Our Offices are located at Main Campus-Civil Engineering Block (Next to Central Police Station) Harry Thuku Way, Nairobi

Tel: +254 - 20 - 491- 3512

Email: civileng@uonbi.ac.ke

Admission Requirements

Application Procedure:

HOW TO APPLY:

https://uonbi.ac.ke/content/how-apply

APPLICATION PORTAL:

https://application.uonbi.ac.ke/

Minimum Admission Requirements

Candidates shall be eligible for admission into the Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in the following categories.

KCSE Candidates

The basic admission requirement shall be the minimum requirement set for entry into Public Universities which is a mean grade of at least C+ in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).

In addition to the minimum university requirements the candidates, must have any of the following:

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) shall have obtained at least a C+ in the following subjects:

Mathematics,
Physics,
Chemistry
Biology/Geography
A Level Candidates

A level candidate with 2 principals in mathematics and physics and subsidiary levels pass in chemistry with a credit pass in English at O level.

Diploma Candidates

Higher National Diploma (HND) or equivalent in Civil Engineering or any approved subject area.

Ordinary Diploma.

BSc/BEd (Science) degrees

Candidates with a Bachelor of Science or Education degree in Physics and Mathematics from recognized institutions or any other relevant degree from a recognized institution.

Regulations for Credit Transfers

The point of entry into the programme for candidates with a KNEC higher national diploma or its equivalent in accordance with 3.1.3

(i) shall be in the second year of study.

The point of entry into the programme for candidates with an ordinary KNEC diploma or its equivalent in accordance with 3.1b (ii) shall be in the first year of study.

The point of entry into the programme for candidates with qualification other than those outlined in above shall be approved by Senate on the recommendations of the School of Engineering Board and the College Academic Board and shall be based on the qualifications of the applicant.

Where a candidate wishes to be exempted from any course or courses, he/she shall send a formal application to the Academic Registrar justifying his/her request and attaching evidence of the credentials which support such request. Such a candidate may be required to sit and pass an exemption examination set and administered by the School of Engineering Board and approved under the authority of the Senate after payment of a prescribed fee.

Based on the assessment of the exemption examination, the School of Engineering Board shall make its recommendations to the Senate. The Academic Registrar shall communicate to the candidate, the Senate’s decision.

Credit Transfer & Exemptions

A candidate may be exempted from some course units and credit transferred from approved institutions subject to the following conditions:

Request for exemption should be made in writing on admission to the Academic Registrar and must be accompanied by officially endorsed supporting documents including the institutions’ syllabuses for the relevant courses and the candidate’s official transcript.

No candidate shall be exempted from more than one third of the total number of units required for the course.

Where there is doubt as to the equivalence of courses, a candidate may be required to sit and pass applicable University of Nairobi examination in relevant course units.

Payment of appropriate exemption fees and examination fees where applicable.

Fees and Funding

Semester 1	Semester 2	Yearly TOTAL	SUM TOTAL
TUITION	198,000	198,000	396,000
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)	6,500	-	6,500
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)	7,000	-	7,000
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)	2,000	-	2,000
CAUTION - (ONCE)	5,000	-	5,000
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)	2,250	2,250	4,500
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)	7,000	7,000	14,000
ID CARD ( PER YEAR)	1,000	-	1,000
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)	1,000		1,000
LIBRARY (PER YEAR)	4,000		4,000
TOTAL	233,750	207,250	441,000

Bachelor of Science-Civil Engineering-Year 2-14 units

	Semester 1	Semester 2	Yearly TOTAL
TUITION	198,000	198,000	396,000
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)	6,500	-	6,500
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)	7,000	-	7,000
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)	2,000	-	2,000
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)	2,250	2,250	4,500
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)	7,000	7,000	14,000
ID CARD ( PER YEAR)	1,000	-	1,000
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)	1,000	-	1,000
LIBRARY (PER YEAR)	4,000	-	4,000
TOTAL	228,750	207,250	436,000

Bachelor of Science-Civil Engineering-Year 3-15 units

	Semester 1	Semester 2	Yearly TOTAL
TUITION	198,000	198,000	396,000
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)	6,500	-	6,500
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)	7,000	-	7,000
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)	2,000	-	2,000
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)	2,250	2,250	4,500
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)	7,500	7,500	15,000
ID CARD ( PER YEAR)	1,000	-	1,000
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)	1,000	-	1,000
LIBRARY (PER YEAR)	4,000		4,000
TOTAL	229,250	207,750	437,000

Bachelor of Science-Civil Engineering-Year 4-16 units

	Semester 1	Semester 2	Yearly TOTAL
TUITION	198,000	198,000	396,000
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)	6,500	-	6,500
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)	7,000	-	7,000
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)	2,000	-	2,000
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)	2,250	2,250	4,500
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)	8,000	8,000	16,000
ID CARD ( PER YEAR)	1,000	-	1,000
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)	1,000	-	1,000
LIBRARY (PER YEAR)	4,000	-	4,000
TOTAL	229,750	208,250	438,000

Bachelor of Science-Civil Engineering-Year 5-14 units

	Semester 1	Semester 2	Yearly TOTAL
TUITION	198,000	198,000	396,000
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)	6,500	-	6,500
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)	7,000	-	7,000
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)	2,000	-	2,000
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)	2,250	2,250	4,500
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)	7,000	7,000	14,000
ID CARD ( PER YEAR)	1,000	-	1,000
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)	1,000	-	1,000
LIBRARY (PER YEAR)	4,000	-	4,000
TOTAL	228,750	207,250	436,000

Grand TOTAL			2,188,000

Structure

First-year:

COURSE CODE	COURSE TITLE	SEMESTER I HOURS	SEMESTER II HOURS	Credit Hours
CCS 001	Communication Skills	45		3
CCS 010	HIV / AIDS	45		3
FCE 131	Physics IA	45		3
FCE 161	Pure Mathematics IA	45		3
FCE 163	Engineering Mechanics (Statics)	45		3
FCE 165	Computer Science I	45		3
FCE 181	Chemistry IA	45		3

CCS 008	Elements of Philosophy		45	3
FCE 112	Engineering Geology		45	3
FCE 132	Physics IB		45	3
FCE 142	Introduction to Engineering Drawing		45	3
FCE 162	Pure Mathematics IB		45	3
FCE 164	Engineering Mechanics (Dynamics)		45	3
FCE 182	Chemistry IB		45	3
TOTAL		315	315	42

Second year:

COURSE CODE	COURSE TITLE	SEMESTER I HOURS	SEMESTER II HOURS	Credit Hours
FCE 201	Theory of Structures IA	45		3
FCE 211	Geotechnical Engineering I	45		3
FCE 231	Strength of Materials IA	45		3
FCE 245	Material Science	45		3
FCE 251	Engineering Surveying I	45		3
FCE 261	Engineering Mathematics IA	45		3
FCE 265	Computer Science II	45		3
FCE 271	Engineering Economics	45		3

FCE 202	Theory of Structures IB		45	3
FCE 222	Fluid Mechanics IA		45	3
FCE 232	Strength of Materials IB		45	3
FCE 242	Engineering Drawing I		45	3
FCE 246	Concrete Materials		45	3
FCE 262	Engineering Mathematics IB		45	3
FCE 266	Computer Science III		45	3
FCE 299	Practical Assignment I			7
TOTAL		360	315	45

Third year:

COURSE CODE	COURSE TITLE	SEMESTER I HOURS	SEMESTER II HOURS	Credit Hours
FCE 301	Theory of Structures IIA	45		3
FCE 311	Geotechnical Engineering IIA.	45		3
FCE 331	Strength of Materials IIA	45		3
FCE 345	Transportation Engineering IA	45		3
FCE 351	Engineering Surveying II	45		3
FCE 361	Engineering Mathematics II A.	45		3
FCE 391	Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology.	45		3

FCE 302	Theory of Structures IIB.		45	3
FCE 312	Geotechnical Engineering IIB
FCE 322	Fluid Mechanics II		45	3
FCE 332	Strength of Materials IIB		45	3
FCE 342	Engineering Drawing and Design II.		45	3
FCE 346	Transportation Engineering IB.		45	3
FCE 362	Engineering Mathematics IIB.		45	3
FCE372	Construction Engineering Management 1		45	3
FCE 399	Practical Assignment II			7
TOTAL		315	315	49

FCE 399 – Civil Engineering Field Assignment - 8 weeks = 320 Hours (Equivalent to 110 hours of Instruction or 7 credit hours)

Fourth year:

COURSE CODE	COURSE TITLE	SEMESTER I HOURS	SEMESTER II HOURS	Credit Hours
FCE 401	Structural Dynamics	45		3
FCE 411	Geotechnical Engineering IIIA	45		3
FCE 421	Open Channel Hydraulics.	45		3
FCE 425	Hydrology	45		3
FCE 431	Structural Design IA	45		3
FCE 451	Engineering Surveying III	45		3
FCE 461	Statistics.	45		3
FCE 481	Water Treatment.	45		3

FCE 402	Theory of Structures IIIB.		45	3
FCE 412	Geotechnical Engineering IIIB.		45	3
FCE 422	Fluid Mechanics III		45	3
FCE 432	Design of Structures IB		45	3
FCE 446	Transportation Engineering II		45	3
FCE472	Construction Engineering Management II		45	3
FCE 482	Wastewater Treatment.		45	3
FCE 499	Practical Assessment III		110	7
TOTAL		360	315	45

Industrial Attachment

FCE 499 – Industrial Attachment - 8 weeks = 320 Hours (Equivalent to 110 hours of Instruction or 7 credit hours)

Fifth year:

COMPULSORY COURSES:

COURSE CODE	COURSE TITLE	SEMESTER I HOURS	SEMESTER II HOURS	Credit Hours
FCE 511	Geotechnical Engineering IV.	45		3
FCE 525	Water Resources Engineering	45		3
FCE 531	Structural Design IIA	45		3
FCE 545	Transportation Engineering (III)	45		3
FCE 571	Engineering Management III	45		3
FCE 581	Water and Wastewater Engineering Design.	45		3

FCE 592	Professional Practice and Ethics	45		3
FCE 590	Civil Engineering Project	45		3

ELECTIVE COURSES

To offer a level of specialisation, during the 5^th year of study, students, with the guidance of the Class Tutor, can select any two courses from the list below provided the selected course is on offer.

COURSE CODE	COURSE TITLE	SEMESTER I HOURS	SEMESTER II HOURS	Credit Hours
FCE 593	Sociology for Engineers	45		3

FCE 502	Advanced Theory of Structures I.		45	3
FCE 508	Introduction to Finite Element Method.		45	3
FCE 524	Advanced Hydraulics.
FCE 526	Water Resources Engineering II		45	3
FCE 532	Structural Design IIB.		45	3
FCE 536	Building Structural Design.		45	3
FCE 546	Transportation Planning and Pavement Analysis.		45	3
FCE 552	Engineering Surveying IV.		45	3
FCE 562	Numerical Analysis II.		45	3
FCE 564	Operations Research.		45	3
FCE 566	Computer Applications II.		45	3
FCE 572	Construction Engineering Management IV		45	3
FCE 581	Industrial Waste Treatment.		45	3
FCE 583	Environmental Impact Assessment and Audit		45	3
FCE 572	Construction Engineering Management IV		45	3
FCE 588	Construction Technology and Engineering.		45	3

Exam Regulations

Written Examination

Courses shall be evaluated in terms of course units. A course unit shall be as defined in the approved course syllabus.
Courses that are spread over two semesters shall be examined at the end of the second semester.
All courses taken in each semester shall be examined by Ordinary examinations at the end of that semester unless otherwise specified.
A written ordinary Examination for a course unit, where it applies, shall have a minimum duration of two hours.
The pass mark in each course unit shall be 40% of the maximum mark possible in the course unit.
Each course unit covered in a semester shall be graded independently out of a maximum of 100 marks.
The complete assessment of a course unit shall consist of continuous assessment tests, course/laboratory/field assignments and end of semester written examinations, with the three components ordinarily carrying 10, 20, and 70 marks out of 100, respectively.
Where a course unit does not have any laboratory/field assignments, or coursework, the continuous assessment test and semester written examinations shall carry 30 and 70 marks out of 100, respectively.
Where a course unit is examined entirely by coursework, or laboratory/field assignments, such course unit shall carry all 100 marks.

Where distribution of the marks for a course does not conform to (7), (8) or (9) above, the distribution of the marks for the course unit as approved by the Senate shall be followed. xi. The final year Civil Engineering project shall be considered as two-course units.

Progression

In order to be allowed to proceed to the next year of study, a candidate shall have obtained an aggregated mark of not less than 40% and passed all course units or satisfied the Common regulations of the University of Nairobi Section 8.9 (a).

Repetition

a. A candidate who fails an accumulated number of not more than four units and attains an aggregate mark of not less than 30% in any academic year of study shall be allowed to sit for supplementary examinations within three months.

b. A candidate who fails the project in the final year of study shall be allowed to resubmit the revised project within three months. A candidate who fails the re-submitted project shall repeat the project unit during the next academic year.

c. A candidate who fails a course unit examined entirely by coursework shall be allowed to resubmit the coursework within three months. A candidate who fails the re-submitted coursework shall repeat the unit during the next academic year.

Supplementary Examinations

A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners in the supplementary examinations:

a. In not more than two units in any one academic year, shall on the recommendation of the School Board of examiners and approval by Senate, be allowed to proceed to the next year of study and sit the examinations in the failed course units at the next Ordinary University Examinations, subject to the provision of the Common Regulations of the University of Nairobi F18. A pass obtained in such examination shall be adopted as 40% and will be entered as such in the candidate’s academic record.

b. In more than two units shall on the recommendation of the Board of examiners and approval by Senate, be allowed to repeat the year and sit the examinations in the failed course units at the next Ordinary University Examination, subject to the provision of the Common Regulations of the University of Nairobi regulation 8.11.

Retake

A candidate who obtains an aggregate mark of not less than 30% and has failed in more than an equivalent of 4-course units but in not more than an equivalent of 8, shall on the recommendation of the Faculty Examiners Committee and approval by the Senate, be required to repeat the year of study and attend classes in the failed units and take the examination in the failed course units at the next Ordinary University Examinations. Marks obtained in such examination shall be adopted fully and will be entered as such in the candidate’s academic record.

Discontinuation

A candidate who: a. Obtains an aggregate mark of less than 30%, or 12

b. Has failed in more than an equivalent of eight (8) course units, or c. Has failed the same course unit four times, or d. Has failed to take prescribed examinations without good cause, Shall on the recommendation of the School Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be discontinued from the course of study.

Special Exam

a. A candidate who fails to take prescribed examinations with good cause shall be allowed by Senate on the recommendation of the Faculty Examiners Committee to take Special Examinations at the next Ordinary University Examination/Supplementary Examinations. b. Examinations taken under Section 7.7 shall be treated in accordance with Section 7.1 and shall be graded in full.

Careers

Attachment Opportunities

Engineering – mining, chemical, civil, geotechnical, electrical.
Science – chemistry, geology, health and safety, environment, survey.
Business – marketing, commerce, finance, economics, supply and logistics, training, human resources.

Careeer Prospects

Geotechnical Engineering

Figure 4‑1. Core cutting from a filed investigation.

Courtesy: Dulo, 2020

Figure 4‑2. Foundation pile driving.

Courtesy: Dulo, 2020

Figure 4‑3. Core cutting in the field.

Courtesy: Dulo, 2020

Figure 4‑4. Foundation excavation.

Courtesy: Dulo, 2020

1. Highway and Transportation Engineering

Figure 4‑5. Southern Bypass Ngong Interchange.

Courtesy: Dulo, 2020

Figure 4‑6. Southern Bypass Langatta Road Interchange.

Courtesy: Dulo, 2020

Figure 4‑7. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi.

Courtesy: Dulo, 2020

Civil