Overview
Philosophy of the programme
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/
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 Information:
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.
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
Schedule of Intakes
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.
Higher National Diploma (HND) or equivalent in Civil Engineering or any approved subject area.
Ordinary Diploma.
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.
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.
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 |
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 |
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:
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 |
|
To offer a level of specialisation, during the 5th 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 |
|
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
|
-
-
Highway and Transportation Engineering
-
|