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/

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 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

 

 

 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

Schedule of Intakes

  • 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.

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

 

 

 

 

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 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
         

 

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

  1. 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