CVEN1317 : Syllabus

Instructor:	Angela R. Bielefeldt, Ph.D., P.E.
Office:	516 ECOT
Phone:	(303) 492-8433
Email:	Angela.Bielefeldt@colorado.edu
Web Site:	http://spot.colorado.edu/~bielefel
Class:	Tues. 2:00-2:50 pm, ECCR 245
Office Hours:	Tues, Wed, Thurs 11 am-noon, or by appointment

Grader	TBA
Email:	TBA

Overview

Coming into this course, you may have some of the following questions:

What is civil engineering?
What will I do as a civil engineer? Will I enjoy it?
Why do I need all these math and science courses?
...when do I get to REAL engineering?

At the end of this course, you should have some of the answers to these questions.

Objectives

The purpose of this course is to provide a foundation for your success as an engineering student and as a professional engineer.

The specific goals of this course are to:

describe what civil engineering is, what you may do as a civil engineer, and the skills required to be a successful civil engineer
explain the importance of professional licensure for civil engineers
define sustainability, describe its importance to civil engineering, and show how to incorporate sustainable engineering into civil engineering projects
provide a framework for evaluating ethical behavior which will apply in your engineering career
show the breadth and excitement of the civil engineering profession

You will probably find that your initial perceptions about civil engineering were too narrow. There is a vast diversity in this field, and in the jobs that you may do when you finish. This provides a level of flexibility for you to find a subject which most interests you and to get a job to capitalize on your particular strengths....whether that is technical innovations, writing, design, field work, management, etc. This class should help you identify the set of skills you will need to fulfill your particular goals. This course is the first step toward becoming a successful civil engineer!

Texts

There is no required text for the class. The information needed for the assignments will be provided online via CULearn.

An i-clicker is required (the same technology used in many other CU courses)

Engineering Your Future: A Brief Introduction to Engineering by Oakes et al. and published by Oxford University Press is recommended. The 2009 edition is the most updated mini-version, but other editions are also o.k.

You may also find Studying Engineering: A Road Map to a Rewarding Career by Ray Landis a helpful book.

Requirements

During the semester, there are 7 assignments that will be turned in for grading:

Assignment Points

Overview Exercise 30

Sustainability 60

Ethics Homework 100

Bridge Team Write-Up 120

Civil Engineering course plan 40

Civil Engineering Controversies, Disasters, Successes Slides/Essay 90

Professional Society Meeting and Reflective Essay 60

The total number of points possible to earn in the class is 500.

Some of the assignments may include in-class points from participation in clicker-questions.

Assignments must be submitted via CULearn on or before the deadline; late assignments are penalized at 33% per day.

In addition, students may choose to earn extra credit points from various assignments and surveys, which can raise your grade by a maximum of 1 step (i.e. from a B to a B+).

Grades will be determined on the basis of your point total. Unless a curve is needed, grades will be based on the percentage of 500 points that you earn:

Grade %

A >93

A- 90-93

B+ 87-90

B 82-87

B- 80-82

C+ 77-80

C 72-77

C- 70-72

D+ 67-70

D 60-67

F <60