Civil Engineering
At Reykjavik University, students can graduate with a final examination in Civil Engineering BSc in 3,5 years (210 ECTS) or a master´s degree in Civil Engineering MSc in 5 years (300 ECTS).
The goal is to provide students with the specialized and practical knowledge needed to prepare them for employment as engineers in industry, as well as providing them with a solid theoretical basis on which they can base further studies, in Iceland or at leading universities abroad.
A major emphasis is placed on the students´ practically oriented project work, under the guidance of highly qualified teachers and experts from the industry. The majority of the teachers have considerable experience in design or construction. Many of the students enrolled have work experience in the building sector and the program enhances that background. The research focus is on applied research in cooperation with foreign universities, institutions and specialized engineering firm in the respective fields.
Civil Engineering deals with the design of structures such as buildings, bridges and road systems, as well as project planning and supervision. Most civil engineers are employed as structural designers or as leaders of construction projects.
In the last few decades, the building and construction industry in Iceland has been growing very fast and now accounts for approximately 12% of the gross national income, a much higher percentage than in neighboring countries. There are great opportunities for engineers with a first class education in the building sector and it is no coincidence that RU´s graduates in Civil Engineering are in high demand on the employment market.
Civil Engineering BSc
The final examination in Civil Engineering BSc of 210 ECTS credits is completed in 3,5 years. This study program gives very considerable professional competences seen in relation to the duration of the program. Graduates receive certification from the Ministry of Industry to practice as fully qualified engineers, with the professional title of engineer (Icelandic: Tæknifræðingur). At the same time, it is very easy to base studies for a MSc degree on the final examination, either in Iceland or at universities abroad.
The Study Program
In the first 6 semesters, students generally take five courses per semester. Four courses are taught during the first 12 weeks of the semester, ending with written or oral examinations. After the examination period comes a three-week lab course or a three-week specialized course. Emphasis is placed on the students´work on practical, realistic projects in cooperation with engineering firms and research institutes.
During the 5th and 6th semester, students take elective subjects that offer a degree of specialization. The fields of specialization offered are: Structural Design, Construction Management and Installation Systems. A student who choses at least 3 elective courses, as well as his final project, in the the same field gets a certificate of graduation inwhich his field of specialization is especially noted.
In the 7th semester, students take a course in research methods and work on their final project. The final project of 24 ECTS credits is a design and/or research project with emphasis on independent and goal oriented methods in practical project work in the building industry.
Study plans and detailed descriptions of courses are in the Course Catalog.
On July 1st, 2005 Reykjavik University merged with the Technical University of Iceland where teaching in the engineering programs which form the basis for today´s programs in Civil Engineering, Mechanical and Energy Engineering and Electrical Engineering started in 1964. These programs have a strong tradition of practical orientation in cooperation with the industry. Practically oriented project work plays a large role in the students´ studies and most of the teachers have a background of practical experience in the industry. The research focus is on applied research in cooperation with specialized companies and institutions in the respective fields.