Ethics in Civil Engineering Profession

Civil engineering is a very broad engineering discipline. It extends across many specialties in the area of coverage. Some of the things civil engineers do is planning, design and also supervise the construction of facilities which are relevant to the present day world. Some of the common facilities which civil engineers construct are the launching facilities and the space satellites, the offshore structures, roads, bridges, tunnels, dams, airports, harbors, systems of water supply and the water treatment plants. Civil engineers do plan and design projects, they do projects as they are required and also carry out the maintenance of the constructed structures. Some of the skills that a civil engineer must poses are the high standards of knowledge of the career, must be an expert in supervision and must have administrative skills.

These are some of the course details to become eligible to pursue the course. Someone has to have taken mathematics, physics and chemistry with outstanding performance basing on the education system you undertake. This is a 5 year course for those doing the degree program and a 3 year program for those doing diploma. To fully become a civil engineer, the following guidelines have to be followed: One must complete high school with mathematics and the science courses being majors; acquired the bachelor's degree of science in Civil Engineering; passed the fundamentals of engineering exam; must have a working experience. The duration of work experience required so as to be considered adequately competent varies from nation to nation; must be a licensed engineer (PE). And finally, the guideline for the civil engineers i.e. the civil engineering body of knowledge for the 21^st century is important for the instructing of the aspiring civil engineers for their licensing and their practice of their careers at the professional level.

A graduate of civil engineering can get employed in the construction projects which are facilitated by the central government and the public works departments. Some of the areas where civil engineers are widely applicable are the private construction projects and the real estate companies with their positions as the project engineers. Civil engineers are also employed in these very same industries to carry out the work of designing the structures that are related to these industries. The NGOs also hire civil engineers to assist in the management of the water shades and in other areas. The professionals in this area can also prefer to join the research and teaching fields or even open their own consultancy firms. Another option is to join the lucrative engineering services of India which are conducted by the commission of union public service.

A chartered civil engineer is someone who has enrolled with the institute of civil engineers (ICE). ICE is based in the UK. In the year 2006 there were 79,432 ICE members. These members can be students of civil engineering or a related program; they can also be people who are professionally qualified by for example being technicians or being associates who are working in fields closely related to civil engineering.

There are many way through which someone can become a chartered civil engineer: firstly, one can earn a master's degree in civil engineering or even acquire a bachelor's degree with honors from an accredited institution. You will be required to fill out a member application form from ICE website.

The second option is to practice as a civil engineer thereby gaining experience. You can find a mentor to assist you in the development of your objectives. The process of learning is viewed as a way of acquainting yourself more and a link to becoming a chartered civil engineer. And finally, one can then present the professional review documents to the institute of chartered engineers. You will be required to write a report on your experience and a project report. You will then attend a scheduled review and pass the written trial. You will then upon passing be required to pay an annual membership fee to ICE. Although ICE has its base in the UK, there are more than 150 countries which have the ICE chapters.

The civil engineering profession has taken great responsibility in the society through the unmerited contribution to ensuring that the human society lives safely and also through the enrichment of the human life by the constructions, maintenance and the management of the social overhead capital. The enormous industrial development which has been encountered has been made possible by the great technological achievements. This technology has improved the life of mankind remarkably. In spite of the diversification and the expansion of technology, the influence caused by this phenomenon on nature and the society has increased in its magnitude and complexity.

The civil engineers in their endeavors should not be ignorant of these factors; they should consider these facts and in turn adhere to the ethical principles of discipline and take their moral obligation when they are applying the advanced technology. It is an important duty for the civil engineers to preserve the environment and enhance the existence of mankind and nature without interference.  Civil engineers must also apply the following codes of conduct in their professional life.

The civil engineers must apply their technical skills in the creation, improvement and the maintenance of a beautiful national land, a comfortable and safe life and a prosperous society. This mean they should contribute to the society through their virtues and knowledge laying their emphasis on dignity and honor. They should preserve the environment while at the same time giving the highest priority to the safety, health and the welfare of the generations in the present day and in the future. They must strive to preserve nature and the global environment for sustainable development of man.

Civil engineers must also give value to research and the development of new technology, promotion of the international corporation and respect the technology which is rooted in the indigenous cultures and also deepen the understanding of other cultures. This will enhance the welfare and the safety of the human beings. Also, they should offer to work from the broader perspective based on their specialized experience and expertise not allowing the organizational affiliations to interfere.

They should issue reports and express their opinions based on their experiences and expertise. They should also live up to their beliefs and conscience. They must also disclose all the relevant information that concerns public safety, health, welfare and the sustainable global development. This will be an effort made to execute the irreversible engineering works that is long-term and large-scale in nature and be impartial. This can be arrived at by maintaining a fair attitude to the public, the civil engineering works and themselves while performing their work with honesty.

With the regard of technical works, civil engineers should offer themselves with honesty to their agents or the trustee of the employer. They should treat every person without any form of discrimination against their races, sex, religion or even age. Civil engineers, perform their work with compliance to the laws, ordinances, rules & regulations, contracts and other set standards. They must not ask, give or even receive directly or indirectly, any compensation that is not due.

They must understand the forms, functions and the structural characteristics of the civil engineering facilities and structures. During the planning, design, construction, maintenance and disposal the engineers must apply advanced technology and the traditional technology as they also preserve the ecosystem and its beauty. They should also be mindful of the historical heritage. They should also advance their own experience by studying the concepts and the engineering methods and through contribution to the technological development by informing the academic society about the results of these efforts.

They must also endeavor to nature the human resources by effectively utilizing their personality; their knowledge and their experience while generously supporting others so as to enhance their professional proficiency. Should clearly explain their role and in turn respond to any form of criticism that may result from such explanation. They should also evaluate the work they have completed and that which has been completed by others and express a positive individual opinion. They should live up to the code of ethics which have been stipulated by the society while at the same time enhancing the social status of the civil engineers. This means that the members of the profession must initiate the dignity of their society by observing the code of ethics.