Civil Engineering and Building Science Definitions and Summaries

Civil engineering is the profession of designing and engineering structural works that serve a purpose to the public. Civil engineers use computer science and advanced technology to create the most effective, useful, and economically friendly designs for all types of structural projects. Civil engineers take part in the plan, design, construction, operation, and repairs of all structures. Plus, civil engineering includes multiple different subsections of engineering within the profession which include structural, environmental, geotechnical, water resources, transportation, construction, and urban planning.

Building science is a field of knowledge that uses physics, chemistry, engineering, architecture, and the life sciences to analyze all the aspects that go into and affect buildings and the building process, including the environment other external factors. Building science also includes and puts emphasis on understanding how a building behaves physically as a system and the effects that this has on the energy efficiency of the building and the comfort and air quality inside that building.