Answers to Frequently-Asked Questions

• Question 1 : What does the EIT test, and when is it administered?
• Question 2 : What are the learning objectives for the Semester Project?
• Question 3 : How many CEE students are there in the program? How does it compare to others? How is the program ranked?
• Question 4 : Why are women under-represented among Civil Engineers?
• Question 5 : Is employment easy to attain as a Civil Engineer?
• Question 6 : What issues does one face in trying to establish Civil Engineering Company?

Question 1 : What does the EIT test, and when is it administered?

Answer : An engineering student becomes an (Engineer-In-Training: EIT) by passing the 
         Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination.  This test, which is offered
         twice a year, covers the breadth and scope of subjects that engineering students
         are expected to master in college, such as mathematics, engineering science, and
         physics.  For more on professional licensing issues, consult  The Engineering
         Student's Guidebook for Professional Development distributed in class (pages
         18-23) and visit the CEE department's web page on licensing at:

          http://www.cee.umd.edu/stud/md_pe_licensure_reqments.html 

Question 2 : What are the learning objectives for the Semester Project?

Answer : The Semester Project has several objectives:
         1. The project gives every student the opportunity to learn more about a specific
            element of Civil and Environmental Engineering that is of heightened interest
            to each student.
         2. The project helps students work on their research skills using a variety of
            source media.
         3. The project encourages students to meet with a CEE faculty member for a short
            "interview" helping students learn more in a one-on-one setting and giving
            both students and faculty the opportunity to meet in an academic context much
            earlier in the student's college career.
         4. The project helps students learn to work collaboratively in a group setting.
         5. The project helps students develop communication/presentation skill through
            oral presentations, written presentations, and the development of web pages.
         6. Last, but not least, the project will hopefully serve to inspire greater 
            interest and awareness by students in the range of activities that engage 
            Civil and Environmental Engineers.

Question 3 : How many CEE students are there in the program? How does it compare to others? How is the program ranked?

Answer : As of the Fall 2002 Semester, there were approximately 180 undergraduate Civil and 
         Environmental Engineering majors.  I will need to do some checking with others
         to give you a good answer on how this size compares nationwide and about our 
         ranking.

Question 4 : Why are women under-represented among Civil Engineers?

Answer : I see the answer to this being similar to the answer of the question, "Why are 
         women historically under-represented in math and the sciences?"  I think it's a
         question of overcoming traditionally held views about career differences for 
         men and women.  

         There is movement in a positive direction.  Having been an undergraduate in this 
         department myself, I can tell you at that time that there was only one woman 
         faculty member.  Today there are four with a fifth set to arrive in the next year.
         Perhaps more encouraging is the fact that this ENCE 100 class is 60% women.  I 
         think the numbers will continue to shift to a more equal balance of men and women
         as time passes.

         For more statistics on women in engineering, please visit the Society of Women
         Engineers (SWE) web page at:

         http://www.swe.org/SWE/ProgDev/stat/stathome.html

Question 5 : Is employment easy to attain as a Civil Engineer?

Answer : How do you define "easy"?  The need for Civil and Environmental Engineers is 
         persistent and does not fluctuate with the wims of the economy.  As infrastructure
         ages, transportation needs evolve and grow, water quality and availability 
         become more greater concerns, and addressing national and pollution issues 
         rises in national consciousness, I think the need for capable, creative, Civil and
         Environmental Engineers can only grow.

Question 6 : What issues does one face in trying to establish Civil Engineering Company?

Answer : I don't know how to answer this.  I strongly encourage you to take advantage of 
         the panels scheduled to speak in our class.  Particularly the "Senior Engineer" and
         "Young Engineers" panels may have some thoughts on this question.  Please ask them
         when those panels are held.  It's a good question.

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