Civil Engineering Technology

Associate Degree

Program Outline

This outline covers all four semesters of your at-home degree program. You will receive credit for previous college coursework if you meet Penn Foster standards. If you wish to receive credit for previous coursework, contact the college you attended and ask that your transcripts be forwarded to Penn Foster for evaluation. All previous college work must have been completed with a grade of "C" or better, and as much as 75% of the required credits may be transferred. We will also credit your tuition for all the courses that are acceptable.

System Requirements
You will need access to a Microsoft® Windows®-based computer to complete this program.  Penn Foster recommends the following as minimum specifications: Pentium® II or better processor, using Microsoft® Windows® XP or later. You will also need access to the Internet and Microsoft® Office 2007 to complete portions of this program. 

Online Library and Librarian
Students at Penn Foster College have access to an online library during their college studies. Students can use the library to do the required course research or for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and will assist students in research activities.

SEMESTER ONE

Basic Skills Assessment
All degree applicants are required to complete two Basic Skills Assessments, one in reading and one in math, to determine the level of readiness for beginning their selected program. Additional studies may be required.

MET100 - Technology Orientation (1 credit)
• Engineering Technology Orientation, Part 1
• Engineering Technology Orientation, Part 2

MAT 110 - Technical Mathematics 1 (2 credits)
• Formulas
• Algebra, Part 1: Algebraic Operations
• Algebra, Part 2: Algebraic Fractions
• Algebra, Part 3: Solving Algebraic Equations
• Algebra, Part 4: Determinants and the Quadratic Equation
• Algebra, Part 5: Radicals and Exponents
• Logarithms
Equipment included

SCI165 - Technical Science (2 credits)
• Going Metric
• SI Metric
• Heat, Part 1: Nature of heat; expansion and contraction; change of state.
• Heat, Part 2: Pressure-volume temperature relationships; weight of gases and the gas constant.
• Elements of Chemistry
• Engineering Chemistry

MAT122 - Technical Mathematics 2 (2 credits)
• Practical Geometry, Part 1: Points, lines, surfaces, and angles.
• Practical Geometry, Part 2: The circles, arcs, and areas of figures; solids.
• Plane Trigonometry, Part 1: Solving a triangle; deriving trigonometric fractions; values for trigonometric functions.
• Plane Trigonometry, Part 2: Angles, degrees, and radians; functions of angles.
• Trigonometric Tables

CET111 - Basic Surveying 1 (3 credits)
• Linear Surveying
• Leveling
• Transit Surveying, Part 1: Understanding meridian, declination; azimuth, bearing.
• Transit Surveying, Part 2: Explanation of transit operation; details of transit surveys.
• Transit Surveying, Part 3: Calculating latitudes and departures.

CET112 - Basic Surveying 2 (3 credits)
• Highway Curves, Part 1: Finding tangent distance and length of curve; special problems.
• Highway Curves, Part 2: Properties of transition curves; layout of spiraled curves.

CET115 - Land Surveying (3 credits)
• Determination of True Meridian
• United States Land Surveys, Part 1: Characteristics of land surveys; base lines.
• United States Land Surveys, Part 2: Making field notes; preparing the official plat.
• Fundamentals of Law for Surveyors

IET121 - Engineering Economy (1 credit)
• Engineering Economy: Operating costs; investment methods; interest tables

Proctored Examination*

SEMESTER TWO

MET123 – Engineering Materials (2 credits)
Composition and properties of metals, ceramics, concrete, glass, graphite, plastics, and wood.

EET160 – Introduction to Microprocessors (2 credits)
Introduction to computers; introduction to microprocessor applications; microprocessor basics.

MET170 – Engineering Mechanics (3 credits)
Branches of engineering mechanics; free-body diagrams; kinematics; force-mass acceleration method; impulse momentum; collision of two bodies.

CET120 – Concrete (2 credits)
Production of concrete; design of concrete mixes; test for concrete; field methods in concrete construction.

CET123 – Topographic Drawing and Surveying (5 credits)
Use of drafting instruments; plotting traverses; plotting cross sections and profiles; city and village maps; plane-table surveying; topographic maps; methods of control.

CET127 – Earthwork (1 credit)
Surveys for determining grade; cross-sectioning; formation of embankments; shrinkage and swell; moving cut to fill mass diagrams.

MET126 – Mechanics of Materials (2 credits)
Simple stresses; welded, bolted, and riveted joints; fixed and moving loads on beams; reaction at beam support; theory of column design; radius of gyration.

Proctored Examination*

SEMESTER THREE

CET223 – Geodetic Surveying (3 credits)
Monuments and markers; triangulation surveys; methods of projection; subdivision of city blocks into lots.

CET236 – Structural Steel Design (3 credits)
Allowable unit stresses; design of connections; composite design of steel
and concrete; design of column base plates.

CET239 – Reinforced Concrete Design (2 credits)
Investigation and design of rectangular beams; T-beams; double-reinforced beams, and continuous beams; design of processed concrete beams.

MET220 – Fluid Mechanics (3 credits)
Properties of materials; intensity of pressure; center of pressure; flow of water
in open channels; rate of discharge through water.

CSC104 – Computer Applications (3 credits)
Computer and Internet basics; computer hardware and software; digital electronics and file management; introduction to Windows®; pc applications in word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software.

CSC105 Introduction to Programming (3 credits)
Examines the basic logic common to all programming languages; shows students how to create their own programs not based on any particular programming language; concentrates on the basic guidelines and best practices for developing good programming skills.

Proctored Examination*

SEMESTER FOUR

CET241 – Highway Construction and Design I (3 credits)
Soil studies; subgrades and drainage; location surveys; volume and speed studies; signs.

CET242 – Highway Construction and Design II (2 credits)
Stabilized soil-bound surfaces; design of concrete pavements; design of pipe culverts.

MAT220 – Analytic Geometry and Calculus (4 credits)
Rectangular coordinates, graphics of linear equation; average rate of change; applications of integrals; derivatives and their applications; applications of calculus to shapes and moments.

BUS340 – Organizational Behavior (3 credits)
Management approaches; human decision-making; conflict management; communication in groups; power and influence; organizational environment, structure and design; fundamental forces of change.

ENG121 – Business and Technical Writing (3 credits)
Writing styles; ABC method of organizing material; grammar (parts of speech, active and passive voice, complete sentences vs. sentence fragments; parallel construction); using action verbs; constructing paragraphs; writing memos, business letters, and emails; organizing material; conducting research; documenting sources; outlining; providing illustrations; writing reports, proposals, descriptions, instructions, articles, and manuals.

CET249 – Resident Laboratory Training (Civil) (3 credits)
This two-week session includes the use of various measuring instruments for performing a series of comprehensive experiments. The experiments are designed to provide familiarization with instrumentation, equipment, preparation of data, and laboratory reporting techniques.

Proctored Examination*

* As a degree candidate, you will take a proctored examination at the end of each semester on selected courses within that semester. We make it easy because you pick the location and the person you want to supervise the exam, as long as Penn Foster College's established policy and qualifications are met. Complete information packets with procedures will be provided well in advance, before completion of final semester coursework.

NOTE: Advanced standing student shipments may vary from the above schedule.

A High School Diploma or GED is required to enroll in this degree program. Although this outline covers all four semesters of the Civil Engineering Technology Degree Program, you receive lesson materials for each semester as you enroll.

We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.

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