Talk:Civil engineer

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lineout of a plan

why the emphasis on scandinavian engineers? i'

There is good reason for this, because the "civilingenjör" title is highly regarded in Scandinavia, more so than masters of science for example. This particular track of education also has a high international regard. However it could possibly be forked of to some subentry like Civil engineer (scandinavia) or just be listed by its Swedish name, Civilingenjör. Nixdorf 06:33, 2 January 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Belgian titles

As a Belgian student, I have the following question: Can anyone give me the reason why the Flemish (Belgian) title “burgelijk ingenieur” is translated tot “civil engineer”. It is by law prohibited to translate Belgium titles of engineers to english titles. This is a huge mistake en very confusing for other people. For example: The Belgian title “Burgerlijke bouwkundig ingenieur” is someone who fulfil the deducation as a civil engineer (buildings, bridges,…) But the Belgian title “Burgelijke ingenieur werktuigkunde” is someone who fulfil the education as a Mechanical Engineer, so not as a Civil Engineer!!!

My apologies for my bad english, but I hope that everyone understands my point. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Be2005 (talk • contribs) 08:16, 30 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Such a law only applies within Belgium - it is perfectly legal for an American or Australian or South African (or Russian, for that matter) to translate titles into English. However, you have a valid complaint regarding the accuracy of the translation. Without finding a reference, I'd guess that Burgelijke translates approximately as municipal or civic, and most engineering work done for municipalities is civil engineering, which further draws the translator to "Civil Engineering". Argyriou (talk) 17:33, 30 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

It is true that the term civil engineer may cause a certain confusion for English speakers, since the Belgian civil engineer may have a different speciality than mere civil engineering. However, it is an official title, and it should be mentioned in the article as such as to avoid the confusion with for example industrial engineers, or even with engineers as used in English language (who do not necessarily have a title or university diploma!). The Burgerlijk werktuigkundig-elektrotechnisch ingenieur for example, becomes a civil mechanical-electrotechnical engineer, with the title ir (not ing!). I added a phrase on the Civil engineer page to explain this confusion. However, since the title is official, it should be kept. The Civil engineer page explains enough about it.

The whole thing is about etymology: the English word engineer comes from engine (i.e. someone who works with engines, a train driver is called engineer in America), whileas the French and Dutch word ingenieur comes from genius. See also the Dutch purist expression vernufteling! LHOON 17:41, 30 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

You are incorrect about the etymology. The word engineer in English derives from the same source as the modern French ingenieur; the word engine in English derives from engineer, as something which an engineer makes, not the other way around. Argyriou (talk) 19:41, 30 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Split

This article clearly states that a civil engineer works with civil engineering. A scandinavian "civilingenjör" may work in that field, but can just as well work in any other field of engineering. The "civil" part nowadays just means that one has achieved a high enough level of education in the choosen field. Thus, the scandinavian title is best treated elsewhere, for example in engineer, or in a separate article.

Andejons (talk) 15:14, 19 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Andejons, see my comment below. SteveMc (talk) 20:28, 4 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Merge or Rename Page

Please refer to the Civil engineering page for the merge discussion. SteveMc (talk) 17:59, 4 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I do not agree with the merge. Instead, I propose that this page be renamed, possibly split and/or disambiguated (as suggested by Andejons above). The renaming would be to something like: Civil Engineers Worldwide.

SteveMc (talk) 18:23, 4 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

high enough academic degree?

In languages other than English, a term corresponding to "Civil engineer" refers instead to an engineer with a high enough academic degree

This is not clear or specific enough. What does it mean? --Duomodimilano (talk) 20:34, 16 June 2009 (UTC)[reply]

???? Ucla90024 (talk) 21:52, 16 June 2009 (UTC)[reply]

That what could be directly translated as "Civil engineer" instead means a degree at roughly Master level (in Sweden, up until recently, a 4.5 year university education). See the sections about the title in different countries in the article.

Andejons (talk) 08:58, 17 June 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Base Civil Engineers

On at least three Air Force bases with which I have been familiar, the persons performing building maintenance, such a repairing plumbing leaks, and grounds maintenance, such as grass cutting, have indeed been referred to as "civil engineers". They may be seen operating maintenance equipment (such as mowers) emblazoned with the words "civil engineer" and wearing reflective vests with the same label while performing such maintenance activities. These persons have been employed by the Air Force but are not military members.

The non-authoritative page which Graham87 referred to at http://www.tpub.com/content/UFC1/ufc_3_260_01/ufc_3_260_010227.htm lists some other activities which civil engineers may perform at some bases, but does not exclude any other activities. Hence, this page does *not* say that it is "not true". If an authoritative reference, such as a DoD regulation, can be found that says persons performing these duties may not be called civil engineers then please supply it as the commanders at these bases are apparently unaware of it. Also please be aware that civilian regulations on such things do not generally apply to the military. I am thus reverting the removal.

Please flag statements that simply need citations rather than immediately removing them. (Doing so would remove most of this article, for example, as it has only two citations). —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.59.100.223 (talk) 07:16, 11 August 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Notes to spanish civil engineer

Projects of buildings for residencial use can't be oversee by civil engineers in Spain. Then the paragraph could be change to

In Spain, a Civil Engineer has the technical and legal ability to design projects of any branch, so any spanish Civil Engineer can oversee projects about structures, buildings (except ~~non-~~residencial structures which are reserved for architects), foundations, hydraulics, the environment, transportation, urbanism, etc.