Dept of Civil, Construction & Mineral Engineering
Welcome to the homepage of the Department of Civil, Construction & Mineral Engineering, Athlone Institute of Technology. On this site, you will find information on careers in the civil engineering and construction sectors, courses offered by AIT and an introduction to our department staff and facilities.
For both men and women, civil engineering not only provides rewarding and interesting careers, but also offers opportunities for overseas travel and the satisfaction of knowing that their work will benefit society. Civil engineers work with the design, construction and maintenance of major structures such as roads, railways, bridges, tunnels, airports, docks, canals, wind turbines and large structures from skyscrapers to offshore oil and gas rigs. Construction or building is mainly concerned with the provision of structures for the accommodation of people, whether this is in the workplace, domestic residences or leisure areas.
The Department
of Civil, Construction and Mineral Engineering prepares graduates for careers
in the area of building and civil engineering with contractors, consultants,
local authorities, research organisations, etc. An important new area of
development is in sustainable construction. This anticipates changes to energy
generation, delivery, efficiency and conservation on the island, outlined in
the government’s energy legislation agenda. Some €276 million will be invested
in the sustainable energy sector according to the National Development Plan
2007-2013, which together with the extension of Building Energy Regulations (BER),
the Greener Homes grant and REFIT (Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff) will be
drivers for employment in the domestic energy sector. To this end, AIT has
introduced a Level 7 BSc in Sustainable Construction, both as an ab initio programme and a one-year
add-on degree for holders of higher certificate qualifications.
According to the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, in the medium term, job opportunities in the construction industry are most likely to arise for those who have expertise in the following areas: residential repair and maintenance, energy efficiency (e.g. retro-fitting, reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, renewable energy technologies), renewable energy infrastructure, management of construction and demolition waste, site assessment and water treatment, supply chain management in off-site construction methods, and export of new building materials and processes. These are areas addressed in the various programmes offered by this department.
The courses offered at AIT are broad-based in years one and two, and students are trained in a wide range of skills. The changing nature of the global construction industry has highlighted the need for graduates with flexible competencies, management and leadership abilities. AIT’s programmes have been developed with a view to meeting the needs of employers, whether that be as civil engineers, or more generally in the construction industry.
Why Choose Civil, Construction and Mineral Engineering at AIT?
- Extensive periods of industrial placement are an intrinsic part of our flagship honours degree in construction and technology management.
- AIT is one of the few institutes of technology to offer qualifications in civil engineering to honours degree level.
- Lecturers have extensive industry experience which enriches their teaching
- New degree programmes in sustainable construction will provide highly qualified graduates to meet an area of growing demand.
- Engineers Ireland accreditation available to graduates of selected programmes.
