Introduction

Civil engineering Department was established in the 1993-1994 academic year. Every year, about 100 students are admitted to the undergraduate program of the department through the ÖSYS (the exam performed all over the country by the Higher Education Council). The undergraduate education program lasts 4 years. As basic sciences courses are given in the first year of the education, engineering sciences courses are offered in the second and third years. In the fourth year of the education, in addition to the engineering sciences courses, technical elective branch courses are taught, and these courses are supported by laboratory and project studies. The department consists of five main civil engineering fields: Structures, Mechanics, Transportation, Geotechniques, and Hydraulics.

Undergraduate Program Goals

The short term career goals and professional expectations of the graduates of civil engineering program are stated below as “Program Educational Goals”:

• To have the ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and basic engineering in solving civil engineering problems.

• To have comprehensive knowledge in basic civil engineering areas and ability of effective usage of them.

• To have the ability to design civil engineering problems individually or in a team environment.

• To have the abilities ofmodeling, conducting experiments, data acquisition, evaluating, reporting and presenting.

• To be able to predict societal effects of civil engineering applications, understand and assess contemporary applications.

To follow the innovations and aware of the importance of self-improvement and commit to professional ethics and responsibilities.

Educational and Research Facilities in Civil Engineering Department

There are currently 4 laboratories used. These are Structure and Earthquake Research Laboratory, Construction Materials Laboratory, Soil Mechanics Laboratory and Transportation Laboratory.

Scientific Activities and Graduate Studies

The Department offers the graduate programs (M.Sc., Ph.D.) in the fields of Structures, Transportation, Geotechnics and Hydraulics. In this context, computer programs are developed on the subjects of structural analysis, optimum truss design and analysis of laminated composite plates. In addition to these fields, scientific research and publication activities are also in progress in the other fields of civil engineering.

In order to give the students the opportunity to learn more about the building materials and their use in practice, some seminars are organized within the scope of the cooperation between the Department of Civil Engineering and the construction industry. Scientific seminars are also given periodically by the faculty members. Besides, technical excursions to the fairs on construction materials and construction machines are organized regularly.

Social Activities in Civil Engineering Department

In addition to historical excursions, picnics and graduation balls, the Department organizes football, basketball, volleyball and table tennis tournaments. Furthermore, technical and social activities are organized regularly by student clubs.

Industrial Consultancy

For some construction companies, various experiments which are mostly related to concrete and soil are carried out. Besides, consultancy services on construction, transportation and geotechniques are given, and designing and planning of construction projects are undertaken.

Graduation and Employment Conditions

For students to graduate from the department, their average grade must be at least 2,00/4,00. Besides, the students are also obliged to complete a 60 day training period for graduation. The graduates of this department are awarded the title of “Civil Engineer”, and they can work in design offices and construction sites. They can also have opportunities for finding jobs in public or private sectors.