Hazel asked Marie Louis, Regis University (RU)

AddedWednesday, July 1, 2020 at 4:50 AM

What's the difference between Civil Engineering and Architecture?

Hello! I'm an aspiring civil engineer from the Philippines about to take entrance exams to get into college. I'm currently doubting whether I should pursue civil engineering, a more logical and analytical career path, or architecture, the more creative career path. I'm also average at math and I heard there is a LOT of math involved.

  • Rapunzel Amador-Lewis , Amador Lewis, Inc.
    Answered Monday, August 9, 2021 at 2:04 PM
    Dear Hazel,
    
    My apologies for such a delayed response. I ran into your question today and it struck me personally for two reasons: (1) I am a Filipino-American and (2) I had the same question when I was trying to decide what I wanted to be when I grew up. I ultimately decided to major in Architectural Engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. ARCE is the only accredited engineering major housed within the College of Architecture and Environmental Design. The program is essentially structural engineering of buildings. It is housed in the College of Architecture as ARCE and ARCH students take the majority of their first 2-years of courses together.  There are many other Architectural Engineering programs across the United States that have similar tracks of courses geared towards structural building design, all of which have the elements of creativity in architectural design.
  • Marie Louis , Regis University (RU)
    Answered Friday, October 9, 2020 at 6:53 PM
    Hello Hazel—
    Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay in responding. Do not let the fact Mathematics is not your strongest skills to avoid pursuing a career in Civil Engineering or Architectural. You can do or study anything you want. As soon as you are passionate about the field and willing to work hard, you will succeed. Architectural is the art and/or science of designing structures. 
    
    Both fields are sort of linked and overlapped. Civil Engineering contains many tracks or sub-areas/disciplines, namely transportation, structural, water treatment, geotechnical, construction management, and water management. Each of the latter areas within the Civil Engineering discipline has a design phase where the engineers might need to collaborate with the architects. It is my option that you should choose the field that motivates you the most. Thank you and best of luck!