This program will prepare you for a career as a civil engineering technician, computer aided drafter, construction manager, transportation technician, or GIS technician. You’ll learn valuable skills like civil drawing, design, geographic information systems (GIS) and field engineering.
If you’re looking for a program that will put you on a solid career track with employers such as high-tech industries, civil engineering and surveying firms, the Department of Transportation, or civil construction companies, then look into Civil Engineering at BTC.
Data are provided on a program (not credential) level
86% BTC graduate placement rate1
$53,792 starting annual wage2
$66,096 average annual wage2
$76,287 potential annual wage2
Students may begin working toward this degree quarterly.
Admissions application and assessment testing in Reading, Math and Writing is required. Your score on the test and/or your previous transcripts will determine where you begin your course sequence. Contact Admissions at 360.752.8345 or at admissions@btc.edu for assistance with academic planning.
AMATH 111 | Applied Technical Math | 5 CR |
(Can substitute MATH& 141 for AMATH 111) |
CMST& 220 | Public Speaking | 5 CR |
(Can substitute CMST& 210 for CMST& 220) |
Applied English | 5 CR |
TOTAL Academic Core Course Credits | 15 CR |
ENGR 100 | Engineering Orientation | 2 CR |
ENGR& 104 | Introduction To Engineering & Design | 5 CR |
ENGR 115 | Graphics | 5 CR |
ENGT 134 | AutoCAD I | 5 CR |
ENGT 135 | AutoCAD II | 5 CR |
ENGT 215 | Applied Statics | 5 CR |
ENGT 216 | Applied Mechanics Of Materials | 5 CR |
TOTAL Engineering Core Course Credits | 32 CR |
CET 102 | Fundamentals Of Surveying I | 5 CR |
CET 110 | Construction And Highway Surveys | 5 CR |
CET 141 | Fundamentals Of GIS & GPS | 5 CR |
CET 142 | Intermediate GIS | 5 CR |
CET 230 | Estimating And Scheduling | 5 CR |
CET 235 | Construction Materials | 5 CR |
CET 240 | Earthmoving Fundamentals | 5 CR |
CET 251 | AutoCAD Civil 3D I | 5 CR |
CET 252 | AutoCAD Civil 3D II | 5 CR |
ENGT 132 | Engineering Applications Using MS Office | 5 CR |
TOTAL Civil Core Course Credits | 50 CR |
CAP 101 - Microsoft Computer Applications |
Any ENGR, ENGT, ENET, CENG, or CET course 100 level or higher |
Any Chemistry course 100 level or higher |
Any Physics course 100 level or higher |
Any Math course MATH& 141 or higher (cannot be used for both general education core and elective) |
TOTAL Engineering Electives Course Credits | 10 CR |
BIOL& 160 | General Biology w/ Lab | 5 CR |
CAP 100 | Introductory Digital Literacy | 2 CR |
ECON& 201 | Micro Economics | 5 CR |
After successfully completing the AAS degree, students will be able to:
Employment of engineering technicians is expected to increase. As technology becomes more sophisticated, employers continue to look for technicians who are skilled in new technology and require a minimum of additional job training.
About 67% of BTC Civil Engineering Technology students are employed within nine months of graduation. The average annual income in this field is $59,530, with an earning potential of about $73,653 per year.*
Most program graduates work as civil engineering technicians. Potential positions also include computer aided drafter, construction manager, transportation technician, and GIS technician.
Graduates may be employed by both public and private organizations including municipal, state and federal agencies, roadway and building construction firms, public utilities, engineering firms, manufacturing companies, and aircraft companies.
Tim Stettler is a Civil Engineering Instructor at Bellingham Technical College (BTC). He has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Washington State University and an A.A.S. in Civil Engineering from Spokane Community College. In addition to his 14 year role at BTC, Tim worked with the Spokane County Engineering Department and with other private engineering firms for a total seven years designing and constructing a variety of Infrastructure projects including stream restoration and mitigation, roadway, bridge, sewer, and waterline projects. Tim also has 18 years of heavy industrial construction and construction management experience. His most recent projects have included the Ronald Regan Office building, the Seventh and Flower subway station, and the Palisades Promenade Building in Los Angeles California. He has also worked on refineries, power plants, and waste to energy plants.
</p> Chris began his career in surveying in the mountains of Colorado in 1978, working in the oilfield. He travelled extensively in the western United States, working from south Texas to several miles south of the Canadian border, and from eastern Oklahoma to western Nevada. Wishing to settle down, he attended a technical school in Arizona, learning more about the math, drafting, and fieldwork involved in engineering related surveying. </p> Chris eventually ended up in Flagstaff, AZ, working for the Environmental Impact Statement on Glen Canyon Dam, where he was responsible for establishing a survey control network through the Grand Canyon for the Bureau of Reclamation’s GIS project. He started Spatial Science Solutions, a GIS firm shortly before receiving his degree, and has continued this business in a limited way since then. He returned for a third stint with Arizona Engineering to start a GIS department in 2004. </p> Chris came to Bellingham Technical College in 2010 be the Surveying and Mapping program instructor. </p>