What Is The Difference Between Architecture And Civil Engineering?

Civil engineering and architecture are similar, overlapping majors and occupations, with some key differences.

Architecture

• Build public or private structures.
• Focus on the aesthetic principles of design. In school, you will take more art-related classes and fewer engineering- and science-related courses.
• Acquire the relevant certifications in the field of architecture.

Engineering

• Build public or private structures, with a focus on public structures.
• Also build hydroelectric dams, canals, roadways, or other structures with useful functions in society.
• Focus on science and engineering. In college, you will take fewer art-related classes and learn a lot more engineering and physics than you would if you majored in architecture. This major is usually considered more “difficult.”
• Acquire the relevant certifications in the field of civil engineering.

As you can see, there is a large crossover in what you can do with either degree. As an architect or a civil engineer, you can build public or private structures. Civil engineers typically do a lot more work on large public ventures like airports however than they do on private homes. But that doesn’t mean a civil engineer can’t also build a house. 

Architects cannot do everything that civil engineers can do, since they lack the scientific and engineering knowledge required for many jobs. An architect can build a house or even an airport, but probably will not be given the job of designing a power dam or a roadway for example. Those jobs require more technical knowledge and planning, and architecture school doesn’t really give you that knowledge since it is focused more on aesthetics.

Civil engineering’s main drawback is that it is a longer, more challenging pathway, and if you have no interest in technical projects, it would be more logical to avoid doing all that extra work just so you can build houses. Architecture isn’t offered as often as civil engineering however, so you may have an easier time finding a civil engineering course than an architecture course. So in summary, civil engineering is a broader degree field which allows you to do more types of projects after you graduate, but architecture is a more direct route if you already know you want to focus on more aesthetic projects. Talking to an advisor will help you figure out what you should do, but hopefully this gives you some starting guidance.

Source: www.careerqa.com