Civil engineering is one of the oldest, most established, and most versatile engineering disciplines. Civil engineers play a vital role in the planning, design, construction, supervision, maintenance, operation, preservation, and management of essential infrastructure and systems—such as buildings, transportation networks, and water systems—that are foundational to our daily lives.

The work of a civil engineer encompasses the engineering, operational, and construction aspects of both private and public facilities. This includes civil and industrial buildings, as well as infrastructure such as roads, bridges, tunnels, dams, ports, railroad tracks, and systems for the collection, transportation, and treatment of water. In addition, today’s civil engineer is expected to drive innovation in both engineering and execution. They must be capable of leading complex engineering projects while carefully considering various factors, including the engineering and execution methods, project environment (such as financial and contractual aspects, safety, social and environmental impacts), and managerial requirements (such as meeting deadlines, minimizing costs, and reducing any negative project impacts). The civil engineering profession, particularly with specializations in structural engineering and construction and infrastructure management, is in high demand within the Israeli economy, especially in the northern region. The construction and infrastructure sectors are continuously growing, driven by the increasing need for planning, designing, and building structures for various purposes, as well as the ongoing requirement to maintain and upgrade essential infrastructure systems.

The Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Civil Engineering program at Kinneret Academic College is designed to prepare students for careers in the key areas of civil engineering. The program focuses on training engineers specializing in structural design (construction) and project management within the construction and infrastructure sectors.

Curriculum structure:

1. Basic Studies – mathematics, chemistry, and physics, which provide a solid and time-tested foundation of knowledge. This phase is a crucial, forming the essential basis for all subsequent engineering training.
2. Core Engineering Studies – Basic engineering sciences engineering sciences (introduction to engineering mechanics, fluid mechanics and hydraulics, and geomechanics and more) and the main engineering professions (strength theory, structural analysis, ground engineering, and more). They provide students with a comprehensive foundation and professional knowledge that are essential for the civil engineering profession. These courses prepare students for work in any professional branch within the field of civil engineering.
3. Specialization Tracks – The program offers two specialized tracks, allowing students to focus on one of the following fields according to their personal interests:

• Structural Engineering: The goal of the track is to train engineers capable of designing a wide range of structures, overseeing their construction, and serving as experts and authoritative professionals within multidisciplinary design teams. To this end, students will acquire comprehensive knowledge and practical tools in the areas of structural strength and stability. This includes load calculations, assessment of exceptional scenarios (such as earthquakes), and conducting analyses using advanced engineering software and computational methods (such as finite element analysis). In addition, students will gain expertise in construction materials, soil engineering, foundation design, construction techniques, and more.
• Construction and Infrastructure Management: The goal of this track is to train engineers to lead projects in the construction and infrastructure sectors. Students will approach the field from an engineering-management perspective, gaining foundational knowledge in structural and transportation engineering. The program also includes courses that broaden their expertise in construction methods, automation in building processes, innovative management practices, human resource management, and tools for developing leadership skills.

1. Final Project: In the final year of their studies, students in each track will complete a capstone project, applying the knowledge and skills they have acquired throughout the program, with a focus aligned to their chosen specialization. As part of the final project, students will tackle engineering challenges related to structural design and the execution planning of construction and infrastructure projects. In the Structural Engineering track, the final project is a year-long endeavor, focusing on in-depth structural analysis and design. In contrast, the Construction and Infrastructure Management track divides the final project into two semester-long components, one centered on construction and the other on infrastructure—providing students with practical experience in both core areas of the field.

The graduate

Graduates of the program will be well-positioned to pursue a wide range of career opportunities in both the public and private sectors. In the public sector, in government ministries, public companies, local authorities, and standards or regulatory bodies. In the private sector, opportunities include planning and engineering consulting firms, project management companies (for both planning and execution phases), construction contractors, quality assurance and control firms, permit inspection agencies (such as those operating under Amendment 101 of the Planning and Building Law), laboratories, building survey and measurement companies, and more. In addition, qualified graduates who are interested in continuing their academic journey will be able to pursue advanced degrees at institutions of higher education, contributing to the development of the academic reserve essential to the field.

The curriculum has been designed to equip graduates with the following skills:

• A solid foundation of current theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of civil engineering.
• The ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering and management problems.
• The capacity to make informed professional decisions based on a thorough understanding of engineering challenges, including a systematic evaluation of alternative solutions through review of professional literature, standards, and relevant guidelines.
• Proficiency in applying the knowledge, tools, techniques, and skills acquired during their studies to address engineering problems, while embracing technological innovation and change to improve performance outcomes—such as product quality, execution efficiency, time management, cost reduction, and safety.
• An understanding of the importance of lifelong learning and ongoing professional development throughout their engineering careers.
• A strong sense of professional and ethical responsibility as civil engineers.
• Effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present information clearly and appropriately, collaborate within multidisciplinary teams, and assume leadership roles when needed.

These core skills apply equally to graduates of both tracks. However, each track also cultivates a distinct professional profile with its own area of emphasis. Graduates of the Structural Engineering track will, upon meeting the necessary conditions, be eligible to sign construction plans for various types of buildings as the responsible professional, in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Building Law. This is subject to approval by the Registrar of Engineers and Architects at the Ministry of Labor and is contingent upon several years of professional specialization and passing the licensing exam for structural engineers, as required by the Ministry of Labor. Depending on their chosen career paths, graduates from both tracks will be well-positioned to lead engineering projects—whether in structural or infrastructure domains—with a broad, informed perspective. They will understand the broader implications of engineering solutions on society and the economy, workplace safety, and the local or even global environment. At the same time, they will be capable of addressing the inherent constraints and challenges of engineering projects (time, budget, manpower, stakeholder expectations and more).