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Jan 2023

Is PhD in civil engineering worth it?

Civil Engineering is directly associated with the design, construction, and management of physical and natural structures. Whether you discuss an extensive network of railways or robust dams, none of this can be conceived without the ideation of a civil engineer. The job of a civil engineer is fascinating with challenging projects offered by private companies and government organizations. Therefore, if you are inclined towards pursuing a Degree of Doctorate in Civil Engineering for succeeding in the field, this collated guide becomes a handy tool for you with crucial insights about this course. 

Who should study Ph.D. in Civil Engineering? 

A Doctorate Degree in Civil Engineering does not come with a restriction. A student who has obtained a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering can apply for a Ph.D. Degree. However, you must ensure that your psychological nudges are in conformity with the program objectives.  A Degree of PhD in Civil Engineering is, primarily, designed to build and develop research acumen in the candidates. The aim for higher studies and an inclination for a career in research are substantial in a student opting for a Ph.D. course in civil engineering. Besides learning the advanced topics, a candidate will have to participate in research-oriented projects, proactively. Eventually, they have to submit a thesis on a selected topic, in which they have to put in a rigorous amount of research, and the idea has to be unique. 

Where you can study Ph.D. in Civil Engineering? 

Developing scientific temper in the people of India is one of the fundamental duties enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Therefore, cultivating a force of dignified Civil Engineers in the area of research is an active measure of Indian educational institutions. For getting a Doctorate in Civil Engineering, you would find respectable options in India. The Indian colleges offer a contemporary curriculum and state-of-the-art infrastructure for the students opting for research in civil engineering.   In fact, you would find some of the best PhD in Civil Engineering colleges in Dehradun. Besides, the aspirants can opt for studying abroad. Several renowned universities open admissions for international students every year. There are specific scholarships for Indian nationals who are applying for admission to foreign universities. 

What are the major specializations? 

Not every student takes up research work for continuing with the practice, but to advance toward progressive career opportunities. To accomplish your vision in civil engineering, you can select one of the available specializations in the colleges. Here is a list of the major specializations available for students of civil engineering. 
  • Environmental Engineering: This sub-discipline is designed to target civil engineers toward developing environment-friendly structures. Environmental engineering shifts focus to strategizing construction with the least or no harm to the natural environment.
  • Water Resources Engineering: Since the environment and depleting water resources are a concern for many students, they can opt for water resource engineering. The civil engineer with a specialization in water resources engineering is responsible to develop schemes to analyze the quality as well as the quantity of water in a designated resource. 
  • Transportation Engineering: It is one of the most sought-after specializations in civil engineering. Transportation engineering focuses on the development of infrastructure that reinforces traveling by the means of air, roads, water, or railways. 
  • Architectural Engineering: As the name suggests, architectural engineering is associated with the construction of various structures. The most common ones are dams, schools, hospitals, bridges, and so on. 
  • Geotechnical Engineering: When you are interested in researching the topics of the earth and its materials, geotechnical engineering is the specialization you can opt for. 

How to approach a progressive career afterward? 

For career-making, your personal choice and interest are crucial. Which field you are going to target will be dependent on the choice of your specialization. The most common job titles you will hear for a pursuant of Ph.D. in Civil Engineering are-
  • Fire Risk Assessor
  • Building Control Surveyor
  • Geotechnical Engineer
  • Sustainability Consultant 
  • Engineering Geologist. 
Moreover, the career divisions for a Ph.D. scholar are done on the basis of their area of interest. You can establish your career in the fields of research, authoring, and teaching. Let’s consider them briefly! 
  • College or Universities: A major chunk of candidates, every year, opt for becoming a part of the faculty in the colleges. Many students choose to earn a Ph.D. degree for satiating this purpose, solely. Indeed, teaching becomes one of the aptest career options for Ph.D. scholars. 
  • Infrastructure Development: Since finding conventional job options is easier in civil engineering, many candidates opt to pursue infrastructure development. They can work on individual projects or as a lead in a company. For infrastructure development, they have scope in both, public as well as private enterprises. 
  • Railways and Roads: The researchers who have completed transportation engineering would get a gratifying experience in the construction of rail and road systems. The candidates are expected to apply their acumen of urban engineering, intelligent transport, and the management of infrastructure when carrying out their jobs. 
  • Environment and Water Protection: The candidates who have pursued the specialization of environmental engineering opt for different job roles. These include job profiles of a surveyor or construction site planning. With the advanced intelligence that a scholar develops, they are expected to find loopholes in a construction layout. These could be the parts that could face hindrances during the time of approval. As a consultant, they can, also, suggest the environmental harms posed by a construction. 

What’s the Final Word? 

Civil Engineering is a branch of engineering that is looking forward to new technologies and innovations all the time. Today, global institutions are coming forward to formulate plans for accommodating eco-friendly endeavors in the area of construction. Thus, the nation needs Ph.D. scholars to put the demanding effort into research and development, which would, eventually, lead to the evolution of new and eco-friendly methods of construction.  Furthermore, with the advancement in technologies, we can expect to build and maintain edifices that could be exemplary for the world in the area of civil engineering. Gradually, civil engineering is paving the way for the brightest intellectuals in the nation.