EPOKA UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
COURSE SYLLABUS
2025-2026 ACADEMIC YEAR
COURSE INFORMATIONCourse Title: GEOLOGY FOR CIVIL ENGINEERS |
| Code | Course Type | Regular Semester | Theory | Practice | Lab | Credits | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CE 104 | C | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) | Dr. Anila Xhahysa axhahysa@epoka.edu.al |
| Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: | Dr. Anila Xhahysa axhahysa@epoka.edu.al , Thursday @ D-102 8:40-9:30 |
| Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: | NA |
| Language: | English |
| Compulsory/Elective: | Compulsory |
| Study program: (the study for which this course is offered) | Bachelor in Civil Engineering (3 years) |
| Classroom and Meeting Time: | D102 |
| Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours: | NA |
| Code of Ethics: |
Code of Ethics of EPOKA University Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline" |
| Attendance Requirement: | Yes |
| Course Description: | It helps to recognize common rock-soils types and simple geological structures and knows where the civil engineers can obtain geological information for his preliminary investigation. Students will learn about: 1. Structure of the earth, 2. Geological cycles, 3. Minerals and rocks, 4. Subsurface (ground) water running water-erosion, flood effects, water impoundment; groundwater control during construction, water supply, pollution; 5. Rocks in civil engineering, engineering properties of rocks (e.g., foundation), and material for construction (e.g., aggregates); rocks mass rating, 6. External processes on land and in the sea (mass movements, erosion), 7. Internal processes including deformation of rocks and earthquakes, 8. Geological exploration of engineering site and 9. Map reading of geological and engineering geological mapping. |
| Course Objectives: | Recognition of common rock-soils types and simple geological structures. Knowledge about where the civil engineers can obtain geological information for their preliminary investigation. Structure of the earth, Geological cycles, Minerals and rocks, Subsurface (ground) water running water-erosion, flood effects, water impoundment; groundwater control during construction, water supply, pollution; Rocks in civil engineering, engineering properties of rocks (e.g., foundation), and material for construction (e.g., aggregates); rocks mass rating, External processes on land and in the sea (mass movements, erosion), Internal processes including deformation of rocks and earthquakes, Geological exploration of engineering site and Map reading of geological and engineering geological mapping. |
|
BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE
|
| 1 | Earth Structure & Composition: Study of the Earth's layers—Crust (outer silicate solid), Mantle (viscous and solid), and Core (liquid outer, solid inner). |
| 2 | Mineralogy: The study of minerals, naturally occurring inorganic substances with definite chemical compositions and atomic structures, which serve as the building blocks of rocks. |
| 3 | Petrology: The study of the three main rock types: Igneous (solidified magma/lava), Sedimentary (accumulated particles or precipitates), and Metamorphic (altered by heat and pressure). |
| 4 | Structural Geology: Analyzes the three-dimensional distribution and deformational history of rock units, including features like folds, faults, and joints. |
| 5 | Surface Processes: Understanding weathering (breakdown of rocks), erosion (transport of materials), and mass wasting (downward movement under gravity, such as landslides). |
| 6 | Hydrogeology: The study of the distribution and movement of groundwater, which is critical for foundation stability and water supply. |
|
COURSE OUTLINE
|
| Week | Topics |
| 1 | Introduction in geology |
| 2 | Minerals and rocks |
| 3 | Superficial deposits-soils |
| 4 | Rock description and identification |
| 5 | Subsurface (ground) water Running water, erosion, flood effects, water impoundment |
| 6 | Groundwater control during construction, water supply, pollution |
| 7 | Rocks in civil engineering, Engineering properties of rocks (e.g., foundation), material for construction (e.g., aggregates); Rocks mass rating, |
| 8 | Midterm |
| 9 | Structure aspects –bedding, joints and faults |
| 10 | Rock weathering and soil development |
| 11 | Soils in civil engineering, Basic properties of soils |
| 12 | Mass movement |
| 13 | Geological exploration of an engineering site |
| 14 | Map reading, both geological and engineering geological mapping |
| Prerequisite(s): | NA |
| Textbook(s): | A.C.McLean C.D.Gribble, Geology for civil engineers, University of Glasgow, UK, Third edition 2005, |
| Additional Literature: | |
| Laboratory Work: | Yes |
| Computer Usage: | Yes |
| Others: | No |
|
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
|
| 1 | Students have an understanding of the fundamentals of geology, rock formation, and geologic structure. |
| 2 | Students will have an appreciation of geologic processes and their effects on rocks and rock masses, |
| 3 | Students will have the ability to identify rock types and associate them with potential engineering problems/concerns. |
| 4 | Students will understand the importance of geologic site investigations and appreciate their engineering significance |
| 5 | Students will have the ability to conduct research on geological topics using university libraries, the internet, and other resources, as well as they will have the ability to work on team projects |
|
COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES
(Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution) |
| No | Program Competencies | Cont. |
| Bachelor in Civil Engineering (3 years) Program | ||
| 1 | an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering | 5 |
| 2 | an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs | 4 |
| 3 | an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams | 4 |
| 4 | an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems | 4 |
| 5 | an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility | 3 |
| 6 | an ability to communicate effectively | 4 |
| 7 | the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context | 4 |
| 8 | a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life long learning | 4 |
| 9 | a knowledge of contemporary issues | 5 |
| 10 | an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice | 5 |
| 11 | skills in project management and recognition of international standards and methodologies | 5 |
|
COURSE EVALUATION METHOD
|
| Method | Quantity | Percentage |
| Midterm Exam(s) |
1
|
30
|
| Project |
1
|
10
|
| Quiz |
4
|
5
|
| Final Exam |
1
|
40
|
| Total Percent: | 100% |
|
ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)
|
| Activities | Quantity | Duration(Hours) | Total Workload(Hours) |
| Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours) | 16 | 3 | 48 |
| Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) | 16 | 2 | 32 |
| Mid-terms | 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Assignments | 2 | 1.5 | 3 |
| Final examination | 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Other | 6 | 0.5 | 3 |
|
Total Work Load:
|
100 | ||
|
Total Work Load/25(h):
|
4 | ||
|
ECTS Credit of the Course:
|
4 | ||
|
CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER
|
|
Treat the knowledge gained though this course as the first line of defense against Geohazards such as landslides, earthquakes, and sinkholes. Ignoring geological warnings can lead to catastrophic failures! |