Building and Civil Engineering Department was started in 2013 as a section in Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Department, offering Craft programmes in Masonry and Plumbing using Technical Education Programme (TEP) Curriculum, and Diploma in Building Technology with less than 100 students.
In the year 2014, the Section started offering Diploma in Civil Engineering and introduced Craft Certificate in Building Technology offered in the modular system and replaced the TEP.
The Section grew steadily and became a fully operational Department in November 2016. The Department has a population of over 700 students currently. The Department also offers Artisan Programmes in Masonry, Carpentry and Joinery and Plumbing.
DIPLOMA PROGRAMMES
Currently, the Department offers two diploma programmes.
- DIPLOMA IN BUILDING TECHNOLOGY
This is an engineering course where students cover areas related to construction of buildings. Units covered during the study include Mathematics, Surveying Estimate and Costing, Entrepreneurship, Structures, Construction Material, Measurement of Building Works, Construction Plants, CADD, Building Services, Technical Drawing, Concrete Technology.
- DIPLOMA IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
This is an engineering course where students are exposed to design construction of roads, bridges and dams. Units covered during their study include Mathematics, Surveying, Estimate and Costing, Technical Drawing, Entrepreneurship Education, Concrete Technology, Geology Technology, Structures, Construction Material, Construction Plants, Measurement of Building Works, Water Supply and Transport Engineering.
Entry Qualifications
The students applying for all Diploma courses must have a Mean Grade of C- (Minus) and above at KCSE and they should have done and passed Mathematics, Physics and English.
The course is modularized such that the trainee covers one module in one academic year (3 terms).
Intake
We have two intakes for the diploma programmes: May/September.
ASSESSMENT/EXAMINATIONS
Internal examinations are administered by the Polytechnic in form of continuous assessments and end of term examinations. The trainee sits for a National examination at the end of each module. Progression to the next module is subject to successful attainment of a pass in the previous module.
Course Work
It is a requirement that for every module, course work is sent to KNEC. These are marks from continuous assessment tests (CATS), assignments and end of term examinations.
Project Work
Trade Project is done in module III. Every student writes a proposal that has to be approved by the project panel before they proceed.
INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENT
The students go for industrial attachment in the most related fields of their trade for at least 330 hours in module II.
During the attachment term, the trainee is exposed to the real world of work and applies the knowledge and skills attained in the Polytechnic. The trainee is assessed and graded during the industrial attachment.
Examining Body
At the end of each module, the trainee sits for the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) examination.
CRAFT PROGRAMMES
The Department currently offers one craft certificate course.
CRAFT IN BUILDING TECHNOLOGY
Entry Qualification
The trainee intending to take this course must have attained a minimum mean grade D (plain) at KCSE.
The course is modularized such that the trainee covers one module in one academic year (3 terms).
Intake
We have two intakes for this course: May and September.
Examination Body
At the end of each module, the trainee sits for the KNEC examination.
ARTISAN PROGRAMMES
The Department currently offers three Artisan programmes. These are:
- Masonry,
- Plumbing, and
- Carpentry & Joinery.
Entry Qualification
The trainee intending to take an Artisan course must have sat the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination or above.
Curriculum
Artisan programmes are offered under the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) Curriculum.
Examining Body
Artisan programmes are examined by NITA.