A case study Shift from the integrated (5-year) programme to the two-tier programme at the Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest Prof. Iacint Manoliu President of the Council for Cooperation, Relations and European Integration, Technical University of Civil Engineering of Bucharest Chairman of EUCEET – II Management Committee Conference on Civil Engineering Education and Research in the Enlarged EU April 2004, Brno

Present situation Continental (binary) system. Two types of programmes: “Inginer Diplomat” of long duration (nominally 5 years), an integrated programme leading to an engineering degree (“Inginer Diplomat”), equivalent to a MSc degree, with no intermediary exit point or qualification “Inginer-colegiu” of short duration (nominally 3 years), oriented toward engineering applications, leading to an engineering degree (“Inginer-colegiu”), equivalent to a BSc degree. Graduates of the 3-year programme can continue their education, but at least one additional year would be required for the bridge. “Advanced Studies” “Diploma of advanced studies” 20% There is also a programme of “Advanced Studies”, leading to a “Diploma of advanced studies” (similar to the French DEA), of one- year duration, open to up to 20% of the graduates of the 5-year integrated programme There are presently 27 public universities in 26 centers offering engineering education in Romania. A peculiarity of the Romanian system is that academic units in charge with the 3-year programmes (University Colleges) are not independent but incorporated in the Universities which offer the 5-year programme.

The changes to be made starting with the academic year “Law on the organization of programmes of university studies” According to the provisions of a “Law on the organization of programmes of university studies” elaborated by the Ministry of Education in 2003, endorsed by the Government and to be discussed by the Parliament in the near future. Two-cycle programmes: Licenta (Licence)  First cycle degree = Licenta (Licence) for credits Master  Second cycle degree = Master, for credits The Consortium of Universities providing engineering education decided: - the FCD in engineering will have 4 years (240 credits) - the SCD in engineering will have 1.5 years (90 credits) “Inginer colegiu” University Colleges will be dismantled. The existing shorter and more application oriented degree (“Inginer colegiu”) will disappear. Also, the programmes of Advanced Studies will cease to exist. The new first cycle degree will be closer, by its philosophy and structure, to the existing 5-year integrated degree course, however the part of the programme devoted to specialization will have a strong application oriented component.Titles: inginer licentiat For the future graduates of the 4-year degree course – inginer licentiat “Inginer Diplomat “Inginer Master” For the future graduates of the second cycle degree course: “Inginer Diplomat” or “Inginer Master” (no decision so far)

Criteria for establishing (tentatively) new study plan for a two-tier system at T.U.C.E.B General conditions Two-tier Two-tier system First cycle First cycle 4 years x 2 semesters = 8 semesters Contact hours Contact hours 8 x 28 hours/week = 224 hours Diploma project Diploma project to be completed in the summer of the 4 th year of study Final examination Final examination September-October, after the eight semesters of study Principles The study plan comprises two parts: "backbone column" "common tronc" a. a "backbone column" spread on the entire period of study and not just a "common tronc" for a number of semesters. b. a part for the specialization

Structure of the proposed study plan No. Group of subjects Contact hours / % from total 1 Basic subjects 50h/23% 2 General technical education 55 h / 25% 3 General engineering education 32 h / 14% 4 General economic education 11 h / 5% 5 Foreign languages, social sciences, humanities 16 h / 7% Total 164 h / 74% specialisation b. specialisation 60 hrs (26%) There are 3 specialisations in the offer of the TUCEB belonging to the civil engineering domain proper: civil and industrial buildings (structures) hydraulic structures railroads, roads and bridges The structure of the proposed study plan was agreed upon for the three above mentioned specialisations by the deans of the three faculties. "backbone" a. the "backbone" (74%)

"backbone" Group of subjects in the "backbone" 1.Basic subjects: 1.Basic subjects: Mathematics (including Descriptive Geometry) Physics, Chemistry, Informatics, Drawing 2.General technical education: 2.General technical education: Structural Mechanics (Mechanics, Statics, Strength of Materials), Soil Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics 3.General engineering education: two 3.General engineering education: Materials Science, Surveying, Reinforced concrete I, Steel structures I, Construction Machines and two complemen- tary subjects (for instance Roads and Water resources planning for the specialisations Structures) 4.General economic education: 4.General economic education: Construction Economy, Construction Management 5.Foreign languages, environment, social sciences and humanities: 5.Foreign languages, environment, social sciences and humanities: Foreign language; Ecology; Environmental impact; Elements of architecture; other social and humanities subjects TUCEB offer two other specialisations of "composite" type: Sanitary engineering and environmental protectionSanitary engineering and environmental protection Urban engineering and territorial planningUrban engineering and territorial planning For these specialisations, separate lists of subjects in the "backbone column" were defined.