branch of civil engineering dealing with housing

[elroy]

Hello!

I'm translating an Arabic diploma that mentions what appears to be a branch of civil engineering. The literal translation would be something like "housing engineering," but that's not a term in English as far as I know. My guess is that this specifically refers to engineering related to residential buildings/facilities/spaces. I just don't know if there's a term for this in English.

Could it be "residential engineering"??? Google isn't very supportive of the term.

I also tried "real estate engineering" but Google was just as unsupportive.

Maybe this doesn't exist as a recognized branch of civil engineering in the English-speaking world?

Thanks!

 

[Glasguensis]

There is a branch of civil engineering called architectural engineering. This deals with the engineering of buildings in general, not just housing. But it would be best to try and find a description of the course (perhaps the university has a website) to check what the original term is supposed to cover.

 

[elroy]

Of course! How did I not think to do that. The university's website is in Arabic, English, and French, but of course the section of the website that discusses the term is only available in Arabic and French. But I did read the description in Arabic and here's the gist:

This degree is related to the branch of construction engineering that deals with amenities such as heating, air conditioning, provision of hot water, etc. Holders of this degree will be qualified to design, size, operate, and maintain electrical amenities, heating and air conditioning fixtures/devices, security features, etc. The program includes studying applicable national laws, particularly those related to energy efficiency and heating services for newly constructed buildings. Holders of this degree will be well positioned to apply the provisions of those laws.

That definitely helps clarify what the degree entails, but I'm still not sure what a good English equivalent would be.

 

[Glasguensis]

This sounds to me like facilities engineering:
Facilities engineering - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[elroy]

Thanks so much!

 

[Linkway]

I don't know if it's different in American English, but in British contexts civil engineering covers the design and construction of roads (especially highways & motorways), bridges, dams, permanent barrages, culverts, tunnels and related structures, and does not generally include house construction, nor the specification of electrical, heating, and other services for houses.

 

[Glasguensis]

Sorry Linkway but civil engineering does indeed cover buildings of all types including housing. I agree that utilities are generally handled by specialists.

 

[elroy]

A look at some US academic programs in facilities engineering (see links below) reveals that the term doesn't necessarily refer to residential spaces. I wonder if I can get away with "Facilities Engineering (Residential)" and maybe a translator's note?

CSUM | Academics » Facilities Engineering Technology
Facilities Engineering | Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Facilities Engineering Technology

 

[Glasguensis]

That sounds fine to me.