A short history of the School of Civil Engineering

The School of Civil Engineering was established in 1887, as one of the three "Schools of Industrial Arts", within the reorganization of the existing school as an Institution of Higher Education, with a four-year curriculum. The first 13 civil engineers graduated in 1890. In 1914 a new reorganization was performed and the institution was renamed as "Ethnikon Metsovion Polytechneion". In 1977 a major reorganization of the courses took place, while three cycles of studies were developed: Structural Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering and Transportation Engineering. Following the last radical reform, by Law 1268/1982, NTUA was divided into nine Faculties (Departments). Recently, the Faculty of Civil Engineering was renamed to School, thus retrieving its historical appelation, whereas a fourth cycle of study was established, Geotechnical Engineering.

Early period (1887-1890)

The Faculty of Civil Engineering was established by Law AFMA of May 27, 1887, as one of the three "Schools of Industrial Arts". The "School of Arts" already existed since in 1873, located at a building on Patission Street, under the name "Metsovion Polytechneion".

The 1887 Law on "the establishment of the School of Industrial Arts in Athens" was the result of many years of effort by the professors of that time, who assisted in the re-organization of the existing school as an Institution of Higher Education with a four-year curriculum.

The organization and operation of the School were specified in the Bylaw of July 3, 1887. The first article of the Bylaw includes the definition: "The School of Industrial Arts, now consisting of three specialized schools, has as its goal the scientific education of civil and mechanical engineers, similar to those graduating from Higher Schools in Europe, as well as the education of surveyors and foremen".

The first 13 civil engineers graduated in 1890. The School operated under this organization until 1914.

Reorganization of the School (1890-1917)

In 1912, Angelos Ghinis, Head of the School of Civil Engineering, published a history of the Polytechneion, which included a proposal to the State about the development of the school and the prospects of engineering education in the country, in line with the developments of technology and the expectations for the future.

Two years of effort produced Law 388 of November 1914. According to the first article of this Law the Polytechneion was renamed as "Ethnikon Metsovion Polytechneion". The second article of this Law, declared the already operating School of Civil Engineering as a school of university level education.

The efforts of Angelos Ghinis and his colleagues, resulted in the reorganization of the courses, the issuing of Working Rules and the autonomy of the School in certain sectors. All these changes were made official by the Bylaw 388 of November 1915.

After 1915, the School of Civil Engineering functioned as a school with a five year curriculum. Further efforts led to Law 980 in 1917.

Establishment of the Higher School of Civil Engineering (1917-1977)

From the time of its establishment, the School of Civil Engineering had the largest number of professors and students. For a long period, it was the main student body of the Polytechneion. The growth of other departments closed the gap to some extent but the development of the school was still remarkable.

From 1935 onwards the "Ethnikon Metsovion Polytechneion" was known in English as the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA).

Integrated development (1977-1982)

In 1977 a major reorganization of the courses took place. Three cycles of studies were developed: Structural Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering and Transportation Engineering. The courses were also separated into basic courses, mandatory (for students in all three cycles), elective courses, and non-credit (optional) courses.

Recent period (1982 and after)

Following the last radical reform, by Law 1268/1982, NTUA was divided into nine Faculties (Departments). Eight of these award diplomas as follows:

• Civil Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Architecture
• Chemical Engineering
• Rural and Surveying Engineering
• Mining and Metallurgical Engineering
• Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering

The ninth one, the Department of General Sciences, provided foundation courses to support the curriculum of the other Departments. From 1999-2000, all Departments were renamed to Schools, whereas the General Department was reformed to independent School with five-year curriculum, the School of applied Mathematics and Physical Sciences. The same year, the School of Civil Engineering established two Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Program Studies, in collaboration with other Schools of NTUA. From 2005-2006, a fourth cycle of study was added to the undergraduate program course, Geotechnical Engineering.