The course was first provided to Construction Technician III level employees to allow them to compete against BSCE graduates for Highway Engineering I level positions. NCDOH managers could then give promotional preference to the individual that passed the HEC course over an otherwise equal candidate.
The use of the HEC course to evaluate the engineering capabilities of employees is possible because the course is graded, both numerically and with a letter (A, B, or C). Participants in the HEC course must work very hard both in and outside of class to pass the course. Managers continually support the use of numeric/letter grades for this course. The grades have credibility since the course is presented by an agency outside of the Department.
The course material is presented in a manner that requires participants to think about what they are doing. Examples, homework, weekly tests, and particularly the project assignments are all designed to test a persons ability to read and understand what a problem is asking for and then be able to solve for the information requested. Submitting projects assignments also develops important career skills. These problem solving techniques are an essential part of the course. Many participants have said they often ask for help from their Assistant Resident Engineer or even their Resident Engineer to help them solve problems. Sometimes even these individuals had to scratch their head and dig into the problem to help figure out the solution.
The course material is written and presented at a post high school level, however it is calculus free. This means a high school graduate with proficient advanced algebra and trigonometry skills should be able to pass the HEC course if he/she is dedicated to the course and studies at home. The ideal participant has completed a two-year associate degree in civil engineering. This is primarily because they have already been exposed to the math and physics principles that form the basis for most of the applications learned in the course.
The course cannot be compared on an hour basis to other formal curriculums, such as a CET degree. These other programs have the flexibility to present the material at a slower pace. The HEC course compresses this material into a much smaller time frame while still covering most of the entire content for the same subjects.
Finally, the HEC course covers material that may not be covered in a Civil Engineering Technology (CET) program. Specifically, principles behind intersection and interchange design, stopping sight distance, use of the AASHTO “Green book", timing of isolated signalized intersections, coordinated signal systems (time-space diagrams), and structural analysis and design of bridge members. These advanced subjects are important for a well-rounded NCDOH employee. |
