School of Civil Engineering has its origins in the Higher Courses of Surveying and topography that were issued by the National Institute for several years under the direction of Engineer Abel Bravo.
When the University of Panama was established in 1935, the Higher Courses became part of the Faculty of Sciences. These studies had a duration of three years to qualify for the title of Surveyor Geodesta. Subsequently, under the administration of General Dean, Dr. Joseph D. Moscote and with the contributions of Alberto de Saint Malo, resources, studies and programs of the third year they reformed to provide Civil Engineering; to which it was added after the fourth year and finally, under the guidance of the Licensed Jeptha B. Duncan, was extended to five years of study allowing to offer the full stroke. In 1941 the Faculty of Engineering was established bringing together professionals from the Faculty of Science to which had been attached; in 1943 to study architecture was added under the guidance of Dr. Octavio Mendez Pereira, he formalizing the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture. The first graduation of civil engineers took place in 1944 and Architecture in 1950. In 1950 the University opened city with modern materials testing laboratories, roads and hydraulic apart from other specialties; leaving the National Institute and incorporating full-time faculty. Since the beginning of the Faculty until 1957 the courses were held at night time with a duration of up to seven years; However from 1957 to today it has been possible to have programs of daytime studies five years of engineering for those college students dedicated purposes only. Civil Engineering continued its development as a department within the former Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, which from 1975 becomes Polytechnic Institute. Then with the Polytechnic Institute becomes Technological University, Law 18 of August 13, 1981, the Department of Civil Engineering institutes in what is now called School of Civil Engineering. It is conducive to remember that the October 9, 1984 is organized definitively La Universidad Tecnologica de Panamá by Law 17, as amended most recently by Law 57 of July 26, 1996. As we have noted, La Facultad de Ingieneria Civil has undergone changes from its roots in the '30s with only higher education courses until today at the dawn of 2000, giving the Panamanian society 18 different races, distributed as follows: 4 Masters 4 Graduate, 5 degrees in Engineering, 5 degrees in (topography, buildings, automated drawing, sanitation and environment and maritime and port operations). The history of La Facultad de Ingieneria Civil not only be considered in the evolutionary process within the university environment, but also can be evaluated in terms of contributions to national development. To do this without detracting from other professions, we must recognize that the teaching - given in classrooms and laboratories of the Faculty learning is reflected in the changes that have suffered the most important environments and semi-urban centers of the country, such as roads, bridges, systems of drinking water supplies and sanitary sewers, residential complexes, buildings over 40 floors, docks and ports. All this, thanks to the ingenuity and dedication of Civil Engineers, supported by efficient management.
