Common specializations of civil engineering include:

Construction engineering - a subset of engineering that involves the design, development, and supervision of infrastructure such as buildings, roads, and power supplies. It is similar to civil engineering, but with more emphasis on managing the construction process on project sites. Construction engineering ensures structures are safe, well-made, and dependable. Construction engineers plan, execute, and control construction operations for projects such as highways, buildings, dams, airports, and utility lines. They learn design aspects similar to civil engineers as well as project management aspects.

Environmental engineering - a professional engineering discipline related to environmental science. It encompasses broad scientific topics like chemistry, biology, ecology, geology, hydraulics, hydrology, microbiology, and mathematics to create solutions that will protect and also improve the health of living organisms and improve the environment. Environmental engineers seek solutions to environmental challenges that impact the health and well-being of society and the environment. The technical skills environmental engineers learn are used to develop strategies and technologies to treat and protect the quality of air, water and earth.

Structural engineering - the branch of civil engineering that deals with large modern buildings and similar structures. It is a sub-discipline of civil engineering that involves designing the ‘bones and muscles’ that create the form and shape of human-made structures.

Architectural engineering - a profession that applies technology and science to the creation of buildings and communities. It deals with the engineering systems of buildings, such as electrical, mechanical, structural, fire protection, and environmental systems. Architectural engineers design and construct buildings that are sustainable, resilient, economically viable, and comfortable for the occupants. Architectural engineering is different from architecture, which is more focused on the artistic and spatial aspects of buildings.

Transportation engineering - a branch of civil engineering that involves the planning, design, operation, and maintenance of transportation systems to help build smart, safe, and livable communities. Any system that moves people and goods from one place to another falls under the scope of transportation engineering1. It involves the application of technology and scientific principles to the planning, functional design, operation and management of facilities for any mode of transportation in order to provide for the safe, efficient, rapid, comfortable, convenient, economical, and environmentally compatible movement of people and goods transport.

Geotechnical engineering - a branch of civil engineering that deals with the engineering behavior of earth materials such as soil, rock, and groundwater. It uses the principles of soil mechanics and rock mechanics for the solution of its respective engineering problems. Geotechnical engineers investigate, evaluate, design, and construct systems that are built on or in the ground, such as foundations, slopes, retaining structures, tunnels, landfills, and others. It also plays a key role in the extractive industries and the assessment of natural hazards.

Hydraulic engineering - a branch of civil engineering that deals with the use and control of flowing water (as for power or in placer mining). It is concerned with the flow and conveyance of fluids, principally water and sewage. Hydraulic engineering deals with the flow of liquids in pipes, rivers, channels, dams, and tanks, and the devices or systems that use hydraulic components.

Civil engineering is a combination of many scientific specialisms, including mechanics, hydraulics, geotechnics, materials science and statistical analysis.

Types of Survey:

Here are the following types of land surveys you may need and their specific function.

Topographic Survey - The purpose of this survey is to locate both natural and man-made topographic features on a parcel of land. Examples of such features include fences, utilities, buildings, elevations, streams, trees, improvements, and contours. A topographic survey may be required by a state or local government agency or might be used by architects and engineers for planning site improvements and developments. A topographic survey is typically implemented through a combination of aerial photography and ground field methods. This type of survey is not limited by property boundaries.

Site Planning Survey - Often a requirement for development permit applications, a site planning survey combines the elements of boundary and topographic surveys for site planning. This survey is used to plan design improvements and developments before construction begins.

Site planning surveys are frequently used for designing house lots, subdivisions, stores, playgrounds, commercial & industrial sites, and streets and highways.

Construction Survey - This type of survey requires staking out structures located on the property, including walls, buildings, roads, and utilities. Staking provides construction personnel with directions for implementing the improvements shown on the development plans. A construction survey may also involve both horizontal and vertical grading in addition to an As-Built survey.

Plat of / Boundary Survey - A boundary survey is used to locate the corners and boundary lines of a parcel of land. This type of survey involves both record and field research, including any measurements and computations needed to set the boundary lines in accordance with applicable state laws. A boundary survey may also involve locating easement lines and encroachments. 

A plat of survey is a map of a piece of land that shows the boundaries, easements, setbacks, and other information of different parcels within the land. It is prepared by a licensed surveyor who measures and locates various features on the land. It is also known as a boundary survey

ALTA/ACSM Survey - The purpose of this type of survey is to provide a title company and/or lender with the necessary location and survey data to issue an American Land Title Association or Extended Coverage Title Insurance policy. An ALTA/ACSM survey usually shows the relationship between existing improvements on a particular parcel of land relative to the boundaries set forth in the property’s deed.

This is one of the most comprehensive types of land survey because it covers all of the features and characteristics of the property.

Subdivision Survey - A subdivision survey is used to divide a parcel of land into smaller tracts, lots, or estates. This type of survey is also used to design streets and drainages, and it must be recorded by the local and state government agency. This survey is also known as a partition survey.

Location Survey - Similar to a boundary survey, a location survey provides additional information on the location of interior improvements. This type of survey is most commonly used to fulfill the requirements of a zoning permit or loan application.