This document provides an introduction to a course on reinforced cement concrete design. It outlines the topics that will be covered in Unit 1, including objectives of structural design, steps in the design process, types of loads and load combinations, relevant code of practices, and design philosophies like working stress method and limit state design. It also gives brief descriptions of some key topics like dead and live loads based on code specifications. The overall objective of the course is for students to learn how to design basic reinforced concrete elements.