Structural Engineering Emphasis
Structural engineering is a sub-discipline of civil and environmental engineering that focuses on the analysis and design of structures to safely resist various combinations of forces and hazards. Structures of interest may include buildings, bridges, nuclear power plants, underground structures, airports, towers, and many other systems, which are often constructed of concrete, steel, masonry, or timber. With a B.S. in Civil Engineering and a focus in structural engineering, a graduate will be able to obtain a job in the following areas:
- Government and state agencies, including departments of transportation
- Private design and consulting firms that design buildings, bridges, or other civil infrastructure
- General contractors and construction companies
Structural engineering requires a strong background in mathematics, physics, and engineering mechanics. A student in the B.S. Civil Engineering program will be further required to complete the key 300-level course, Introduction to Structural Engineering, to support a structural engineering focus. In addition, students intending to focus in structural engineering are encouraged to enroll in 400-level electives. These courses are listed below, for reference. Structural engineering faculty are happy to further discuss these and other complementary courses to best prepare students for success in this field.
Core Courses (Required):
- CIVE 341 Introduction to Structural Engineering (4 credits)
Core Courses (Required):
- CIVE 440: Reinforced Concrete Design I (3 credits)
- CIVE 441: Steel Design I (3 credits)
Technical Electives and Professional Development Elective (up to 15 credit hours):
- CIVE 443: Advanced Structural Analysis (3 credits)
- CIVE 444: Structural Design and Planning (3 credits)
- CIVE 446: Steel Design II (3 credits)
- CIVE 447: Reinforced Concrete II (3 credits)