Studies & Degrees in Structural Engineering

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Structural Engineering Study Programs

Are you a student with an avid interest in the construction field, particularly in the design and development of load-bearing structures?  Have you considered pursuing a degree in Structural Engineering, a degree that could put you at the forefront of the construction industry?  Structural Engineering is a degree discipline offered by thousands of major colleges and universities around the world and is rapidly becoming one of the most sought after degrees in the engineering field.  To help you become more familiar with this degree track, below we will provide a brief overview of the field of Structural Engineering and introduce you to the various requirements and coursework associated with this program.

Structural Engineering:  Overview

As we alluded to above, Structural Engineering is the area of engineering that is especially geared towards the design of load-bearing structures. The field crosses several engineering and mathematics disciplines, as there are elements of structural engineering present within civil, mechanical, and aerospace engineering, as well as in the field of architecture. Within civil engineering, for example, the discipline is concerned with the implementation of mechanics to the design of large structures; structures that are fundamental to our way of life, such as buildings, bridges, walls, dams, and tunnels. Structural engineers are charged with designing structures that will stand the test of time, behaving as they should, regardless of their specific purpose. The efficient use of funds and materials to achieve these structural goals is also a major concern of this field, which is why structural engineers regularly work closely with architects, construction managers, transportation engineers and other professionals to maximize efficiency and control costs.

Students in the four-year Bachelor of Science degree program in Structural Engineering will learn how to design beams, column and floors, and will be trained in calculating the loads on each member and the load capacity of various building materials, including timber, steel, concrete and masonry.  As students proceed through the program they will be able to tackle the design of more complex structures, ranging from multi-story apartment complexes to skyscrapers to bridges, drawing not only on their own creativity to complete these projects but on their knowledge of advanced structural engineering principles and applications.

Bachelor of Science Degree in Structural Engineering:  Coursework

The coursework for the Bachelor of Science Degree program in Structural Engineering involves both core and elective courses, in addition to the general education requirements of each institution.  Some of this coursework may include titles such as:
 

• History and Building Technology
• College Mathematics and Statistics
• Dynamics of Offshore Structures
• Analysis of European Structures
• Introduction to Historic Preservation
• Survey of Account Principles
• Introduction to Management and Marketing
• College Calculus
• Structural Engineering Principles I and II
• Business, Government and Society
• And many more…

To be eligible to participate in the Bachelor of Science Degree program in Structural Engineering students must possess at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.  They should also have a strong background in mathematics and science at the secondary level, as evidenced by above average marks in these subjects.  Most institutions will also require students to take and pass an entrance examination prior to being considered for admission.