Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering
Today’s structural engineer can choose from many materials, including timber, steel, masonry, concrete, and composites to provide economical and serviceable structures that are strong enough to resist gravity loads as well as dynamic forces from wind and earthquakes.
Structural Mechanics focuses on the determination of stress and strain distributions in solids when materials are used in engineering structures of any kind. Computational solid mechanics makes up the bulk of research conducted in this area, specifically research associated with new methods for the analysis of nonlinear material behavior, adaptive materials, and structural mechanics. An emphasis in Structural Mechanics leads the student into courses which stress the theoretical foundations of solid mechanics. A strong program in computational mechanics is provided. The curriculum includes closely related courses in geoengineering, fluid mechanics, and mechanical engineering. Facilities utilized for structural mechanics include those described for structural engineering and for computational methods.
The Structural Engineering curriculum comprises courses to help the student develop an understanding of the various techniques of analysis and design. Both theoretical and numerical techniques that are of use to the structural engineer are stressed along with the use of computer software. Courses on advanced design of concrete and steel structures, structural dynamics, earthquake engineering, wind engineering, probabilistic analysis and simulation, etc. introduce students to a variety of modern focus areas in structural engineering. Specific programs of study center on a combination of core courses supplemented by courses generally in mathematics, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science.
Courses in structural analysis and design form the core of the M.S. curriculum, while the Ph.D. curriculum includes a broad coverage of the field of structural engineering and solid mechanics. Students are expected to have a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited undergraduate program. Students can be admitted without this prerequisite but may require additional background courses. See all requirements for the Master of Science degree and Doctor of Philosophy degree.
CIVE 560 Advanced Mechanics of Materials
CIVE 562 Fundamentals of Vibrations
CIVE 565 Finite Element Method
CIVE 566 Intermediate Structural Analysis
Master of Science students are required to take all four core courses.
Graduate studies in structural engineering and structural mechanics at CSU typically consider topics such as:
Prospective students can learn more about our requirements, objectives, and program details.
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Current students can schedule an appointment with the graduate advisor and access tools to help plan their academic journey.
