online phd structural engineering

• myState on Mississippi State University
• Directory on Mississippi State University

Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering with a concentration in Civil Engineering

Tuition & Fees

In-state tuition for everyone!

Take your next step!

Access current student portal

Class Schedule

Access the master class schedule

Request Info

Connect with the team

Get Started on Your Graduate Degree Online Today!

The Richard A. Rula School of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science (thesis and non-thesis option) and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Major areas of study include structures, geotechnical, water resources, transportation, construction materials and environmental engineering.

An advanced degree in civil and environmental engineering can lead to career advancements for civil engineers, design engineers or civil/structural engineers.

Do you like to work outdoors as well as indoors? Do you excel at subjects like science and mathematics? Do you have a passion for building things or for taking things apart and putting them back together? Civil engineers are responsible for maintaining, repairing and upgrading infrastructure, so they are involved with engineering projects in a unique and ongoing way even after construction is complete. A graduate degree is for those who want to learn more and provide leadership in their workplace.

Program Structure

Mississippi State University’s Bagley College of Engineering offers programs of study leading to a Doctoral degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering with specializations in the following areas:

• Construction Engineering and Management
• Construction Materials Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Transportation Engineering
• Water Resources Engineering
• For students with an acceptable M.S. degree, a minimum of 24 hours of coursework approved by their committee and a minimum of 20 hours of research (CE 9000) are required.
• 12 hours in CE courses, nine of which are at the Full Graduate level
• 12 hours at the Full Graduate level
• 15 hours in Engineering.

* The student needs to submit a seperate application and be admitted for dual enrollment in the M.S. program at least one semester before earning the M.S. degree.

Admissions Requirements

Students seeking full admission into this program should apply as a classified student. Non-degree seeking students wishing to take classes offered through the Online Civil Engineering program should apply as an Unclassified student.

Applications for the degree programs are reviewed three times a year. The application deadlines for those semesters are as follows:

• Fall Semester – March 15
• Spring Semester – September 15
• Summer Semester – January 15

Applications for the off-campus M.S. degree program may be considered for review up to two months after these deadlines upon request by the applicant. Admission requires that the applicant be accepted by a faculty member in their sub‐discipline area who is willing to serve as their major professor. Applicants are encouraged contact appropriate faculty after completion of the application.

Note - These deadlines differ from university published deadlines and are specific to the CEE department to provide timely feedback on application status and appropriate resource allocation.

An applicant for admission to graduate study must hold a bachelor's degree from a fully recognized four-year educational institution that has unconditional accreditation with appropriate regional accrediting agencies. They must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School and the Civil Engineering program.

Regular admission to graduate study in the program requires a minimum grade point average (last four semesters of undergraduate work) of 3.00/4.00. When a student is deficient in one of the criteria cited, the student's application, nevertheless, may be considered for admission based on the strength of other materials contained in the student's application.

Bagley College of Engineering programs may accept transfer work previously completed by the student. Transcript reviews to determine transfer or prerequisite work will be evaluated AFTER students are granted full admission. Once admitted an academic coordinator can review those transcripts for more information.

To meet admission requirements, submit a separate official final transcript from each college or university attended; faxed transcripts will not be accepted. An applicant may not ignore previous college attendance and must list all colleges attended on the application for admission. You must be in good standing at the last college or university attended

Attention International Students

International students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and score greater than 550. Detailed information regarding international applications can be found in the Graduate Catalog . Questions regarding international applications can be addressed to the Office of the Graduate School at [email protected] .

• ETS is providing home testing for the TOEFL iBT test, and MSU is encouraging students to take advantage of this testing option. For those students applying who have taken the TOEFL within five years of the semester they plan to enroll and are unable to access the TOEFL iBT test from home, we will accept your previous test scores.

Admission Options

Domestic/international classified admissions, domestic unclassified admissions, international unclassified admissions, direct admit doctor of philosophy, readmission, provisional admissions, transfer credit.

• Submit online application . You will choose Civil Engineering as your Program of Study and Online Education as your campus.
• Statement of Purpose
• You will be asked to submit three names and three email addresses of individuals you are using as references. Once you click submit, these individuals will be sent an email from MSU, which will provide a link to an online form for completing their recommendations.
• TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international students
• One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
• Electronic transcripts should be sent to: [email protected] Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
• Paper Transcripts Address (USPS): Mississippi State University The Office of the Graduate School P.O. Box G Mississippi State, MS 39762
• Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.): Mississippi State University The Office of the Graduate School 175 President Circle 116 Allen Hall Mississippi State, MS 39762
• Payment of $60 non-refundable application processing fee for domestic students. Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.
• Once you are admitted, you will receive an email with complete instructions on registering for classes and contacting your advisor

Only NINE (9) hours of course work taken as an "Unclassified Student" can be applied toward a degree program. All Unclassified students should submit a classified application once they have reached the maximum of nine hours. Full admission into the Civil Engineering online program will be based upon successful completion of all classified admissions requirements.

If you are applying unclassified, select "Graduate School - Unclassified" as the college.

• Submit online application
• Pay $60 non-refundable application processing fee

PLEASE NOTE In general, students who are not admitted into a degree program are not eligible for student financial aid funds. For more information please visit Student Financial Aid to see if you will be eligible or not while taking courses as an Unclassified graduate student.

• TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international students.
• One copy of academic records showing degree(s) (in native language along with translated copies if appropriate)
• Must obtain application approval from the Dean of the Graduate School
• Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.

Three cases exist for direct admit students. An option exists to obtain a Ph.D. without obtaining a master’s degree with less requirements, but to obtain master’s and Ph.D. degrees under direct admit status has the same cumulative requirements as if the degrees were obtained separately.

• 51 Hours Course Work
• 20 hours dissertation (CE 9000)
• 42 Hours Course Work
• 6 hours thesis (CE 8000)
• 42 hours coursework

A student who has not fully met the requirements stipulated by the University and the department for admission to graduate study may be granted admission as a degree-seeking graduate student with provisional status. Such student must have as his/her initial objective advancement to regular status. A provisional student must receive a 3.00 GPA on the first nine hours of graduate level courses on the program of study taken at Mississippi State University (transfer hours or unclassified graduate hours will not apply) in order to achieve regular status. If a 3.00 is not attained, the provisional student will be dismissed from graduate study.

Once enrolled in graduate study, a student who fails to meet the continuous enrollment requirement must complete an Application for Readmission to register for classes. Continuous enrollment is defined as enrollment in two of three semester terms (Fall, Spring, or Summer) with Fall enrollment required. Students who have not been enrolled for a period of three years or longer and are in good academic standing, are eligible to reapply to through the Lapsed Student Program. Readmission is not guaranteed and must be approved by the Department Head, Academic Dean, and Dean of the Graduate School. Interested students or academic departments should contact the Graduate School for more information.

Students may transfer up to twelve (12) hours of graduate level credits from regionally accredited institutions. The decision to grant transfer credit is made by the advisor and the student’s graduate committee. If you wish to transfer credits, contact your advisor. You will need to provide an official transcript showing the courses you wish to transfer.

Academic Advising

While you may request a current faculty member to be your major advisor, typically the major advisor is assigned at the time of admission. This assignment will be based on your area of study, research interests, and any financial support that may be offered. This person will work with you on submission of required documents, establishing a graduate committee, and your completion of all degree requirements.

The major advisor must be a full-time faculty member in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Members of the committee must be members of the graduate faculty at Mississippi State University. The majority of the graduate committee must be full-time graduate faculty at Mississippi State University.

John J. Ramirez-Avila.

Civil and Environmental Engineering

• Associate Professor and Academic Coordinator

Dr. Benjamin S. Magbanua

Accessing online courses, accessing course videos.

Videos recorded during our on campus class sessions are uploaded for online students to view within our online course repository.  Online students will have access to course videos within 24 hours of the on campus course completion. Students should visit Engage to access the course videos. Instructions for viewing the recordings and downloading the recordings are offered below.

View and Download Videos

Instructions for viewing classes live or downloading videos, use our video download instructions.

If you experience technical difficulties or have any questions regarding the recording or format of our lecture capture, please contact:

IT Support & Staff Bagley College of Engineering Mississippi State University [email protected] 662.325.7794

Contact Information

Anusha Rijal

Online Education

• Coordinator

Tamra Swann

Engineering

• Distance Education Coordinator

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Structural Engineering

Aerospace ∙ Biological ∙ Civil ∙ Geotechnical ∙ Mechanical

Doctoral Studies SE75

Se ph.d. degree overview:.

The Ph.D. program is intended to prepare students for a variety of careers in research, teaching and advanced professional practice in the broad sense of structural engineering, encompassing civil and aerospace structures, earthquake and geotechnical engineering, composites, and engineering mechanics. Depending on the student's background and ability, research is initiated as soon as possible.

All students, in consultation with their Faculty Advisors, develop course programs that will prepare them for the Departmental Qualifying Examination and for their dissertation research. However, these programs of study and research must be planned to meet the time limits established to advance to candidacy and to complete the requirements for the degree.

The department also offers a seminar course each quarter dealing with current research topics in Structural Engineering (SE 290). Ph.D. students must complete three quarters of SE 290 prior to the DQE to meet graduation requirements, and it is strongly recommended to take it for at least one quarter in every subsequent year.

Download Academic Planning Form

Doctoral Examinations:

A Structural Engineering Ph.D. student is required to pass three examinations.

Download the Department Qualifying Exam Guide

The Department Qualifying Examination (DQE) which should be taken within three to six quarters of full-time graduate study (1st year-2nd year), requires a 3.5 GPA. This examination is intended to determine the student’s ability to successfully pursue a research project at a level appropriate for the doctoral degree.

It is administered by one faculty member for each focus sequence, two of whom must be in Structural Engineering.

The student is responsible for material pertaining to four focus areas. One focus area can be satisfied by course work, provided that all courses in that area have been taken at UCSD, the grade in each course is B or better, and the overall GPA in that area is at least 3.5. It consists of 12 courses (48 units). 

In order to insure appropriate breadth, the focus areas should consist of the following:

(a) two focus areas within Structural Engineering which are closely related to the student's research interests (3 courses for each focus area)

(b) one focus area within Structural Engineering that is not directly related to the student’s area of research (3 courses)

(c) one minor focus area outside the Department of Structural Engineering. Minor areas too closely related to the major areas will not be approved by the SE Graduate Affairs Committee (3 courses). The Solid Mechanics Focus Sequence, which is jointly taught by the Department of Structural Engineering and the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, cannot be used to satisfy the outside Structural Engineering requirement.

Sample courses: 

SE Focus Area 1: 3 courses

SE Focus Area 2: 3 courses 

Breadth Focus Area: 3 courses

Non-SE Focus Area: 3 courses

An update list of focus areas for Ph.D. students is available in the Structural Engineering Graduate Handbook . Students intending to specialize in the emerging areas of structural health monitoring, damage prognosis, and validated simulations are advised to take courses in the focus areas of Advanced Structural Behavior and elective courses MAE 283, MAE 261, ECE 251AN, ECE 251BN, ECE 254, and CSE 291 which can be used to satisfy the outside Structural Engineering requirement.

Since the examination areas must be approved by the Structural Engineering Graduate Affairs Committee, students are advised to seek such approval well before their expected examination date, preferably while planning their graduate studies. Although students are not required to take particular courses in preparation for the Departmental Qualifying Examination, the scope of the examination in each area is associated with a set of three graduate courses, generally in focus areas offered or approved by the department. A candidate can develop a sense of the level of knowledge expected to be demonstrated during the examination by studying the appropriate syllabi and/or discussing the course content with faculty experienced in teaching the courses involved. The Departmental Qualifying Examination may be a written or an oral examination, at the discretion of the committee.

Doctoral students who have passed the Departmental Qualifying Examination may take any course for an S/U grade, with the exception of any course that the student's Departmental Qualifying or Ph.D. Candidacy Examination Committee stipulates must be taken in order to remove a deficiency. It is strongly recommended that all Structural Engineering graduate students take a minimum of two courses (other than research) per academic year after passing the Departmental Qualifying Examination.

Download the Advancement to Candidacy Exam Guide

The Advancement to Candidacy Senate Examination is the second examination required of Structural Engineering doctoral students. In preparation for the Ph.D. Candidacy Examination, students must have completed the Departmental Qualifying Examination and the Departmental Teaching Experience requirement, obtained a faculty research advisor, have identified a topic for their dissertation research, and have made initial progress in that research.

Mentorship and Teaching Experience is required of all Structural Engineering Ph.D. students prior to the Dissertation Defense. The Mentorship and Teaching experience can be satisfied by lecturing one hour per week in either a problem-solving section or laboratory session, for one quarter in an undergraduate course, as designated by the Department. The requirement can be fulfilled by Teaching Assistant service or by undertaking a structured teaching training program for academic credit (through SE 501 and in consultation with the course instructor that quarter). This requirement can also be satisfied by serving as a research mentor to a team of undergraduate or graduate students in a structured, 10-week, environment. Students must contact the Graduate Student Affairs Office in the Department to plan and obtain approval for completion of this requirement.

The committee members should be selected by the student and their faculty advisor.

The committee must consist of 4 members composed of the following:                            

Example 1 SE Faculty Advisor (Committee Chair) SE Faculty Outside SE Faculty (within UCSD) Outside SE Faculty (within UCSD) (At least one of the committee members must be tenured or emeritus)

Example 2 SE Faculty Advisor (Committee Chair) SE Faculty SE Faculty Outside SE Faculty (within UCSD) (At least one of the committee members must be tenured or emeritus)

The committee must include at least one tenured or emeritus member and at least one member from outside the student's major department. For questions concerning the committee, email the Graduate Academic Advisor or see the Graduate Division website for  Appointment of the Doctoral Committee .

If the committee does not issue a unanimous report on the examination, the Dean of Graduate Division shall be called upon to review and present the case for resolution to the Graduate Council, which shall determine appropriate action.

The committee conducts the Ph.D. Candidacy Examination in an oral examination, during which students must demonstrate the ability to engage in dissertation research. This involves the presentation of a plan for the dissertation research project. A short written document, such as an abstract, describing the research plan must be submitted to each member of the committee at least two weeks before the Ph.D. Candidacy Examination. This requirement can also be met by meeting with the doctoral committee members to discuss the nature of the student’s dissertation research. The committee may ask questions directly or indirectly related to the research project and general questions that it determines to be relevant. Upon successful completion of this examination, students are advanced to candidacy and are awarded the Candidate in the Doctor of Philosophy designation.  

The preferred means to conduct the qualifying exam is when all committee members are physically present. Graduate Council, however, has determined that a doctoral committee member can participate in one of three ways: 1) physically present (meaning they are in the room), 2) telepresent (meaning they participate by live video teleconference), or 3) in advance (if they must be absent on the exam date, it is permissible to examine the candidate in advance of the exam date).

More than half of the doctoral committee must be physically present. No more than two members may be telepresent. The committee chair, or one co-chair, must be physically present. The outside tenured member must be physically present or telepresent. If an emergency situation arises that affects the number of committee members present, the committee chair (or co-chairs) may decide how to proceed. There must be sufficient expertise among present members (either physically or telepresent) to examine the student.

Download the PhD Final Defense Exam Guide

The Dissertation Final Defense is the final Ph.D. examination.  Please visit the Preparing to Graduate website. Upon completion of the dissertation research project, the student writes a dissertation that must then be successfully defended in an oral examination and public presentation conducted by the doctoral committee. A complete copy of the student's dissertation must be submitted to each member of the doctoral committee at least three weeks before the defense. While the copy of the dissertation handed to the committee is expected to be complete and in final form, it should be noted that students are expected to make changes in the text per direction of the committee as a result of the defense. The form of the final draft must conform to procedures outlined in the publication. Instructions for the  Preparation and Submission of the Doctoral Dissertation  are located at the provided link. 

Note: There should be  3 quarters between the Advancement to Senate Exam and the Final Defense.  

3 quarters total, which includes the quarter the student officially advances and the quarter they file for graduation. Summer is not included, just the regular academic year.  Just for clarification, if you defend in Winter 2022 then the soonest you would be able to defend is Fall 2022. Again, the earliest would be Fall 2022, as long as you are registered in all three quarters.

The final defense/degree paperwork must be signed by ALL Committee members with a "wet signature." It cannot be scanned. 

The student must make an  appointment  with the Graduate Division Office. The appointment will need to be scheduled prior to defending and will cover formatting of the dissertation and forms required to graduate. 

More information about the Exam Policies can be found on the  Graduate Division Website .

Upon approval by the Dean of Graduate Division, file the dissertation with the university archivist, who accepts it on behalf of the Graduate Council. Acceptance of the dissertation by the archivist, with a subsequent second approval by the Dean of Graduate Division, represents the final step in the completion by the candidate of all requirements for the doctor of philosophy degree. 

Ph.D. Time Limit Policy:

Time limits are set at the end of a Ph.D. student's first year. 

Pre-Candidacy Time Limit  (PCTL) :  Maximum registered time in which a student must advance to doctoral candidacy.  SE Pre-candidacy status is limited to four years. Support Time Limit  (SUTL) : Maximum time during which a doctoral student is eligible for financial support. SE Doctoral students are eligible for university support for six years. Total Registered Time Limit  (TRTL) : Maximum registered time in which a student must complete all doctoral requirements. The defense and submission of the SE doctoral dissertation must be within seven years.​​​​​

More information regarding Time Limits can be found here .

Spring Evaluations:

In the Spring quarter of each year, department faculty members are required to evaluate their doctoral student's overall performance in coursework, research, and prospects for financial support for future years. A written assessment is given to the student after the evaluation. If a student's work is found to be inadequate, the Faculty Advisor may determine that the student cannot continue in the graduate program. 

Faculty Advisor:

Ph.D. students are placed with a Faculty Advisor (also known as research advisor/faculty advisor/PI) when they are admitted into the Ph.D. program. A Faculty Advisor is the academic, research, and program guide for Ph.D. students. Additionally, the Faculty Advisor is the funding PI for their assigned PhD students. The student’s research and academic performance are evaluated on a quarterly basis via an S/U grade in SE 299. Students who receive an ‘U’ in SE 299 will be placed in Probationary Status in the following quarter. The student must communicate with the Faculty Advisor to address any deficiencies and formulate a plan to address issues and deficiencies. Receiving two or more ‘U’s in SE 299 are grounds for dismissal from the student’s research group and/or termination of the Ph.D. program. If Ph.D. students need to change their Faculty Advisor at any time, they have 1 quarter to find a new Faculty Advisor. Upon finding a Faculty Advisor, the Ph.D. students must fill out the Change of Advisor form provided by the Graduate Academic Advisor. There is a Guaranteed Transition Support Program for Ph.D. students in the Jacobs School of Engineering.  The goal of the Guaranteed Transitional Support Program is to support Ph.D. students who find themselves needing a new advisor.  This tool will help Ph.D. students transition to a new advisor in order to successfully continue and complete their degree.

Search form

You are here.

• Structural Engineering (M.S. & Ph.D.)

Lehigh’s graduate program in structural engineering focuses on analytical and experimental studies of structural behavior. Students develop the technical knowledge and problem-solving capabilities needed to design and construct complex, large-scale structural systems.

A diversity of faculty research allows students to pursue projects that align with their interests and career goals. Students also have the opportunity to collaborate with other universities as well as world-class engineering firms.

Program research areas include:

• advanced structural materials and systems;
• earthquake resistant structures;
• infrastructure hazard mitigation;
• intelligent infrastructure systems;
• simulation measurement and evaluation of new and in-service structures; and
• infrastructure reliability, maintenance, and life-cycle performance.

Lehigh students work in structural testing facilities that are among the largest in North America, enabling research in earthquake engineering, fiber-reinforced composites, fatigue and fracture, development of smart structures, shipbuilding, and life-cycle engineering. Our Advanced Technology for Large Structural Systems (ATLSS) Engineering Research Center is home to the largest three-dimensional test bed in the U.S. ATLSS also features a real-time, multi-dimensional earthquake testing facility and conducts seismic research as part of the George E. Brown, Jr. Network Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) Program. Other specialized facilities, such the 5-million-pound universal hydraulic testing machine in Fritz Laboratory, round out Lehigh’s unique research capabilities in structural engineering.

Affiliated Lehigh Research Centers, Laboratories and Institutes

• Center for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology
• Center for Photonics and Nanoelectronics
• Energy Research Center
• Advanced Technology and Large Structural Systems (ATLSS) Engineering Research Center
• Real Time Multi-Directional (RTMD) National Facility – NSF Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES)  

[Note: see also Lehigh's innovative 10-month Professional Master's program in  Structural Engineering .]

• Civil Engineering (M.S., M.Eng., Ph.D.)
• Environmental Engineering (M.S, M.Eng. & Ph.D.)
• Structural Engineering (M.Eng.)
• Graduate Certificates
• Free Info Session
• Meet a CEE Student
• Meet a CEE grad advisor

CONSIDERING GRAD SCHOOL? TALK TO US!

Questions about courses? Research experience? Life on campus? Let's set up some time to chat!

 •  Meet with a grad student  •  Meet with an advisor

FUNDING YOUR GRAD DEGREE Prospective Rossin College graduate students have access to a variety of financial support, both internal and external, to cover or defray the costs of graduate education. | LEARN MORE >>

CONTACT Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Lehigh University 13 East Packer Avenue Bethlehem, PA 18015-3176 Phone: (610) 758-3530

E-mail: Julie DeMotte Apply Now: Graduate Admissions

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering

Lead the way in ideating, designing and building tomorrow’s infrastructure, or educating future engineers.

Infrastructure has reached a tipping point where aging buildings, bridges, highways, waterways and other structures urgently need technical civil engineering expertise and new ideas to solve today’s challenges. A doctoral degree from UND offers the knowledge and skills you need to elevate your civil engineering skills and knowledge for greater opportunities in private and public sectors, or education.

Why earn a Ph.D. in civil engineering?

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

Civil engineers experience no shortage of exciting challenges, growth prospects and a wide range of fascinating specialties to choose from. For those pursuing academia, the opportunity to shape and mold future engineering minds will have an enormous impact on tomorrow's infrastructure designs and structures.

This UND graduate program offers the highest advanced study in civil engineering with opportunities to either choose a career path aimed at a senior-level manager or research leader position, or as an educator in higher education. You'll gain the highest level of skills and expertise related to your chosen specialty or area. Most Civil Engineering Ph.D. students are funded by GRA/GTA and provided with tuition waivers.

UND's Ph.D. in Civil Engineering

Elevate your skills with specialized training customized to meet your interests and goals.

Gain a broad-based education with a curriculum that includes traditional study, multidisciplinary exposure and high-quality research.

Work with a committed faculty team to discover the area of most interest, and explore research and opportunities.

Study at a Carnegie Doctoral Research Institution ranked #151 by the NSF. Students are an integral part of UND research.

Enhance your professional skills at 60+ free workshops offered through the UND School of Graduate Studies. Our goal is to provide you with the workforce skills and job search strategies to succeed.

Gain a competitive edge through UND's Accelerate to Industry (A2i) ™ program. This workforce readiness program provides immersive job training for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. It is one of only 30 programs nationwide.

What can you do with a Ph.D. in civil engineering?

Students gain the fullest understanding of engineering design with the advanced skills that many global companies in the public and private sector value in their search for top civil engineering talent. For those seeking a career in academia, a Ph.D. offers the ideal path to success.

UND graduates can expect a range of opportunities in many specialties such as:

• Project Management
• Construction
• Environmental
• Transportation
• Geotechnical

UND Civil Engineering alumni have gone on to a variety of successful careers with:

• Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson, Inc.
• WSB & Associates, Inc.
• Bolton & Menk, Inc.
• Burns & McDonnell, Inc.

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering Courses

CE 502. Structural Stability. 3 Credits.

Concept of stability; equilibrium and energy methods; stability of columns, beam columns, and frames; inelastic buckling; stability by slope deflection and matrix methods; use of codes for the stability design of aluminum and steel columns and frames; torsional and lateral torsional buckling of beams and beam columns. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of mechanics of materials; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and the CE graduate student blackboard site. On demand.

CE 503. Structural Dynamics. 3 Credits.

Single-degree and multi-degree of freedom systems; continuous systems; free and forced vibrations; harmonic and periodic excitations; viscous and non-viscous damping; pulse excitations; numerical methods for dynamic response; earthquake response of linear elastic buildings; structural dynamics in building codes. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of mechanics of materials and dynamics; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and the CE graduate student blackboard site. On demand.

CE 517. Transportation Asset Management. 3 Credits.

Course focused on the principles of transportation asset management with an emphasis on pavement management system (PMS). Network- and project-level pavement management processes will be discussed, but the emphasis will be on network-level. Bridge management system will also be covered. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of mechanics of materials and statistics; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and the CE graduate student blackboard site. F, even years.

CE 518. Pavement Engineering. 3 Credits.

Structural pavement design concepts for flexible and rigid pavements; traffic and environmental loading factors; material characterization; hot mix asphalt design and analysis concepts, SuperPave mix design method, stresses and strains in flexible and rigid pavements, joints and load transfer of rigid pavements, fast track concrete, and construction issues. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of soil mechanics; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and graduate student blackboard site; consent of instructor for undergraduate students. F.

CE 524. Open Channel Hydraulics. 3 Credits.

Study of advanced topics in open channel hydraulics. Computer applications. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of hydraulic engineering; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and the CE graduate student blackboard site. F.

CE 536. Environmental Chemistry. 3 Credits.

Water chemistry in unit Operation and process design for water and wastewater treatment; physical, chemical, and biological systems; plant design project, computer-assigned design analysis. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of introductory environmental engineering; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and the CE graduate student blackboard site. F.

Online Civil Engineering Ph.D.

best online university in the nation

best online graduate programs

Flexible Online Civil Engineering Ph.D. Courses

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family, and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

• Lesson modules
• Streaming video content
• Virtual libraries
• Posted lectures
• Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls, and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Civil Engineering Ph.D. Research for Online Students

Online Civil Engineering Ph.D. candidates are expected to perform cutting edge research. You must be selected by a research faculty member to join their research group or act as advisor. You will be required to complete research work in person. The research facility could be at your own location depending on the project and thesis topic. You'll work with your faculty advisor to determine how much of the program can be completed online.

Top-Tier Civil Engineering Ph.D. Online

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs. No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

• Same degree:  All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) . Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
• Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
• Real interaction:  You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
• Your own academic advisor:  As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
• Free online tutoring:  We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
• Unlimited academic coaching:  Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
• Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
• 24/7 technical support:  UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
• Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

• Affordability
• Student satisfaction (retention rate)
• Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
• Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

Check out the faculty you'll work with at UND or discover additional education opportunities.

• Department of Civil Engineering
• Find Similar Programs

By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies, Privacy Information .

Civil and Systems Engineering, PhD

Whiting school of engineering.

Department website: https://engineering.jhu.edu/case/

The PhD program at the Johns Hopkins University  Department of Civil and Systems Engineering   aims to inspire the leaders of tomorrow to take on the challenge of creating and sustaining engineered systems that underpin  our society , from the built environment to public health systems .  Our graduate students work with faculty members who are world-renowned leaders in their fields and contribute to research that has a tremendous impact on society. The graduate program focuses on three fundamental areas of Structural Engineering, Mechanics of Materials, and Systems Engineering. Examples of current projects include fracture and fatigue in materials and structural systems, design of additively manufactured architected materials, earthquake engineering, and applying systems approaches to improving patient flow in hospitals and predicting virus outbreak.

Students graduate from the program with a sense of the responsibility that the civil and systems engineering profession accepts for applying the principles of engineering sciences for the betterment of the built environment and society. Its graduates have an appreciation of professional ethics and the value of service to their profession and society through participation in technical activities, and in community, state, and national organizations.

Both undergraduates and master's students are encouraged to apply to the PhD program in Civil and Systems Engineering. Once accepted to the program, students can pursue an area of interest in  Systems ,  Structures , and/or  Mechanics of Materials . Students do not need a civil engineering degree to apply - students from all technical backgrounds are welcome.

Financial Support

Financial support from the Department of Civil and Systems Engineering for PhD students provides full tuition, health insurance coverage, matriculation fee, and a 12-month stipend for enrollment for the entire duration of the program when PhD students are in a fulltime, resident status.

• Apply online
• Frequently Asked Questions  on the CaSE  Admissions page
• Full-Time Engineering Graduate Admissions

Program Requirements

PhD student requirements for the Civil and Systems Engineering Department include:

• 8 Courses at the 600- or 700-level, completed with a grade of B or better
• Two years/four semesters of graduate seminar courses (Fall semester – EN.560.691 Graduate Seminar , Spring semester – EN.560.692 Civil Engineering and Systems Engineering Graduate Seminar )

Department Qualifying Examination (DQE)

• AS.360.625 Responsible Conduct of Research short course
• EN.500.603 Graduate Orientation and Academic Ethics short course
• Final PhD Thesis Defense and Graduate Board Oral Examination (GBO)

There are a number of Whiting School of Engineering policies related to PhD students.

Typical Timeline for PhD Students

Note :  Teaching is an important component of PhD education and students may therefore be assigned teaching assistant duties during one or more semesters.  

Language/Communication Testing and Placement

All PhD students who do not have a prior degree from an English speaking university must take an English Language Assessment. If it is determined at the assessment that the student needs further English language instruction, they will be required to take AS.370.602 American English Pronunciation or equivalent.

Determination of Permanent Advisor

Students are admitted to work with a specific advisor, the faculty member, listed in the offer letter. If several faculty in the Department of Civil and Systems Engineering expressed a strong desire to work with the student, a nominal advisor will be assigned before the first semester to aid in course selection and provide general advice on PhD degree requirements. In this case, a permanent research advisor, from the faculty who expressed interest, will be selected by the end of the first semester.

A PhD student will not be able to remain in good standing with their academic and research progress if they do not have a research advisor. A student who is without a research/dissertation advisor for a period of 3 months may be placed on probation or terminated from the PhD program.

Intersession

Intersession (the period between Fall and Spring terms) is an important time for research. Any leave taken during intersession is subject to the policies outlined in the  Leave of Absence Guidelines. Release time (if any) granted in that period must be approved by the advisor.

The DQE is a comprehensive oral exam to determine whether or not the student is properly prepared to continue in the PhD program. All first-year students studying for a PhD take the DQE towards the end of their second semester, typically in May of the first year. This exam evaluates whether the student is prepared to continue in their PhD studies based on their research progress to date and plans for future research, as well as a grasp of the underlying mathematics and engineering concepts.  Possible outcomes of the exam are Pass, Retake, or Fail.  Only an outcome of Pass is considered passing the exam. If the student receives a Retake, they are provided a single retake of the exam, typically in the Fall of the second year. Possible outcomes of this exam retake are Pass or Fail.  If the outcome of the exam is Fail, the student may pursue, with approval from the chair, a MSE degree. Financial support for a student beyond a failed DQE is not typical.

Annual Reviews

Reviews of all PhD students in Civil and Systems Engineering must be performed annually prior to January 31, and are consistent with the WSE policy found in the Graduate Student Academic Review Policy.  The review process follows the format given in the annual review form . The completed form must be submitted to the Academic Program Administrator by January 31. If this annual review is not completed by this date, the student’s funding may be jeopardized.

PhD Thesis Committee

Every PhD student must have a Thesis Committee of at least 3 faculty members. The advisor, in consultation with their student, selects the makeup of the committee, and this information is recorded in the student’s file. The student is encouraged to meet with this committee a minimum of once per year. The thesis committee also typically serves as a subset of the actual GBO examination committee and forms the final PhD defense committee. This committee must consist of a minimum of 2 full-time faculty of the Civil and Systems Engineering Department.

Responsible Conduct of Research

Every PhD student of the Whiting School of Engineering is required to take the Responsible Conduct of Research course (details on the requirement can be found on the WSE Policy on the Responsible Conduct of Research Training webpage). For Civil and Systems Engineering students, this should be completed in the Fall or Spring of the first year of studies. Students who do not complete this requirement prior to Fall of their third year of studies may put their funding in jeopardy.

GBO Examination

The University maintains complete guidelines for the Graduate Board Orals  here.  The GBO committee consists of 5 members, (3 in department, 2 outside) with 2 alternates (1 in department, 1 outside) and is selected by the Department Chair and the Director of Graduate Studies, who will consult with the student’s advisor. The GBO in the Civil and Systems Engineering Department is a Final Exam and therefore held simultaneously with the student’s thesis defense. Both students and advisors should be aware that 4-8 weeks advance notice is needed in order to allow for scheduling the exam with the faculty and with the Graduate Board.

The student should provide a copy of the dissertation to the GBO committee at least 2 weeks prior to the exam. The exact format of each GBO examination is specified by the individual Chair of the GBO committee; however, a typical format is described here. The public thesis defense is conducted (see below) followed by a private examination conducted by the GBO committee. The examination questions may be on any topic of the committee members’ choosing, but many of the questions relate to the student’s research. At the conclusion of the examination, the GBO committee will recommend one of the following outcomes: pass, conditional pass, fail with re-examination, fail (final).

M.S.E. Degree for PhD Students

PhD students may petition for a non-terminal M.S.E. degree following a passed DQE.  If a student fails the DQE, they may petition for a terminal M.S.E. degree. In all instances, the student must have satisfied the M.S.E. degree course requirements.

In instances where the research is highly interdepartmental, the student, with permission of the advisor, may request that the M.S.E. degree be awarded by another department in the Whiting School of Engineering. In such cases, the student must have satisfied M.S.E. degree requirements and receive approval from the awarding department, as well as satisfied M.S.E. degree requirements of the Department of Civil and Systems Engineering and receive approval from our Department Chair. In all cases, the awarding of any JHU M.S.E. degree to a civil and systems engineering PhD student may only occur after the student has completed the DQE.

Thesis Defense

The Thesis Defense, together with the GBO, is the final examination before the conferral of the PhD degree. The student defends their  thesis in a seminar setting that is open to the public. The seminar is followed by a comprehensive examination of the student by the GBO committee.

Ethics : The Department of Civil and Systems Engineering is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of academic and research integrity. Plagiarism, and other forms of unethical conduct, are not tolerated. Students are referred to the JHU Graduate Board Policy webpage and the Whiting School of Engineering's Responsible Conduct of Research Policy for a discussion of ethics and university policies.

Thesis Readers: A committee of at least 3 members is required to read the candidate’s dissertation and sign the Readers Letter confirming that the dissertation meets the standards of a PhD thesis. The letter may be signed at the time of the defense if the thesis is found satisfactory or may be signed at a later time if corrections are required. The Advisor in consultation with the department selects the committee members, at least 2 of whom must be full-time faculty of our department. The 3 readers are also expected to serve on the GBO committee.  Selection of the readers should be done at the beginning of the semester in which the student plans to graduate. It is the student’s responsibility to keep the committee members apprised of all deadline dates.

Scheduling and Pre-Defense: The Defense should be scheduled, at least 4 weeks in advance through the department’s Academic Program Administrator. A complete written dissertation should be given to the GBO committee at least 14 days in advance of the exam. Failure to meet this 2-week deadline will result in rescheduling the PhD defense and GBO exam. A thesis abstract suitable for advertising the defense should be delivered to the Academic Program Coordinator at least 14 days in advance. The date and place of the Defense, along with the thesis abstract, will be circulated by the department at least 5 days prior to the exam.

Post-Defense : Completion of the PhD requirements typically takes 2-8 weeks after a successful defense examination. All data and source codes related to the thesis should be properly archived according to requirements set forth by the Advisor. Any changes or additions specifically requested by the reviewers before or during the defense seminar should be incorporated into the thesis in consultation with the Advisor. A final copy of the thesis must then be made available to the reviewers for inspection no less than 48 hours before the deadline date for filing set by the Graduate Board.

Additional Information:  It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of requirements and deadlines. It is suggested that this information be obtained before the start of the semester of intended graduation. All students should plan the timing of the final defense accordingly (making sure to account for the 4-8 week period following the defense) to satisfy any deadlines related to upcoming graduation or exhaustion of funding.

University requirements for the thesis can be obtained from the Graduate Board website . Information sheets entitled “Dissertation Requirements” are available to student and contain details on the form, cost, and timing for submitting the thesis. Doctoral Theses must be submitted to both the ETD (Library) and the department. The deadline date for filing is set by the Graduate Board Office. This date also applies to filing with the Whiting School Graduate Committee and with the department. A receipt of ETD approval email must be sent to the Academic Program Coordinator and the Graduate Board/WSE Office of Academic Affairs (for M.S.E students).

• Graduate Programs
• Undergraduate Programs
• CEE Graduation Ceremony
• Civil Infrastructure
• Environmental Engineering
• Engineering Systems and Management
• CEE Sponsored Awards
• Executive Leadership
• Staff Directory
• Advisory Council
• Grad Students
• Graduate Field Faculty
• NAE Members
• Job Openings
• Bovay Laboratory Complex
• Class of 1949 Electronic Classroom
• DeFrees Hydraulics Lab
• Environmental Teaching Lab
• Environmental Fluid Mechanics Teaching Laboratory
• Environmental Processes Laboratories
• CEE Update Newsletter
• Giving Opportunities
• Recruit Students
• Class Photos
• Alumni Spotlights
• CEE Reunion 2023
• Academic Support
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Mental Health Resources
• Experience and Employment
• Grad Services and Activities
• Undergrad Services and Activities
• Student Organizations

Structural Engineering (Ph.D. only)

The Structures group is focusing its efforts at the frontiers of structural engineering; across all application domains including civil, aerospace, biological, and mechanical. Specifically, the Structures group is now concentrating its considerable expertise in materials, computational and probabilistic mechanics, structural health monitoring, and high performance computing to model, analyze, simulate, and design complex systems that are characterized by multi-physics processes that transcend several time and length scales: from picoseconds to decades; from the atomic to the scale of an aircraft carrier. The group also seeks to establish a reciprocal relationship between experimentation and computing by utilizing physical experiments to observe behavior phenomena, to measure properties and mechanisms, and to validate computational models, and computational simulations to inform experimentation.

Learn more by viewing the  Ph.D. in Structural Engineering brochure  (pdf). If you need an accessible copy of this document contact [email protected]

Faculty in the structural engineering concentration include:

Christopher Earls

Mircea Grigoriu

Kenneth Hover

Greg McLaskey

Sriramya Nair

Derek Warner

Departments

• Applied Physics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Center for Urban Science and Progress
• Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
• Civil and Urban Engineering
• Computer Science and Engineering
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Finance and Risk Engineering
• Mathematics
• Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Technology, Culture and Society
• Technology Management and Innovation

Degrees & Programs

• Bachelor of Science
• Master of Science
• Doctor of Philosophy
• Digital Learning
• Certificate Programs
• NYU Tandon Bridge
• Undergraduate
• Records & Registration
• Digital Learning Services
• Teaching Innovation
• Explore NYU Tandon
• Year in Review
• Strategic Plan
• Diversity & Inclusion

News & Events

• Social Media

Looking for News or Events ?

Civil Engineering, Ph.D.

• Request Information

Growing and established cities are continually meeting new infrastructure needs and maintaining older systems, such as highways, bridges, and airports. The School of Engineering's Ph.D. in Civil Engineering program produces graduates dedicated to enriching the field. Research-oriented and focused on the latest developments in the discipline, our program readies you for civil engineering research careers in the private sector. It also prepares you to teach at the university level, ensuring the most recent advancements in the field are shared with a new generation of civil engineers.

Concentrations

As a Ph.D. candidate, you will choose to concentrate in 1 of these sub-disciplines:

• structural materials and engineering
• geotechnical and geo-environmental engineering
• environmental and water resources engineering
• construction management and engineering
• highway and traffic engineering
• urban infrastructure systems

Other focus areas are possible and can be developed with the assistance of faculty advisers. All subject areas must be relevant to the degree sought, and a faculty member must be willing and able to guide your research.

Abu Dhabi Global Fellow Program

Urban Science Doctoral Track

• Admission to this program requires an MS in Civil Engineering or equivalent with a GPA of 3.5 or better (on a 0-4 scale).
• GRE scores are required for all full-time Ph.D. applicants.
• Foreign applicants must take the TOEFL examination and submit the results for consideration.

In criteria 1 and 2 above, the “equivalent" can be achieved in several ways. You may have an MS degree with a different title that covers substantially the same material. In more general terms, you must demonstrate that you have the equivalent of all undergraduate and masters-level coursework to be able to pursue doctoral-level work in the chosen major area, as well as in a minor area within the umbrella of civil engineering. Further, “equivalence” is evaluated based on the totality of your undergraduate and graduate record, not course-by-course. Thus, if you wish to pursue doctoral work in Environmental Engineering, for example, you must have the entire undergraduate and masters-level course background expected in Environmental Engineering, but you do not need to demonstrate such a background in structures.

Because admission to a Ph.D. program requires a relevant MS (or equivalent), applicants who have not yet achieved a master’s degree would normally be admitted as MS students. They are expected to earn an MS degree while completing their major and minor course requirements. In rare cases, an applicant with only a BS degree may be directly admitted into the Ph.D. program with the written approval of the department head.

Find out more about  Admission Requirements .

A maximum of 48 credits of approved graduate work may be transferred and applied to your degree requirements. They would be awarded on a course-by-course basis or by the transfer of an MS degree from another institution in satisfaction of 30 graduate credits. The latter requires a recommendation from the department’s Graduate Committee and the approval of the department head. Transfer credits must be approved by the academic adviser, the graduate coordinator, and the department head.

Every Ph.D. student upon admission is assigned an academic adviser, who is designated by the department head. Any member of the civil engineering faculty may be an academic adviser to a Ph.D. student. The first meeting should take place shortly after receiving an acceptance letter from the Admissions Office. During this first meeting the student’s Program of Study should be established. The Program of Study should include a list of the fundamental and advanced topics that will comprise the specific courses, the subject matter for the qualifying exam and possible research areas.

Program Requirements

Before becoming a candidate for the Ph.D., you must pass a qualifying examination. 

Immediately after you pass your qualifying exam, a Dissertation Committee will be formed. This panel of experts will guide your course of study and research work. You are required to submit and present a dissertation proposal. The culmination of your Ph.D. work will be the defense of the final draft of your dissertation. There are important requirements involved in the qualifying examination and dissertation processes.  One of these requirements is that your defense of the final draft of your dissertation must take place in-person at the Brooklyn Campus.

Quick Links

• Graduate Admissions

Academic Director

Mohsen Hossein

Cristian Vimer

Siyuan Xiang

• Research Areas
• Structural Engineering and Mechanics

Doctoral Programs

Structural Engineering Ph.D.

The Structures PhD Field contains subject matter for dissertation research in the areas of structures, structural engineering, and structural mechanics. The student is responsible for the knowledge contained in required core material and additional subject matter approved by the PhD Structures Field Committee.

Prerequisite Preparation for the Major Field

The following topics, normally completed at the undergraduate level, are considered prerequisite material for this field of study; principles of equilibrium, compatibility and force-displacement relationships for structural elements and systems; work and energy principles, mechanical properties of materials, constitutive equations, elementary theories of vibration and stability, basic concepts of design of steel and reinforced concrete structures. (Courses C&EE 130, 135B, 137, 141 or 142. References: P.1, P.2, P.3, P.4,P.5, P.6, P.7)

Topical Outline of the Structures Major Field

I.   static analysis.

A. (Required) Application to One-Dimensional Structures. Rods, beams, trusses and frames. Fundamental principles: equilibrium, compatibility, force-deflection properties, virtual work, strain energy and complementary strain energy. Matrix methods of analysis. (Course C&EE 235A. References: I.6)

B. Finite Element Analysis of Structures. Systematic formulation of element properties using variational principles. Displacement method, force method and hybrid methods. Interpolation functions and computation aspects. Application of one, two and three dimensional finite elements to beams, membranes, plates and solids. (Course C&EE 235B. References: I.1, I.3, I.5, I.13)

C. Elastic Theory and Two-Dimensional Structures (Plates and Shells). Equations of l linear isotropic elastostatics; two- and three-dimensional problems; torsion and bending. Fundamental principles of plate theory; Kirchoff-Love hypothesis; constitutive equations, equilibrium, compatibility, boundary conditions, boundary value problems; approximate methods, membrane theory of shells, thermoelastic problems; bending theory of cylinders. (Courses: C&EEM 230, 232. References: I.2, I.4, I.7, I.8, I.9, I.10, I.11, I.12)

II.   Dynamic Analysis

A. (Required) Dynamics of Structures. Hamilton’s principle, variational methods. Lagrange;s equations. Free vibration problem, normal modes in discrete and continuous systems. The structural dynamics eigenvalue problem and its solution. application of beam finite elements in structural dynamics. Approximate methods, Rayleight-Ritz, Galerkin and collocation methods. Proportional damping. Normal mode and frequency response methods, response spectra. (Course: C&EE 237A. References: II.2, II.4, II.5, II.7, II.8)

B. Advanced Dynamics of Structures. Nonproportional damping. Structural dynamics of two- and three-dimensional structures using approximate and finite element methods. Computational aspects of the structural dynamics eigenvalue problem. Vibrations of Timoshenko beams. Numerical integration schemes for response calculations. Dynamic modelling using substructures and component mode synthesis. (Course: MAE 269B. References: II.5, II.6)

III.   Design

A. Design of steel structures in accord with AISC specifications. Design of reinforced concrete according to ACI requirements. Design for vertical and lateral loads. Load paths and modes of failure in structures. (Courses: C&EE 141, 142, 143, 144, 147, 241, 242, 244. References: III.3, III.4, III.5, III.7, III.8, III.10)

B. Optimum Structural Design. Formulation of structural optimization problems. Fundamentals of solution techniques: linear and nonlinear mathematical programming; numerical implementation. Application to design of components, trusses, frames. Plastic design. Supplementary or alternate methods of structural optimization: approximation concepts; dual methods and optimality criteria. (Courses: C&EEM 140, M240. References: III.1, III.2, III.6, III.9)

IV.   Earthquake Engineering

A. Response of Structures to Ground Motions. Single and multiple degree of freedom idealizations; numerical methods for solving problems; nonlinear response of singe and multi-degree of freedom systems; earthquake response spectra; reconciliation of measured spectra and building code spectra; combining modal responses with spectra inputs; earthquake response calculations with computer programs. (Courses (C&EE 221 and 246. References: IV.1, IV.3, IV.5, IV.6)

B. Engineering Seismology. Epicenter and fault plane location, source mechanics and fracture mechanics, attenuation, dispersion and diffraction, soil dynamics, and analysis of strong motion data. (Courses: MAE M257B, C&EE 222 and 245. References: IV.2, II.3, IV.4)

V.   Experimental Analysis

A. Experimental methods for determining position, displacement, velocity, stress and strain in structures. Analysis of the limit condition of structures, particularly emphases on fracture mechanics and plasticity. Modal analysis of the structural response of systems to deterministic and nondeterministic loading histories. Computer based testing techniques and analysis, including computer control and computer interactive experiments. (Courses: C&EE 130F, 130L, 137L. 238. References: V.1, V.2, V.3, V.4)

VI.   Stability and Nonlinear Analysis

A. Stability of Structures. Bucking of bars, frames, and trusses. Fundamental concept of buckling, beam-column effects. Buckling as an eigenvalue problem. Energy concepts in stability analysis. The Rayleigh-Ritz method, geometric stiffness matrix. Coupled lateral and torsional buckling effects. Inelastic buckling. Introduction to plate buckling. (Course: C&EE 236. References: VI.4, VI.5)

B. Nonlinear Structural Analysis. Large strain-displacement relations, elasto-plastic behavior of metals and geologic materials, finite element representation of nonlinear solid and structural systems. Numerical solution of nonlinear algebraic equations, implicit and explicit time integration techniques, stability and accuracy of nonlinear solution algorithms. Discrete element systems.(Courses: C&EE 231, 235C. References: VI.1, I.1, VI.2, VI.3)

VII.   Mechanics of Structural Materials

A. Mechanical Behavior of Metals and Polymers. Constitutive relation, deformation maps. Failure criteria, fatigue, corrosion. Fracture mechanics. Viscoelasticity, temperature-time-moisture equivalence. (Courses: C&EE 234 and MAE 256F. References: V.1, V.3)

B. Mechanical Behavior of Frictional materials. Stress-strain and strength behavior of frictional materials such as soils, rock, concrete, and ceramics; effective stress principle; volume change and pore pressure developments as functions of void ratio and confining pressure; compositional and environmental factors affecting the behavior of frictional materials; critical state concepts; three-dimensional behavior. Constitutive modeling, elasto-plastic material models, nonassociated flow, work-hardening plasticity theory, failure criteria, stability and instability of frictional materials. (Courses: C&EE 220 and 229. References: miscellaneous technical reports and papers)

Major Field Requirements

Each student who selected Structures as his or her major field is expected to have a background equivalent to the material contained in the courses listed under prerequisite preparation for the major field. The student is also required to acquire proficiency in the subject matter listed in paragraphs IA and IIA, and in elective subject matter covered in at least xix additional graduate courses listed in this syllabus. The student is expected to acquire this knowledge in at least four of the seven topics contained in the syllabus. Each student must submit to the Departmental Graduate Advisor, a Proposal of Fields of Study for the Ph.D. Degree containing a list of the required subject matter.

Each student in this major field will be required to pass a closed book written examination based on the subject matter contained in the prerequisite courses, C&EE 235A, C&EE 237A, and any three elective graduate courses from her os his major field. The format of the examination is contained in the Appendix. Additional detail are available from the Chair of the Structures Ph.D. Field Committee.

Breadth Requirements

Each student selecting Structures as his/her major field will be held responsible for the body of knowledge contained in two independent PH.D. Minor Fields which complement the Structures Ph.D. Major Field. Each Minor Field is defined by a body of knowledge contained in three courses, at least two of which are at the graduate level. (Fields other than established Minor Fields in the School of Engineering and Applied Science are subject to the approval of the Structures Ph.D. Field Committee.) One of these Minor Fields may be selected from one of the seven topics contained in this Syllabus, provided the selected topical area is clearly distinct from the subject matter specified in the major field. The breadth requirement is satisfied by earning a 3.25 GPA in the courses listed in each of the Minor Fields. The student may petition the Structures Ph.D. Field Committee for permission to show proficiency in a body of knowledge which differs from the above recommended norm.

Minor Field Requirements

A student selecting Structures as his/her Minor Field will be held responsible for the body of knowledge contained in C&EE 235A and C&EE 237A and any other course listed in this Syllabus (including prerequisite courses). Students who select any of the courses listed in the Syllabus to satisfy requirements of a field other than Structures may not use that course as part of the Structures Minor Field. Students who wish to satisfy the Minor Field written examination requirement by grades in courses must achieve at least a 3.25 GPS in the courses used to satisfy Minor Field requirements. Students may petition the Structures PhD Field Committee for permission to show proficiency in a body of knowledge which differs from the above recommended norm.

List of References

Prerequisites.

P.1 Beer, F.P., and Johnston, E.R., Vector Mechanics for Engineers Statics and Dynamics, McGraw-Hill, 1972. P.2 Popov, E.P., Engineering Mechanics of Solids, McGraw-Hill, 1990. P.3 Ferguson, P., Breen, J., and Jirsa, J., Reinforced Concrete Fundamentals,5th Ed, Wiley, 1988. P.4 Norris, C.H., Wilbur, J.B., and Utku, S., Elementary Structural Analysis, McGraw-Hill, 1976. P.5 Salmon, C.G. and Johnson, J.E., Steel Structures: Design and Behavior, Intext Education Publisher, Current Edition. P.6 Timoshenko, S.P., Young, D.H., and Weaver, W., Jr., Vibration Problems in Engineering, Wiley, 1974. P.7 Ugural, A.C. and Fenster, S.K., Advanced Strength and Applied Elasticity, Elsevier, 1981.

I.1 Bathe, K-J. and Wilson, E.L., Numerical Methods in Finite Element Analysis, Prentice Hall, 1976. I.2 Boley, B.O. and Weiner, J.G., Theory of Thermal Stresses, R. E. Krieger, 1985. I.3 Cook, R., Concepts and Applications of Finite Element Analysis, 1974. I.4 Flugge, W., Stresses in Shells, Springer Verlag, 1960. I.5 Gallagher, R., Finite Element Analysis, Prentice Hall, 1975. I.6 Ghali, A. and Neville, A.M., Structural Analysis, Third Edition, Chapmand and Hall, 1980. I.7 Gladwell, G.M.L., Contact Problems in Classical Theory of Elasticity, 1981. I.8 Kraus, W., Thin Elastic Shells, 1967. I.9 Mura, T., Micromechanics of Defects in Solids, 2nd Ed. 1987. I.10 Szilard, R., Theory and Analysis of Plates, Prentice Hall, 1974. I.11 Timoshenko, S.P. and Woinowsky-Krieger, S., Theory of Plates & Shells, McGraw-Hill, 1959 I.12 Zienkiewicz, OC., The Finite Element Method, Third Edition, McGraw-Hills, 1977.

II.1 Achenbach, J.D., Wave Propagation in Elastic Solids, North Holland, Amsterdam, 1973. II.2 Clough, R. and Penzien, J., Dynamics of Structures, McGraw-Hills, 1975. II.3 Ewing, W.M., Jardetzky, W.S., and Press, F., Elastic Waves in Layered Media, McGraw-Hills, 1957. II.4 Hurty, W.C. and Rubinstein, M.F., Dynamics of Structures, Prentice Hall, 1964. II.5 Meirovitch, L., Analytical Methods in Vibrations, MacMillan Co., 1967 II.6 Meirovitch, L., Computational Methods in Structural Dynamics, Sijhoff & Noordhoff, 1980. II.7 Thompson, W.T., Vibration Theory and Applications, Prentice Hall, 1975. II.8 Berg, G.V., Elements of Structural Dynamics, Prentice Hall, 1989.

III.1 Atrek, E., Gallagher, R.H., Ragsdell, K.M., and Zienkiewicz, O.C., (Editors), New Directions in Optimum Structural Design, John Wiley, NY, 1984 III.2 Haftka, R.T., Gurdal, Z., and Kamat, M.P., Elements of Structural Optimization, Second Edition, Kluwar Academic Publishers, Boston, 1990. III.3 Lin, T.Y., Design of Prestressed Concrete Structures, Wiley, 1963. III.4 MacGregor, J.G., Reinforced Concrete, Prentice Hall, 1988 III.5 McCormac, J.C., Structural Steel Design (LRFD Method, Harper & Row, 1989 III.6 Morris, A.J., (Ed.), Foundations of Structural Optimization: A Unified Approach, John Wiley, NY, 1982. III.7 Park, R. and Paulay, T., Reinforced Concrete Structures, Wiley, 1974. III.8 Seismological Committee of the Structural Engineers Association of California, Recommended Lateral Force Requirements and Commentary, Current Edition. III.9 Vanderplaats, G.N.,Numerical Optimization Techniques for Engineering Design with Applications, MacGraw-Hills, NY, 1984. III.10 Wang, C.K. and Salmon, C.G., Reinforced Concrete Design, 4th Edition, Harper & Row, 1979.

IV.1 Englekirk, R.E. and Hart, G.C., Earthquake Response of Structures, Prentice Hall 1982. IV.2 Dobrin, M.B., Introduction to Geophysical Prespecting, McGraw-Hill, 1974. IV.3 Hart, G.C., Uncertainty Analysis, Loads, and Safety in Structural Engineering, Prentice Hall, 1982. IV.4 Jacobs, J.A., Russell, R.D., and Wilson, J. T., Physics and Geology, McGraw-Hill, 1974 IV.5 Newmark, N.M. and Rosenbleuth,E., Fundamentals of Earthquake Engineering, Prentice Hall, 1971.

V.1 Barsom, J.M. and Rolfe, S.T., Fracture and Fatigue Control in Structures: Applications of Fracture Mechanics 2nd Edition, Prentice Hall, 1977. V.2 Dally, J.W. and Riley, W.F.,Experimental Stress Analysis, 2nd Ed., McGraw-Hill, 1971. V.3 Hellan, K., Introduction to Fracture Mechanics, McGraw-Hill, 1984 V.4 Holman, J.P., Experimental Methods for Engineers, McGraw-Hills, 1971.

VI.1 Bathe, K.J., Ozdemir, H., and Wilson, E.L., Static and Dynamic Geometric and Material Nonlinear Analysis, University of California, Berkeley, Structural Engineering Lab, Report No. UCSESM 74-4, 1974. VI.2 Kachanov, L.M., Foundations of the Theory of Plasticity, MIR Publishers, 1974. VI.3 Lin, T.H., Theory of Inelastic Structures, Wiley, 1968. VI.4 Simiteses, G.J., An Introduction to the Elastic Stability of Structures, Prentice Hall, 1976. VI.5 Timoshenko, S.P. and Gere, T., Theory of Elastic Stability, McGraw-Hill, 1976. VI.6 Bazant, Z.P. and Cedolin, L., Stability of Structures, Oxford University Press, 1991.

Professional Journals:

ASCE Journal of Structures ASCE Journal of Engineering Mechanics Bulletin of the Seismological Society of American EERI Monograph Series Journal of Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics Journal of Geophysics Proceedings of World Conferences on Earthquake Engineering Earthquake Spectra International Journal of Solids and Structures Journal of Applied Mechanics AIAA Journal Journal of The Masonry Society International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering

Example Programs

Major Field

C&EE 235 (I. Static Analysis), C&EE 237A (II. Dynamic Analysis) and six (6) courses C&EE 235B (I. Static Analysis) C&EE 235C (VI. Stability and Nonlinear Analysis) C&EE M240 (III. Design) C&EE 241 (III. Design) C&EE 242 (III. Design) C&EE 244 (III. Design) Note: The four specialized areas are I, II, III, and IV.

(1) Geotechnical Engineering C&EE 220 C&EE 221 C&EE 223 (2) Earthquake Engineering (Specialized Area IV) C&EE 222 C&EE 245 C&EE 246

C&EE 235 (I. Static Analysis) C&EE 237A (II. Dynamic Analysis) and six (6) courses C&EE 232 (I. Static Analysis) C&EE 235B (I. Static Analysis) C&EE 235C (VI. Stability and Nonlinear Analysis) C&EE 236 (VI. Stability and Nonlinear Analysis) C&EE 240 (III. Design) MAE 269B (II. Dynamic Analysis Note: The fours areas of specialization are I, II, III, and VI.

(1) Mechanics of StructuralMaterials (Specialized Area VII) C&EE 233 C&EE 234 MSE 250A (2) Any Appropriate Established Ph.D.Minor Field; e.g., Operations Research Applied Dynamic Systems Dynamics

Format for Written Preliminary Ph.D. Major Field Examination in the Field of Structures. The written Preliminary Ph.D. Exam in the field of Structures is a closed-book exam, given in two parts on separate days.

Part I is a five hour exam consisting of at least five questions covering the prerequisite subject matter contained in courses C&EE 130, C&EE 135B, C&EE 137, and C&EE 141 or C&EE 142.

Part II is a five hour examination covering the subject matter contained in courses C&EE 235A and C&EE 237A plus subject matter contained in at least three additional courses from each student’s study llist.

Prior to the examination, each student will be asked to specify three elective courses from his/her study list for inclusion of related subject matter on the examination; the Sstructures Ph.D. Field Committee will prepare an examination covering subject matter in the specified subject areas.

Each student will submit answers to a total of five questions from Part I and five questions from Part II. Two of the five questions answered in Part II must be those related to the subject matter in courses C&EE 235A and C&EE 237A.

In order to pass the examination a student must receive a passing grade on a total of seven questions, with not less than three passing grads in each Part.

Students may elect to take the Written Preliminary Ph.D. Major Field Examination to satisfy the comprehensive examination requirement in the program leading to the Master of Science in Civil Engineering (Plan II).

Studentsare permitted only two (2) attempts at passing the Written Preliminary Ph.D. Major Field Examination, including any attempts made to satisfy the M.S. comprehensive examination requirements using this examination.

Best Online PhDs in Engineering

Take our quiz and we'll do the homework for you! Compare your school matches and apply to your top choice today.

Timelines, Programs and Resources for Engineering Students

Students can earn an online PhD in engineering in specializations that range from the philosophy of systems and engineering management to aeronautics engineering. The term “engineering” applies to mathematical, scientific, social and practical knowledge as it is used to innovate and improve upon existing machines, tools, computers, systems and processes, resulting in many specializations that PhD candidates can pursue in online programs. Discover some of the academic and career opportunities that await engineering students pursuing online doctoral degrees below.

• Best Online PhD in Engineering Degrees
• Search Online Engineering PhD’s
• Timeline: Online Engineering PhD
• Principals Learned with a PhD in Engineering
• Careers with a PhD Degree in Engineering

Additional Resources

Best online phd’s in engineering.

To help refine the search for an engineering doctoral program, prospective students can compare current online PhD degree programs by sorting factors like tuition cost, graduation rates and student-to-teacher ratios using this ranking data chart.

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

• Campus + Online
• In-State $9,426
• Out-of-state $28,147
• Retention Rate 84%
• Acceptance Rate 81%
• Students Enrolled 33,426
• Institution Type Public
• Percent Online Enrollment 26%
• Accreditation Yes

Columbia University in the City of New York

• In-State $57,763
• Out-of-state $57,763
• Retention Rate 99%
• Acceptance Rate 5%
• Students Enrolled 31,456
• Institution Type Private
• Percent Online Enrollment 6%

Michigan Technological University

• In-State $16,834
• Out-of-state $36,688
• Acceptance Rate 74%
• Students Enrolled 7,027
• Percent Online Enrollment 9%

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

• In-State $17,416
• Out-of-state $34,480
• Retention Rate 88%
• Acceptance Rate 76%
• Students Enrolled 91,427
• Percent Online Enrollment 50%

Texas A&M University-College Station

• In-State $7,941
• Out-of-state $34,190
• Retention Rate 93%
• Acceptance Rate 58%
• Students Enrolled 68,726
• Percent Online Enrollment 14%

Texas Tech University

• In-State $6,744
• Out-of-state $16,704
• Retention Rate 87%
• Acceptance Rate 69%
• Students Enrolled 38,742
• Percent Online Enrollment 52%

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

• In-State $11,332
• Out-of-state $28,522
• Acceptance Rate 79%
• Students Enrolled 29,460
• Percent Online Enrollment 36%

University of Alabama at Birmingham

• In-State $8,568
• Out-of-state $20,400
• Retention Rate 83%
• Students Enrolled 22,080
• Percent Online Enrollment 59%

University of Alabama in Huntsville

• In-State $9,730
• Out-of-state $22,126
• Acceptance Rate 83%
• Students Enrolled 9,988
• Percent Online Enrollment 33%

University of South Carolina-Columbia

• In-State $12,288
• Out-of-state $33,528
• Retention Rate 89%
• Students Enrolled 35,364
• Percent Online Enrollment 32%

Top Online Programs

Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.

The Online PhD in Engineering Timeline

Online PhD programs in engineering often offer a variety of specializations, and while some programs can be completed in three years, others can take up to six. Regardless of the timeline, the work students put into these PhD programs is usually intensely focused and in-depth. It can be important for students to consider how much time they want to commit to earning an online PhD when choosing an engineering program. See an example of what to expect during the application process and a sample four-year track timeline below.

Application Process

Because online engineering PhD programs typically cover a wide range of course material, students should investigate particular areas of interest and faculty members they want to work with when deciding where to apply. They may need to demonstrate both their interest and their previous knowledge to be admitted into an online PhD in engineering program.

Bachelor’s Degree and Official Transcripts

Applicants are often required to have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in engineering or a related area, through an accredited institution. Programs may ask to see official transcripts from all higher learning institutions that an applicant attended and may have minimum GPA requirements.

Previous Experience and Demonstrated Competence in Chosen Area

Applicants interested in pursuing a PhD in a hands-on engineering field like mechanical or hardware engineering may need to provide proof that they have experience in their field. Previous experience is usually submitted in a résumé, but may be required in a larger essay or in a program’s application.

Statement of Purpose

Online engineering programs may ask an applicant to write a statement of purpose that addresses why a student chose a particular program and elaborates on their ability to do advanced research; demonstrates their knowledge, passion, experience and skill; and notes an intended area of study.

Personal Statement

In addition to a résumé and a statement of purpose, programs may ask for a personal statement which may explore an applicant’s history and life experience and address what an applicant would like to get out of pursing an online PhD in engineering.

Individual programs may require applicants to demonstrate minimum scores in the math and verbal areas of the GRE from exams taken within a certain number of years.

Year 1 Milestones

Students may enter online PhD programs with a clear idea of which engineering department they will work in. However, the first year in an online PhD in engineering program is generally spent learning about each possible area of study and often serves to deepen research skills and technical experience.

Core Requirement Courses

Online engineering doctoral degree programs typically have a core series of classes that introduce students to basic engineering concepts like modeling technologies, common systems management principles and the economics of engineering.

Exploring Facility Possibilities

Though students in online PhD programs often do not learn in on-site labs, some programs offer facilities via satellite for distance learning students. Students interested in practical aspects of engineering, such as mechanical or computer engineering, may need to find places to gain tangible experience.

Selecting an Area of Specialization

Students generally will need to decide to pursue a narrowed course of engineering study by the end of their first year. Common specializations may include the theories and ethics of engineering; management and engineering; or civil, mechanical or computer engineering.

Years 2 and 3 Milestones

Students may spend a lot of time investigating their chosen field before finding an area that suits them. Some online PhD in engineering programs allow as many as six years before a student must propose a dissertation topic, and students can often spend that time building up their experiences and knowledge before completing their degree.

Specializing Further

Students who may not have begun their engineering program knowing exactly what they wanted to study will usually narrow their focus in their second year, choosing specific aspects of their chosen engineering specialization to explore more in-depth.

Refinement of Research Practices

Throughout an online engineering PhD program, students will typically design projects and conduct research within their fields, refine their approaches and execution techniques, and accept feedback from advanced faculty.

Approach Faculty Advisors

Students may choose online engineering doctoral programs based on possible areas of specialization and the faculty who work in these areas. As they work toward an original project for their dissertation, students may need to select an engineering faculty advisor in their field and begin discussions about this final academic work.

Qualifying Exam

A qualifying examination is usually delivered by engineering faculty members familiar with a student’s chosen field of study. It may include an oral component in addition to a written test. The exam is meant to determine each student’s ability to apply general concepts and methods in their chosen field. Students may also have to complete a research proposal exam before beginning work on their engineering dissertation.

Year 4 Milestones

The final year of an online PhD in engineering student’s degree is often spent working on their dissertation. All core class requirements and electives are usually completed by this time, allowing students time to focus on this final project.

Dissertation Preparation

Dissertations will likely address an aspect of engineering that could be improved upon or altered in some way. This project is generally an example of how a student will contribute to their engineering field.

Scheduling Final Exam and Dissertation Defense

Online PhD in engineering programs may ask for certain scheduling applications or dissertation draft submissions before a student attempts to earn their engineering degree. These application and submission deadlines may be as many as three months out.

Graduation Requirements

Online engineering PhD students who have completed all of their coursework to their instructors’ satisfaction will often be well-prepared to deliver their final dissertation and defend their expertise to a panel of fellow experts. Tests throughout online doctoral engineering programs may help to ensure that any student who makes it to this stage is academically committed to expanding knowledge in their chosen field.

Dissertation

An engineering dissertation often needs to follow professional formatting guidelines. Students should be sure if they are working with sensitive or confidential information not to include those aspects in their dissertation as these documents are often considered public.

An oral exam often requires a student to justify the methods and conclusions of their dissertation and to explain how their work relates and contributes to the existing body of knowledge in their engineering specialty.

Core Principles and Skills Learned in an Online Engineering PhD Program

Phd in engineering, refined research techniques.

Students generally enter online engineering PhD programs with basic knowledge in their area of specialty. These advanced academic programs often teach students how to research and explore current knowledge on an even deeper level.

Application of Principles

Online engineering PhD program graduates typically teach students general concepts and methods, and while students learn how to practice these techniques, they may also develop the ability to apply these principles to their own specialized areas and any other areas of their field they may encounter.

Continuing Education

Engineering is a field that is often adapting and changing with new technologies. As this field advances, PhD program graduates typically have the research abilities and connections within both professional and academic fields to keep up with these changes.

Learn More About Engineering Degrees

After your degree: what to do with a phd in engineering.

Online engineering doctoral graduates may seek out the highly specialized jobs that fall within their refined scope of learning. They may also choose to use the broader researching and knowledge-application skills they usually learn in PhD programs to find work in other elite fields.

Engineering Professor

A PhD student may head back into the classroom as an Engineering Professor after graduation, teaching general and specialization coursework on everything from basic engineering principles to physical laws, mechanical development, instrumentation, process and services. Specializations may include chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical, mineral or petroleum engineering. Educators will typically have the time and resources to double as researchers in their selected field.

Job Growth (2014-2024): 13% Median Annual Salary (May 2015): $95,060

Computer Hardware Engineer

Technology professionals typically need to be prepared to continually evolve, adapt and improve existing tech. Computer hardware engineers often keep themselves current on computer engineering trends and new technology as they design, develop and test computer components. They also may ensure that computer pieces like processors and routers work together as systems and may work to advance computer technology.

Job Growth (2014-2024): 3% Median Annual Salary (May 2015): $111,7300

Computer and Information Research Scientist

The federal government employs the highest amount of computer and information research scientists, but professionals in this field may work for businesses, in medicine, in science, or in other fields. They are often in charge of coming up with creative uses for current computing technology and inventing, designing and creating new approaches to computing as well.

Job Growth (2014-2024): 11 percent Median Annual Salary (May 2015): $110,620

Computer and Information Systems Manager

Computer and information systems managers are often also called IT managers or IT project managers. They typically plan, coordinate and direct all computer-related activities in an organization or business. Professionals in this field may help individual companies achieve their information technology goals by implementing the appropriate computer systems. They may also be required to manage their resources as well as their employees.

Job Growth (2014-2024): 15% Median Annual Salary (May 2015): $131,600

Below is a list of free online resources for current and post-graduate online engineering PhD students that offer educational, career and networking opportunities

Best Accredited Online Ph.D. Programs 2024

Online Ph.D. programs provide students with flexible schedules and affordable tuition. Check out the top-ranked programs in this comprehensive guide.

Best Accredited Online Master’s Programs 2024

Best Accredited Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs 2024

Shape your future with an online degree.

Connect with a community of peers, and find a program that will allow you to continue your education in a fast and flexible way.

Structural Engineering

Aerospace ∙ Biological ∙ Civil ∙ Geotechnical ∙ Mechanical

Doctoral Program

The Ph.D. in Structural Engineering is intended to prepare students for a variety of careers in research, teaching, and advanced professional practice.

• Doctoral studies
• SE focus areas
• Non-SE focus areas

Online Civil Engineering, MS (Structural)

Get more information.

• Name * First Last
• Degree * Civil Engineering, MS (Structural)
• Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Privacy Notice

Program at a Glance

• In State Tuition
• Out of State Tuition

Learn more about the cost to attend UCF.

Analyze, design and build innovative infrastructure systems

Behind every building, bridge, or tunnel there’s an individual trained to design and develop the man-made structures that help society function. A civil engineering masters focused on structural design will prepare you to create solutions to the infrastructure challenges our communities face.

With the growing need for critical planning and execution of such construction, UCF Online‘s Master of Science in Civil Engineering (Structural) prepares students to challenge how they evaluate the framework of structures, and design with safety, security and sustainability in mind. This program’s course work focuses on structural analysis and design, and geotechnical engineering and foundations, but may include electives in transportation planning and operations, traffic engineering, construction engineering, and water resources engineering.

U.S. News & World Report ranks UCF’s college of engineering as one of the top 100 public graduate engineering colleges nationwide. Students completing the program could find positions in consulting firms, construction and construction-related industries, in city, county, state, and federal government agencies, and academic institutions. Graduate with your online civil engineering masters ready to shape the structural design of the future. Find out how to enroll today!

Application Deadlines

Ready to get started, course overview, finite element structural analysis.

Engage in the concept, theory, and application of the finite element method and the analysis of one-, two-, and three-dimensional structural components and systems.

Structural Reliability

Explore the application of probability theory to classical and computational reliability methods for civil systems and examine topics in component and system reliability, simulation, bounds, sensitivity, and model updating.

Masonry and Timber Design

Examine the structural properties of masonry and timber, design loads-codes and standards, and the analysis for axial loads, flexure and shear.

Skills You'll Learn

• Understand and analyze the properties of different building materials.
• Anticipate environmental impact upon structures and materials.
• Analyze local conditions for new above- and below-ground engineering projects.

Career Projections

Annual Job Openings

Job Growth Between 2019 - 2029

Source: Lightcast™ . 2024

Career Opportunities

• Architectural Engineer
• Bridge Engineer
• Construction Engineer
• Consulting Engineer
• Structural Project Engineer
• Public Works Manager

Related Online Programs

• Civil Engineering, MS (Water Resources)
• Civil Engineering, MS (Smart Cities)
• Civil Engineering, MS (Transportation)

Online Structural Engineering Degree Programs

Find schools.

When you click on a sponsoring school or program advertised on our site, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.

Like water systems and environmental engineering , structural engineering is also a sub-field of civil engineering . This sub-discipline focuses on the stability, durability, and strength of buildings, airplanes, bridges, and several other structures. Engineers in structural engineering work with designers and architects and apply their knowledge of mathematics, physics, and structural design requirements to develop safe and complete structures. This engineering field deals with designing and analyzing structures that resist or support loads.

In simple words, structural engineers ensure that bridges don’t collapse and buildings don’t fall down. These trained professionals ensure that structures such as tall buildings and bridges are stable and safe, and don’t collapse due to applied loads. Structural engineers also must calculate and understand the stability, rigidity, earthquake-susceptibility, and strength of built structures. They can also be involved in designing medical equipment, vehicles, and machinery where structural integrity affects safety and functioning.

As with other fields, several aspiring engineers enroll in campus-based, traditional face-to-face programs, where they will attend classes, listen to lectures, and complete coursework alongside fellow candidates. A significant number of students benefit greatly from these in-class experiences.

However, several other students prefer the relative flexibility of online programs that work with their schedule, where they attend classes from home or another convenient location. It is these students who should look out for online structural engineering programs. While candidates in online programs usually follow the same yearly calendar as their traditional counterparts, there is often the ability to attend part-time and complete coursework in off-hours and on weekends.

Most respected universities offer online master’s degree programs in structural engineering. These programs generally comprise 30 credits and can be completed in two years. While coursework differs across programs, students can expect to delve into courses such as structural concrete design; structural timber design; loads for civil structures; finite element analysis; structural dynamics; and bridge design and construction, among others.

The following article provides a comprehensive guide to choosing an online structural engineering program, common admission requirements, general syllabi, and noteworthy professors in the field.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN Southern New Hampshire University Online MS - Construction Management

Is an online structural engineering program for me.

For students who have yet to pursue any kind of online education before, it is important to understand how this process works and how it allows them to receive a marketable, high-quality education while learning online.

Civil engineering, which includes structural engineering, is a discipline that requires a great deal of hands-on instruction. However, online structural engineering programs can work with students to provide a solid foundation in courses like math and physics via online modules, and then have those students participate in face-to-face on-campus lab assignments. Some programs do not have campus attendance requirements and assess hands-on capabilities through course projects.

Online learning can be a particularly effective and attractive choice for non-traditional students. For instance, working professionals who wish to pursue a new degree can take independent courses, without giving up on their jobs or uprooting their families. The same applies to active military members who wish to further their education but do not necessarily live near a university. Online learning can open up otherwise unavailable opportunities to passionate learners who can't make a regular degree program work.

Courses may be set up in several different ways. Students who can set aside specific blocks of time throughout the week to study and participate in online classes are generally the most successful.

While flexibility is one of the most attractive features of online learning, finding structure and accountability within that flexibility is key to success.

Admissions Requirements For Online Structural Engineering Degree Programs (what To Expect)

Aspiring engineers who wish to enroll in online structural engineering programs must first meet the admissions requirements before being accepted. And while there is not a universal set of guidelines used by all online programs, in general, each of these institutions will employ a similar set of admissions criteria to determine who is offered acceptance for an upcoming cycle. Because of this, anyone wishing to enroll in an online program should fully understand these admissions criteria and the steps they can take to enhance their chances of being offered acceptance.

Almost every undergraduate program requires students to show proof of SAT scores and a copy of a high school diploma or GED. In addition to this proof, prospective students will often be asked to submit a personal essay about themselves and their aspirations as structural engineers and letters of recommendation from current teachers or employers who can attest to their capabilities as a student. In some cases, aspiring students will also be asked to offer additional information regarding their academic experience, or why they would like to enroll in this specific program.

Graduate program candidates will likely encounter an application process that is similar to that of their undergraduate peers. Instead of SAT scores, they may be asked to submit the scores they received on the GRE (may be waived). Also, aspiring graduates will likely be asked to submit copies of their undergraduate transcripts and diplomas, in addition to letters of recommendation. Finally, they may be asked to submit personal essays on how their experience in work and school will aid them in their future studies.

For all online programs, students must submit their application packages on or before a specific deadline. And while the specific date may vary based on the institution, the deadline for a spring-start program may be in late fall, while the deadline for a fall-start program will likely be in the later months of winter. That being said, this shouldn’t serve as definitive information; instead, individuals interested in enrolling in online programs should speak to that program’s administration to learn more about relevant dates and deadlines.

Structural Engineering Program Accreditation

Before choosing an online program, aspiring students may use program accreditation as an additional criterion when making a final decision. Structural engineering programs may receive accreditation through the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET), the national accreditation agency for programs focusing on technology and engineering. ABET acts as an umbrella organization with several member groups.

Here, it is essential to realize that a degree from an accredited institution is not a prerequisite to obtaining future employment as a structural engineer. A degree from an accredited institution and at least four years of work experience as an engineer is necessary to qualify for the exam to receive a Professional Engineer license. Engineering licensure is regulated state-by-state and offered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). A PE license allows the holder to take on a greater degree of responsibility in his or her work and may be a requirement for certain types of advanced positions as well.

For a full listing of engineering licensing boards in each state, visit the NCEES website.

Structural Engineering Curriculum & Specializations

As mentioned earlier, structural engineering is a branch of civil engineering. And while there are few universities focussing particularly on structural engineering, several are available on civil engineering.

Generally, the curriculum for most civil and structural engineering degrees will remain consistent across institutions, albeit with slight variations based on the specific school. Prospective students should expect to complete courses such as structural concrete design; structural timber design; loads for civil structures; finite element analysis; structural dynamics; and bridge design and construction.

Highly Regarded Online Structural Engineering Programs

As structural engineering is a subfield of civil engineering, there are few program options concentrated entirely on this sub-discipline. However, there are many online programs available on civil engineering.

Any prospective students interested in completing a structural engineering degree online should consider one of the following schools as a highly competitive option.

1 University of Southern California

The University of Southern California offers an online master of science program in civil engineering that focuses on structural engineering. This online program emphasizes experimental and analytical studies of the behavior of structures such as buildings, dams, and bridges under service loads such as traffic and environmental loads such as wind and earthquake.

Admission requirements to the program include a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, a current resume, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and TOEFL or IELTS scores for international students whose first language is not English. GRE test scores are not required for admission.

Made up of 28 credits, the program includes courses such as advanced mechanics; dynamics of structures; data analytics in engineering; finite element analysis; structural instability & failure; structural mechanics of composite materials; geotechnical earthquake engineering; and advanced steel structures.

At the end of the program, graduates can pursue opportunities in the areas of building maintenance, construction design, architecture, environmental engineering, project management, project planning, and surveying.

• Location: Los Angeles, CA
• Accreditation: WASC Senior College & University Commission (WSCUC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Full-time (18 to 24 months); part-time (30 to 36 months)
• Estimated Tuition: $2,309 per credit

2 Michigan Technological University

Michigan Technological University offers an online master of science program in civil engineering that prepares students in designing, building, analyzing, and leading advanced structural and civil engineering projects anywhere in the world. Focusing on structural engineering, this program helps students expand their capabilities as civil engineers. Students in this program will examine structural dynamics, dig deeper into building code, and further examine the materials that create our world.

Applicants to the program must hold an ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree and provide relevant transcripts, a current resume or CV, a personal statement, and a statement of purpose. GRE scores are not required for admission.

As part of the program, students will delve into topics such as probabilistic analysis and reliability; bridge design and construction; structural dynamics; structural timber design; steel design; concrete and masonry building systems; prestressed concrete design; finite element analysis; loads for civil structures; and matrix structural analysis.

Michigan Tech also offers several online graduate certificates in structural engineering: advanced analysis; bridge analysis and design; building design; hazard analysis; and timber building design.

• Location: Houghton, MI
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Five semesters
• Estimated Tuition: $1,433 per credit

3 University of Central Florida

University of Central Florida’s College of Engineering and Computer Science offers a master of science program in civil engineering focused on structural engineering preparing students to create solutions to the infrastructure challenges faced by our community. Students learn to evaluate the framework of structures and design them with security, sustainability, and safety in mind.

This 30-credit program includes courses such as soil dynamics; matrix methods for structural analysis; bridge engineering; advanced steel structures; advanced reinforced concrete; masonry and timber design; structural reliability; finite element structural analysis; dynamics of structures; and composite steel concrete structures.

Graduates can take up positions such as architectural engineers, bridge engineers, construction engineers, consulting engineers, public works managers, and structural project engineers.

• Location: Orlando, FL
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
• Estimated Tuition: In-state ($327.32 per credit); out-of-state ($1,151.72 per credit)

4 Ohio University

Ohio University’s online civil engineering master’s degree is delivered completely online. This online program focuses on teaching students how to address sustainability, emerging technologies, and globalization using advanced principles and techniques of physical science and mathematics. With four unique concentration options, students can specialize their studies to align with their desired career path. They can choose from environmental engineering; construction engineering and management; transportation engineering; and structural engineering.

In the structural engineering concentration, students will be able to investigate the technical and practical aspects of maintaining and designing reliable and safe structures with various materials. They will also be prepared best to use these materials in transportation design and bridge engineering.

The program’s core courses include engineering writing; project management; and a civil engineering seminar. Courses in the structural engineering concentration include advanced steel design; prestressed concrete design; timber design; bridge engineering; structural reliability; structural dynamics; and masonry design.

• Location: Athens, OH
• Estimated Tuition: In-state ($840 per credit); out-of-state and international ($859 per credit)

5 University of North Dakota

Graduates of the University of North Dakota’s civil engineering program can expect various job opportunities in many specialties such as structural engineering, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, soil engineering, transportation engineering, waste management engineering, and water resource engineering.

The university offers two civil engineering master’s degrees: a master of science program and a master of engineering program. Students can research their chosen area of interest by specializing in structural, environmental, transportation, or water resources, or choose the general civil engineering option.

The structural engineering option includes courses such as structural stability; structural dynamics; prestressed concrete analysis and design; and a design project. The program is made up of 30 credits.

• Location: Grand Forks, ND
• Expected Time to Completion: 12 to 24 months
• Estimated Tuition: $798.08 per credit

6 Purdue University

Purdue University’s online master of science program in civil engineering prepares students for leadership roles in the engineering industry. Its flexible curriculum is designed for beginners as well as experienced professionals. Students in this program study civil engineering in depth and choose from three interdisciplinary tracks: infrastructure, resilience, & sustainability; smart mobility; and sustainable water. The program is taught by the same expert faculty members that teach on-campus and students will complete the same coursework.

The infrastructure, resiliency, and sustainability (IRS) track focuses on the latest advancements in the design, construction, and analysis of civil infrastructure including bridges, buildings, industrial facilities, power plants, and roadways. These advancements include digital twinning for planning and construction; design for natural hazards and resilience; and sustainable materials and non-destructive evaluation.

The program’s 30-credit curriculum includes courses such as advanced structural mechanics; design of prestressed concrete structures; advanced steel design; finite elements in elasticity; structural stability and design; and seismic design of steel structures.

• Location: West Lafayette, IN
• Estimated Tuition: $750 per credit

7 University of Alabama at Birmingham

The School of Engineering and the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alabama at Birmingham offers students a unique opportunity to earn a master of engineering program with a structural engineering concentration. This program is particularly designed for qualified working professionals who hold an ABET-accredited undergraduate degree from a U.S. university or college. This fully online 30-credit program can be completed in just 19 months.

Some topics students will delve into include advanced mechanics for structural engineering; advanced design of steel structures; advanced reinforced concrete; prestressed concrete behavior and design; advanced structural analysis; bridge engineering; structural dynamics and earthquake engineering; and design of structural steel connections.

GRE or GMAT scores are required for domestic students; however, international candidates with undergraduate degrees will be required to submit TOEFL and GRE scores in addition to degree transcripts.

• Location: Birmingham, AL
• Expected Time to Completion: 19 months
• Estimated Tuition: $571 per credit

8 New Jersey Institute of Technology

New Jersey Institute of Technology’s online master of science program in civil engineering can be completed online or through hybrid learning. This program also offers several areas of specialization, each with its list of required and elective courses. Structural engineering is one such specialization offered within this program.

Applicants who do not possess a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, but wish to obtain a master's in civil engineering must complete a bridge program for their chosen area of specialization. These courses are not counted for degree credit. The bridge courses required in the structural engineering specialization include reinforced concrete design; soil mechanics; steel design; differential equations; and strength of materials.

Consisting of 30 credits, the program includes courses such as matrix analysis of structures; structural dynamics; mechanics and stability of structures; advanced reinforced concrete design; short span bridge design; design of tall buildings and space structures; and design of metal structures.

• Location: Newark, NJ
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Estimated Tuition: $1,112 per credit

9 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Grainger College of Engineering offers an online master of science degree in civil engineering with a specialization in structural engineering. This non-thesis civil engineering program can be completed entirely online and has been ranked by the U.S. News and World Report (2023) as the best in the nation among top online masters in civil engineering programs.

The structural engineering specialization comprises 36 credits and incurs core courses such as structural analysis; structural mechanics; structural dynamics; steel structures; reinforced concrete; and finite element methods. Structural electives include decision and risk analysis; highway bridge design; earthquake engineering; and fracture and fatigue.

Applicants to the program must hold a bachelor of science degree or the equivalent from an accredited college with a minimum GPA of 3.0. GRE test scores are optional and are not required for admission. Application requirements include Three letters of reference, a statement of purpose, a current resume, most current transcripts, and proof of English proficiency for applicants whose native language is not English.

• Location: Champaign, IL
• Estimated Tuition: $1,110 per credit

10 Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University’s online master’s in civil engineering program provides graduate instruction in geotechnical, structural, preservation, and ocean and coastal engineering. Designed mainly for working professionals, this online part-time civil engineering program features practice-oriented courses in small classes taught by industry experts.

Students in this program can choose a focus area that provides tailored education for those looking to specialize in a specific field. The structural engineering focus area includes courses such as mathematical methods for engineers; structural mechanics; applied finite element methods; advanced steel design; advanced reinforced concrete design; bridge design and evaluation; and design of wood structures, among others.

• Location: Baltimore, MD
• Estimated Tuition: $4,920 per course

11 University of Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma offers an online master of science program in civil engineering that can be completed in just 21 months. Focusing on analytical and technical civil engineering knowledge, the program offers the choice between structural, transportation, or geotechnical tracks.

The structural engineering track provides students with advanced practical designing skills and a basis for experimental or analytical research. Students who wish to pursue this track must hold a BS in civil engineering or a related field with a strong background in differential equations, calculus, soil mechanics, structural analysis, rigid body mechanics, and design with steel and concrete.

Made up of 32 credits, the program includes courses such as advanced mechanics of materials; prestressed concrete structures; structural design – wood; structural design - concrete; structural design – steel; soil-structure interaction; dynamics of structures; a capstone design experience.

• Location: Norman, OK
• Expected Time to Completion: 21 months
• Estimated Tuition: $31,520 total

Campus Visitation Requirements for Online Structural Engineering Programs

Not all online structural engineering programs consistently and actively report how many campus visits may be required to complete their programs. However, it is possible to give an overview of some different possibilities.

Because online structural engineering programs are largely targeted toward working engineers, they can generally be completed without ever setting foot on campus. This is true of programs as varied as the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and New Jersey Institute of Technology.

For students who are looking for a more hybrid option, Johns Hopkins University offers many courses that are available both online and on-campus, allowing students to choose whether or not they want that type of personal interaction.

Other Considerations for Selecting the Right Online Program

Prospective structural engineering students should examine post-graduate job placement data, which may shed light on the institution's quality (or the reach of its graduates). Furthermore, students may also inquire about online student support (including tech support) and career and advising services available during and after program completion.

Influential Structural Engineering Professors

The quality of the faculty at any school is a critical part of the quality of education offered there. The following professors teach at schools that offer online structural engineering courses and have shown a commitment to their field and teaching.

Theresa M. Ahlborn , PhD Michigan Technological University

Dr. Theresa Ahlborn is a civil, environmental, and geospatial engineering professor at Michigan Technological University and director of the Center for Structural Durability, an MDOT Center of Excellence. Her teaching interests include reinforced concrete design; prestressed concrete design; structural analysis; structural mechanics; and bridge engineering. Dr. Ahlborn’s research interests are in structural engineering, nondestructive evaluation and testing, prestressed concrete bridges, remote sensing for bridge condition assessment, anchorage and development of reinforcement, and bridge inspection with today’s advancing technologies.

In 2010, she received the prestigious PCI Distinguished Educator Award and was named WTS Woman of the Year in Michigan in 2013. In 2014, Dr. Ahlborn was honored with Michigan Technological University’s Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award. She has more than 110 publications in renowned journals. Dr. Theresa completed her PhD from the University of Minnesota and her MS and BS degrees from Michigan Technological University.

Matthew Bandelt , PhD New Jersey Institute of Technology

His research has been published in journals such as the Journal of Structural Engineering, Construction and Building Materials , and Engineering Structures. Dr. Bandelt completed his PhD from Stanford University, and his MS and BS degrees from Villanova University.

Necati Catbas , PhD University of Central Florida

Dr. Necati Catbas serves as the Lockheed Martin St. Laurent Professor at the University of Central Florida teaching graduates and undergraduate courses in the areas of structural engineering, structural dynamics, bridge engineering, structural health monitoring, finite element analysis, and advanced engineering topics. His research has evolved around structural health monitoring of civil infrastructure systems.

His research has been published in prominent journals such as the Journal of Steel and Composite Structures, Computers and Structures Journal, and Structural Health Monitoring Journal. Dr. Catbas completed his PhD from the University of Cincinnati and his MS and BS degrees from Bogazici University.

Sattar Dorafshan , PhD University of North Dakota

Dr. Sattar Dorafshan is an assistant professor of civil engineering at the University of North Dakota teaching courses such as reinforced concrete; structural dynamics; and prestressed concrete analysis and design. His research efforts are focused on intelligent infrastructure, sustainability, autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, nondestructive evaluation and testing, remote sensing, and additive manufacturing.

He has received several awards such as the NRC Research Associate Award, Dissertation Fellowship Award, Doctoral Researcher of the Year award, and the ACI Intermountain scholarship award. Professor Dorafshan’s research has been published in prominent journals such as Construction and Building Materials; Journal of Civil Structural Health Monitoring; Journal of bridge engineering; and Infrastructures . He completed his PhD from Utah State University, an MS from the Isfahan University of Technology, and a BS degree from the University of Tabriz.

Armando Duarte , PhD University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Dr. Armando Duarte is Nathan M. Newmark Distinguished Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in methods of structural mechanics, structural analysis, advanced finite element methods, and analysis and mechanics of plates and shells. His research interests include computational methods, three-dimensional linear and non-linear computational fracture mechanics, and multiscale and multiphysics problems.

Dr. Duarte has published over 80 book chapters and scientific articles and co-edited two books on computational methods. He completed his PhD from the University of Texas at Austin, MS from the Federal University of Santa Catarina, and BS from the Federal University of Pernambuco.

Bora Gencturk , PhD University of Southern California

Dr. Bora Gencturk is an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering in the Sonny Astani Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of Southern California. He teaches or has taught courses such as mechanical behavior of materials; engineering mechanics; structural reliability; and earthquake engineering. His research focuses on the durability and extreme event resilience of reinforced concrete structures. He has conducted research in areas such as field investigations, structural assessment, structural optimization, reliability analysis, advanced structural testing, and environmental durability.

His research has been published in prominent journals such as Engineering Structures, International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials , and International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials . Bora Gencturk completed his PhD and MS degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a BS from Bogazici University.

Edwin Schmeckpeper , PhD Norwich University

Dr. Edwin Schmeckpeper, a licensed professional engineer, is a professor of civil engineering and construction management at Norwich University. His research interests involve structural engineering, engineering education, construction issues, affordable housing, and resilient infrastructure. At Norwich, he teaches courses on structures and is the chairman of the civil and environmental engineering and construction management departments.

Professor Schmeckpeper completed his PhD in structural engineering from the University of New Hampshire and a BS in civil engineering from Valparaiso University.

Amit H. Varma , PhD Purdue University

Dr. Amit H. Varma is Karl H. Kettelhut Professor of civil engineering and the director of Bowen Laboratory at Purdue University’s Lyles School of Civil Engineering. He teaches or has taught courses such as the structural design in metals; stability; finite elements in elasticity; bridge design; and introductory to structural mechanics. His research efforts are focused on Seismic and fire behavior, analysis and design of steel-concrete composite structures, and repair and retrofit of deterioration and damaged infrastructure.

Dr. Varma has received several awards such as the AISC Milek Faculty Fellowship Award, Seeds for Success ACORN Award, and the Harold Munson Outstanding Teacher Award. His research has been published in journals such as the Journal of Structural Engineering and the Journal of Constructional Steel Research . He completed his PhD from Lehigh University, MS from the University of Oklahoma, and a BS from the Indian Institute of Technology.

Christopher Waldron , PhD University of Alabama at Birmingham

Dr. Christopher Waldron is an associate professor in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He teaches or has taught courses such as statics; structural analysis; mechanics of materials; reinforced concrete design; elastic stability of structures; and concrete materials. His research efforts are focused on improving the design and construction of bridges.

Dr. Waldron completed his BS from Drexel University in Philadelphia and his MS and PhD degrees from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA, all in civil engineering with a concentration in structural engineering.

Ken Walsh , PhD, Ohio University

Dr. Ken Walsh is an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Ohio University. He teaches or has taught introductory courses in structural analysis, steel design, and mechanics as well as advanced courses in structural dynamics and structural analysis. His research interests include vibration absorption and isolation, passive and semi-active vibration control, innovative materials for improved structural performance, and structural health monitoring.

Professor Walsh has published several refereed journal articles and conference papers in renowned journals such as the Journal of Structural Engineering, Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Vibration , and the Journal of Earthquake Engineering . He completed his PhD and MS from Florida A&M University and a BS from Florida State University.

Related Programs

• Water Systems Engineering
• Architecture & Sustainable Design
• Civil Engineering
• Cloud Computing
• Construction Management

Related FAQS

• 1. Environmental Engineering vs. Environmental Science
• 2. How Do I Become a Civil Engineer?
• 3. How Do I Become a Water Systems Engineer?
• 4. How Do I Become an Environmental Engineer?
• 5. What Are the Types of Architecture Degrees?

More on Structural Engineering

Online master’s degree programs in architecture.

Architects are involved in the planning and designing of houses, office buildings, factories, and other structures. They work on private or public projects and design outdoor and indoor spaces. These professionals can be commissioned to design almost anything from a room to an entire building complex.

Engineering Leadership

Traditionally and, in a way, unfairly, engineers nowadays are not synonymous with great management or leadership. There are several reasons for the lack of proper management in this industry. One such reason is the lack of adequate training in engineering colleges compared to business schools. Despite all, engineering leaders still have the chance of emerging with the right mix of leadership fundamentals, initiatives, and training.

Guide to Careers in Environmental Engineering

Environmental engineers apply their math, science, and engineering savvy to prevent and solve environmental problems. One might think such a field is too specialized to offer much professional variation, but there is a wealth of career paths in this high-growth area of the discipline.

Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Software Engineering

Software powers a large part of today’s world. From hailing taxi cabs to ordering food, there is an app for everything. As a result, there is a growing demand for software engineers to develop new applications and websites.

Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Technological Entrepreneurship & Management

Technology and the internet have enabled numerous entrepreneurs to see their ideas come to fruition. It is no surprise that many universities now offer courses and degree programs in technology entrepreneurship.

Doctor - Structural Engineering

Distance degree programs for adults & professionals., bircham international university - adult degree programs online., doctor ph.d. degree - engineering & technology, structural engineering via distance learning.

This Doctor Ph.D. Degree deals with the structural engineering principles and design techniques. It is a must for every engineer and architect working with the design of buildings, bridges, and other structures. It provides concise and updated information on the planning, design, and construction of various engineering structures.

Academic Supervisor : Mohamed Abdallah Naguib El-Reedy More information about this academic supervisor at Bircham University Human Network. More info...

The Doctor Ph.D. Degree online via distance learning offers students the highest level of specialization a discipline can offer. More info...

* 45 to 72 academic credits above a Master's program. * Average Duration: 24 months. * Program Structure: 70% textbooks + 30% Thesis. * Admission is open for adults over 27 years of age. * Master's degree or international equivalent (5 years of study) is required for admission.

Fees include all: Program of study, textbooks, study guide, evaluation and assessment, diploma, and transcript. Cost per BIU earned postgraduate credit: 130 Euros (170 US$) Cost per transferred credit from previous education and/or professional experience if required: 20 Euros (25 US$)

45 ... 72 Academic credits Tuition Fee :Min. 5.850 Euros (7.650 US$) ... Max. 9.360 Euros (12.240 US$).

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. It always seems impossible until it's done." Nelson Mandela.

Payment plans are available upon request up to 36 monthly installments. More info...

Faculty of Engineering & Technology via distance learning

• Doctor Ph.D. Degree

45 ... 72 Academic credits required for this distance learning degree program.

Composition:.

+ 39 Academic credits - Structural Engineering Online + Other additional subjects + 18 Academic credits - Research methodology and final project or thesis.

+ 39 Academic credits: Structural Engineering Online

BIU Earned Credits Credits earned through the completion of academic work at Bircham International University (Reports, Projects and Thesis).

1 BIU Earned Credit = 1 USA Semester Credit (15 hours of learning) = 2 ECTS Credits (30 hours of study). Courses list (each subject accounts for 3 academic credits): You may study any subject as an independent online continuing education course. More info...

Postgraduate level continuing education course. Previous knowledge in this field of study is required.

601STE - Construction Materials & Assemblies 602STE - Architectural Structures 603STE - Concrete Design & Construction 604STE - Steel Design & Construction 605STE - Wood Design & Construction 606STE - Ground Retaining Structures 607STE - Foundation Engineering 608STE - Building Technology 609STE - Wear of Materials & Corrosion 610STE - Materials Design & Failure 611STE - Civil Engineering 612STE - Geotechnical Engineering 613STE - Structural Engineering More info...

Bibliography: Structural Engineering via distance learning The corresponding textbooks are included in the fees. Once the fee has been paid, the books may take between two to five weeks to reach your address. Bircham International University offices may inform you at any time of the status of your books. If the book is in English, the required report must be written in English unless you have requested to write it in other language and have gained Bircham International University authorization. More info... Click here to access the recommended bibliography.

+ Additional courses may be selected from other modules in the Faculty of Engineering & Technology from Bircham International University if required. This selection must be approved by the Distance Learning University Education Board. For example: Building Technology & Design .

Research work resources and network - Doctor - Structural Engineering:

AAEE - Australasian Association for Engineering Education ABCEM - Associação Brasileira da Construção Metálica ABECE - Associação Brasileira de Engenharia e Consultoria Estrutural ABP - Associação Brasileira de Pontes e Estruturas ASEE - American Society for Engineering Education EFFC - European Federation of Foundation Contractors ENGC - Engineering Council (UK) FEBRAE - Federação Brasileira de Associações de Engenheiros FIB - International Federation for Structural Concrete FPS - Federation of Piling Specialists IABSE - International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineers IACEE - International Association for Continuing Engineering Education IAENG - International Association of Engineers IESF - Ingénieurs et Scientifiques de France IET - Institution of Engineering and Technology IFEES - International Federation of Engineering Education Societies IRED - Institute of Research Engineers and Doctors ISE - Institution of Structural Engineers ISSMGE - International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering LACCEI - Latin American and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institutions NAAAEA - National Arab American Association of Engineers and Architects NSBE - National Society of Black Engineers SEFI - Societé Européene pour la Formation des Ingénieurs SHPE - Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers  SWE - Society of Women Engineers UACSE - Universal Association of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineers WFEO - World Federation of Engineering Organizations More info...

Joining the proper association is the best way to become an updated professional. Bircham International University graduates may join many professional associations. Membership requirements for each association may vary depending on the degree program, specialization and graduate resume en each occasion. BIU can not guarantee membership in all instances. BIU does not intermediate in these procedures. Bircham International University provides a list of available memberships and professional references from each faculty where some BIU graduates may belong. Contact directly the ones you select. More info...

+ 18 Academic credits (Research methodology and final project or thesis. More info... ).

Admission requirements: Doctor - Structural Engineering

Bircham International University distance learning degree admission requirements differ depending upon the Faculty and the major of study. There is no discrimination with respect to race, color, sex, beliefs and/or religion. A minimum of 30% of the total number of credits required by any adult degree program syllabus has to be transferred from previous education and/or validated from professional experience in order to gain admission. A maximum of 20% of the total number of credits required by the distance learning degree program can be transferred from professional and life experience. More info...

Click to Download... Application for Admission

Learning outcomes: Doctor - Structural Engineering

The following learning outcomes are compatible with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) for lifelong learning and continuing education. The EQF directives facilitate acceptance of this course credits by many higher education institution. These learning outcomes are achieved after completion of this course with a passing grade. Better grades will demonstrate higher analysis, evaluation and critical thinking skills. More info...

EQF LEVEL 6. Advanced knowledge and critical understanding. Outcome resulting from course content assessment and its applicability to problem solving. The student's ability to combine the different parts of the text and to form a new coherent and harmonic final report will determine the critical understanding of the subject and an advanced knowledge of Structural Engineering. The student written report style, content, and structure play an important role in the assessment and applicability of the knowledge about Structural Engineering to different Engineering & Technology decision making scenarios and problem-solving. More info...

EQF LEVEL 7. Advanced knowledge and critical thinking. Outcome resulting from written critical thinking and its applicability to problem solving. The student will contrast and evaluate the learned material with his/her own knowledge and experience to express an opinion about Structural Engineering, to consider the practical application of the key concepts, and to argue the conclusions along the written report. Personal judgments and opinion should be based on sound criteria and must be clearly discussed. More info...

BIU adapts each Distance Learning Higher Education degree program to the needs of each student. More info...

Structural Engineering Online

Recognition - Distance degree programs - More info... Accreditation - Distance Learning University - More info... Degree Legalization - Graduate Services - More info... Acceptance of these Distance Learning Higher Education academic credits is always the prerogative of the receiving institution or employer. Recognition criteria differ depending on each educational institution, or company policy, or country legal framework.

Research Topics

Chemistry and physics of Earth's atmosphere; Sustainable urban development; Public health; Global climate change

Contact Information

230 Jarvis Hall

Buffalo NY, 14260

Phone: (716) 645-6167

[email protected]

Related Links

• CIE 461—Air Pollution (Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022)
• CIE 532—Statistical Methods in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering (Fall 2024, Spring 2021, Spring 2020)
• CIE 546—Env Fluid Mechanics (Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Fall 2020, Fall 2019)
• CIE 563—Air Pollution (Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022)

Specialty/Research Focus: Environmental and Water Resources Engineering

• Online Undergraduate Students
• Online Graduate Students
• Prospective Students
• First Generation
• International
• Persons With Disabilities
• Military-Connected
• Student Parents
• Accounting & Finance
• Architecture & Construction
• Arts, Media & Communications
• Business Management & Administration
• Counseling & Social Work
• Community Impact
• Education & Training
• Government & Public Administration
• Health Science
• Information Technology
• Law & Policy
• Operations & Logistics
• Create a Resume / Cover Letter
• Expand Your Network / Mentor
• Explore Your Interests / Self Assessment
• Negotiate an Offer
• Prepare for an Interview
• Prepare for Graduate School
• Search for a Job / Internship
• Linkedin Learning
• Labor Market Insights

Graduate Engineer – Structural

• Share This: Share Graduate Engineer – Structural on Facebook Share Graduate Engineer – Structural on LinkedIn Share Graduate Engineer – Structural on X

WHAT WE DO:

Dunaway is a professional services firm established in 1956, with offices in Fort Worth, Austin, Dallas, Farmersville, Houston, Midland, and San Antonio. We offer civil and structural engineering, planning + landscape architecture, survey, and construction inspection services to public and private clients throughout Texas.

As a multi-discipline firm with a staff of over 250+ positioned in our seven offices across the state of Texas – our firm’s size, location, and reputation allows us to provide local, specialized knowledge to each project and each client that we serve.

WHO WE ARE:

The Dunaway Difference is our three foundational components (represented by the waves in our logo): Core Values, One Heart and Profitable Growth. The combination of these three pillars creates a feeling and experience that is uniquely Dunaway.

Dunaway is in search of a Graduate Engineer for our Dallas and Fort Worth offices .

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING:

In this role, you will be responsible for providing technical support, including drafting and design, in the basic development/design of building structures with primary construction materials including concrete, steel, masonry, wood, and aluminum. This position offers an opportunity to work on a wide array of projects with a diverse set of job duties.

Once selected to join our team, you will:

• Prepare reports, specifications, plans, and construction documents for projects as requested across the LOB
• Perform assigned engineering tasks with supervision, including conducting hand calculations and utilizing design programs
• Perform BIM modeling on assigned projects
• Utilizes Dunaway standards, SOPs and training materials to align work product with stated resources
• Completes design calculations and verify conformance with applicable codes and project scope with oversight
• Assists with construction administration including reviewing shop drawings/submittals for compliance with structural documents, responding to contractor RFIs, and performing site observations.
• Assist the project team in the development and design of building structures with construction materials including concrete, steel, masonry, wood and aluminum
• Assist the Discipline Lead with resource planning and forecasting
• Responsible for initiating the QA/QC process for projects
• AutoCAD Civil 3D and/or Microsoftstation software
• Proficient in MS Office and Bluebeam
• Basic knowledge of Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD, and Bentley products

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil/Structural Engineering or equivalent degree
• Recommend student to pass FE exam
• 0-3 years of experience

• Penn Engineering Online Degrees
• Penn Engineering Online Dual Dual Degree
• Online Graduate Certificates
• Take a Course
• On-Demand Learning
• MSE-AI Online
• Request Info

THE RAJ AND NEERA SINGH Program in Artificial Intelligence: Master of Science in Engineering in AI Online

Join the AI revolution. The online Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) in Artificial Intelligence (AI) degree from Penn Engineering equips you with technical skills including classical AI, natural language processing, generative AI, and modern deep learning, alongside a robust ethical framework, preparing you to shape the future of this transformative technology.

If you have an undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or an equivalent degree and an interest in artificial intelligence, our MSE-AI Online program is for you. Taught by some of the top AI researchers in the world, the program offers a deep dive into machine learning, natural language processing, GPU programming for AI and machine learning, and more — along with the ability to thoroughly analyze AI’s impact on society from various perspectives.

Our asynchronous, online curriculum gives you the flexibility to study anywhere, any time. But you’ll also benefit from the support and friendship of a tight-knit online community. 

The MSE-AI is designed for professionals with an undergraduate degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related field.

Tuition and Financial Aid

An Ivy League education at an accessible cost, ensuring that high-quality learning is within reach for a wide range of learners.

Study machine learning, statistical modeling, and gain insights into data center infrastructures like distributed systems, networking, and GPU programming, alongside ethical considerations, preparing to navigate AI’s risks.

Student Experience

Online learning offers flexible, interactive, and resource-rich experiences, tailored to individual schedules and preferences, fostering collaborative and enriching journeys.

A message from the program director

Artificial intelligence is a transformative technology that is already boosting productivity across industries and helping people realize creative visions they never before thought possible. While this technology has brought forth opportunities , it has also created challenges for humanity that we must safeguard against.

That’s why I’m so excited to introduce Penn Engineering’s new online Master of Science in Engineering in Artificial Intelligence (MSE-AI Online), which will prepare you to address those risks head-on while building the technical skills to create innovative new AI tools.

In collaboration with Penn Engineering faculty who are some of the top experts in the field, you’ll explore the history of AI and learn to anticipate and mitigate potential challenges of the future. You’ll be prepared to lead change as we embark towards the next phases of this revolutionary technology.

All of our classes are 100% online and asynchronous, giving you the flexibility to learn at a time and pace that work best for you. While you can access this world-class education remotely, you won’t be studying alone. You’ll benefit from the guidance and support of faculty members, classmates, teaching assistants and staff through our robust portfolio of engagement and communication platforms. 

Graduates of this program will go on to found startups, build new models and create new ways to integrate AI tools into current industries. I’m excited to play a role in this transformative field, and I hope you will join us. 

Chris Callison-Burch Program Director, MSE-AI Online

Have questions?

PhD Candidate in Timber Engineering

Job Information

Offer description.

About the job

We have a vacancy for a Ph.D. Candidate within the timber structures’ group at the Department of Structural Engineering.

The timber structures group at NTNU has had a great development over the last years. The research interests of the group are focused on development of structural concepts for mid-rise timber buildings, timber bridges with long spans, development of high-performance connections based on threaded rods, static and dynamic testing of timber components and investigation of fracture and high-cycle fatigue. The research methods are based on both small-scale and full-scale experimental testing and on Finite Element Modelling.

Timber structures have gained increasing attention in the European construction field because of their sustainability, cost effectiveness, and reduced self-weight. The use of wood is particularly beneficial because of its low carbon footprint compared to other construction materials such as concrete and steel. Wood products can achieve high mechanical performance not only at the material level, but also at structural level, as it was proved by the recent efforts to design and construct high timber buildings in Europe. Such buildings require performant connections in terms of stiffness and resistance to achieve sufficient serviceability and safety. Performant moment-resisting connections can contribute to the lateral stiffness of the building, reducing the need for diagonal bracing or walls and allowing for more spacious buildings. An innovative moment-resisting beam-to-column connection has recently been developed at NTNU, based on friction, and utilizing threaded rods as fasteners.

The design life of load-carrying wooden structures is recommended to be up to 100 years by the Eurocodes. However, the long-term mechanical deterioration of wood driven by cyclic variations of the environmental conditions is a challenging topic for large structures. Furthermore, increasing circularity and prolonging the service life of buildings and structural components is a step forward towards more sustainable, resource-efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly construction. Therefore, the response of the connection subjected to long-term loading and moisture effects should be investigated, as well as the potential for disassembling/reassembling. Moreover, design recommendations about the long-term performance need to be developed for the application of such connections.

The scope of this Ph.D. project is to investigate the long-term behaviour of moment-resisting connections with threaded rods subjected to permanent load under varying climate conditions and evaluate the long-term effects on the structural response of buildings.

The research will involve both finite element modelling and experimental work. The research will involve cooperation within the framework of an international project.

The Ph.D. project aims to start in August/September 2024. The Ph.D. position holder will be required to work in Trondheim, together with the rest of the timber structures group.

Your immediate leader is Associate Professor Francesco Mirko Massaro.

Duties of the position

• Complete the PhD training consisting of courses (minimum 30 ECTS credits) 
• Review of existing literature on long-term response of timber connections.
• Experimental testing of threaded rods embedded in timber subjected to permanent load under varying climate conditions.
• Evaluation of long-term properties of connections with threaded rods by use of experimental and/or finite element method.
• Assessment of the effects of creep deformations on the ultimate and serviceability limit state of timber buildings with connections consisting of threaded rods.
• Determination of the required tolerances of the connections to facilitate reassembly of structural components.
• The Ph.D. candidate shall publish the research outcomes in internationally recognized journals and conferences.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a professionally relevant background in Structural Engineering
• Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, where 120 credits are obtained at master's level
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and an average grade from the master's degree program, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared with NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic basis. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be assessed if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
• Master's students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented by August 15th.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to  the faculty's doctoral program .
• You must have good written and oral English language skills.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with  Regulations on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, Phd candidate, research assistant and specialist candidate  and  Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant 

Preferred selection criteria

• Suitable background (M.Sc. degree or equivalent) within structural engineering and/or timber engineering.
• Knowledge of Finite Element software (e.g. Abaqus or similar)
• Programming skills (e.g. Matlab, Python or similar).
• Knowledge of European standards for the design of buildings (Eurocodes)

Personal characteristics

• be highly motivated and diligent.
• be able to work both independently and as part of a group.
• be able to cooperate within the framework of an international project.
• have good communication skills in scientific writing and oral presentations.

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and  inclusive work environment  with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the  Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• employee benefits

Salary and conditions

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 532 200 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years, with a possible extension to 4 years with 25 % teaching duties.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to  the PhD programme in Engineering  within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning  State Employees and Civil Servants , and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must be attached to the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.

The application must include: 

• CV and certificates
• transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not completed the master's degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted.
• A copy of the master's thesis. If you recently have submitted your master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Name and contact information of three referees
• If you have publications or other relevant research work

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can be found  here . If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.

We will take joint work into account. If it is difficult to identify your efforts in the joint work, you must enclose a short description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. 

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to  The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

General information

Working at NTNU

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is our strength. We want to recruit people with different competencies, educational backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to solving our social responsibilities within education and research. We will facilitate for our employees’ needs.

NTNU is working actively to increase the number of women employed in scientific positions and has a number of resources to  promote equality.  

The city of Trondheim  is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you want to reserve yourself from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with  current legislation . You will be notified if the reservation is not accepted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate Professor Francesco Mirko Massaro, email [email protected] . If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Kristine Grønvold, e-mail: [email protected] .

If you think this looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.  

Application deadline: 03.05.2024

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Structural Engineering

We teach mechanical engineering, engineering and ICT, and civil and environmental engineering. The Department conducts internationally leading research and participates in several large national research projects.  The Department of Structural Engineering  is one of eight departments in  the Faculty of Engineering .

Deadline  16th May 2024 Employer  NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology Municipality  Trondheim Scope  Fulltime Duration Temporary Place of service  Materialteknisk, Richard Birkelands vei 1A, 7034 Trondheim

Requirements

Additional information, work location(s), where to apply.

• UB Directory
• Office of the Provost >
• Resources >

New study will quantify agricultural emissions and their impact

The new method can provide information on agricultural pollution emissions almost as quickly as the satellite itself. 

By Peter Murphy

Published May 13, 2024

Kang Sun, assistant professor in environmental engineering, is playing a crucial role in a NASA-funded project to quantify the impact that different nitrogen emissions have on productivity and air quality.

Related Links

• Kang Sun , PhD
• 3/8/24 Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering

The study , led by Kaiyu Guan, associate professor and director of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Agroecosystem Sustainability Center, will examine two nitrogen fluxes: ammonia and nitric oxide/nitrogen dioxide (NOx).

According to Sun, the team at UB will use an observation-based approach that he developed, which is detailed in a paper published in the Geophysical Research Letters and expanded upon in a paper published in the Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics journal. The method uses satellite images and wind data to determine where the nitrogen fluxes come from. The method also maps pollution levels at high resolution and how they change over time.

“We expect higher column amount of the fluxes directly downwind of emission sources,” Sun says. “Since this approach does not rely on any resource intensive computer models, it can inform pollution emission quickly, almost as timely as the satellite data product itself.”

According to Sun, this project could provide valuable insights on these fluxes that have not been as available as similar data on other emissions.

“What makes this project challenging and exciting is that we will look at relatively weak and diffusive emission from agricultural activities. Compared with urban, fossil-fuel-based emission sources, the agricultural sources are poorly quantified and regulated and may have disproportional impact on air quality and climate change,” Sun says.

Other collaborators include Mark Zondlo, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Princeton University; Steven Hall, assistant professor in agricultural and life sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; Wendy Yang, professor of plant biology and associate director of the Agroecosystem Sustainability Center; and Bin Peng, assistant professor of water and agriculture at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

The interdisciplinary team of researchers aim to develop guidance for farmers on nitrogen fertilizer and ways to ease nitrogen emissions from agricultural processes, and improve air quality on farms and other agricultural sites. 

Do you have questions or comments for the Office of the Provost? Let us know your thoughts and we’ll be happy to get back to you.

PhD Excellence Initiative

A campus-wide, student-centric effort to ensure that UB’s PhD programs remain among the strongest in the world.

Recent University News

• 5/14/24 New ways to reduce – and count — emissions
• 5/14/24 Creating toolset for oxygen metabolism mapping
• 5/14/24 Campus systems to display chosen names
• 5/14/24 Study: Same genes that made gorilla penises small may make men infertile
• 5/13/24 Ranibizumab is Safe for Treating Retinopathy of Prematurity

635th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment

635-й зенитно-ракетный полк

Military Unit: 86646

Activated 1953 in Stepanshchino, Moscow Oblast - initially as the 1945th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment for Special Use and from 1955 as the 635th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment for Special Use.

1953 to 1984 equipped with 60 S-25 (SA-1) launchers:

• Launch area: 55 15 43N, 38 32 13E (US designation: Moscow SAM site E14-1)
• Support area: 55 16 50N, 38 32 28E
• Guidance area: 55 16 31N, 38 30 38E

1984 converted to the S-300PT (SA-10) with three independent battalions:

• 1st independent Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion (Bessonovo, Moscow Oblast) - 55 09 34N, 38 22 26E
• 2nd independent Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion and HQ (Stepanshchino, Moscow Oblast) - 55 15 31N, 38 32 23E
• 3rd independent Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion (Shcherbovo, Moscow Oblast) - 55 22 32N, 38 43 33E

Disbanded 1.5.98.

Subordination:

• 1st Special Air Defence Corps , 1953 - 1.6.88
• 86th Air Defence Division , 1.6.88 - 1.10.94
• 86th Air Defence Brigade , 1.10.94 - 1.10.95
• 86th Air Defence Division , 1.10.95 - 1.5.98

• Liberty Online
• Residential
• Request More Information
• (434) 582-2000
• Academic Calendar
• Bachelor’s Degrees
• Master’s Degrees
• Postgraduate Degrees
• Doctoral Degrees
• Associate Degrees
• Certificate Programs
• Degree Minors
• Registrar’s Office
• Degree Completion Plans (DCPs)
• Course Catalog
• Policy Directory
• Academic Support (CASAS)
• LU Bookstore
• Research at Liberty
• Eagle Scholars Program
• Honors Program
• Quiz Bowl Team
• Debate Team
• Student Travel
• Liberty University Online Academy (K-12)
• Tuition & Costs
• Net Price Calculator
• Student Financial Services
• Scholarships
• Undergraduate
• International
• Apply for LU Online
• Online Admissions
• Online Tuition & Fees
• Military Students
• School of Law
• Osteopathic Medicine
• Convocation
• Campus Community
• LU Serve Now
• Liberty Worship Collective
• Office of Spiritual Development
• Online Engagement
• LU Shepherd
• Doctrinal Statement
• Mission Statement
• Residence Life
• Student Government
• Student Clubs
• Conduct Code & Appeals
• Health & Wellness
• Student Affairs Offices
• Campus Recreation
• LaHaye Rec & Fit
• Intramural Sports
• Hydaway Outdoor Center
• Snowflex Centre
• Student Activities
• Club Sports
• LaHaye Ice Center
• ID & Campus Services
• Dining Services
• Parents & Families
• Commuter Students
• International Students
• Graduate Students
• Disability Support
• Equity & Inclusion
• NCAA Sports
• Flames Club
• Varsity Club
• Williams Stadium
• Vines Center
• Liberty Baseball Stadium
• Kamphuis Field
• Ticket Information
• Flames Merchandise
• LU Quick Facts
• News & Events
• Virtual Tour
• History of Liberty
• Contact Liberty
• Visit Liberty
• Give to Liberty

81-year-old veteran earns master’s degree in aviation from Liberty

Search news archives, filter news articles.

Additional Navigation

May 10, 2024 : By Ted Allen - Office of Communications & Public Engagement

At 81, Nicholas Schillen, a U.S. Air Force veteran who completed his M.S. in Aeronautics through Liberty University Online Programs in December, is the oldest graduate among the 29,000-plus students in the Class of 2024.

He and his wife drove from their home near Miami to Lynchburg, Va., so he could see the university for the first time, attend Liberty’s Military Graduate Recognition Ceremony on Thursday morning, and walk the stage at Thursday afternoon’s School of Aeronautics degree presentation ceremony.

In the early 1960s, Schillen studied marine biology at colleges in Texas and Indiana before following an alternate flight plan.

“I had to make a career decision,” he said. “Do I go into the air or into the water? My dad said, ‘No more school for you. Get a job.’ So I went into the Air Force.”

Schillen, who was born in Venezuela, and his wife, Maria, who was born in Chile, both grew up in Havana, Cuba. They met while serving in the U.S. Air Force on the same base at the Panama Canal.

Schillen’s military career stretched from 1963-87, and he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Starting as a radar navigator and bombardier in B-52s during the Cold War, he received his pilot’s wings and flew special operations missions aboard C-47 Skytrains in Vietnam in the late 1960s before working with the Defense Intelligence Agency and being assigned as an aviation military advisor to several posts in Central America.

“That was kind of interesting and pretty rewarding, working on operations in Panama, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala,” Schillen said. “Invariably, I was involved in assignments with other U.S. service members in special forces and Navy SEALS, as well as host country military units. I was in the Air Force side of those activities.”

In civilian life, he started as an instructor at Eastern Air Lines and subsequently taught in the Air Force Junior ROTC program for 10 years before starting his own flight school and serving as a chief pilot for NS Aviation Training, Inc., from 2000-18. A year later, he became the chief instructor for Atlantis Aviation Flight Academy, an FAA-approved Part 141 flight school that trained international students in Pembroke Pines, Fla., from 2019-21.

Schillen’s specialties include commercial certification and instrument-rated single and multiengine flight instruction. He also specializes in preparing commercial pilots to become flight instructors. To promote his instructional expertise, Schillen launched MN Aviation Consultants, Inc ., in 2018. As its owner and CEO, he provides one-on-one flight instruction to recreational pilots and those seeking professional certification. Additionally, he has provided consulting services in quality control and standardization of training procedures to several South Florida flight schools.

Schillen said he heard about Liberty through associations in his flight school and felt an immediate connection due to Liberty’s nationally recognized military friendliness.

“I felt welcome, you know?” he said.

Pursuing his master’s degree gave Schillen a whole new perspective on general aviation and the flight training industry in particular.

“If you do something in your skill and your area of expertise after a while, you think you know it all, at least I did, but that’s not true,” he said. “I broadened my view of aviation. I’ve been a very hands-on, operational type of pilot, and I wasn’t familiar with many of the topics covered, aviation law, for example. Of course, I’m a history buff, so that aspect of the courses was of great interest to me.”

It had been more than 50 years since he had enrolled in college coursework, and Schillen quickly discovered that the road to a master’s degree wasn’t going to be easy.

“Well, if anybody thinks it’s going to be a cakewalk, I tell them, ‘Don’t even try it,’” Schillen said. “It’s work, and you’ve got to put in the time and effort. If you follow the process, the way Liberty does it, and you dedicate your mind to it, it will pay off.”

He said the process was extremely rewarding.

“People ask me, ‘Why would you get a master’s at this point in your career?’” Schillen said. “Completing it was a big measure of honor in and of itself. I graduated with distinction, which I never thought I could or would. But I just did my best. If I made a mistake, the instructor let me know. Their feedback was always excellent, and so were their words of encouragement.”

For his capstone project, he designed a course to teach pilots who want to become FAA-certified flight instructors. Schillen’s professor was Jim Molloy, a former dean of the School of Aeronautics, and a fellow Air Force veteran now serving with Samaritan’s Air in North Africa.

“He had also served in the Defense Intelligence Agency and had done a lot of the same work that I used to do when I was in the military, so we had something in common,” Schillen said. “I felt that there was a degree of familiarity. I struggled with the research, and he kept pushing me.”

Schillen, who said he has always lived by the Golden Rule, especially with regards to the way he has operated his flight school, said the main benefit he received from his online studies through Liberty was the strengthening of his faith.

“I’ve always been spiritual,” said Schillen, who was baptized into the Catholic faith but has been influenced by friends who were Protestant believers throughout his military and civilian career. “I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, but I never took my faith too seriously until I started taking master’s level courses. The concept of writing a paper about aviation leaders in military history or flight safety through a biblical lens was new to me. So that approach was very significant to me. It made me more knowledgeable and gave me the confidence to speak and to train from a spiritual perspective.”

Related Posts

Dr. Beth Koss receives CUSA’s 2024 Faculty Achievement Award

Liberty University honors over 6,000 military graduates at special ceremony

Engineering students collaborate with industries on capstone projects

• Yekaterinburg
• Novosibirsk
• Vladivostok

• Tours to Russia
• Practicalities
• Russia in Lists

Rusmania • Deep into Russia

Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

Plan your next trip to Russia

Ready-to-book tours.

Your holiday in Russia starts here. Choose and book your tour to Russia.

REQUEST A CUSTOMISED TRIP

Looking for something unique? Create the trip of your dreams with the help of our experts.